5 map-making resources for fiction writers

Creating an immersive and believable world is an essential aspect of fiction writing, and detailed and accurate maps of the locations and landscapes in your story can be a beneficial worldbuilding resource to refer to as you write. Using a map-making tool to bring your vision to life can help you visualise your fictional world and are particularly helpful for keeping track of important locations, landmarks, and other details.

Whether you are working on a small-scale, local map for a single town or city, or a larger-scale map for an entire planet or even a galaxy, a variety of tools are available to help bring your vision to life. The right map-making tool will depend on the specific needs of your story and your personal preferences.

Choosing the right tool

Map-making tools come in various options, each with features and capabilities. Most are built for tabletop RPG games but are just as useful for writers. When selecting a map-making tool, it is essential to consider the scale of the maps that you will be creating. Some tools are better suited for creating small-scale maps of a single town or city, while others are more geared towards creating large-scale maps of entire planets or galaxies.

Small-scale map-making tools

Small-scale map-making tools can help writers create detailed maps of specific locations, such as cities or buildings, often including features like customisable labels, symbols, and visual elements.

For small-scale map making, you want a tool to create detailed maps of small areas, including streets, buildings, and other landmarks.

Large-scale map-making tools

Large-scale map-making tools are useful for creating maps of vast areas, such as continents or planets, and often include features like the ability to import data from real-world maps or generate maps based on geographical parameters like climate, elevation, or vegetation.

For large-scale map making, you want a tool that allows you to create maps that include your world's landscape, terrain and climate. These maps can benefit writers working on science fiction or fantasy stories on a larger scale.

Inkarnate

Inkarnate is excellent for both small and large-scale map creation. It offers a range of features, including custom terrain and location icons, the ability to import custom images, and an intuitive interface. Plus, you can use your maps for commercial purposes (which means you could include them in your books if you're self-publishing).

Wonderdraft

Wonderdraft is best for large-scale maps. It offers a variety of customisable templates, symbols, and brushes, as well as features for adding annotations and notes to the map, allowing you to include important information and details about your worlds.

Dungeondraft

Dungeondraft is brought to you by the creators of Wonderdraft. It's best for small-scale maps, and the two work hand in hand. Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft also support third-party art packs, so you can quickly adapt your maps to your story's aesthetic. If you want to go that route, you can get third-party art packs from Crosshead Studios, 2 Minute Tabletop, Forgotten Adventures, and Caeoria.

Dungeon Scrawl

Dungeon Scrawl is a really well-designed and uncomplicated tool for small-scale maps. It's best for single locations, houses or other establishments, caves, or mazes. Its hand-drawn aesthetic is perfect for writers who want to add a touch of whimsy or old-school charm to their maps.

Metro Map Maker

Metro Map Maker is a tool for creating custom subway or metro maps. It allows you to customise their map's layout, colours, and labels, as well as add points of interest and other details. It could be used to create maps of the fictional subway system that can be included in the story or shared with readers to help them visualise the city and understand the layout and locations mentioned in the story.

Creating maps for your fictional world can significantly enhance the worldbuilding process and provide valuable visual aids for you and your readers. The tools mentioned above—Inkarnate, Wonderdraft, Dungeondraft, Dungeon Scrawl, and Metro Map Maker—offer various options to suit your specific needs, whether you're creating small-scale maps for individual locations or large-scale maps for entire continents or planets. By investing time in developing accurate and visually appealing maps, you can strengthen your storytelling and create a more immersive experience for your readers. Choose the map-making tool that best aligns with your project's requirements, and let your creativity guide you in bringing your fictional world to life.

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