Story of a map

When I finally finished my first book in "The Crown of Palrad" series, I checked everything and thought it was good. However, there was just one thing missing. As the pages of the novel revealed several locations with numerous names coming and going, I realized that I needed to create a map like in other fantasy books that I had read. Since I chose self-publishing, it was an opportunity for me to learn something new because I had no idea how to make a map. So, I evolved by learning how to create a map, and that's my story.

  This is my first attempt, which looks more like a sketch than a map. It was just something casual that I used as a reference while writing the book. I pinned it next to me so that I could look at it whenever I needed clarification. To most of you, it would probably look like a coded chart. To me, it was the entire world that was alive while I was writing the book. Oh, how great were the adventures I lived through this little piece of paper...

  But then I said to myself, "Come on, Jim, you're an artist. You can do something better than this." I gave it a try, and as you can see, it didn't go well. What did I expect? I hadn't painted anything since I was a child. So, I thought there must be another way and I used my updated computer skills (or joking-level computer skills). People love things that are created by computers, I thought. It would be easier to draw.

  So, this is what I came up with! I used Paint 3D, and this was where it got me. It was a nightmare. I used the 3D library to make it more special, and this was the only evolution for me. However, I regret every single moment I spent on it. I say that mostly because it lagged. It lagged A LOT. If I could add the hours I spent waiting for my project to open and the 3D library to insert things into it, I would easily form a whole new day in my life. I don't know if it's me who is at fault or my laptop, but anyways it didn't work for me. This brings me to the assistance of a dear friend of mine. You all know that friend. It's called Google search, and it's always there when you need it.

  I googled "fantasy map maker for free" (I couldn't afford to spend a fortune on this), and it brought me to Reedsy. I tried several options, but Inkarnate turned out to be the ideal fix for me. After spending some time learning how to use it, I designed my final map. The platform is very user-friendly, and I made it without any cost other than my time and energy. There are some extra features that could be added for which they charge you, but even without them, I was good to go. My hard-earned skills from my adventure on Paint 3D came in handy when I designed the Atheral wall and the Silver gate (an option that Inkarnate was charging me for). And voila!

  It would have been much easier if I had searched Google from the beginning. However, the whole story was a personal process of evolution and learning that, in the end, made me a better person. The same goes for the four years that I spent writing the book. All's well that ends well, I guess...