So I'm currently writing a fantasy book, and have started world building as well as starting a couple of languages.

I basically joined to get hints and tips of how to make my maps not suck. I've made a couple on the computer and they don't look that great. I'm not really sure how to get realistic looking continent shapes, and I've no idea how to do the detailing/colours well.

I don't have much experience with maps, but a while ago I made a copy of the western continent of David Eddings' Belgariad, and it didn't look that bad. That's probably down to the fact I was copying someone else's work, rather than creating my own.