Scrivener Mind Map for Planning Your Manuscript
See a sample writing map covering structure, characters, plot and research. Then let AI build one from your own notes, outline or chapter files.
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CogniGuide at a glance
- What you get
- Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
- Exports
- Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
- Price
- Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
- Sign-up
- A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
- What you can upload
- PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.
How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify
Why Writers Use Mind Maps With Scrivener
A visual map sits alongside your drafting, so you can see the whole book before you write each scene.
Build from your own notes
Upload a PDF, Word file, slides or text notes, and the AI turns them into a branching map of your book.
Map structure and characters
Branches for acts, chapters, characters and research keep the plot connected and easy to scan.
Expand, quiz and export
Expand any branch with AI, turn the map into a quiz for revision, then export it as PNG or PDF.
How to Make a Writing Map
Start from your existing notes or type a working title and premise.
- 1
Add your material
Upload your outline, notes or draft as a file, or type your premise.
- 2
AI builds the map
The AI groups ideas into acts, chapters, characters and open questions.
- 3
Refine and export
Expand branches, edit nodes, then export the map to use beside Scrivener.
Scrivener Mind Map: Structure of a Novel Plan
A scrivener mind map is a visual plan for a manuscript built in or alongside Scrivener. The map starts from the premise and divides into the main parts of a novel: story structure, characters, setting, plot threads and research. Each branch then breaks into chapters, scenes and open questions, so you can check how the book fits together before drafting.
- Story structure: acts, turning points and the overall arc
- Characters: goals, conflicts and relationships
- Plot threads: subplots and where each one resolves
- Setting and research: places, time periods and source notes
- Chapters and scenes: the order and purpose of each unit
Use the map to spot gaps, reorder scenes or prepare for revision. Upload your own notes and CogniGuide will build a personalized map of your manuscript.
Scrivener Mind Map Questions
Answers for writers planning a book with mind maps.
What is a good structure for a novel plan?
Many writers use a three act structure: setup, confrontation and resolution. Each act holds key turning points, character arcs and the main plot threads. Mapping these as branches shows where the story sags or rushes.
Why map characters separately from plot?
Separate branches let you track each character's goal and change across the book. This makes it easier to see whether their arc connects to the events in each act.
Can I build a map from my existing Scrivener notes?
Yes. Export your notes or outline as a PDF, Word, text or Markdown file, and CogniGuide turns it into an interactive mind map you can expand and edit.
Is it free to try, and can I quiz myself on the map?
There is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. Any map can also be turned into a quiz to test your knowledge of the story.