"You Ever Just Want To Yeet Yourself Into The Sun? Cuz Same"

Stephen: Did you eat my powdered doughnut?

Tony: No

Stephen: Then what's that white powder on your face

Tony: ...

Tony: Cocaine

What is a magic system?

When writing speculative fiction, one of the writer’s most important jobs is to establish the new rules for their world. In many branches of speculative fiction, especially fantasy and even horror, this is magic, though it can also be technology and alternate scientific rules for science fiction. Whatever alternate fact(s) or reality you utilize to make your fictional world possible, that qualifies as a “magic system.” Your magic system is most often defined by what it can’t do rather than by what it can.

Why do I need a magic system?

When writing speculative fiction, it’s usually assumed that something about your world is different than ours. That can be a small tweak or it can be a complete dismantle-and-reassembly of physics as we understand it. Whatever system you choose to implement, it needs to have internally consistent rules. If, throughout the course of your book, magics begin to contradict each other, then it will disturb your readers suspension of disbelief. You don’t want your awesome magic to yank your readers from the believability of the story. But…most important of all…you have to establish some sort of rules and limits in order to prevent yourself from pulling a deus ex machina. No one likes a poorly executed deus ex machina. Few people like a well executed one (is there such a thing?). If you have rules, limits, cost, built into the magic or technology of your world, then you establish something that is not only nuanced and interesting, but believable.

But…but…it’s magic!!!

Why write speculative fiction if I have to create and follow all of these tedious rules?! The real world has rules enough.

It’s true. But following your own rules and following real worlds aren’t the same thing. Lots of you have probably heard the little saying, “Give your world a Flux Capacitor.” If you think about it, Back to the Future’s Flux Capacitor doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s not explained. But we accept it because it’s magic. And when Doc says, “Here’s this thing. It makes time travel possible.” We accept it because it’s a simple alteration. He doesn’t try to use it to do more than what is initially established. It never breaks that rule. It’s not used to get Marty out of an impossible situation, defying any previous understanding of the technology. That’s why it works.

So where you do start?

First, you need to probably choose what type of magic you will use. Will be elements based? Or energy based? Spirit? Physical? Time and Space? What things is your magic summoning/manipulating/drawing from?

Now you’ll want to focus on the parts that make your magic yours. Sure, elemental magic has been used half a zillion times, but it can still be interesting if you do something new with it. The best way to do something new is to alter its limits, change the cost, give it a new spin that makes your regular ol’ fire magic something intriguing.

You can do a little bit of research into ancient forms of magic, into other literary uses of magic. See what those before you have done and use it as an inspiration.

If you’re having trouble knowing where to start, I’m here to provide you some thoughts concerning the skeletal-assembly of your magic system! Use these prompts as you see fit!

What does magic use/alter/manipulate?

visible energies

gravity

laws of physics

light

thought

water, only, in all of its forms

fabric of space

elementary particles

items of specific color or texture

perception

plant life

the dead

blood

magnetic forces

demons

vibrations

earth

emotions

Who possesses magic?

scholars

children

random lucky people

anyone

everyone

the elderly

anyone who’s ever petted a dog

specific animals

deities

How is it acquired?

at birth

intense study and training

gifted

through random action

through a ritual

as one ages

stolen

From where is power drawn?

internal mana

heat energy

alignment of the stars

physical contact with _____ (the earth, another life force, a drawing or rune)

kinetic or potential energy

the moon(s)

other realms

movement of tectonic plates

spiritual energy of those nearby

consumption of specific foods/drinks/elements

Check out the rest of the Brainstorming Series! Magic Systems, Part Two New Species New Worlds Cultures Civilizations Map Making Politics and Government Belief Systems & Religion Guilds, Factions, & Groups War & Conflict Science & Technology Wildlife & Ecosystems History & Lore

id like to devote this post to ao3. You’ve always been a constant in my life and I love you. Let’s hear it for ao3.

So I was talking the other day about my time in the hospital and I was joking about it because how else do you cope with something so overwhelming.

“Hah yeah it’s been a while not that I miss it, the cameras, the restraints,” I think for a moment “ it’s been a year” I say quietly. My smile fades “It’s been a year” I know I wasn’t there as long as the others and I know I’ve since had a better experience in another hospital and I know that I lied my way out. But it’s been a year.

And I didn’t think I’d make it another year.

[Bucky in the kitchen making cereal at 2 am]

Bucky: yEAAAAAAAH I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODYYY

Steve: *walks in sleepily*

Bucky: I WANNA FEEL THE ʰᵉᵃᵗ WITH SOMEBODYYY

Steve: Bucky?

Bucky: ...shit.

ayo i found 2 pages with head angles of humans and animals, could be useful to anyone reading this

hoomans

animals

Billy is kidnapped often. Nothing serious. The villain just wants to tell his monologue of hatred towards a certain hero. All the villains have noticed how the heroes listen to or discuss Billy Batson, the host of a small radio station. That's why the boy is kidnapped. At least once a week. The villains vividly describe their hatred, some even say a spoiler for future crimes. Billy then tells it vividly the next day and jokingly asks the villains to at least feed him, because of their kidnappings he cannot eat normally.

The villains listen to him!

Lex Luthor brought him a whole steak! The Riddler bought him fries, a burger, and a large Coke!

So Billy, being a good person who loves his job, thanks them for the lunch and repeats their monologue word for word, even overacting a little. (But the villains are delighted by this)

Meanwhile, the League is panicking because they are the reason Captain Marvel's son is constantly being kidnapped! Marvel always looks at them with a disappointed look the next day if Billy is kidnapped. But there is nothing they can do! But they tried! Honestly! Captain stop looking at them like that! They didn't know that talking about Billy would turn out like this!

Flash and Superman feel very guilty. After all, it is their villains who often kidnap the boy. Batman tries not to look disappointed at his villains when he finds out that one of them kidnapped Billy, again.

Billy, meanwhile, made a list of villains who treated him very well. In first place was Captain Cold, in second place was the Riddler and Lex Luthor, and in third place was Scarecrow, to the surprise of Batman and Billy himself.

Yes, Billy showed this list to the superheroes so that they would know who was treating him how. As a result, Flash spilled the beans to Snart, and as everyone knows, villains are the best gossips. The news about this list spread like wildfire.

Now the goal among the villains was to get at least into the top five of this list.

Let's just say that Billy started getting kidnapped much more often.

Zillenial things

Being young enough for Minecraft but too old for Fortnite

Being alive for 9/11 but not remembering it at all cuz you were like 2

Seeing reruns of 90s shows when you were really little but being to young to really remember them

Feeling betrayed by Butch Hartman

Listening to the bops of ~2009-2012 in middle school gym class

Growing up through the transition from clunky PCs for nerds and flip phones to smartphones and sleek and easy laptops

Pictochat

Being called a millenial by baby boomers and Gen Z by millenials

the four types of gays

awkward peace sign gays ✌️

awkward thumbs up gays 👍

awkward ok sign gays 👌

awkward finger guns gays 👉

every gay is at least one (1) of these don’t even lie

Well done my Friend …

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