The different types of magic that you use within the story must have some kind of internal consistency. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. For a while now, ive been working on various theories regarding magic systems. Magic systems, when done well, will follow certain rules and remain consistent throughout the story. Magic systems were inextricably bound to my worldbuilding, and so there always seemed to be an organic connection between the setting and the magic.
Great authors can create a living, breathing environment for their stories, invite readers into another world, and make us homesick for a place weve never been. Writing your own fantasy story is an incredibly rewarding process. See more ideas about writing, writing fantasy and fantasy. I always took this one for granted when i was writing alternate world fantasy. Without all the worldbuildingeffort tolkien has put into it, it would never have been such a good story. What other books or series have uniqueinterestingly used magic systems. Would you read a fantasy novel with several different. Apr 11, 2018 weve gathered paste editors and writers to compile a list of our favorite books in the genre, ranging from high fantasy worlds with distinct systems of magic to simple fantastical fables to. On the definitive rules for writing magic or, some shit my. Rayne hall is the author of sixty books in several genres. To make the fantasy world seem realistic, describe the setting in detail, create some rules regarding magic and the supernatural. The magic in this book is about turning light into a solid or liquid and using it for things. A character finds a magic sword, a cryptic book, a ring of invisibility, a lucky coin, etc. Creating magic systems writing fantasy, book writing.
A lot of the times, fantasy writers just create a magic system but dont really explain how it works, or what it does. My list of mythical creatures and beings might also be a good fantasy plot generator. Essentially, this is a book with wikipedia highlights of magic systems. Five books on writing fantasy, compared mythcreants. Magic systemshow magic works in a fantasy settingis a pretty big subject. In many cases, magical powers also symbolize bigge. It is an important literary device that shapes your writing. Sure, there are fantasy novels in which magic is used on nearly every page those of j.
This is just the sort of book you want to carry with you into the foxholes of nanowrimo. I led a discussion earlier this year with the csfg novel writing group on what are the characteristics of a good system of magic in fiction. This book really delves into at least one aspect of the worlds magic and i am at the point in the book where i am really working to lay that groundwork. If you think this kind of thing is stupid, you are not going to be able to write about it. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the writers spellbook. For any fantasy authorwriter worth their weight in salt knows that one of the key elements to a successful fantasy book isnt just a good magic system, but a great magic system that works. Booksseries with interesting magic systems its been a while since ive read something with a really interesting magic system, but i love and have read all of sandersons books. Each book in the series builds on the last and has its own feel, and the world. Avoid the pitfalls of muddled fantasy book writing and plan ahead. Magic systems vary from colorful bears with tummy badges to ritual blood sacrifices.
Plus, there are some special considerations in spec fic, such as power balance and. Has there ever been a better time to be writing fantasy. A solid, interesting and innovative system of magic in a book is something that really appeals to me. Oct 20, 2015 theres a stigma that adults are too old for a little magic in writing. But that doesnt mean all magic systems work equally well for stories. Magic doesnt need to be plausible, but it has to work well.
As far as intricate, mathematical magic systems go, it doesnt get much better than the original mistborn trilogy. While i thought this book was interesting and definitely gave me so. Creating magic systems writing fantasy, book writing tips. Best likness to this would be the shadowrun universe.
In my opinion writing fantasy is not about getting a story on paper as quickly as possible. Bardugo decided to make the usual darkness witnessed in fantasy novels into a literal, visceral thing. Farlands a talented writer, and he truly excels at giving depth to things that normally get glossed over in fantasy. Tolkiens tengwar script was originally designed to write the elvish languages quenya and sindarin, but has been adapted to write quite a few other languages.
On the definitive rules for writing magic or, some shit. For me its not the magic that attracts or detracts me to a fantasy book its the stories and the characters how the author handles the interactions. Weve gathered paste editors and writers to compile a list of our favorite books in the genre, ranging from high fantasy worlds with distinct systems of magic to simple fantastical fables to. This depends on the audience and tone of your story. Yes, i definitely would, but you have to be careful how you do it. The 50 best fantasy books of the 21st century so far paste.
