A Believable Fantasy: 10 Points to Consider: Point #4: Magic

Ah, yes, that wonderful, unexplainable phenomenon we call magic. It’s the impossible made possible by some unseen and mysterious force. It’s what makes a wizard a wizard, a witch a witch. It’s what makes unicorns real, what makes dragons breathe fire. Princes turn into frogs and back again with spells, and magic talismans are sought for their inherent power. What would a fantasy tale be without magic?

Often, magic replaces technology in a fantasy world. It is the distinction between the fantasy genre and the sci-fi genre. “Magic lives through the imagination,” and vice versa. But there’s just one thing….

Magic needs to be believable.

“What?” you say. “It’s magic! It can be whatever you want it to be!”

Yes and no. True, you are the creator, the “imaginator”, the writer. But there are boundaries—unspoken rules that allow the reader to place credence in the impossible. You must define your magic.

If your magic-user had no rules, no limitations, then what would stop him from ruling the world? From snapping his fingers and destroying all his enemies? From making a wish and achieving that impossible goal? No, no—it would all be too easy, and it would be BORING! Conflict, struggles, effort, consequence, the journey—these generate interest in any novel.

In our world of Secramore, Matt and I have drawn a distinction with our magic-users (or medori, as we dubbed them). Wizards need items and spells of power to conduct their magic. Mages do it naturally through their own will, and they are limited to manipulating the natural elements. It is also hard work to call upon magic—that nameless energy—to do their bidding. Some tasks are more trying than others, and the magic-user will certainly feel that exhaustion when he is through. In fact, calling upon more power than you can physically handle just might kill you!

Other fantasy writers have utilized the idea of negative consequence. For example should a wizard tap into some great magical power, he may lose part of himself (mentally or physically). Maybe the spell causes you to relinquish part of your memory.

Don’t forget the non-magical consequences of magic. Are wizards and sorcerers revered, feared, or both? Do non-magic people persecute magic-users or the other way around? Do you not allow people to have magic at all (is it something that resides in creatures or the environment)?

Will you create different kinds of magic? Healing powers, pestilence, spells of transformation, etc. Be inventive and attempt something you’ve never heard of before.

There is plenty of room for creativity within a set of given boundaries. And best of all, you design the boundaries. You just have to be careful you don’t overstep the boundaries into the ridiculous or the ludicrous. Everyone—readers and writers included—want to believe in magic. It’s up to you to make it real.

-Stefanie