World map
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BenJepheneT
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No lmao. Fantasy is a genre, not a checklist to tick off in order to fulfill a criteria. If it has elements that divert from contemporary settings, it's already considered fantasy. World Maps just add to the world building and speaking personally, I usually don't pay attention to those, mainly because I couldn't give less of a shit about your universe. What I care is the story and the characters. But that's just me. I'm sure everyone else likes a map to look at when they read a book.
weakwithwords
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In any genre, even if you don't show the map to the readers, it can help keep track of where everyone and everything is. Will keep things consistent when you narrate and describe how an individual or a group travels from one point to another.
Showing images, illustrations or variations of covers, is a gimmick to attract and entertain readers. Don't forget though that the story itself is the most important hook to keep them coming back for more.
Maps for the readers are fantasy genre gimmicks. If making or commissioning one significantly distracts you from writing, you should reconsider your priorities.
"We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled." -Hermione (Harry Potter)
Showing images, illustrations or variations of covers, is a gimmick to attract and entertain readers. Don't forget though that the story itself is the most important hook to keep them coming back for more.
Maps for the readers are fantasy genre gimmicks. If making or commissioning one significantly distracts you from writing, you should reconsider your priorities.
"We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled." -Hermione (Harry Potter)
Polarize4777
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My thought on this is that a world map is very essential to a well develop fantasy world, it is what is keeping everything grounded enough that if a reader where to look at it, it will give them a sense of realism that they can use to identify with that world. A world map in a fantasy novel especially keep the author in check since it is now grounded with rules that keep thing in check with realism to keep up its own structure. You will have to sit down and think hard on the scale as the author to make it make sense, but once that is establish, your world is now a step ahead of most world building without a good foundation in term of a map that help to navigate the author and readers alike. A map give authors the chance to set up events based on where in the world they wish to engage the audience. A map also help set up and establish the requirement of different cultures and how it is developed base on where it is located.
At the end of the day, you are the author, so do what you feel is right.
This is just my suggestion on this topic since I believe that a great fantasy novel can be turn epic if it is set up with the right foundation that makes it believable.
At the end of the day, you are the author, so do what you feel is right.
This is just my suggestion on this topic since I believe that a great fantasy novel can be turn epic if it is set up with the right foundation that makes it believable.
D
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It's not necessary to have a map but it may become a fine addition to your story if you play your cards right.
It also depends on the plot of your story as well. If it's a complex one where you would give a shit ton of lore then it is suggested to create a map as a guide to envision your world and story.
Don't forget that there are many types of readers. There may be types that deem maps as useless, artistic illustrations, and a hindrance to a story. There are also readers that like to make use of their imagination. Setting a map for them limits their imagination thus making them dislike it.
Don't let it get you if many readers don't like it. It depends on your choice if you want to have a map. I personally love maps being in a novel. It just becomes more immersive in the story. A world laid out for you waiting to be explored.
It also depends on the plot of your story as well. If it's a complex one where you would give a shit ton of lore then it is suggested to create a map as a guide to envision your world and story.
Don't forget that there are many types of readers. There may be types that deem maps as useless, artistic illustrations, and a hindrance to a story. There are also readers that like to make use of their imagination. Setting a map for them limits their imagination thus making them dislike it.
Don't let it get you if many readers don't like it. It depends on your choice if you want to have a map. I personally love maps being in a novel. It just becomes more immersive in the story. A world laid out for you waiting to be explored.
RepresentingCaution
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Yep. I would call it a gimmick for sure!
Maps are a fun addition, though. If you're not a great artist, you can just do a rough sketch. If your book ever gets accepted by a publisher, they'll likely find an artist to spiff it up and make it awesome.
BenJepheneT
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for real, i find rough sketches of maps to be more interesting than commissioned, multicolored maps. it gives a sense of authenticity and utility and that the map is nothing more than a tool for navigation, leaving more for both readers and writer to fill in the details themselves either through imagination or descriptive writing.
atgongumerki
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personally I always make a map when I get a good idea for a story, mainly for myself so I don't get confused and it helps me move the plot along, as I know what the surroundings think about what is going on
AliceShiki
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I never paid any attention to maps in novels I read, so... Not really~
D
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The first map that was added in a fantasy book is Middle Earth, drawn by Tolkien himself. Sometime later, we can see many other works followed suit with fantasy maps added. The map is not necessary and not a must, but it'll help the reader become familiar with the world you built.
Honestly, I do love drawing fantasy map sometime. But after all of the hardship(of researching tectonic plate, the sea level, natural terrain, mountains, trenches, river, and lake), I found that the map of my world isn't that of importance. Or maybe it's just not working for me. And above all, it's all too much of a hassle. Though I'm still doing that ..., drawing maps.
If it could help you bring out the clarity of the story, then yes, it does necessary.
But if it's a world map, while the story only happens in a small single town and the MC didn't even step out of his habitat, then no. <- fyi, I did that in my story some time ago.
Honestly, I do love drawing fantasy map sometime. But after all of the hardship(of researching tectonic plate, the sea level, natural terrain, mountains, trenches, river, and lake), I found that the map of my world isn't that of importance. Or maybe it's just not working for me. And above all, it's all too much of a hassle. Though I'm still doing that ..., drawing maps.
If it could help you bring out the clarity of the story, then yes, it does necessary.
But if it's a world map, while the story only happens in a small single town and the MC didn't even step out of his habitat, then no. <- fyi, I did that in my story some time ago.
mostlyharmfulll
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You should ask yourself: Is a map gonna contribute enough to warrant the work? For example, if 90% of your story takes place in three locations, a short info-dump about where this locations are in relations to each other might be sufficient for most readers.
Also, as some others have already said, some readers won´t take a look at the map, so you should always write the story in a way that it can be understood without the map. All information necessary to understand the story should be inside the story itself, and not hidden in bonus material that not everyone will read. There are people out there who will even skip/skim over author´s notes and bonus chapters.
However, even if a map is not helpful for the readers, a map can be pretty helpful for you during writing, since it makes it easier for you to imagine the terrain and world you are writing about.
Also, as some others have already said, some readers won´t take a look at the map, so you should always write the story in a way that it can be understood without the map. All information necessary to understand the story should be inside the story itself, and not hidden in bonus material that not everyone will read. There are people out there who will even skip/skim over author´s notes and bonus chapters.
However, even if a map is not helpful for the readers, a map can be pretty helpful for you during writing, since it makes it easier for you to imagine the terrain and world you are writing about.
Fuyutsuki_Kaori
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As a visual type person, I make maps to give me a solid image of where I am in my stories. However it may not be the same for most people. if you can continue writing without it, then there is no need for a World Map.
While there is no problem in making a profound world, you are better judge for your own stories if you feel that you can write better by making a world map you should do it irregardless of what other people has to say. To each their own, your style may not be perfect but as you are the only one that can make yourself grow do the things that would make you grow as a writer.
While there is no problem in making a profound world, you are better judge for your own stories if you feel that you can write better by making a world map you should do it irregardless of what other people has to say. To each their own, your style may not be perfect but as you are the only one that can make yourself grow do the things that would make you grow as a writer.