April 2024…
I have created an outline for a new major work. It is a crime thriller novel that follows a witness to a crime who becomes a prime suspect. What has been a satisfying revelation was adapting and employing a technique I learned as an engineer known as Mind Mapping, although I’m sure it goes by many other names.
It involves drawing circles on a blank page, in this case, representing characters. Lines are drawn between the characters representing relationships and interactions. The lines can have comments attached to them representing reasons for the link or particular actions that involve the characters. Adjacent to each circle I listed particular character traits that were relevant to the story.
While it’s not exactly a ground-breaking technique, it was enlightening to apply the method to reveal story causes and effects. For a crime/thriller novel it is especially important for elements of the story to be logical in placement and time; so that there are no holes or actions happening out of sequence. By applying a mind mapping technique I found myself continually asking “Why?”; why would the character have done this?; why would the police think this is significant? Asking these questions allowed character traits to reveal themselves – especially in terms of motivation – so that a plausible plot was developed.
It allowed me to list the sequence of police investigations and discoveries and how it would drive their thinking. I, as the author, know the outcome of the story. The challenge is to ensure that the elements are revealed in such a manner as to create and maintain some suspense and connection with the reader. The writing craft requires telling enough of the known events for the reader to want to keep turning the page even if they think they know what is going to happen.
The mind map was sketched out on two A4 pages. From a simple condensed document I felt the confidence that I had a well-formed story that needed writing. It was the springboard to transcribe it onto a PC and added more ideas during the process. I have the sketches for some credible characters for whom I can write biographies and back stories. It has also highlighted areas of research I need to pursue to ensure the story remains authentic.
Two pages of jottings has allowed the expression of a long-held idea, and the start of a new project. There is an excitement surrounding it, the tingle to flesh out the story and share it. Over the next couple of months I plan to expand it to a first draft stage.
Why am I exploring a new work while Trials of Henry remains unedited? Simply because I don’t want my writing life to be centred on one novel or genre. I recognise that my development depends on challenging myself to write in new styles and forms, to learn how the compilation of words conveys feelings and emotions while sharing a compelling story. Mind mapping has revealed itself as a great tool for me to outline story ideas efficiently without actually writing. It is the first stage of my creative process.