GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Arts & Crafts with Authors: Creating a Fantasy World Map (Paula Millhouse) + Giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Arts & Crafts with Authors: Creating a Fantasy World Map (Paula Millhouse) + Giveaway

Cartography and Maps in Fantasy Worlds: 

How painting and writing match up in the world of creativity 

Maps are important parts of Fantasy worlds. As a key to world-building a writer must see where her characters live, how the climate affects them, where water sources are located, and the best routes for trade, protection, and natural resources. 

As a nod to Mr. Tolkien who inspired me with his maps of Middle Earth as a child, I decided, "HEY - my Fantasy Romance novel, Chalvaren Rising, needs a map too. I'm an artist - I can provide that." 
Kingdom of Chalvaren (c)Paula Millhouse/Boroughs Publishing Group 2015 

Developing a Watercolor Painting

Here's the first really rough draft of my map. Kinda ugly, right? Just like a first draft of a novel. You kinda know it's got potential, but... you're not willing to share that ugly puppy with anyone. I knew it needed some time to marinate, so I let it perk. I re-worked it and re-worked it again until I could really feel my characters living there. (Note my color-wheel, and yes, those are my slippers. It was a cold and wintry day in North Georgia when I started this project way back in February.)

Draft 2: This is my developmental edit 
I took my really rough composition above, thought on it, and reconstructed it. I edited out the parts that didn't work, added new elements like any great Cartographer would to ground the map's Reader, and I revised the entire painting. I went to my photo-imaging program Gimp, and added text to the base image. Now I had an image that wasn't perfect yet, but was much improved over that "shitty first draft." (Writers will key in on that concept immediately - ask any of us and we'll be glad to share what it means, and how they torture us.) See what a good edit and some time can do for your story? 

Draft 3: How the Process of Creativity is Unified 
Finally, I added my copy edit - which visually included development of the pencil dragon drawings, and what I thought might be the final text images. I love this edition, and honestly at the time I didn't think it could get any better (Ha! Ha! - sound familiar, Writers?) This framed original will hang in my house as a lovely reminder of the process creativity goes through to reach its final design. This is how art is made, whether with brushes and watercolors, or with the text of your prose. It's a process. No matter what, I created this world of Chalvaren, and I feel her and now I see her not only in my imagination, but also on the page. This original watercolor painting now hangs in my house in honor of the love I have for Chalvaren's territories, her castles, her dragons, and her citizens. 

But, and here's the caveat of this post, remember Editors Always Matter. 
My amazing editor over at BPG, Christopher Keeslar took my piece of art and transformed it even further into what I consider to be the finished product, just like he did with my novel. I adore the "Mappiness" of the image below, don't you? He's a whiz with photo-editing software - you must treat yourself to a look at all the amazing Boroughs Publishing Group story covers at our website for testimony. So, this is what we ended up with, and I'm thrilled to share the final piece of art with my Readers. As a final thought I'll say a special thanks for inspiring all of us with your maps and your stories, Mr. Tolkien. It's kinda in your honor I branched out from Middle Earth and came up with my own Fantasy Romances in the Kingdom of Chalvaren
Kingdom of Chalvaren (c)Paula Millhouse/Boroughs Publishing Group 2015


Chalvaren Rising
A Kingdom of Chalvaren Romance
byPaula Millhouse
Publisher: 
Boroughs Publishing
THE DRAGONSTONE HAS RETURNED

With the love of Kort, Chalvaren’s warrior-prince heir, Mia Ansgar will seize her birthright and become the great dragon-riding wizardess prophesied to free that elven kingdom from her embittered sorceress kin.

TO ASCEND TRIUMPHANT

Twenty-five years ago, Theo Ansgar abandoned the Kingdom of Chalvaren for a hiding place on another world. Some called him traitor. Some, thief. Now his fully grown daughter Mia must return to the land of her birth...and their war.

It was the elf prince Kort Elias who brought her back. Theirs was an instant connection, an inescapable union of body, soul and sorcery, reminding Mia of what she truly is, and what she must become. There is also Magnus, destined to be more potent than any wyrm Chalvaren has ever seen, a three-day-old dragonlet Mia must nurture and then ride. And then there is the Dragonstone, an artifact of power nonpareil. Joined, they can tip the scales of battle against the wraith-possessed forces of darkness, of Mia’s own embittered kin. Redemption will be offered, the protected will become the protector, and an ancient prophecy will come to fruition, but only righteous love can conquer all.

