1: 250 Words

The oldest known maps are from 3,000 BC. Originally, maps were used solely for navigation, mapping conflicts, and marking discoveries, and they are still commonly used in this fashion. However, due to the manner in which humans store knowledge in maps, they can often provide more questions than answers.

There are important aspects of writing: exploration, which involves some type of search that is documented, and presentation, which is the act of creating a document that is based upon our knowledge.

Among the oldest recorded stories are those that attempt to rationalize the world. Modern stories typically do not approach such questions, but they do create worlds in a way that would be similar to if we discovered these worlds naturally.

If mapping is attempted before exploration, either the overall exploration or the detail of said exploration could be limited. The same issue is present in new written stories that have infinite potential directions. Because of this, the writer must discover the meaning of their own creation before structuring it. What complicates this process even more is the process of drafting, which can often lead to dead ends.

Alberto Giacometti had an artistic process that involved a painful cycle of restarting his work. All artists have unique techniques, and for writers, this can involve guidance in the form of imperatives.

While maps are decorative, writings embellish the journey and the destination.

Every writer is asked for directions.

King Hanno of Carthage recorded his travels along the coast of Africa.

2: 150 Characters

Maps have a long history of storing knowledge. The oldest stories rationalized the natural world. When writing stories, authors must discover meaning.