Do you make maps and the like?

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Let's say you're creating a fantasy world. Do you, as writers/creators. make a map of your world or a place? Or is it all mental and you remember where they're placed so you can avoid inconsistencies?

[fleurravenbooks]

okay so since my novel is pretty much set in one place there is no need for that, but if your novel calls for it make one. If you can't figure out how, take our earths map and have fun with swapping places/deleting something, you can also spill cup of uncooked pasta (shell type or similar) on piece of paper and outline the shape with pencil, then fix what you think needs to be fixwd)

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Hmm, that sounds like fun. Maybe I'll try that next time (Pass on the uncooked pasta tho, I'd get whooped)

[fleurravenbooks]

same lol , but i thought it would give interesting shape for little islands

[fleurravenbooks]

Found this on google, i never used it tho
https://inkarnate.com/

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Thanks! That'll make creating the maps much easier.

I'll be posting the map in a chapter someday.

[Smalish]

Inkarnate is really good for this indeed ! Let us know when you've manage to do something with it !
When it comes to fantasy map making, I try to think about the story and the theme of the universe, then I get inspirations from real life place, past and present. I watch some geology channels to understand better how oceans and lands form and appear (I recommend Atlas Pro and Artifexian on YT for that !).
Also, try to think about biodiversity, which creatures and plants you want and where. Imagining or downright integrating existing food webs using ecosystems is a good way to make your universe coherent as well.

At first I try to design each place independently then I connect them in a coherent way. I use pencil and paper and doodle alot to find what I'm looking for.

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Thank you for the advice! I'll be sure to check on the channels you recommended to gain knowledge about map making.

[Sethstiel]

I make maps, on my notes.
I also design all the rooms, buildings etc one by one so I'd know where everything stands (so I can tell the readers perfectly)
I used this draft to plan everything;

I hope this helps ^^

Knights & Mages Online | Tapas

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Wow... that's awesome. I can't imagine how long that would take but it may be a good idea to incorporate that kind of process so I can better plan for everything. Thank you

Oh, and while I'm here, I took the liberty of subbing to your comic! It looks great!

[lidiash]

Yes, I do. Usually it's not only where is what, but climate, transport connections (avia, railroads, just roads, etc.), state division, resource and other things I feel I need. Not every story has the same set of maps - some have unique ones, like here: #2 is a map showing radiation and fallout trail left after the nuke.

Maps actually help.
If your story runs for long - no matter how good of the memory one has, geography isn't usually a priority, and while one can memorize characters down to teeth, remembering what that damn city up north is called and how far is it (10 days walk or 100 days walk?) can be an issue.
Also the world you create starts to feel more real to you.

[HonorableTakoyaki]

That looks amazing. And yeah, I agree. I think making maps would help make the story feel real and it might help me visualize what I want to do when making the story. (Like, making them meet with armies or a horde of monsters or something.)

[jensrichard77]

Made this in Inkarnate and it helped a lot for my artist @nathanKmcwilliams to know where stuff happens.

Also, I used Google Slides for making some flat layouts of the cities, mostly for internal use.

Then I had @Chita to make it all pretty

I believe that mapping is very important when you write a fantasy world. This is all a big help for the creator and the readers to understand your world and where everything is.

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Looks like a pretty detailed map. I'd like to make such a map one day.

[jensrichard77]

It all comes with the details of the locations. And this is a small map of a single island in a bigger world.
But everything that happens in my story is on this island. That’s the challenge for me. How many stories can I put in a single place.

[HonorableTakoyaki]

Yeah, How long did you take to do that? I'm planning on doing at least 5-7 kingdoms in one continent for now. Dunno how long it'll take me but I'll try it as soon as I finish my next chapter!

[jensrichard77]

I have been written this story Almost 3-4 years now.
It all comes as a natural writing. I have a solid main character, and every time she meets someone else, I give that character a background. Then, if that character or the main character meets another character, I give that character a background.
The real task was when someone meets the King. Then I had to give him a Kingdom and a political story and a royal background.
Not everything from everyone's background gets in the story, but it is all there and a part of how they react and makes them more believable

[Sethstiel]

OHMYGOD THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!

[Zin_Trollborn]

I dunno if you know about this, but I'm totally planning to do that.
With macaroni, rice, lentils or I dunno what I'll have in my groceries.

Make a Perfect Fantasy World Map With Macaroni!

[HonorableTakoyaki]

First of all, I want to say that it's incredible that you've been writing for 3-4 years now. That's incredible and you have my respect.

I see, so you only started making the kingdom once it became necessary for the plot? I'm trying to make it now for the future since every earth-shattering or doomsday triggering event starts from them and their backgrounds. As much as possible, I want to clear away the inconsistencies in my story.