 Fantasy: November 01, 2006 Issue [#1352] |
  Fantasy
This week: Edited by: Feywriter  
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1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
"I may stray once in a while, but I stay pretty close to the road map. I tend not to wind up in Australia when I'm heading for Portugal."
~ David Eddings
The world needs fantasy. It can be an escape from daily life, a means for finding the hero within, a landscape to inspire the imagination. Enter the world of Fantasy. In my newsletters you can expect thorough looks at different aspects of fantasy writing, and a publisher spotlight.
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Unless your story takes place in a single location, one of the first things you want to do is draw a map. The exception would be if your story takes place on Earth, in which case you'll be doing research instead of creating your own map.
A map will help you keep track of your characters, plot a journey, give reference for character and monster homes, and give depth and background to your story. You don't need to be a professional cartographer to draw a map. Chances are high that your readers will never see it. If you do plan on sharing it, you can make it look better later. For now, stick with the rough basics.
Draw an outline of the country, continent, world, whichever suits the needs of your story. My own novel stays within the borders of Dashevona, so I haven't bothered mapping anything outside that realm. Note the starting point of your story and start detailing out from there. Add mountains, rivers, hills, forests, plains. Make dots for villages, bigger dots for cities. Give names to your towns and natural landmarks. You can be content mapping out only the basics that will be traveled within the story, adding more as needed. Or you can branch out, detailing the entire map. The more you detail, the more material you have for "what ifs", creating trade routes, and other aspects that can enhance your world.
If you're stuck where to start, look at premade maps. There are many resources you can use. An atlas, encyclopedia, or Google Maps will show you real world maps. My own map was conceived after seeing a map of Scotland, it's one big peninsula. You can even trace a map directly, change the coast or borders slightly, and fill it in any way you want. To look at maps other people have created, do a search online for role-playing maps, world-building, and fantasy maps. There are also map-creation tools you can use. Video games like Civilization and SimCity have mapping tools. There is also software you can purchase or download if you want something more professional. An example of these is Campaign Cartographer 3, from ProFantasy Software.
Keep in mind how coasts and mountains will affect weather. You'll want to research climate and topography. Once you have your map, you can determine how long it will take to travel from point A to point B, have visitors from town C, and trade from D. If you get stuck in the story, perhaps looking at your map will give you ideas. What if this central river flooded? What if this mountain has a cave with a monster? A map is a handy tool indeed.
** Image ID #1092573 Unavailable **
 Publisher Spotlight
Publisher: Baen Books
Location: USA
Website: https://www.baen.com
from website FAQ
Dear Author:
We publish only science fiction and fantasy. Writers familiar with what we have published in the past will know what sort of material we are most likely to publish in the future: powerful plots with solid scientific and philosophical underpinnings are the sine qua non for consideration for science fiction submissions. As for fantasy, any magical system must be both rigorously coherent and integral to the plot, and overall the work must at least strive for originality.
Those manuscripts which survive the "first cut" as outlined above are then judged primarily on plot and characterization.
Guidelines:
 Query letters are not necessary. Prefer to see complete manuscripts accompanied by a synopsis.
 Prefer not to see simultaneous submissions.
 Electronic submissions are strongly preferred.
 No emailed manuscripts, use submission form at: http://www.webscription.net/Slush/submit.aspx
 For those who can't submit electronically, send to Baen Books; P.O. Box 1403; Riverdale, NY 10471.
Be sure to read guidelines on website for further guidelines on formatting and submissions.
Length: 100,000 - 130,000 words
Payscale: very competitive
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Some maps of fellow members. I'd share my own if I had a scanner.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Do you have a map you'd like to share? What benefits have you found for having a map?
Reader Question
Asked by viper 
How important is it to have your entire world done before you start writing. Do you have all your towns mapped out and do you have maps of each individual building mapped out.
It's great to have things mapped out in advance, particularly the world map, but town maps and individual buildings you would likely do just fine mapping as needed. I hope my newsletter helped to answer your questions. 
Reader Comments
From werden 
Thank you for this interview. I always enjoy reading interviews with established authors how they got started, what their techniques are (as much as they care to reveal :)), etc. It helps me in coming to terms with what I am doing. I wish there could be more interviews in these newsletters.
From NegaScout
Okay, we got the story for a self-published author. Now how about from a traditionally published author?
Thanks!
I'm working on getting an interview from a traditionally published author, so keep your eyes on future newsletters. 
From nomlet
I always find it fascinating to read about another author's perspective on writing (and publishing). Thanks to you and your interviewee for the insight.
nomlet
From billwilcox
Great interview Mary, Write On!
From Jaoli~ miss you all, bye ;(
What a great idea, to do an interview. And I love that quote by Milton! Thank you so much!
Thank you for the wonderful comments, Bill, Nomlet, and Jaoli. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. 
From Strange Wulf
Good to see my question got in. And he's right, I definitely need to treat this like a real job if I want to make a career out of it. Every day it is.
=D I was surprised at some of his influences. Who knew a published author would be into Final Fantasy or Spirited Away? The fact simply blows my mind! Tell him to keep writing!
You'd be surprised at how many authors are into gaming. I may not be published, but I'm a video game fanatic myself.
 
Thank you for all the comments. Remember to leave feedback or ideas for future newsletters. We editors love to hear from you!
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