Hi, Mark:
Quick question: what are your thoughts about using writing software like Scriviner (www.literatureandlatte.com) or mind mapping programs like MindManager (www.mindjet.com) or Personal Brain (www.thebrain.com) to track and cross-reference lists?
Roger
Thanks for your kind words about my eBook, Roger. I always appreciate what you have to say.
As to those software programs: I’ve never investigated any of them, although I’ll check them out now.
I see a couple of the programs deal with mind-mapping. You know, I’ve tried that technique, off and on, for twenty-five years, and haven’t been able to make it work. When I get an idea during a mind-mapping session, I tend to sit there, wondering which conceptual arm to put in on, and then I slow to a halt.
Freewriting, for me, is a more productive ideation technique, because the speed involved pushes my internal editor into the background, and I’m better able to spit out idea after idea.
Dear Mark:
Congratulations on another great book which can help any subject area expert or self-employed professional take the first steps towards converting their expertise and experiences into a brand-building book.
The step-by-step approach provides great organization, and I like the specific observations and tips you include, such as “having an organized inventory of ideas is not the same thing as having ideas scattered around your computer.” (page 25)
Excellent e-book! The information is really valuable. I too often brainstorm lots of ideas but breaking them down into lists and “chunking” out the ideas is a great way to organize and focus.
When I used to brainstorm without using multiple lists, I always felt like something was missing. I guess I realized I was unintentionally ignoring parts of the problem that should have been studied. The lists, though, help me see things in wider perspective.
Great e-book, Mark! I love the idea of creating and then indexing/archiving thought chunks. I really need to do a better job of that. I use a lot of brainstorming lists with my clients during problem-solving and other facilitation work.
I know you work with clients on lots of high-level problems, so I can imagine how list-making helps during a brainstorm. Instead of looking at the complete problem, you can study it through a single frame.
It’s paradoxical: The more narrow the frame, the easier it is to come up with ideas.
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Hi, Mark:
Quick question: what are your thoughts about using writing software like Scriviner (www.literatureandlatte.com) or mind mapping programs like MindManager (www.mindjet.com) or Personal Brain (www.thebrain.com) to track and cross-reference lists?
Roger
Thanks for your kind words about my eBook, Roger. I always appreciate what you have to say.
As to those software programs: I’ve never investigated any of them, although I’ll check them out now.
I see a couple of the programs deal with mind-mapping. You know, I’ve tried that technique, off and on, for twenty-five years, and haven’t been able to make it work. When I get an idea during a mind-mapping session, I tend to sit there, wondering which conceptual arm to put in on, and then I slow to a halt.
Freewriting, for me, is a more productive ideation technique, because the speed involved pushes my internal editor into the background, and I’m better able to spit out idea after idea.
Dear Mark:
Congratulations on another great book which can help any subject area expert or self-employed professional take the first steps towards converting their expertise and experiences into a brand-building book.
The step-by-step approach provides great organization, and I like the specific observations and tips you include, such as “having an organized inventory of ideas is not the same thing as having ideas scattered around your computer.” (page 25)
Best wishes–
Roger
Mark,
Excellent e-book! The information is really valuable. I too often brainstorm lots of ideas but breaking them down into lists and “chunking” out the ideas is a great way to organize and focus.
Much appreciated, Kathryn.
When I used to brainstorm without using multiple lists, I always felt like something was missing. I guess I realized I was unintentionally ignoring parts of the problem that should have been studied. The lists, though, help me see things in wider perspective.
Great e-book, Mark! I love the idea of creating and then indexing/archiving thought chunks. I really need to do a better job of that. I use a lot of brainstorming lists with my clients during problem-solving and other facilitation work.
Thanks much, Halelly.
I know you work with clients on lots of high-level problems, so I can imagine how list-making helps during a brainstorm. Instead of looking at the complete problem, you can study it through a single frame.
It’s paradoxical: The more narrow the frame, the easier it is to come up with ideas.