What's This?

[wayfaringwordhack]

Two postings in one day? And within a, what? 10 minute? span of one another.

Anyhow, I have a question or two for those of you who write fantasy or CG. I'm curious as to how you treat magic in your worlds, assuming you have magic. How do you create it? What rules do you assign it? Does it *cost* something to use? Is it integral to the plot? Is it just something fun and cool?

As a reader, what are your expectations of magic? Do you want it to make sense or do you just like seeing what cool things the characters can do with it? Is there a particular "magic" that is overdone, that you cringe when you read?

As queenoftheskies says, inquiring minds want to know.

Comments

[slmcgaw.livejournal.com]

I like to treat magic from a blend of science and inspiration. I see it as being a tool in fantasy, but not primary to the story in the sense of it being what the story is about. In both my novels, the *magic* is confined and while it plays a big part it is partially incidental to what I think is the story - which to me are the characters. The rules are something I make up mostly as I go. I'll go back and revise things to fit the rules as I solve various problems along the way. I've tried to do it in a more logical fashion but since it isn't the primary focus for me, that approach just bogs me down. However, in *our* tale one of the fun things is just doing the whole this is cool and have fun with it, letting anything in with no real rules whatsoever. That's fun because rules get boring at times. I think the kind of magic that is overdone is magic swords hehe. Read too many of those.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like for things to make sense, too, and I'm not big on magical talismans of any sort. That is funny though because I loved to imagine myself finding one such thing when I was kid. A magic wand to clean your room, anyone? Maybe, like you, I read too much of it. Or my adult brain wants to know *Why!? (How)* "Why" is obviously something some of us never grow out of.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

That's a really interesting question. I haven't used a whole lot in my stories so far, but Thimble has some. I have a feeling it's power drawn form the caster's soul, so to speak. So it could be rather wearying if used too much, unless you find a way to tap into other sources of power. I'm still hammering out the details though.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a good beginning. I like those kinds of scenarios. Magic needs checks and balances, methinks.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Definitely -- if the wielder can just do whatever they want, they become far too powerful.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I'm figuring out the further I get into my project that I don't have every thing figured out:P And magic is one of those things.

It is going to be a tricky thing to work out. Going to have to redo a lot of stuff once the hammering is done. *sigh* But this is a first draft, so onwards!

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Yes! and congrats on getting so very close to 50k!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Thanks :D

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Magic is a tricky thing (no pun intended). I feel there must be limitations in one way or the other, or what is to stop the whole plot from being fixed with the flick of a hand?

In my novels so far magic is integral to the plot, but I could see a minor type of magic working well as just spice. Magic makes me cringe when it is used to get out of one sticky situation, but where the author suddenly seem to forget that exact kind of magic the next time the characters are in trouble. Consistency is the key word.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes to consistency! I think there is nothing as frustrating as when you feel like the characters are being stupid for Plot, and not using a type of magic that was used before--unless why they can't has been explained--is just that kind of stupidity. Could be forgetfulness on the author's part, too, I suppose, but in that case, both s/he and their critiquers fell down on the job.

I think in my current WIP the use of magic is more of a spice, while the magic source is integral to the way the world works. The vast differences between these the use and its necessity for the world is what bothers me. That's why I need to work out if the use needs to be elevated to a main ingredient and how. However, like a spice, I can keep the uses small and show the characters what a dash too much do.