The map below is one of them. It shows where the first eight or nine chapters of my epic fantasy take place. Please keep in mind that the actual size of the map is about 20-30% larger than what is displayed here. That means that the names of places are much easier to read on the original.
First off, please accept my apologies if this thing doesn't scale or render well on lower resolution (or smaller) displays. I have limited devices on which to preview it.
I have a couple questions I'd like to ask, so if you don't mind, give the map a gander and scroll down.
(This map depicts a tiny fraction of the Strands of Pattern series' world.)
I posted this map to ask a couple questions. I would appreciate your thoughts.
- Do you reference maps provided in books?
- If so, do you want one big map or multiple detailed maps?
(For those who may be curious, I did this in Microsoft Paint under Windows XP.)
Wow, that is an awesome map! I tried doing one of those using Paint, but my computer drawing just wasn't good enough. I don't think my map drawing skills are really up to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI do find it useful to have maps in book when the book spans a large area. I think that a mixture of maps helps too, from the large maps that show only the major cities, to the more detailed ones that show the area the characters travel through.
There were numerous tricks I used putting it all together. Not much skill required, just a bit a lazy creativity. But thanks!
DeleteAnd thanks for the feedback on the questions too. I'm obviously biased and needed a broader base of feedback.
I like seeing maps in books. It adds a dimension to my understanding of the story. I like large overall maps, but smaller detailed ones might be important in some situations. Your skill at map-making is very good. Keep using them if they fit the bill for your story.
ReplyDeleteI love them all! :-) And thanks for the compliment. In this series, I need the maps for consistency.
DeleteI love maps - the more the better.
ReplyDeleteAnd your map is gorgeous - seriously.
After my own heart, Joseph. And thanks! It doesn't have the traditional tan and brown background or the look of paper, but it keeps my travel times and directions honest in the story.
DeleteIf you write an epic fantasy maps are indispensable: they are a reflection of your mental construct that guided you in the writing of texts. I think even if they are well designed as the one you've proposed here in the post, they are in effect part of the story.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it is a generally well done more than many other parts: the imagination of the reader offsetting the lack of a specific design.
You would be surprised how often I refer to these maps. This one is solid in my mind, but the "world map" is such that I must refer to it frequently while writing. And it makes me feel like what I'm writing is just a little bit more authentic somehow.
DeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE maps! I wish all books had them. I have maps for my books, but I'm not as computer savvy as you, so I draw everything by hand :)
ReplyDeleteSavvy am I? Cool. :) I did a few by hand originally, but I needed them on the computer for some reason. I have no idea why. But yes, it would be great if more books had them.
DeleteWow that is one special map! I've seen this before in a Stephen King book.. the use of maps that is. Hey, if it works for him...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane! I have to be careful when I start doing them though. It's easy to get so caught up drawing them that I'll slip out of writing mode.
DeleteYou might find this post by David Powers King interesting:
ReplyDeletehttp://davidpowersking.blogspot.com/2012/02/aspiring-advice-your-name-is-your-brand.html
Think about changing the name of your blog to Strands of Pattern by Jeff Hargett (or something that includes your name) to make your name more visible. Just a suggestion.
That's quite a thought-provoking article. I somehow missed it on Ink Pageant. I'll have to give this some serious thought.
DeleteThanks for the link!
This map is incredible! I write fantasy as well and love drawing maps - but mine are nothing like this!
ReplyDeleteI think that in any epic fantasy, a map is mandatory, if not more than one. To be honest, I prefer one large one, but if there are too many details to fit on one, then you should definitely draw more. There were something like ten maps accompanying Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, simply because his geography was so elaborate.
And, yes, I reference maps in books all the time!
Wow, thanks for the thumbs up! No doubt about it, I'm a sucker for maps: real maps, fantasy maps, star maps, even road maps!
DeleteI'm encouraged that others also find them beneficial. I suppose I shall continue in my cartography endeavors.
I reference the maps. Large-scale maps are awesome when referring to the overview of the story. But I also appreciate when the publisher provides close up views of localized landmarks. This makes the story more intimate, IMO. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jack! Yes, I've created one (so far) for a large city in the book. I'm thinking two more may be beneficial too. Now, if I was only good at illustrating landmarks and such...
DeleteI like the map. I freehand drew mine. To answer your first question, I don't like it when there ISN'T a map to reference. It all depends upon the plot and world for whether I prefer one or several. For at least the first Wheel of Time book I would have been fine without the zoomed-in maps included, but for a series like the Foundling's Tale series having several maps is better (although I have the e-books, so I can't "read" the maps anyway).
ReplyDeleteThat is one drawback to most eBook graphics--the inability to zoom, but I've seen some demonstrations of eBooks that do allow for zooming. That would be quite a cool feature.
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