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Write to Done

Unmissable articles on writing. Twice weekly.

How to Use a Genius Tool for Writers: Mind MapsToday

Photo courtesy of psd

By Mary Jaksch

Do you want to become a better writer? A better organizer? A better collaborator? In that case, try using mind maps. Creator Tony Buzan called mind maps a ‘genius tool’. Why? Because mind mapping can fire up your brain and boost creativity.

Why mind maps work

A mind map is a thinking tool that reflects what goes on in the brain. When two bits of information intersect, an idea is formed. Then the idea triggers radiant thinking. This means that the brain makes countless associations, radiating in all directions.

Take a look at this video in which Tony Buzan talks about why mind maps work and how to use them.

How to Strengthen Your Writing by Taking a Tough StandNovember 23

Photo courtesy of goooder

By Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Nonconformity

Have you ever heard the story of the one-armed economist? President Harry Truman famously requested such a person, because he was tired of all his economic advisors immediately following their opinions with the qualification, “Well, on the other hand…”

When writing for a broad audience, it can be tempting to follow the example of Truman’s advisors, always giving pros and cons on sensitive topics without ever really taking a stand. But when we give in to that temptation, our writing becomes limp and boring, filled with platitudes and qualifications that fail to help anyone. To avoid this mistake, add a dash of personality and courage, and don’t be afraid to take a tough stand.

Readers Want Your Real Opinions

Conventional wisdom holds that readers are not interested in your opinions that are unrelated to the topic of your blog or platform. Nothing could be further from the truth! Your readers follow you because they learn from you. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they disagree, but they were originally attracted by an element of inspiration and education. Don’t give them the “on the other hand” trea

Ask Leo: Live Q&A For Bloggers and WritersNovember 20

Hi guys,

So this is a live Q&A … you can ask me any questions you like about blogging and writing for the next four hours. That’s 5:00-9:00 p.m. East Coast time in the U.S., today only (Thursday Nov. 20, 2008).

Again, ask me whatever you like … but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to answer everything. :) I’m just a regular blogger and writer, and I can share my experiences and what I’ve learned, but I don’t know everything.

So ask away! I promise to do my very best.

Leo Babauta

Zen Habits and Write To Done

Tune in Tomorrow: “Ask Leo” Your Blogging and Writing QuestionsNovember 19

Tomorrow we’ll have a reader question-and-answer session with Leo Babauta (of Zen Habits and Write To Done fame) for any of you writers or bloggers with questions for him. You can ask Leo your questions in the comments, and he’ll reply to them all as quickly as possible.

Leo will start answering questions here on Write To Done at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday (Nov. 20, 2008) … he has committed to answering questions for about 4 hours or so — and then he’ll cut it off!

For those of you unfamiliar with Leo, he’s the creator of Top 100 blog Zen Habits (with 75,000+ subscribers) and the founder of Write To Done, the publisher of the popular productivity ebook Zen To Done, and soon to be published author (his book The Power of Less comes out on Dec. 30, 2008).

We hope you’ll join us then in asking Leo your blogging and writing questions!

Inspiration on Demand: Create a Swipe FileNovember 17

Photo courtesy of marcusrg

A Guest Post by Marelisa Fabrega of Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online

Swipe files are a collection of excellent material that provide a great jumping-off point for anyone who needs to come up with lots of ideas, whether you’re a graphic designer, copywriter, author, and so on. A swipe file can be a source of creativity triggers, it can help you mix and match–as well as recombine–old ideas in new ways, and it can help you learn from the best. Instead of starting with a blank page, you begin with a reservoir brimming with brilliant ideas and images. You can use a notebook or a binder, you can keep your findings in a box—a shoebox or a hat box, for example–, or you can even create a digital swipe file by using a platform such as tumblr.com or posterous.com.

Anything that Catches Your Attention Can Go In Your Swipe File

Stuff your notebook with quotes, stories, images, poems, video URLs, pieces of fabric, and anything else that catches your fancy. Fill the pages with random facts which may at some point prove useful: the human body has 210 bones; the capital of Australia is Canberra, not Sydney or