The following are ten rules that will make your use of magic in your fantasy novel rigorous, and will save you from the fluffybunny label and will, at the same time, make your story better, more entertaining, and more exciting. Professional techniques for paranormal and fantasy fiction writers craft book 3 english edition ebook. It does this the same way gravity makes the earth spin. Examining this question may require writers to think a bit more about their magic systems. Book writing tips writing boards writing resources writing help writing ideas fantasy writing prompts fiction writing prompts writing comics writer tips whether you are writing a futuristic dystopia or a cloud city of dragons, you need to figure out how people get basic supplies. Sophisticated, interesting magic, on the other hand, can fuel an amazing, wondrous story. If youre writing a book for younger children, you might want to use common magic words like abracadabra, shazam, or make up those that would be fun to say. Writing a realist novel set in a familiar city is a challenge itself. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
Apr 27, 2017 how can you also write a successful series, avoiding cliches of the genre. The genre is changing daily, as authors such as neil gaiman, susanna clarke, and patrick rothfuss continue to interpret, subvert, and stretch it. Sep 18, 2015 on the definitive rules for writing magic or, some shit my writers group made up one night i led a discussion earlier this year with the csfg novel writing group on what are the characteristics of a good system of magic in fiction. It can be a long process to make sure you have all the rules and limitations in place, but it is essential to do it right. The term high fantasy was coined by lloyd alexander in a 1971 essay, high fantasy and heroic romance originally given at the new england round table of childrens librarians in october 1969. Aug 17, 2012 and in extension, also looking for science fiction books, with fantasy elements again, magic, elfs, the whole shebang. Creating magic systems for fantasy kindle edition by csernica, lillian. It has made authors careers and it has relegated others to obscurity. Weis and hickman are best known for their dragonlance novels, but i believe this series is their best work. For me the magic system is secondary, i would rather have a blinding story with a wizard waving a wand going abracadabra, than a fabulous inventive type of magic that drowns out the story. The death gate cycle by margaret weis and tracy hickman immediately popped in my head after reading this question.
At long last, its time for me to continue my series on how i develop magic systems for my books. But personally speaking, the magic i find most convincing is the magic that isnt always in the openthe magic that is. It can add that unparalleled spark that elevates fantasy above other types of writing that have to keep their feet on the ground of plausible reality. Most likely you know a whole lot more about your characters than you reveal in your novel. This is especially effective if you want to keep magic use to a minimum, or are writing in a more modern setting where magic use is not prevalent to the majority of society. This has created religions and countries, and now a. How to create a magic system in six simple steps wellstoried. We discussed a range of examples of what we thought were good magic systems, or systems that had good characteristics, ranging from harry potter to warhammer to star wars. An introductory guide to writing magic systems in fantasy fiction. Because people tend to be put off when your story changes rules in the middle.
Creating magic systems writing fantasy, writing a book, writing. Taken from the top 15 entries on a reddit thread for the most interesting magic systems in literature and fiction, with a few additions and in the case of one tv show, one omission. Oct 05, 2019 how to create a unique magic system for your book. Learn the three things every writer should know about developing a cohesive magic system.
The 10 best completed sf and fantasy series according to. Dont know where do you start with a magic system in your book. Apr 08, 2020 a solid, interesting and innovative system of magic in a book is something that really appeals to me. I decided to give it a go on the way from the novel writing workshop i go to of a monday night. If you havent read the first two pieces in this sequence, check out sandersons first law and sandersons second law. Ever feel that books such as harry potter have taken all the good magic setups in books. And the same is true of the science elements of sf, but im going to focus my post on magic and fantasy, since thats what i do.
