Cartography–the study and making of maps.
When I began the Wynnewood series, one of the first and most important things to me was to have a proper “fantasy map.” After all, what is a fantasy book without a good map, right? Finding my amazing illustrator, Craig Worrell, was a gift from God via my good friend, Michele. Craig walked me through the map making process. He talked me through things I’d never considered that significantly enhanced the books. He made me laugh–oh how he made me laugh. I got a new friend out of the bargain–two really. He has a delightful wife.
What does that have to do with anything? Am I putting maps in my other books? Well, obviously there’ll need to be a map in the Legends of the Vengeance books. I mean, what is a book about pirates without a map!?! Valimar? Well, duh! It’s going to need some cool maps too. But no, Everard is the problem right now. You see, I’m writing away, sending our prince off on all these quests all over the kingdom, and I have myself so confused as to where anything is that I can’t keep it all straight!
So I emailed Craig. “HELP!” I wanted to know if there ever were maps in fairy tale books. He assured me that there are. I told him my problem and he sent back half a dozen questions to help me think it through. I answered them and threw the map back in his court. Do I need one or not? So, it looks like Everard is going to have a map. I am now crossing my fingers that Craig will have the time and the desire to do it. I’d be biting my nails, but you cannot do that with dentures. That’s a nice little factoid for other writers. Don’t have your denture wearing characters biting nails. Not possible.
Maps, why not? They add authenticity and spatial dimension even in fantasy.