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Nichol1

Topic: Hold the magic. I'm on a diet.

Fantasy without magic? Perish the thought! What is fantasy but unicorns, spell-casting mages, and wide-eyed peasant heroes and their white-bearded wizard companions?

Well, I think there's a bit of a glut. I'm not opposed to magic in fantasy at all -- although the magnificent Limyaael gives us several excellent points for a fantasy story without magic here: http://limyaael.livejournal.com/399582.html#cutid1 -- I just think it's overused to the point where it doesn't feel special anymore. It sucks all the tragedy out of the hero sacrificing a hand or eye when his sorceress girlfriend can just magick him up a new one, good as new. What's the point of rooting for the hero to become master of his destiny when some prophecy assures that he's the Chosen One who will triumph in the end? If you read the masters (and if you're going to learn you might as well learn from the best) Tolkein and George R. R. Martin have very few characters in their huge, epic, extremely long books that can actively perform magic, and almost none of them are main characters. In ASOIAF I can count maybe 5 or 6 people out of a cast of THOUSANDS that can definitely perform magic, and of them maybe 3 actually know what they're doing. The others stumble into it or don't even realize what they've done. The handful of experts are by far the most powerful and dangerous characters, and I used them as models for my own writing.

Do you ever step back and think on the use of magic in your own works? Is it neccesary to the plot or to character development for your character to perform magic? Are there limits on magic in your world (ie. the alchemy in "Full Metal Alchemist") or is it anything goes?

#1 Mar 21st, 11:48pm

Girlbrainiac

I'll admit that while magic exists in my world, I don't mess with it much. Almost every single one of my main characters lack any abilities at all. What's the point of giving a character magic if it only makes it easier for them to win? It's the conflict that makes the story. I have a lot more fun getting my head around mechanical genius than copping out and saying "It's Magic, duh!"

Of course, I do sort of have the problem that, because I have mostly non-magical characters, I haven't quite worked out all of the rules for magic in my world... I know that it's not uncommon, but it is very rare for anyone to be powerful in magic.

#2 Mar 22nd, 11:58am

Evil Minion Number 2

Using magic in daily life is one of the things the minion wants to see more often. Maybe heroes who Are earth mages who make dirt come out of clothing much more effectively than washing (though they couldn't do much about sweet and blood).

Even better would be seeing exactly how magic works. The webcomic "drowtales" is amazing with this, considering they have both a word explanation board where they explain things about questions people have (I have only seen one question they havn't been able to answer.)

I think back on my own works often, and try to modify them until I'm happy enough with them to want to show them off. PArt of the reason I have nothing posted on fictionpress is that in itself: I keep finding little plot holes to fill, and in the process keep making new plotholes.

#3 Mar 22nd, 2:59pm

Tawny Owl

I do have magic somewhere in most of the things I try and write. I'm another one who has trouble with working out the rules though. I think magic does need rules because then it stops it being the sort of thing that can repair the hero's sacrificed hand. If magic is a quick fix that can solve all problems then it does take the satisfaction out of the story. I still love writing about it though, although I try and think of ways to make it more subtle. I don't generally like having powerful wizards and witches who can just blast they're way through things. I do have a group of characters who are quasi mythological so can only do magic that is relevant to their character. For example The Fingersmith is a thief so she can magically get through locked doors, but isn't good for much else.

I sympathize with Evil Minion and the problem of plot holes! I hate those critters.

#4 Mar 23rd, 1:47am

Marie Silver

When I first began my story (some years ago now) I had the main character as a sort of demi-god with magic that could blow up cities and bring back the dead but now that I've given magic some rules and made her pretty weak I've found writing the story much more interesting. There's no relying on magic to get out of tight situations which has left me to think of more creative means and, when magic is used, the price to pay can be quite strong. Now when I write magic it is never some all powerful force but rather something vital to that character but not so much to the others around him/her (if that makes sense). I still enjoy writing magic though.

~Marie Silver~

#5 Mar 25th, 1:11pm

lord of light

the type of magic im going for in mine isnt even really going to be that significant to the story. maybe two characters who have big parts, but arent necessarilly around much. and the magic is more spiritual, than magical.

#6 Apr 22nd, 12:08am

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