When I’m world-building for Merchant of Vision, I rely on more than just words. Some of my best creative breakthroughs happen when I let the story take shape visually. Whether it’s sketching a starship, piecing together a map, or even using AI-assisted art tools to render alien landscapes, visualizing the universe helps me bring it to life in ways that text alone can’t.
One of my favorite aspects of creating visual elements is how it shifts my perspective. A starship might look sleek and functional in my head, but once I sketch it out, I notice details that change its design: perhaps the hull needs reinforcement, or the power plant is too small to power all the weapons....maybe I realize the crew quarters are too cramped for long missions. These insights loop back into the story, adding depth and plausibility.
The same goes for alien worlds. I’ve spent hours layering watercolor washes over a hand-drawn map to give a planet its unique flavor, that I keep in a library of worlds in sheet protectors in a notebook. Or I’ll experiment with digital tools an astronomy software to imagine what light from a binary star pair might look like on a planet's surface terrain. These details not only inspire me but often spark ideas for subplots or even entire chapters.
For example, in Merchant of Vision, one pivotal scene takes place in a subterranean alien ruin. At first, I thought of it as a generic, abandoned temple. But after playing with sketches and designs, I imagined glowing bioluminescent patterns on the walls that interact with the characters’ movements. Suddenly, the scene transformed from a static encounter not unlike a classic dungeon, to one charged with mystery and danger.
Creating visual elements isn’t just about adding flair; it’s a way of diving deeper into the world and exploring its nooks and crannies. And it’s a process I’ve come to love as much as writing itself.
Do you use art or visuals in your own creative projects? If so, I’d love to hear how they inspire your process!
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