Maps (creative title, I know)

@faith-q Personally, I cheat and use map generators like this: https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator/

(Although that’s rare, as I normally don’t make maps XD I, too, am a pantser…)

@faith-q Well, I’ve handdrawn really bad maps before…just to get an idea of what direction my characters are going. But yeah, there are online map-makers that you can use.

@faith-q Absolutely!! Glad to help!

@faith-q

Sorry, I didn’t copy my reply so I forgot some of it, but this is more or less what I was saying:

I only do maps on paper, and I enjoy it, even if they’re cringy and look like a 7 yr old drew them.

I look at maps from stories I like, or even real life, and try to see how the position of the country affects the others. Questions I ask myself when considering this:

1: Is one much stronger than the other? then they might be controlling a pass that is the key to trade routes and supplies much needed.  in this case, they may have control or at least a say in mountain passes and a large territory or even an empire, depending on how strong they are in leadership and military. Maybe you have one people on an island, and they like to keep to themselves, so when other people interfere they kick up a stink.

2: Are they traders? they might be very aggressive about controlling their routes and be more bandits with a small country and lots of battling with other countries.

3: Are they peaceful/neutral? they might be surrounded by other countries who congregate in small numbers within their country for peaceful exchange and trading.

I hope that helps, but either way, I hope you figure out what you’re wanting! 🙂

@faith-q

well, those days are good too… and then filling in the backstory. I love the daydreaming days as much as planning tbh.

probably because my story sorta requires mysterious countries and unknown peoples, because the biggest country (empire, really) has driven out all other people, so the trade routes are very small and selective and not much happens as far as relationships between countries… at least at first! mwahahahaha

glad i could help! 🙂

@faith-q

Hey, I hope you don’t mind me popping in here!! Drawing maps is one of my favorite things to do, and I had to throw in a recommendation for How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps: Step by Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans by Jared Blando. It’s an amazing book on map-making, and great for inspiration!! I’d really recommend you get it from the library and take a look at it! 🙂

(He also wrote a book called Fantasy Mapmaker that focuses more on towns or close up maps)

(Also, if you’d like to take a look at some of his work for inspiration, click here)

Good luck with your map-making!

@faith-q

Ah, yes, I understand. Honestly, I don’t really use maps. The places in my worlds pop into existence as I need them. It’s probably not the best way to make geological decisions, but it’s what I’ve done so far. 😉 I’m totally going to check out that website @daisy-torres mentioned though… it sounds awesome!!!