Just a bit about magic systems fantasy authors handbook. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading writing about magic. Plus, there are some special considerations in spec fic, such as power balance and worldbuilding. Theres a backstory, a childhood, a history beneath the surface that informs the small bit of character that we do see. Writing an epic high fantasy that sprawls across imaginary continents and peoples is a mammoth undertaking. If youre looking to write a scifi or fantasy book this nanowrimo, why not read a guide that is laserfocused on those genres, written by one of the most successful writers in the field. Magic systems can be based on many different kinds of principles. When you suddenly decide to change the way magic works or it looks like it, because youre winging it with the system readers get unhappy. An important part of writing in any genre is knowing a little about its history. Its not enough to just throw a couple spells in a book and call it a fantasy novel. Berley kerrs top 5 favorite magic systems from novels. Oct 30, 2017 writing is hard, and writing a novel in a month is insane, and saintcrow, a scarred veteran of many deadlines and bouts of writers block, has sage advice for dealing with the many barriers you put in front of yourself. Can christian writers include magic in their fantasy novels. Magic is often a crucial part of fantasy worlds, but some worldbuilders magic is sloppy and doesnt really work.
Creating a rational magic system allows you to add realism and depth to your world while still leaving room for new and interesting changes. Feb 11, 2015 examining this question may require writers to think a bit more about their magic systems. Magic, and how it works, will dictate how your characters act. Sep 28, 2015 7 of the most fascinating magic systems in ya fantasy. It has 100 more fantasy writing prompts in addition to the ones on this list, plus hundreds of other master plots by genre, dialogue and character prompts, and much more. In my opinion, this lack of depth or explanation may be part of the reason that this can be a tricky question. Tolkien and appear in his novels the hobbit, the lord of the rings and the silmarillion. For the next few weeks, ill be delighted to share short story ideas with you, and you have my full permission and encouragement to use them as you will. Instead of stoking a fantasy writers enthusiasm, they can kill it with example after example featuring the humdrum lives of harry and sally. Im talking about different types of fantasy magic or abilities that have become popular.
Aug 30, 2018 worldbuilding is a term youll hear from a lot of writers especially when youre talking about the science fiction and fantasy genres. True, characters are what make a story narratively powerfulbut magic is a large part of what makes the fantasy genre distinctive. Professional techniques for paranormal and fantasy fiction writers craft book 3 kindle edition by hall, rayne. Lets separate the adult audience into two categories. Why you should create a rational magic system as a writer. Creating a unique fantasy world for your novel by jill williamson. Fantasy books with the most original, complex, and interesting magic system. I think you need to write the best book you can and go from there. Fantasy books with the best magic systems show list info. But if you want a short blurb about some potential magic systems, then buy it. They have to follow the same rules, or at least, work together within the sa. You can mix and match these principles to your hearts content as long as you remember the golden rules.
Heres how to write fantasy series, the dos and the donts. Where once it was a fringe genre, now fantasy is everywhere in pop culture, from harry potter to the memes surrounding jon snow theres also never been a more exciting time to write fantasy. Can christian writers include magic in their fantasy. Mar 22, 2018 magic systems can be based on many different kinds of principles.
Professional techniques for paranormal and fantasy fiction writers craft book 3. Sep 25, 20 as part of the celebration, i present to you sandersons third law. Its hard to come up with a new magic system, but whether your. You can mix and match these principles to your hearts content as long as.
The book is a morbid, dark story, but its magic system is so unique it would a disservice not to utilize it in a future fantasy adaptation. Of the many books on writing, almost all are for a mainstream audience. Lets talk about crafting magic systems today, writers. A trope, sure, but its still a valid source of magic to include in your novel. Kristen kieffer is an author of fantasy fiction and creative writing resources.
Though not every speculative fiction story needs be threaded. In my online course worldbuilding in science fiction and fantasy writing. There are two main magic systems, for lack of a better term, in runelords. Though not every speculative fiction story needs be threaded with magic, adding a few fantastical powers to your story world can be a fun way to liven up the narrative.
High fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, defined either by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot. What are the fantasy books with the best magic systems. Fantasy magic systems creative writing forums writing. When writing magic, the trick is to create a magic system that is compelling.