CenterPoint Community Blog

I've been a big fan of mindmapping for many years - for many purposes. In graduate school I would use mindmapping as a way of consolidating and studying material that I was learning. As a speaker, I use mindmapping to help me plot out a workshop or keynote presentation. And definitely, as a writer, I use mindmapping constantly to assist me in generating and organizing my ideas - and to get me unstuck.

Once you discover mindmapping - and really give it time and an opportunity to become your new default - you will wonder why you ever used an outline (at least once you got out of high school where outlines may have been required). I am not anti-outline just like I'm not anti-Compaq computers (the old luggable kind like I used to have). It's just that once you know there is something better, why go back to a less effective and efficient tool?

Do you ever have those times where you know you should be writing, where you want to be writing, where you really, really feel pressured about writing...but aren't getting your writing done? See if one of these five tips can help you build some momentum...

Is being a writer easy?  Even those who make a full time living as writers wouldn't say, "Yes," to that question.  If you could use some new tactics (or reminders of old ones) that will increase your writing productivity, take a look at these four.

No matter what 'job' you need to do, you need good tools. These are tools that I find helpful - and I'm a reasonably prolific writer. Some are 'old fashioned' and others are new-fangled. Use what works for you, but know that I highly recommend the following:

Do you like accessing online tools to support your writing? I've got a couple of suggestions. And, if you like to talk, then I have a tool for you, too. How about good old water or a stamp? Let's realize that there are so many different possible tools we can use to get moving in our writing. These are five that help me...