Being a Better Writer: So You Want to Be a Wizard, Eh? · 6:54pm Jul 19th, 2016
Picture this, if you will, for a moment. Imagine a young man, an author. Well, a writer who has just recently become an author, having successfully published his first book. He's just been invited to a big convention, where to his excitement, he will be on a panel alongside some of fantasy's greats in writing (if I'm being sparse on details here, forgive me as I don't remember all of them).
Anyway, our young writer sits down, understandably a little nervous considering the plethora of talent stretching down the table—many of whom he has read and enjoyed. The panel begins, and the spokesman fields the first question from the audience: A question about writing magic and how they start. And, for whatever reason, perhaps fairness, youth, or simply his place at the end of the table, the spokesman looks at this young writer and calls on him first.
Nervousness is probably a little higher now, but understandably so. Nevertheless, determined to make a good showing at his first panel, answers with what seems to be a reasonable response: 'Well, to start, magic needs rules.'
Cue explosive "What!?" from the other members of the panel, all of whom immediately disagree in various manners and are ready to tell this young upstart where he's gone wrong.
Now, this story? This actually happened, though not exactly as presented here, as I am retelling it, having only heard the story from that then new author's point of view.
But that new author who gave what seemed to be a such an innocuous answer? A then little-known fantasy writer by the name of Brandon Sanderson.
Yes, you may have heard of him.
You can read the rest of this post at Unusual Things
There were people shocked that Magic required rules?
Surely you jest. /sarcasm
You know what happens when you decide to throw away all your rules of magic for that sake of deus ex machina? The Inheritance Cycle. This was one of the biggest let-downs in the series, because for all of the ways magic worked in that world, all of it gets stomped on by dragons, who apparently get to reality-warp at will.
I am actually a bit more interested in the effects of magic in a society. For example, as for regarding this realm of fiction, MLP is very at-odds with itself. How much would technology actually progress if a unicorn can do a lot of things technology can? Would an earth-pony city be higher up in the tech-tree than Canterlot? Things like this always pique my interest. Like in "The Tale of Lord Barleycorn", Twilight gets introduced to a lot more meteorology in Hollow Shades, because the Pegasuses have to adapt to deal with and mitigate the weather that the Everfree throws at them, as opposed to everywhere else that is micromanaged by the Pegasi. It is odd to see the lack of innovation in the world, but I guess an idyllic society does not really require that. Your own story world has Bolt making new devices in response to a rising threat, as well as the existing ones. If the conflict was not there, she probably would be stuck at her old job still trying to scrape together enough bits to build her dream ship.
Magic is so much more interesting when it is not just "I wave my hand and things happen", though a good story can be written about such reality warpers.
^.^ And that's why I love reading your posts. I got a swell book idea out of this one. Maybe someday I'll write it.
This is what I love about Sandersons writing. His magic systems shape the world and leave you thinking about how you could creatively use them. It's even better when there are multiple different systems thar interact. Also if you haven't read the mistborn series go do that. It's amazing.
In a world where magic is like science while still staying separate from science itself, it makes me think of what if a nation that has little access to magic and has advanced greatly in technology meets a nation that uses magic as a substitute for much of its technology. I always find it interesting to see the laws of magic in a story and how they influence the world's technological development.
I was thinking about the impact a teleportation device that requires a device at the starting point and destination. In that world, there could be small special forces teams who infiltrate an enemy base to set up a teleportation device inside, granting an invading force easy access.
A very neat guide, as usual. I'd just note that even when using "mystery" magic that isn't explained, it's still a good idea to keep track of what powers what characters have and to have /some/ idea of what they can do with them. I know I've read my share of stories where characters just seem to "forget" they have powers that would easily decide challenges they're facing. No matter if it's the villain or the hero, it always detracts from the story just a bit when you find yourself going "Wait, why don't they just...?" with no real answer to it all.