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The Writer’s Spellbook

Creating Magic Systems For Fantasy

by Lillian Csernica

So you want to write a fantasy novel? A trilogy? A series to rival the Wheel of Time books?

Or maybe you’re into gaming and you want to put together the magical elements in a fresh, powerful way that will keep your players guessing?

It’s all here. Who, what, and where. How much, how many, how often.

While this ebook focuses on creating magic systems, it will also help you understand many of the elements that go into strong worldbuilding. A good foundation in your fictional world will open the doorways of inspiration to more and more plot twists, mythical creatures, cliffhangers and fabulous treasure!

Published:
Genres:
Nonfiction, Nonfiction - Writing Guides

Tags:
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Languages Available: English
Languages Available: English
Excerpt:

Magic: Blessing or Curse? Now things get complicated. Step back for a moment and consider the prevailing attitude toward magic in your society. Will it best serve your story needs to have magic treasured as a gift from the deities? Or will it be despised as the tool of darker forces? You can have both attitudes in the same story, possibly even among the same faction. Here's a reversal for you: the Haves think magic is an evil burden, but the Have-Nots this it's glorious and are ready to start a revolution to get their hands on some. (The truth about the magic might be something else altogether.) The prevailing attitude will go a long way toward shaping the structure of your society, along with showing you who's on which side of the debate.

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If you go with the idea of the Haves becoming the ruling class, that means they're probably going to see to it the Have-Nots can't touch magic. If magic is moderately prevalent, the Have-Nots might be allowed a little through carefully monitored and controlled channels such as low-grade healing, but they'll never get near the really serious power. How exactly will the ruling class safeguard their supply? What consequences might arise if the commoners found out how much or how little their oppressors really have? Play around with questions like these and see where they lead you.

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Reviews:Shu Long on Goodreads wrote:

Engaging. Simple. Direct. Would certainly recommend to new fantasy writers, as well as those a couple years into dedicated practice of world creation.


About the Author

I write historical romance, various types of fantasy, horror, and nonfiction. My household includes one husband, two sons, three cats, and my sister. I am addicted to chocolate, books, and earrings. For occupational therapy I make jewelry. Wind chimes, bookmarks, and all things Japanese make me smile.