This is great! I created my map for the same reason: to mainly calculate travel. This really became handy, since the story cast features members who are from all over Triskele.
Sorta skimmed the word posts when I first read this thread but went back and read them. I have to say, I really agree with @Dracon on this one. I do the same thing. It helps me imagine the country and immerse in the story better.
I think they were simply the names of a certain realm of the empire ruled by some overlord. So there would be a people of the Dragon or the Rat, etc. My peeve is that it never really has any bearing on the story, as far as I recall. So it's another signal that says "hey, this is China and Japan, except it's not" which I really struggle with grasping. I agree whole-heartedly! It's so great to admire them all, and I can already start to dream up my own conflicts and stories without even knowing a single thing about what you are all writing, which I love!
I agree. I was excited to post mine when I saw the title and now I realize how first grade mine looks
Aha I understand. So the cultural details just felt like tokens rather than a different culture you were looking forward to immersing yourself in. Yeah that's a shame.
From a writing perspective there is a lot to gain from map making. I’ve found my want for realism to be a great boon as I’ve gone on to study climates, geology and a whole array of other things such as how cities are established and especially how asymmetry features in grid pattern designs and the natural “flow” of human life smooths of the original rigid designs sketched out by some architect with no consideration as to the practicalities of everyday human life. If I’ve not already mentioned it look up Christopher Alexander.
After reading through this thread, I think making a map would help me a lot with some travel/distance related problems I'm having. I just have to figure out to make a map, I'm not good a drawing!
I just wanted to say that you have some great names for places in Danu. Scuttling Peaks, Gambit Gorge, Solemn Hollow. Brilliant!
The Forgotten Forest, the Iron Plains, The Blessed Fields of Mara, The Spine of the World. That's pretty epic, you know.
I hope this thread stays alive; we love it! And your hand-drawing skills are incredible too. Looks ready to lift straight into the first pages if a novel.
Here is the main part of my world. There is another continent, which I need to add. at some point, I need to blow this up and draw it on a larger paper, so I can add more detail and the other continent. They are all named as are the nations, I just didn't want to muddy up this map with them. Though I will eventually had the names. then I can cut it up in photoshop for my books for the inside of the book for people to look at.
I actually really like maps done the way you've done yours. It gives this grand sense of scale that the only thing you can see are the continents and tallest mountains. Since nothing is labeled, it makes me want to go explore and find out whats there!
@Infel , that map is way cool. Really well done, and I love the names of places. You put my hand-drawn map to shame! I posted it earlier in this thread and now I feel like it looks like a kid drew it in comparison. But no worries! It's just for me for now, if/when I get published I'll fix it up nice, so I'm not worried about it. Mad props to your drawing skills though.
Ah thanks, I still need to add the ther content, but the majority of stories take place on the land masses shown.
Yeah, I did, depending on the exact meaning you attach to "render". I made them in map-making software Wonderdraft.
