This has always been a bit of a problem for me, and a bit embarrassing, as I’m quite capable of getting lost inside my own clothes. Out in the real world, the invention of personal, affordable GPS devices was a real boon for me, and ever since they even became integrated into smartphones, I’m able to carry around what I consider to be a “sense of orientation prosthesis” at all times.

In the various virtual realms I’ve frequented from time to time, the game developers have (mostly) been kind enough to provide me with in-game maps of various kinds that fulfil the same purpose. Now, however, as I begin to create a world of my own in which to play out the various events of Dragondream, I find myself at a loss: I suddenly realised that I’m getting to the point where knowing where things are, and how far apart they are, i.e. the whole mapping bit, is becoming important. So far, I’ve written away, mainly trying to get words out and onto the (virtual) page. But as I write more and more, I find that my general cluelessness as to the whereabouts of everything is getting in my way. Continue reading →