> I'm still not entirely decided what are all its rules and limitations.
This workbook on creating limitations for magic systems might help you.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Clark's already written a book that could help you, u/Ammotrix, - Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System - and he's working on another, The magic System Blueprint.
> I also have a distaste for "Help me create limitations for my magic system" because they've heard a misquoted version of Brando Sando saying "Magic systems are better if you artificially enforce arbitrary limits on top of an existing structure".
Most of the time, I deal with such posts by ignoring them or mentioning Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System.
A collection of resources for your magic system and beyond:
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 31,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Some of the stuff below is good for fantasy as well because the two genres are so close to each other they sometimes merge into one. 🙂
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 25,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Limitations? Yeah, you need many to prevent your electromages from breaking the story.
Characters in my magic system who have some control of electromagnetism can't affect anything that belongs to - or is inside - a living being directly.
Lower temperatures can hinder their abilities.
If they want to physically manipulate something, that works in a similar way as using their own hands:
moving something electromagnetically is harder and more tiring the larger the mass, the greater the distance, the longer the time involved
moving more objects at the same time is more difficult and puts more strain on their bodies
precise manipulation of something small requires more concentration and "dexterity".
This workbook - and the author's website - might help you.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
You can find further ideas
Brought you a few resources. 🙂
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 29,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
TL,DR: I think the last link below can be the most helpful to you right now but the others may also be handy.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University have plenty of advice on magic systems as well.
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 24,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University have plenty of advice on magic systems as well.
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 21,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Suggested reading:
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Suggested reading:
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Suggested reading: Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Recommended reading: Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System and The Magic System Blueprint by Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson
Looks like you're not familiar with the work of Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson.
The first post I read from him was his take on Sanderson's First Law.
He's written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Another book of his is The Magic System Blueprint.
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
If you want a "Watson" character ask questions about a complex topic (so that your readers can follow the plot), r/explainlikeimfive might help you write the answers they get.
Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed,
🔶
and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
This thread might also help:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of
(Google Arthur C. Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Need a name for your magic?
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/comments/4us3w0/magic_system_suffixes
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
0 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
🔶
1 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
🔶
2 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
🔶
3 - https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
🔶
4 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
Hard? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
🔶
Soft? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
🔶
Rational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
🔶
Irrational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June 2021...
🔶
... and again in July 2021 for a second round.
🔶
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
🔶
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
🔶
... on Worldbuild With Us...
🔶
... twice so far that I know of...
🔶
... and on Just Keep Writing.
He also presented on 20Booksto50k 2021 - see the link to the YouTube playlist above.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
Congratulations! Time to promote it. ☺️
https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/rm7wgl/best_free_places_to_promote_your_book/hpknymc
That's all 4 now. CU next time! 👋
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
If you want a "Watson" character ask questions about a complex topic (so that your readers can follow the plot), r/explainlikeimfive might help you write the answers they get.
Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed,
🔶
and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
This thread might also help:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of
(Google Arthur C. Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Need a name for your magic?
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/comments/4us3w0/magic_system_suffixes
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
0 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
🔶
1 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
🔶
2 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
🔶
3 - https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
🔶
4 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
Hard? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
🔶
Soft? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
🔶
Rational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
🔶
Irrational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June 2021...
🔶
... and again in July 2021 for a second round.
🔶
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
🔶
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
🔶
... on Worldbuild With Us...
🔶
... twice so far that I know of...
🔶
... and on Just Keep Writing.
He also presented on 20Booksto50k 2021 - see the link to the YouTube playlist above.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
Congratulations! Time to promote it. ☺️
https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/rm7wgl/best_free_places_to_promote_your_book/hpknymc
That's all 4 now. CU next time! 👋
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
If you want a "Watson" character ask questions about a complex topic (so that your readers can follow the plot), r/explainlikeimfive might help you write the answers they get.
Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed, and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
This thread might also help:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of
(Google Arthur C. Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Need a name for your magic?
