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The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 4) :: How To Brainstorm Your Story With A Theme Mind Map

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Chris and Maike demonstrate their Theme Mind Mapping process.

In this lesson, Chris and Maike show you how all story elements connect to your story’s theme, and how you can use the Theme Mind Map to brainstorm characters, plot, setting, and more!

This is the fourth of a six-part series.

This Lesson Is Available Exclusively To Storytellers’ Summit Students.

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  • The Storytellers’ Summit
    • : Story Science
      • The Storytelling Spell (Part 1) :: How To Hook And Hold Your Audience’s Attention
      • The Storytelling Spell (Part 2) :: How To Create Emotional Effects With Efficient Storytelling
      • The Storytelling Spell (Part 3) :: How To Prepare A Captivating First Act
      • The Storytelling Spell (Part 4) :: How To Craft A Big Emotional Moment
    • : Character
      • A Hero In The Making (Part 1) :: The Science Behind Fiction’s Greatest Characters
      • A Hero In The Making (Part 2) :: Two Questions Your Hero Can’t Live Without
      • A Hero In The Making (Part 3) :: A Simple Technique To Humanize Your Heroes
      • A Hero In The Making (Part 4) :: No Pain, No Gain
      • A Hero In The Making (Part 5) :: A Step-By-Step Guide
      • Character Development Case Study #1 :: The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
      • Character Development Case Study #2 :: Taxi Driver
      • Ten Heads Are Better Than One :: How To Develop A Full Cast Of Characters With Confidence
    • : Theme & Plot
      • Storytelling From The Inside Out (Part 1) :: Beyond The Hero’s Journey
      • Storytelling From The Inside Out (Part 2) :: Introducing Conflict
      • Storytelling From The Inside Out (Part 3) :: Breaking Acts Into Manageable Pieces
      • Storytelling From The Inside Out (Part 4) :: Bringing Your Entire Story Onto A Single Sheet Of Paper
      • Storytelling From The Inside Out (Part 5) :: Structuring Multiple Storylines
      • The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 1) :: Demystifying Theme
      • The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 2) :: Four Essential Qualities Of A Powerful Theme
      • The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 3) :: How To Effectively Phrase Your Theme
      • The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 4) :: How To Brainstorm Your Story With A Theme Mind Map
      • The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 5) :: How To Visualize Your Theme In A Scene
      • The Simplest Way To Tell A Meaningful Story (Part 6) :: Developing Sequences & Scenes
    • : Writers’ Block
      • Facing The Blank Page (Part 1) :: Overcoming Creative Fear Forever
      • Facing The Blank Page (Part 2) :: Developing A Storytelling Habit
      • Facing The Blank Page (Part 3) :: Becoming An Idea Archaeologist
    • : Pitching
      • Step-by-Step Loglines
    • : Live Summit Sessions
      • Live Story Q&A: Story & Self-Promotion
      • Live Story Q&A: Protagonists, Brevity And Knowing What To Cut
      • Live Story Q&A: Layouts, Outlines And Keeping Your Audience Interested
      • Live Story Q&A: Humor, Maps And Empathizing With Antagonists
      • Live Story Q&A: Lies, Truths And The Adventure In Getting Lost
      • Live Story Q&A: Picturing Words, Post-Its And Peeks Behind The Curtain
      • Live Story Q&A: Sturdy Titles, Changing Themes And A Process Break-Down
      • Live Story Q&A: A Character’s Tics, Traits And Four Panel Comic Strips
      • Live Story Q&A: Alien Invasions, Climactic Battles And The Unifying Power Of Theme
      • Live Story Q&A: Thumbnailing, Visual Storytelling And How To Face The Strange Days
    • : OA Live!
      • Resource: Reading/Watch List
      • The Power Of Personal Projects
      • The Purposeful Personal Project: Money And Expectation
      • Assignment: Focused Versatility and Finding Your Next Creative Calling
      • Q&A: The Purposeful Personal Project
      • Stories Are Meant To Be Heard: You And Your Audience
      • Q&A: Stories Are Meant To Be Heard
      • Down & Dirty: Why Your Best Story Is The One You Are Afraid To Tell
      • Q&A: Down & Dirty
      • Made To Fit: Start A Project You Know You Can Finish
      • Q&A: Made To Fit
      • One Big Lie: Making Your World Believable
      • Q&A: One Big Lie
      • What’s Your Point? Why Theme Is Everything
      • Homework + Q&A: What’s Your Point?
      • Theme “Hot Seat” With Brian McDonald
      • Q&A: Theme “Hot Seat” With Brian McDonald
      • Engines & Oceans: Plotting Your Story From Beginning To End
      • Q&A: Engines & Oceans
      • X-Ray Visualization: Character Design From The Inside Out
      • Less Is More… Effort: Crafting Catchy Titles & Snappy Loglines
      • Q&A: Less Is More… Effort
      • Every Balloon Needs A String: Finding Collaborators Who Will Bring Out The Best In You
      • Q&A: Every Balloon Needs A String
      • International Collaboration
      • Q&A: International Collaboration
      • How To Finish An Ambitious Personal Project
      • Q&A: How To Finish An Ambitious Personal Project
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