Do you include images or nah?

[SouthernMaiden]

I'm debating if I should include a basic map showing the journey thus far in my latest chapter or if it's not needed.

Do you include images, illustrations or maps in your work? Do you think it adds to the story?

 

[pangmida]

I do, I draw my own illustrations for fun (very… slowly), usually of the most “defining” scene of each chapter. It’s to give readers an idea of how something looks, like the characters. Besides that, it doesn’t add too much, and some readers prefer no illustrations to conjure their own mental image.

Maps, however, are more useful in my opinion. They give more insight into the world building and keep track of a journey like yours.

 

[Eldoria]

Include map in the glossary. This feature is rarely used but is very helpful. By the way, the map is the only illustration I can do by hand (I'm not an artist).

 

[CharlesEBrown]

For the Jack Diamond stuff, I considered it, but would need to contact the artists (if they're still alive - know one who worked on the project passed) and publisher (which changed twice since) to get permission for the best ones I have access to, and, so far, AI let me down on them.

 

[A-Random-Writer]

I can't draw at all and I'm only using AI for my cover so I'm just going to let the reader believe what the characters look like.

 

[SouthernMaiden]

I do, I draw my own illustrations for fun (very… slowly), usually of the most “defining” scene of each chapter. It’s to give readers an idea of how something looks, like the characters. Besides that, it doesn’t add too much, and some readers prefer no illustrations to conjure their own mental image.

Maps, however, are more useful in my opinion. They give more insight into the world building and keep track of a journey like yours.

I've seen your art! It's very good, with skills like yours its a plus for sure. Maps are all i can handle, yeah and for a journey I think it could help.

Include map in the glossary. This feature is rarely used but is very helpful. By the way, the map is the only illustration I can do by hand (I'm not an artist).

Forgot about the glossary! Thats a good place to include it.

I can't draw at all and I'm only using AI for my cover so I'm just going to let the reader believe what the characters look like.

For the Jack Diamond stuff, I considered it, but would need to contact the artists (if they're still alive - know one who worked on the project passed) and publisher (which changed twice since) to get permission for the best ones I have access to, and, so far, AI let me down on them.

I think AI is good for a placeholder, but in an officially published work or if you want money for it(patreon ect) I would expect human made. Also personally, AI covers specifically are so common that when I see someone actually made something by hand it makes me take a second look. But I know everyone dosent feel that way.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Yes

 

[Cardon]

I do frequently, as I've been inspired by the Light Novel format, though I do commission an artist for that instead of relying on AI.
And maps have been a staple of fantasy novels, at least the last time I bothered opening a physical one they always had one you could fold out, so I don't think you need to worry about that.

 

[writerwolf359]

Yes, a lot of my Subscribe Star income goes towards commissioning art for my story. A lot of it I can't post in Scribble Hub, alas.

 

[Nekyo]

I am following the Light Novel road, so yes I do add images. I have commissioned art for my main characters, and sometimes have used Ai to portray scenes or vibes as placeholders which have been able to achieve the looks I wish for.

Spoiler: Examples:

 

[tiaf]

I do include art in spoilers a) quick access for those who want to see it (especially mobile users) b) to not annoy readers who don’t want to see

I’d say the genre I write is always thirsty for art though. At least, I had nobody say my art is annoying so far

 

[FRWriter]

If you love images, do it. Speaking from experience, people are not particularly stoked about AI-generated images/Amateur art, and it doesn't make or break a story. Some people might love it, but if you give someone the choice: More chapters or the occasional piece of art, I'd like to think 99% would choose the chapter (if they enjoy your story).

What makes sense is to provide a map or maybe some art for your main characters so readers can imagine them better. I'd only do it for a serious story with a lot of chapters, though, because only then is it worth the time investment.

 

[rileykifer]

I've never included images, and I'm neutral towards maps in stories. I don't care for regular images of characters, etc, but I wouldn't DNF a story over it. I just ignore them.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Yes, I include images.