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/comments/4us3w0/magic_system_suffixes
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
0 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
🔶
1 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
🔶
2 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
🔶
3 - https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
🔶
4 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
Hard? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
🔶
Soft? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
🔶
Rational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
🔶
Irrational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June 2021...
🔶
... and again in July 2021 for a second round.
🔶
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
🔶
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
🔶
... on Worldbuild With Us...
🔶
... twice so far that I know of...
🔶
... and on Just Keep Writing.
He also presented on 20Booksto50k 2021 - see the link to the YouTube playlist above.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
Congratulations! Time to promote it. ☺️
https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/rm7wgl/best_free_places_to_promote_your_book/hpknymc
That's all 4 now. CU next time! 👋
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
If you want a "Watson" character ask questions about a complex topic (so that your readers can follow the plot), r/explainlikeimfive might help you write the answers they get.
Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed, and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
This thread might also help:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of
(Google Arthur C. Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Need a name for your magic?
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicbuilding/comments/4us3w0/magic_system_suffixes
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
0 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
🔶
1 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
🔶
2 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
🔶
3 - https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
🔶
4 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
Hard? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
🔶
Soft? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
🔶
Rational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
🔶
Irrational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June 2021...
🔶
... and again in July 2021 for a second round.
🔶
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
🔶
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
🔶
... on Worldbuild With Us...
🔶
... twice so far that I know of...
🔶
... and on Just Keep Writing.
He also presented on 20Booksto50k 2021 - see the link to the YouTube playlist above.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
Congratulations! Time to promote it. ☺️
https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/rm7wgl/best_free_places_to_promote_your_book/hpknymc
That's all 4 now. CU next time! 👋
Back in 2018, I began to put together a collection of resources - first for myself, then for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. I do my best to update it whenever I find something I consider worthy of mention.
For years, I made little effort to organize and format my list for clarity. Since even the previous - more chaotic and less user friendly - versions proved useful for quite a few people, I decided to take maintaining the list a bit more seriously.
I got some encouragement to turn a later version of it into a feature on my Patreon page but I'm not going to just yet. Even when I put it behind a paywall, the last version before that will remain free.
Copy-pasted the current version below for you, hoping you can find at least one of the links useful.
Please let me know if you find a link that's no longer working. Any constructive feedback on the structure and the formatting is also welcome.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
take a look at r/Superhero_Ideas as well as r/superpower and r/superpowers.
Should you want to write a superhero comedy, r/shittysuperpowers and/or r/uselesssuperpowers might help you.
Need more inspiration for your next superhero story? No problemo. You can also visit
🔶
🔶
🔶
I recommend r/spacequestions and r/astrophysics for research.
> Kurzgesagt – German for „In a nutshell“ is a Munich-based YouTube channel and design studio with a unique perspective on design, color, and storytelling.
https://youtube.com/c/inanutshell
🤔
Speaking of plot...
1 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/10/dan-wells-7-point-story-structure.html
🔶
2 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/10/dan-wells-7-point-story-structure_30.html
🔶
3 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/11/dan-wells-7-point-story-structure-midpoint.html
🔶
4 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/11/dan-wells-seven-point-story-structure.html
🔶
🔶
He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
(sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
A terrific collection of author resources in itself.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCl3DWM-P5iOtytsCGsdrLmfjqQjAH8Jm
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
If you want a "Watson" character ask questions about a complex topic (so that your readers can follow the plot), r/explainlikeimfive might help you write the answers they get.
Check out
🔶
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of
(Google Arthur C. Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
0 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
🔶
1 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
🔶
2 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
🔶
3 - https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
🔶
4 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
Hard? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
🔶
Soft? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
🔶
Rational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
🔶
Irrational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June 2021...
🔶
... and again in July 2021 for a second round.
🔶
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
🔶
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
🔶
... on Worldbuild With Us...
🔶
... twice so far that I know of...
🔶
... and on Just Keep Writing.
