 Fantasy: February 19, 2013 Issue [#5521] |
  Fantasy
This week: Creating magic Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon  
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Quote for the week: "If people think you're a witch, you might as well be one."
~Granny Weatherwax
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Hello! I am Arakun the twisted raccoon and I am your guest editor for this edition of the fantasy newsletter.
The Oxford Dictionary defines fantasy literature as "a genre of imaginative fiction involving magic and adventure, especially in a setting other than the real world." To many people, magic means "smoke and mirrors" illusions that stage magicians use in their performances, but that is only one definition of the word. Traditional magic is the attempt to influence or control events by working in harmony with natural forces.
Some fantasy stories are based on mythology and magical traditions of the real world. Examples include Michael Scott's "Alchemyst" series and Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson stories. Other authors, such as J. K. Rowling, have made up their own magical traditions. Here are some ideas to consider when incorporating magic into your stories:
Who is able to work magic? Everyone, or just a select few? Can characters learn magical skills, or must they be born with them? Does magical ability run in families? Can magical practitioners improve their skills with practice?
Does your magic involve working with deities or nature spirits? If so, you may want to study traditional pantheons and mythology for inspiration. Gods and goddesses might help your characters out occasionally, but don't create a literal deus ex machina by always allowing them to save the day.
Do your characters use magical objects? A magical object may be protective, such as an amulet, talisman, or charm. It may be a tool for focusing the user's magical power, such as a wand. Some magical objects, such as the One Ring in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, have complex powers of their own and almost become characters in the story.
What are the limits of your magic? You like your main character and want her to succeed, but that doesn't mean you should give her unlimited magical power. Limited magic is more believable and will create a more interesting story. The story would be pretty short, not to mention boring, if the protagonist waved her wand once and defeated the villain in the first chapter! However, you might want to make the villain seem to have unlimited powers, at least until your hero figures out how to deal with them.
Do your characters use rituals or spells? These are important elements of traditional magical practice. A ritual is a set of physical actions, while a spell is a set of words with magical intent. Both may be used to invoke a deity, conjure spirits, or create desired outcomes.
What is the difference between "good" and "bad" magic? Are they two separate entities or different ends of a spectrum? Or maybe it is not the magical energy itself that is good or evil, but the intent of the user.
Like blood and gore in a horror story, magic in a fantasy tale loses its effect if it is overused. Resist the temptation to let your characters use magic or supernatural forces to get out of every tough spot. Give them a few challenges where magic is not allowed or does not work. Some situations might call for fighting skills, others for diplomacy, and others for good old common sense. If all of those fail, it may be time to run!
What seems like magic sometimes has a perfectly logical explanation. However, just because you know how it works doesn't mean it isn't magic. My favorite witch, Granny Weatherwax of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series, often performs this type of practical magic. Granny is capable such incredible feats as becoming one with a bird and soaring over the landscape, but her greatest talent is her understanding of human nature. She uses psychology, which she calls "headology" to get people to do what is best for them, even if they don't want to do it at the time. Dumbledore of the Harry Potter series and Gandalf of "Lord of the Rings" have this skill as well, so maybe it comes with experience.
Something to try: Make up a new type of magic and write a story based on it.
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