I Think I Just Improperly Used The English Comma Please Help

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

AO3 IS DOWN. MY LOVE MY ROTTON SOLDIER MY GOOD TIME BOY. THEYRE GONE

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.

my dad made this joke then begged me to post it blame him for this not me

you understand that johnny as he is a product of systematic failures and injustices, right? failure, after failure, after failure, thorough his entire life.

johnny never should've been in the military. he was a child. he might've lied about his age, but it was the job of the adults around him to ensure he be barred access; it honestly wouldn't surprise me if they purposefully allowed him through with no regard for his real age because they were more consumed with desire for any and all soldiers they could find than regard for putting a child though hell that even the most well adjusted adults find intolerable.

according to the timeline, johnny was born in 1988, and he was apart of the military in 2003 - additionally, johnny has a late birthday, in november. throughout most of 2003, and likely throughout his time in the military, johnny was just 14 years old. i tend to think about this a lot, because it has got to be one of the most agonizing things possible to really consider for his character. i do not say that lightly. to be a 14 year old boy, barely even a teenager, suffering through some of the worst horrors of the world at an age where you are incredibly vulnerable and just beginning to try to grow into the person you'll become. it puts things into perspective in a way that truly paints a picture of the life he lived from then on, especially knowing he formed his life around identification and the impact and symptoms induced by his cybernetic arm.

as someone who's been through my own fair share of being failed over and over by every kind of system that should have protected me when i was so young myself, i get why he is the way he is. to really consider his life, the way he's lived, the place he's lived, the circles he's been surrounded by; anyone would become exactly like johnny, really, you can even see it in the other characters, too.

night city continuously produces incredibly violent and manipulative people who are fighting tooth and nail just to survive because the cards they were dealt in life were all trash. johnny's tragedy there is not particularly unique, and that's horrifying.

i don't blame him, not one bit.

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.

Happy Easter my dudes, Reblog for a visit from the Easter Ferret

Well yes and actually no

GEN Z NOSTALGIA (specifically 2000′s kids)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (roughly 2005-2011)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (2011-2014)

HIGH SCHOOL (2014-2018)

You bring me caffeine or you bring me disappointment

on jakku giving people food freely (i.e. as a gift with no expectation of return) and saying its a gift is how they propose marriage. Giving different food back is how you accept. Rey in the resistance is SO CONFUSED. Why are you all into polygamy resistance people. Everyone is proposing to me. Im flattered general but really jfc where did this come from. I don't even know you random mechanic #6! Oh.... poe/finn... thank you for the apple. Would you like a space potato?

I’M PRETTY SURE WE ALL KNEW TO EXPECT A READ-MORE FROM ME ON THIS ONE. DID ANYONE NOT EXPECT A READ-MORE FROM ME ON THIS ONE? GOOD ‘CUZ WE’RE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL, KIDS. 

Keep reading