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Okey-doke, guys, so I’m a pantser. I started out my novel with pretty much no idea of what was going to happen when, where or to whom, and now I’m at the point (eight chapters in, actually) that I really, really need to know what my world looks like. (Kudos to all those people that know this stuff starting out, by the way.) So… how do you guys make maps that look realistic? I guess that’s my big question. I need to know what my world looks like and how the main country (Kismena) relates to the others. Any ideas?
Oh, and I’m sorry about this, but I have absolutely no idea who writes fantasy or what, so I’m basically copying and pasting a bunch of tags. If you don’t know or don’t write fantasy or don’t want to answer… sorry for putting your name on here needlessly. Please don’t feel obliged! But if you have some suggestions… that would be great. I’m stuck. Thanks!
@lewilliams, @e-k-seaver, @kathleenramm, @g_c_al, @millennium, @wyn-rose, @kayleigh-idea, @not-so-secret-secret-assassin, @elfwing, @relia, @molly, @anatra23, @maryg3, @devastate-lasting, @keilah-h, @writerlexi1216, @nanisnook, @issawriter7, @mkfairygirl, @abigail-m, @jenwriter17, @lydia-s, @when-i-see-the-kingdom, @ilena-louise, @daisy-torres, @jodi-maile, @lucy, @scripter-of-kingdoms, @seekjustice, @anyone else.@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…)
"It's easy to be caught up in stardust and whispers when reality is so dark and loud."
Woah, @daisy-torres, that is so cool! I had no idea stuff like this existed… thank you so much!
@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.
Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into daysUgh it ate my response
I'm 'a homeschooler' because cookie-making writing artistic animal-whisperer isn't a job title
@faith-q Absolutely!! Glad to help!
"It's easy to be caught up in stardust and whispers when reality is so dark and loud."
I love fantasy writing! I’ve drawn generic maps, but I haven’t done any for specific story worlds yet.
Where'd I get ya this time? The liver? The kidney? I'm runnin' outta places to put holes in ya.
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! 🙂
I'm 'a homeschooler' because cookie-making writing artistic animal-whisperer isn't a job title
Isn’t it awful when that happens? Sorry it happened to you! Anyway, thank you so much! That’s really good advice… I guess I’ll have to think more about my world. *huffs* Thanks. So much for a peaceful, uninterrupted daydream of plot and dialogue. So much for avoiding the nitty-gritty. So much for my pantsing life.
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! 🙂
I'm 'a homeschooler' because cookie-making writing artistic animal-whisperer isn't a job title
@faith-q honestly I’m not a great artist, but the others have given good advice. There’s also a website (and a free version) called Inkarnate and it is awesome, but I still have yet to make a map Of Cirque and A’Grend I’m really proud of.
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSebHey, 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!
~In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found~
Thank you guys so much! I’ll be sure to look into it 🙂
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!!!
Yeah, I’m terribly late to this . . . .This is a really great topic and I love everyone’s advice!!! I needed some tips for making fantasy maps, so I’ll totally be checking out that website and book!!!
And those were very helpful tips @elfwing !!!! 🙂
"It looks like a fairy world"~Meg from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
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