Cartographer's Cut

On the road ahead

Hey! How often do you get lost?

Whether in plans or on the run, there’s some value in knowing at least the general direction to go.

That’s not to say the forest or its trees will end up proving more difficult to cross than grandma ever said, but more along the lines of how some semblance of structure can go a long way.

Before the metaphor is mixed, I’m not rewriting a nursery rhyme or warning about a wolf.

I mean my own map for my new book, Significatorius.

After thinking about what it’s worth, I decided to work with my little sister to fit one into the first few pages.

I actually wasn’t sure I wanted to include anything at all, but I think it adds something to the story and helps paint a clearer idea of where things are happening.

My uncle told me he would refer to the little makeshift maps I posted here. He said they helpd him place everything in his head while reading the draft.

That was likely what pushed me over the edge, and then I had fun working with Molly to add little details. Now it’s as if parts were labeled and written by different characters.

But those subtleties are secondary to how it simply provides locational context.

Practical Plans

As for the next steps?

Well, I made it through the second rough draft of Significatorius so the light at the end of the tunnel is finally within grasp.

There were a few rough edges I needed to smooth out, but it was surely worth the effort. Sketched patches turning into fleshed out segments and every comment being weighed against its worth in change.

I’m happy with how the story came out.

A balance between romantic relationships and my usual style. I believe my take on a few common tropes will be refreshing for readers both into and out of the genre.

There will always be more things I could change and there will be a convincing argument as to why I should wait longer.

However, getting caught up in perfection leads to never taking a step at all.

Such paralysis does not need to be forever binding.

The last steps are harder. They certainly were that time. Everything was already decided, but there’s always a doubt—a question wafting in the humidity. Without a way to predict what comes next, it takes courage to move forward.

Piecing Together

I need to emphasize that while the plot and pacing may be ready to go, formatting, unfortunately, is not.

Working in the void of a word processor is great for putting thoughts down, but our world is annoyingly bound by such petty contrivances as physics and dimensions.

At the best of times, figuring out how to fix margins and spacing is a headache and a half. Even measuring twice doesn’t completely ensure a clean cut.

The big machine mass producing these books has a margin for error.

Completely understandable.

Nonetheless frustrating.

Fortunately, I’ve learned to work better within the fuzzy lines. Taking the map as an example, my idea is to cut it in half into two separate image files. I wanted a big space of nothing in the middle so I could cleanly fit it on two different pages.

I’ve spread maps across the crease for both Maneus and Rhean, and I don’t recommend it.

The measurements may need some adjusting, but the idea is ready to go.

As goes the map, so goes the cover.

Once all the pages are in their place, it’ll be possible to calculate the approximate size of the spine and from there the titles can fall into place.

I opted for an image that can wrap around the outside of the book this time. Even though I’ve featured little pieces of flair on the spine before, lining it up is never easy.

And likely not worth the effort.

I did think about having the lighthouse there, though. Molly even created versions with Pharos running up the middle, but I don’t know.

Something about it just didn’t feel right, and I didn’t want to risk the alignment being off. The simpler image of the shore of Oshovia feels like it fits the world better.

Terminus

No matter where we end up going, there’s always a map in the mind.

If not for the future, then for where we’ve already been.

Making sense of every step is, in my opinion, just as much of a journey as the sights along the way.

Maybe there’s something more, but all I really have left to say is that I hope you enjoy Significatorius.

I should have a release date ready to share soon™️

Until next time.

—JMB