tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008217764991774516.post2611099736412962204..comments2024-03-28T09:24:58.391-04:00Comments on Stuff I Like: A Blog: Worlds Fantastic and StrangeThe Wasphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636805818054637966noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008217764991774516.post-65639509859947592622012-12-24T10:37:18.953-05:002012-12-24T10:37:18.953-05:00I probably saw the Tolkien's map first also, b... I probably saw the Tolkien's map first also, but beautiful as they are it was noticing the superimposed modern world on the Hyborian map that sticks with me most vividly. <br /> When M. John Harrison wrote against "word builders" I understood his argument and more or less agreed with it. Still, there are times where a map, particularly when the story involves lots of traveling, just helps make things make sense. Other times they're as beautiful and integral as the words in creating the illusion of some sort of reality.<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (and congratulations on the Amazing gig).The Wasphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636805818054637966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008217764991774516.post-53043840501679570102012-12-24T10:28:45.985-05:002012-12-24T10:28:45.985-05:00I'm tempted to just start scanning every map I...I'm tempted to just start scanning every map I come across from now on and building up a database. They're such a integral component of so much fantasy writing. Other than a few sites I've come across (and have then vanished) and the Post book I can't think of too many places that catalog or discuss them.<br /><br />Regarding your book, that's got to be disappointing. It's an interesting point though about the collaborative nature of many of the maps etched into our memories as readers. How accurately do they reflect the writer's ideas versus how another the artist as simply another reader interpret it?<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!The Wasphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636805818054637966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008217764991774516.post-15870701819364876232012-12-23T10:07:51.257-05:002012-12-23T10:07:51.257-05:00Great post! The map of Hyboria from the Ace Conan...Great post! The map of Hyboria from the Ace Conans was one of the first I encountered when I started reading fantasy. (I think the map in the LOTR was the first.) The modern world being superimposed on an imaginary land has stuck in my mind for years. Of course seeing the maps in the Howard House in Cross Plains once a year helps.<br /><br />I still like a good map, although I agree they aren't always necessary and sometimes do more harm than good. Still, it's nice to have a general idea of the layout of the author's world. One I found useful was the map in the Bison edition of Harold Lamb's Cossack stories. Most of the locations are real, but not all of them would be on modern maps.<br /><br />And I agree with David. I'm going to have to find a copy of An Atlas of Fantasy. I seemed to have missed that one.<br /><br />Have a great Christmas and fantastic New Year.Adventuresfantastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16907562789681407416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008217764991774516.post-23809861690793647562012-12-23T01:52:25.889-05:002012-12-23T01:52:25.889-05:00I'm always a sucker for maps. I found myself w...I'm always a sucker for maps. I found myself wishing Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy had a map multiple times. A couple of his stand-alones now have very handsome maps unfortunately they aren't needed as much as the trilogy - which had a lot more distance and continents traveled.<br /><br />And yes, a bad map is worse than no map. I think I may have avoided books in the past if they had Thongor level maps.<br /><br />I have to admit here, that I was very underwhelmed with the map that is in my first hardback (the publisher didn't attach it to the ebook). They did use a rough model I gave them, but I was not so keen on the artists interpretation.<br />IF I could do it all over again, I would have taken my time and done it myself instead of just giving them a rough.<br /><br />I'm gonna have to look for that 'An Atlas of Fantasy'.nephite blood spartan hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092519999184585295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008217764991774516.post-83597413752198439102012-12-23T01:50:21.503-05:002012-12-23T01:50:21.503-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.nephite blood spartan hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092519999184585295noreply@blogger.com