A lightyear is a measure of DISTANCE, not time. This might come across as nit-picking on my part, but confusing a lightyear with time spent is increasingly common. Maybe inconsequential to most writers, but not those aspiring to write sci fi. How long it takes to travel between planets in the sci fi writer’s created world depends entirely on the level and kind of technology they build into it, but they’ll continue to measure the time spent in hours/days/years.

Ah, but she knew she now had all the time in the world…

And so Bertram knew that the half hour that remained would not bring Anna to the Monroe depot in time to prepare for the fish fry. The timetable said the express only ran on Mondays. Bertram wondered what made her journey with Joe so sudden they’d leave on a Friday. He couldn’t contain the explosion of gossip that would rise up in the church basement.

It’s amazing to think how long it took to get places and challenges us to put ourselves in a very different mindset about the concept of distance.

You had me on the edge of my seat, rooting for McGyver!!! Lol. I can see why an editor might need to “see” the map in your writing first. It’s a good point. I’d still give the map to the proofreader because they are looking for consistency and double-checking more than concept or craft, and I like making their job easier 🙂

I particularly liked your idea of a map with all the distances labeled, though I wouldn’t share it with my editor or proofreader. If they can’t get the picture from my writing, readers won’t either. Better do some revisions. I especially liked the idea of using the physical distance to create an opportunity to show some character development or expose backstory or do anything else the story might need. Thanks for the tips