To create a fantasy map for a novel, first, decide on the overall shape of the landmass. It could be a large continent, an archipelago, or a strange, otherworldly shape. Next, mark the key elements that are relevant to your story. If there are different races in your novel, you might want to show where each race predominantly lives. You can also add in magical elements like portals or enchanted areas. Don't forget to label everything clearly so that readers can easily understand the map.
You can start by sketching out the main geographical features like mountains, rivers, and forests based on the story's setting. For example, if your novel has a lot of sea - faring adventures, draw a detailed coastline with bays and islands. Then, add in the important locations such as cities, castles, or hidden lairs. Consider the scale of your map in relation to the story, so that distances between places make sense. Use different colors and textures to distinguish different terrains.