He also presented on 20Booksto50k 2021 - see the link to the YouTube playlist above.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
That's all 4 now. CU next time! 👋
Back in 2018, I began to put together a collection of resources - first for myself, then for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. I do my best to update it whenever I find something I consider worthy of mention.
For years, I made little effort to organize and format my list for clarity. Since even the previous - more chaotic and less user friendly - versions proved useful for quite a few people, I decided to take maintaining the list a bit more seriously.
I got some encouragement to turn a later version of it into a feature on my Patreon page but I'm not going to just yet. Even when I put it behind a paywall, the last version before that will remain free.
Copy-pasted the current version below for you.
Please let me know if you find a link that's no longer working. Any constructive feedback on the structure and the formatting is also welcome.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
take a look at r/Superhero_Ideas as well as r/superpower and r/superpowers.
Should you want to write a superhero comedy, r/shittysuperpowers and/or r/uselesssuperpowers might help you.
Need more inspiration for your next superhero story? No problemo. You can also visit
🔶
🔶
🔶
I recommend r/spacequestions and r/astrophysics for research.
> Kurzgesagt – German for „In a nutshell“ is a Munich-based YouTube channel and design studio with a unique perspective on design, color, and storytelling.
https://youtube.com/c/inanutshell
🤔
Speaking of plot...
1 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/10/dan-wells-7-point-story-structure.html
🔶
2 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/10/dan-wells-7-point-story-structure_30.html
🔶
3 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/11/dan-wells-7-point-story-structure-midpoint.html
🔶
4 - http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013/11/dan-wells-seven-point-story-structure.html
🔶
🔶
He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
(sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
A terrific collection of author resources in itself.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCl3DWM-P5iOtytsCGsdrLmfjqQjAH8Jm
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
🔶
Check out
🔶
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of
(Google Arthur C. Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
0 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
🔶
1 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
🔶
2 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
🔶
3 - https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
🔶
4 - https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
Hard? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
🔶
Soft? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
🔶
Rational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
🔶
Irrational? https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YouTube as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June 2021...
... and again in July 2021 for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
He also presented on 20Booksto50k 2021 - see the link to the YouTube playlist above.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
That's all 4 now. CU next time! 👋
Back in 2018, I began to put together a collection of resources - first for myself, then for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. I do my best to update it whenever I find something I consider worthy of mention.
I got some encouragement to turn a later version of it into a feature on my Patreon page but I'm not going to just yet. Even when I put it behind a paywall, the last version before that will remain free.
Copy-pasted the current version below for you.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/Newbwriters
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/artifexian,
r/ImaginaryLandscapes,
r/WorldCrossovers,
r/AskHistorians,
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/ImaginaryCharacters,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Also, if you want to write superhero stories, take a look at r/Superhero_Ideas as well as r/superpower and r/superpowers.
Should you want to write a superhero *comedy", r/shittysuperpowers and r/uselesssuperpowers might help you.
Need more inspiration for your next superhero story? No problemo. You can also visit r/midtiersuperpowers, r/godtiersuperpowers, r/titantiersuperpowers and even r/satantiersuperpowers so that you have a supervillain worthy of your protagonist's time.
If you want to take the plot outside, I recommend r/spacequestions and r/astrophysics for research.
> Kurzgesagt – German for „In a nutshell“ is a Munich-based YouTube channel and design studio with a unique perspective on design, color, and storytelling.
https://youtube.com/c/inanutshell
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
If you want to harden your science fiction: - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g
r/IsaacArthur
r/science
r/askscience
r/AskPhysics
r/AskScienceDiscussion
r/SpeculativeEvolution
r/fictionalscience
r/ImaginaryTechnology
Need inspiration for non-humanoid beings to populate your fantasy/sci-fi world? Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed, and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
Back in 2018, I began to put together a collection of resources - first for myself, then for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. I do my best to update it whenever I find something I consider worthy of mention.
I got some encouragement to turn a later version of it into a feature on my Patreon page but I'm not going to just yet. Even when I put it behind a paywall, the last version before that will remain free.
