Every act of creation is personal. Behind the cartographic theory, tools, and techniques, there is a human being who struggles, who triumphs, and who is driven by more than just a need to earn an income.

While our community has a rich culture of sharing project walkthroughs and clever tricks, our colleagues also need to hear about the personal and emotional relationships we have with our maps. We invest ourselves in creating works that are meant to stir the hearts and imaginations of others—and in return our works invest in us. What are your stories? How has mapping moved you or changed you? Did it encourage you through a tough time? Teach you something about yourself? Represent a significant relationship in your life?

None of us is alone in finding empowerment, redemption, or salvation in our work; this is the gift of working in a creative field. Please consider sharing that gift by telling us stories about the power your maps have had within your own life.

The rest is up to you. There are no rules, no word counts, no style guides. Just write from your heart and soul, and send it to us at acartographersstory@gmail.com.

If you’re more comfortable sharing your story anonymously, you can write to us from a fake address, or you can use this form.

And if you’re still not quite sure what this is all about, watch John & Daniel’s presentation, which may give you a better idea.