BWFoster78
Myth Weaver
I know a lot of people enjoy making maps of their world. Not me. Every hour I spend on it is an hour I'm not spending writing or editing. Additionally, my understanding is that I have to pay a fee to Amazon for every book that I sell that is based on file size. More graphics mean a bigger size and more money.
However, I feel that maps are important in that it shows the reader the world so much more efficiently than words can. Not all readers look at them, but, for those that do, it really adds something.
Basically, I'm trying to figure out what maps I need.
My world features three kingdoms and "tribal" lands. All the action takes place in one duchy in one of the three kingdoms. The other two kingdoms and the tribal lands are mentioned.
I think that, at the very least, I need a map showing the kingdom where the action takes place in relation to the other kingdoms and the tribal lands.
I think it would also benefit the reader to see a bit of detail in the duchy where the action takes place. Here's how I see my choices:
1. Show all the three kingdoms and the tribal lands with very few details.
2. Show just the main kingdom with the borders to the other places clearly marked with little detail.
3. Show just the main kingdom with the borders to the other places clearly marked but with a lot of detail.
If I go with option 3, I have to invest a lot of time in determining the geography outside the main duchy - river and town names, roads, etc. Each choice I make places a limitation on me for my future books.
If I go with choices 1 or 2, I could add a map of just the duchy with details. I've already developed all the important geography.
I'm kinda leaning toward choice 2 with the extra map. The kingdom map would look sorta like a US map with the duchies shown like the states. I'd only mark major rivers, geographical features, and capital cities. The break out view of the one duchy then would fit well in the overall.
I'm also leaning toward not doing any city maps. In total, the heroes spend time in 5 towns that are named. Of these, it would serve no use to provide maps for three of them. If I did include map(s) of cities, here are the best choices:
C1. Asherton. The heroes spend a third of the book here, and a major battle takes place. The book mentions a lot of city details and locations. Showing an overview of the castle and city may be worth it, though it would be a lot of work.
C2. Eagleton. The heroes are from here. It doesn't play a huge role in the sense of a battle, and I don't feel the reader would benefit much from directions. However, future books will feature this city more.
What would you do? I appreciate any thoughts, tips, and advice.
Thanks!
Brian
However, I feel that maps are important in that it shows the reader the world so much more efficiently than words can. Not all readers look at them, but, for those that do, it really adds something.
Basically, I'm trying to figure out what maps I need.
My world features three kingdoms and "tribal" lands. All the action takes place in one duchy in one of the three kingdoms. The other two kingdoms and the tribal lands are mentioned.
I think that, at the very least, I need a map showing the kingdom where the action takes place in relation to the other kingdoms and the tribal lands.
I think it would also benefit the reader to see a bit of detail in the duchy where the action takes place. Here's how I see my choices:
1. Show all the three kingdoms and the tribal lands with very few details.
2. Show just the main kingdom with the borders to the other places clearly marked with little detail.
3. Show just the main kingdom with the borders to the other places clearly marked but with a lot of detail.
If I go with option 3, I have to invest a lot of time in determining the geography outside the main duchy - river and town names, roads, etc. Each choice I make places a limitation on me for my future books.
If I go with choices 1 or 2, I could add a map of just the duchy with details. I've already developed all the important geography.
I'm kinda leaning toward choice 2 with the extra map. The kingdom map would look sorta like a US map with the duchies shown like the states. I'd only mark major rivers, geographical features, and capital cities. The break out view of the one duchy then would fit well in the overall.
I'm also leaning toward not doing any city maps. In total, the heroes spend time in 5 towns that are named. Of these, it would serve no use to provide maps for three of them. If I did include map(s) of cities, here are the best choices:
C1. Asherton. The heroes spend a third of the book here, and a major battle takes place. The book mentions a lot of city details and locations. Showing an overview of the castle and city may be worth it, though it would be a lot of work.
C2. Eagleton. The heroes are from here. It doesn't play a huge role in the sense of a battle, and I don't feel the reader would benefit much from directions. However, future books will feature this city more.
What would you do? I appreciate any thoughts, tips, and advice.
Thanks!
Brian