Magic Systems Made Easy - Example
Today we’re back talking about magic systems! They’re one of the most fun and creative aspects of writing speculative fiction, but they can be very difficult to successfully construct.
In my previous blogpost, I laid out how you can use five simple questions to create a well-integrated, believable and compelling magic system that works for the story you’re telling.
I always think that it’s useful to see the process in progress, so today I’m going to come up with a quick example magic system using the five questions.
I hope this will show you how easy and stress-free it can be to create the basis of a magic system. These will be quick, stream-of-consciousness notes, because the process should be easy and fun.
Here we go!
Question 1 – Where?
Where are the story and magic system taking place?
For the purposes of this blogpost, I’m going to imagine I’m writing a fantasy series set in a slightly futuristic world. It is highly political, and there are multiple factions. The group currently in power are funded by a large technology corporation, who are using their ties with politicians to push a pro-technology, anti-magic agenda, because they want the population to move away from magic and rely on their technology instead, in order to gain wealth and power.
The MC will be the daughter of a politician, who believes wholeheartedly in the propaganda of her father’s party. She will end up captured (or maybe rescued?) by one of the last master magic users on the planet, who have been persecuted to the point of almost-extinction. He will teach her that without magic, the planet will be at risk (somehow).
Question 2 – Why?
Why do I want magic in this story?
The main theme of this story will be reflecting on how big business has a responsibility to the planet it profits from, and that these businesses need to have a conscience. Where they don’t, corruption will inevitably follow, with disastrous effects.
I want the magic to represent the world that is slowly being plundered and becoming more unstable, and the magic users to be the planet’s representatives. The magic system needs to be integral to the forward action of the plot, but I also want it to have a cultural significance, because I want it to represent a different, more sustainable way of living from the MC’s experience.
Since it is going to be part of the plot’s forward action, I want to make sure that there are clear rules around how the magic user will be able to use the magic, but I don’t want it to be a really ‘hard’ magic system, bordering on science – that brings it too close to the technology in the book.
I think that a bit of ambiguity and mystery around how the magic works will help it to feel more of a counterpoint to the technology. So this magic system will be in the middle of the spectrum between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ magic – I want there to be rules on how the magic can be used, without going too deeply into the details of how the magic actually works.
Question 3 – What?
What does your magic do?
The magic needs to be linked to the world itself somehow, as well as the technology that the big corporation is creating. So perhaps the technology is created using a specific kind of natural resource, like a crystal, that has magical properties.
If I expand on this, then I could have these crystals be a source of power, like a magical battery. The magic users have learnt how to become aware of the power in the crystals, how to harness this power and how to manipulate it in a manner that stays in harmony with the world. They have also discovered know how to recharge these crystals. But as the crystals are being mined and destroyed to create technology, the cumulative power is becoming weaker.
So, the magic can be used for just about anything, if the magic user is practised enough and talented enough.
Question 4 – Who?
Who has magic in your story?
Based on my answers above, anyone can become a magic user. It’s a skill that can be learned with practice and dedication. However, since the magic users have been persecuted for quite a while, there are fewer and fewer of them, and only a handful have true mastery over the magic. It won’t be linked to any age, race, gender, etc. but I think there will be an element of disposition involved.
I want the magic to be the opposite of the technology, so where the corporation has plundered and exerted control over the planet, I want the act of practicing magic to involve a sense of surrender to the magic, in order to be able to wield it. That way I can ensure that the antagonists – the members of the corporation and political party in power - cannot easily learn to wield the magic and need to rely on their technology.
By making sure that anyone with the right disposition can learn to use the magic in this story, I can reinforce the idea that the magic is the natural resource, free to all should they want to live in harmony with the world. This will also allow the MC to learn how to use magic too, and then fight against her father and his allies. After being persuaded that, left unchecked, the technological corporation will cause a worldwide catastrophe, she will either she will convince her father to stop, or defeat him using the magic.
Question 5 – How?
How do they perform it?
I don’t think I want there to be any complex rituals or spells involved. Instead, I think the magic user needs to go through a process of learning to access the magic, but once they have done so, they always have awareness of the magic, and are able to manipulate it at will.
However, I think that wielding the magic takes willpower, concentration and a calm and serene state of mind.
Thinking about Sanderson’s First Law, I’m intending to have the MC and her associates use the magic to solve conflict and create forward motion in the plot. As such, I need to make sure that there are some drawbacks to using the power.
If I make the magic too powerful then the reader would ask how the magic users could have so much power and still be persecuted and marginalised, and it will eliminate any sense of suspense or urgency in the book.
I also need to give the magic some rules. Given that the conflict in the story basically revolves around the increasing scarcity of the crystals, I think I will have one of the rules/limitations be that each crystal can only hold a finite amount of power, and once it is depleted, it takes a relatively long time for it to recharge.
I will need to make notes to myself on how quickly the crystals are used up, what actions use up the crystals’ power most quickly, and how long they take to recharge. Having these details written out will help to ensure that I am consistent while I’m drafting.
Since the magic users’ emotional and mental state will have a bearing on how effective and efficient the magic is, I will need to make sure that this is reflected in every scene - if the magic user is emotional, they are likely to be more powerful but less controlled, and not as adept at manipulating the magic to do what they want.
Okay, that’s all the questions answered! I feel like I have a good idea of how the magic system works, and how it is linked to the world, my MC’s character arc and the overall plot, and I have some idea of the rules that apply to the magic.
Make it work for you.
You might have noticed that my answers aren’t exhaustive, and I haven’t gone into great detail. This is deliberate, because I consider myself a ‘plantser’. I don’t like plotting my books too much, because this ruins some of the magic (haha! See what I did there?) of drafting for me.
I have given myself, the story and the magic system enough wiggle room that it can all flex and change as I write. This may mean that some inconsistency is introduced during the writing of the first draft, but because I have already completed this process, I will be watching out for issues like that, and I will find it easier to address as I write.
For me, this process isn’t about getting the magic system set in one fell swoop, instead it is about giving me a framework, a jumping-off point. I find things always change in revisions, and so I find it easier to allow it to change if I haven’t over plotted and given the magic too many rules to start with.
However, if you prefer to have your story plotted out in more detail before you start writing, then you will probably want to go into more detail as you answer these five questions. If you are a ‘pantser’ you might prefer to read the five questions, jot down some very general ideas and then get drafting.
However you prefer to complete this process before you start drafting, asking yourself these five questions as early as possible will help you weave your magic system more organically and confidently into your story.
Your turn!
And now it’s your turn! What kind of magic will you create, and why? Remember, if you’re still really struggling, you can get in touch to talk more about your project! I offer consultation calls that are perfect for things like hammering out magic system details, or worldbuilding specifics!
Hi, I’m Alexandra.
I’m a developmental editor specialising in helping authors of fantasy, sci-fi and all kinds of speculative fiction bring their worlds to life, and make their books as immersive, compelling and enjoyable as possible!
Follow my blog for writing craft tips specifically tailored for speculative fiction authors.