 Book Trailer: 


About the Author: 
Website-FB-Twitter-tsu
Paula Millhouse grew up in Savannah, Georgia where Spanish moss whispers tales in breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Intracoastal Waterway. As a child, Paula soaked in the sunshine and heritage of cobblestones, pirate lore, and stories steeped in savory mysteries of the south.
Paula lives with her husband at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains with their pack and pride of furry babies. In the southern tradition of storytellers, she loves sharing the lives of her characters with readers, and following her muse on the quest for happily-ever-afters in thrilling romantic fiction.


Tour Giveaway 
$25 Gift Card to Boroughs Publishing Group, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble - Winner's Choice 
3 custom designed Dragonstone Book Thongs open to US Shipping 
2 e-copies of Dragonstone (Lunchbox Romance prequel to CR) 
2 e-copies of Chalvaren Rising


a Rafflecopter giveaway

32 comments:

  1. Sharon,
    Thank you for hosting me and my creative process involving Chalvaren Rising today.
    What about you and your Readers? Do you enjoy seeing maps of the fantasy worlds you read about?

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  2. Awesome post. I love maps and refer to them while reading. I have a globe handy because I like to be able to visualize where I am and where I'm going. :-)
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Sherry - I love maps too. They add a visual element enhancing the read, IMHO.
      I'll have to treat myself to a globe one day.

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  3. This sounds fantastic, Paula! I'm clearing my calendar and making sure I read it. I love dragon stories...

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    1. I'm glad you think Chalvaren Rising sounds like your kind of story, Christine. I can't wait for my Magnus to fly off into the land of fiction.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I absolutely love your end product and it does have all the "mapiness" it needs. How beautiful, but I have to say, I love your painting too! (Chris really is very good.)
    I wish you all the best with your book and I enjoyed seeing the artistic steps paralleled to writing!

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  5. Thanks so much for stopping by, Stacey.
    The map making process was so much fun. I feel like I can see where my characters live and move and breathe now. I'd like to travel in a little boat across the Sea of Chalvaren to check out who lives on Dragon Isle.

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  6. I can't wait to read this it sounds great.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Nancy. I hope Readers like Chalvaren Rising as much as I enjoyed writing it, and painting the map.

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  7. What a fantastic map! I love when an author provides a map to the locations in a fantasy novel. It adds a higher level of detail and enjoyment to the story. Chalvaren Rising sounds like an exciting book and I have added it to my tbr list.

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  8. Thanks for the kudos, Book Lady!
    I'm thrilled you like the map, and honestly, I couldn't agree more. Maps ground us. Help us find our way. And yes, add higher level of detail too.
    Hope you enjoy your time in The Kingdom of Chalvaren.
    I appreciate you stopping by.

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  9. How neat! I love all the detail and creativity :)

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  10. YOUR BOOK SOUNDS GREAT! THANKS FOR THE MAP AND GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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  11. Thanks so much for stopping by, Anna and Anonymous!

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  12. Sounds great. Will be reading soon. Thanks.

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  13. Thanks for stopping in! I love dragons!

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  14. I know, right Amy? Dragons totally Rock!

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  15. I love this map so much. You are so talented!

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    1. Tamara - Every Fantasy Romance needs a map to guide its Readers. Thank you!

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  16. Your map is interesting and beautiful. Fantastic job. Your story sounds intriguing, too. Looking forward to reading it. I wish you all the best.

    ~Adele

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    1. Thank you, Adele! I hope Readers love the story. Your kind words make me smile.

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  17. Replies
    1. So glad you stopped in, Veronica. Hope the map is a feast for your eyes. :-)

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  18. An artist as well as a writer? I AM impressed.
    Best, Emily Mims

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    1. Thank you Emily.
      I love to paint. Now, I paint with words too.

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  19. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to comment. Making this map was fun. Seeing it through your eyes is even better!

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  20. I love maps, and seeing one created is all kinds of fun. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I'm glad you honed in on my process, Sheri. Watching the map develop over time has been one of the highlights of my worldbuilding in The Kingdom of Chalvaren. I hope it makes it into the book! I love books with maps.

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  21. I just love maps and always love to flip back to them when characters are traveling! You're map is just stunning :)

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    1. I love maps too, Crystal. It really does pave the way for the adventure, right?
      Your kind words are deeply appreciated.

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  22. Dear Sharon and all your Readers,

    I'm so happy everyone loved the map. I found out Chalvaren Rising went LIVE at midnight, and the MAP IS IN THE BOOK!!

    I'm over the moon thrilled it all worked out. Now fantasy readers will have a guide through the world of Chalvaren.

    I wanted to share the live links with everyone since they just became available. This just might be the perfect escape into the world of fiction.

    Thanks again for hosting me Sharon,

    Paula

    BUY LINKS:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157RBDHO
    https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/576283
    https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chalvarenrising-1887385-153.html
    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26326979-chalvaren-rising

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