Okay fantasy writeblr! I might end up regretting this, but I need your help. I am waist deep in world-building a new WIP right now and looking to get deeper and, while I’ve saved a lot of stuff to my blog over the years, I’m still in search of the following:
- a map builder where I can specify the number of islands, continents, and mountain chains
- failing that, advice on how to do that myself
- that post that was going around that one time about unusual fantasy settings, that had, like, tropical rainforests and Socotra
- your favourite world-building questionnaires
- any tips and tricks
I mean, I know I can cobble all this together on my own and fudge the rest, but I’d rather not go through all the effort, y’know?
I saw a trick once, basically, you get a big sheet of paper and drop a bunch of macaroni noodles on it. Clump them together in as many islands, continents, etc you need/want and then trace around them with a pencil. Then start filling in the details.
If that doesn’t work, my go-to trick is to build it in Minecraft. Start with a Super-flat world and place dirt for one place, brick for another, etc. I prefer that method because it doesn’t take that long to build general areas and you can label everything with signs. Just make sure to do it in Creative mode and Peaceful.
Actually, doing it that way can help with you getting a feel for how large or small your countries and islands are.
And if you’re like me and that just seems like too much effort, there’s the Ultimate Lazy, Perfect Map In Ten Seconds.
Literally, just get a sheet of paper, put in a few dots that make up major locations and draw fuzzy lines for the details you want to keep in your head.
Always remember, the maps are for YOU first. They can (and sometimes will) change over the course of the writing.
Thanks! I was thinking of the noodle trick and @starry-nightshade mentioned something similar, but I’m not currently somewhere I can do that and I want a map now, not two hours from now, because patience is not one of my virtues. :) I can’t use your second method because of the nature of the WIP, alas.
I did find a couple map generators in my search. We’ll see if they pay off for me.
Sorry for butting in, and I’m sure this is much too late for your needs, but here’s the non-boring environments that need fantasy representation post I think you were looking for, and a few world building questionnaires and prompt resources for you to peruse:
Worldbuilding questionnaires compiled by @daringthepen
Worldbuilding June Prompts 2019 from @worldbuildingjune
46 Questions For Functional Fantasy Worldbuilding from @pigeonhelm
Worldbuilding Prompt of the Day series a while ago by @worldanvil