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Learn How to Write
Fantasy Stories
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Mapping A Fantasy World
Writing a
fantasy novel offers the challenge of not only
creating a fantasy landscape, but presenting it in a
logical fashion that makes sense to the reader. Mapping is
a useful tool to keep things consistent and logical no
matter how fantastic the setting.
A world building map doesn't have to be intricate or
fancy. Pencil and paper are all that's needed to sketch
the map. This way changes can be made without starting
over when the plot grows a new obstacle like a mountain
range or river. Some authors prefer to map out their
entire fantasy world before they start their story, others
who follow techniques like those found in
Pumping Your Muse by Donna Sundblad, add detail to the
map as the story basics come to fruition.
For adept computer wizards, maps can also be created,
updated and stored on your computer. Software like Color
It is easy to use to create a nice looking, easily changed
map created in layers. If you decide to go the electronic
route, do your research and see what's available to fit
your budget and skill level.
Mapping Fantasy Landscapes
When mapping your fantasy world, include infrastructure
along with topographical information. Infrastructure
includes: Roads, seaports, airports, agriculture,
forestry, fishery, commerce, industry, tourism, and
development and use of water resources. Here are a few
basics to get you started.
Roads What are they made of? Gravel, sand, and asphalt
are a few considerations. If asphalt, is it man-made or
natural forming? Or in your fantasy world are roads
fabricated by magic? Or is yours a primitive culture that
doesn't have roads but rather muddy wagon tracks to
follow? If you choose something unique like cobblestones,
where did they come from? Perhaps the shore? That puts the
village near the water on your map.
When adding these kinds of details to your map, the world
comes into view. As your characters move about, you know
what's ahead. When they approach a mountain, you'll know
they either have to go around it, through it or over it
and what your characters will see as they do.
Map village streets as well. Make a sketch of the streets,
stores, businesses and any other structures mentioned in
your story. Once you have the details mapped out, you'll
always remember the baker is down the street from the
blacksmith without hunting through manuscript pages to
make sure you remembered right.
Seaports If a city or town in your fantasy world
incorporates a seaport, it changes the mix of the
population because of the transient nature of those who
not only work on sea faring vessels but those who choose
to travel by that mode of transportation to different
regions of the world.
Use search engines or visit your library to gather
believable facts to incorporate in the design of coastal
areas. Does your port allow tall ships, is it a deep water
port or is it a small harbor accommodating smaller fishing
vessels? Do larger vessels risk running aground? If a
hidden reef poses a threat-add it to your map. Is fishing
an important component in the economy?
When designing a seaport, the size and number of ships
that visit the port will make a difference in the size of
the town, village or city hugging the coastline.
Airports Depending on the level of technology
available in your world airports may or may not be a
consideration as part of your map. If you do choose to
include an airport, be sure to investigate the logistics
that work for your city. Is it built on a lake so that the
flight pattern takes planes away from the town so as not
to bother the residents below? Or was the airport built at
a time when the city was much smaller? Has the populace
grown so that homes now crowd runways bringing aggravation
to the residents along with other consequences they are
not aware exist? Perhaps a rare lung disease due to the
pollution or a political move to make people sell their
homes so the airport can expand.
Agriculture Even in the city there is a need for fresh
produce. Where does it come from? If it is transported
from more rural areas, how is it moved? Or, does each home
have a garden tucked away on flat roofs, or community
property set aside for this purpose.
When considering agriculture, you may include fertile soil
and less fertile areas. Characters who live in areas with
rocky soil will have a different diet and a struggle to
make things grow. These factors will influence the
storyline.
Raising domestic animals will also be influenced by the
soil type and the lay of the land. Do the animals need
large open grazing or can they survive on the slopes of
mountains? Do they live within fences marking property
lines? If so, add them to the map.
Forestry Most cities have parks, forest preserves or
other natural settings for the residents to enjoy. Is this
the case for cities in your world or is it a barren
concrete metropolis? Consider the importance plant life
plays in the quality of air and condition of the soil.
Fishery If you have a seaport a village on an interior
lake, you most likely have fishermen devoted to catching,
processing or selling fish. How do they fish? Spears,
nets, poles or something else? Is there a controversy over
the methods used? Are restrictions set as to where people
can fish and if so are they enforced? Is a license
required? Is fishing a respectable occupation?
Consider the surrounding landscape. Is it easy for people
to reach this place? Again, details such as these make a
difference to the storyline.
World And Story
Fantasy world landscape affects the story. Characters
walking up the side of a mountain work harder than those
traveling through rolling hills. Mapping the world and
updating it as the story evolves promotes consistency and
saves the time of going back to hunt down a detail in your
manuscript. Mapping is a tool, and recommend for every
fantasy writer's toolbox.
Primitive Fantasy Amenities
Create A Pre-Modern Fantasy World
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