Copy-pasted the current version below for you. Please forgive me for not bothering to delete those bits that have nothing to do with worldbuilding.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/Newbwriters
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/artifexian
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/ImaginaryCharacters,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Also, if you want to write superhero stories, take a look at r/Superhero_Ideas as well as r/superpower and r/superpowers.
Should you want to write a superhero *comedy", r/shittysuperpowers and r/uselesssuperpowers might help you.
Need more inspiration for your next superhero story? No problemo. You can also visit r/midtiersuperpowers, r/godtiersuperpowers, r/titantiersuperpowers and even r/satantiersuperpowers so that you have a supervillain worthy of your protagonist's time.
If you want to take the plot outside, I recommend r/spacequestions and r/astrophysics for research.
> Kurzgesagt – German for „In a nutshell“ is a Munich-based YouTube channel and design studio with a unique perspective on design, color, and storytelling.
https://youtube.com/c/inanutshell
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
If you want to harden your science fiction: - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g
r/IsaacArthur
r/science
r/askscience
r/AskPhysics
r/AskScienceDiscussion
r/SpeculativeEvolution
r/fictionalscience
r/ImaginaryTechnology
Need inspiration for non-humanoid beings to populate your fantasy/sci-fi world? Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed, and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/comments/rdb9rx/how_do_i_avoid_making_aliens_too_alien_i_know
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
Back in 2018, I began to put together a collection of resources - first for myself, then for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. I do my best to update it whenever I find something I consider worthy of mention.
I got some encouragement to turn a later version of it into a feature on my Patreon page but I'm not going to just yet. Even when I put it behind a paywall, the last version before that will remain free.
Copy-pasted the magic related parts of the current version below for you.
[...]
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
[...]
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
His new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
> Im a young brand new writer, figured just reading through some other worldbuilders stuff would inspire me in some ways, maybe find out some useful tools or tips y'all have.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Whenever I find something I feel worthy, I expand the list. Copy-pasted the latest version below for you.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/Newbwriters
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/artifexian
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/ImaginaryCharacters,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Also, if you want to write superhero stories, take a look at r/Superhero_Ideas as well as r/superpower and r/superpowers.
Should you want to write a superhero *comedy", r/shittysuperpowers and r/uselesssuperpowers might help you.
Need more inspiration for your next superhero story? No problemo. You can also visit r/midtiersuperpowers, r/godtiersuperpowers, r/titantiersuperpowers and even r/satantiersuperpowers so that you have a supervillain worthy of your protagonist's time.
If you want to take the plot outside, I recommend r/spacequestions and r/astrophysics for research.
> Kurzgesagt – German for „In a nutshell“ is a Munich-based YouTube channel and design studio with a unique perspective on design, color, and storytelling.
https://youtube.com/c/inanutshell
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
If you want to harden your science fiction: - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g
r/IsaacArthur
r/science
r/askscience
r/AskPhysics
r/AskScienceDiscussion
r/SpeculativeEvolution
r/fictionalscience
r/ImaginaryTechnology
Need inspiration for non-humanoid beings to populate your fantasy/sci-fi world? Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed, and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, his new book, The Magic System Blueprint is already out.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Not knowing which parts of it could be useful for you (or others in this thread), I decided to bring it all here.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/Newbwriters
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Also, if you want to write superhero stories, take a look at r/Superhero_Ideas as well as r/superpower and r/superpowers.
Should you want to write a superhero *comedy", r/shittysuperpowers and r/uselesssuperpowers might help you.
Need more inspiration for your next superhero story? No problemo. You can also visit r/midtiersuperpowers, r/godtiersuperpowers, r/titantiersuperpowers and even r/satantiersuperpowers so that you have a supervillain worthy of your protagonist's time.
If you want to take the plot outside, I recommend r/spacequestions and r/astrophysics for research.
> Kurzgesagt – German for „In a nutshell“ is a Munich-based YouTube channel and design studio with a unique perspective on design, color, and storytelling.
https://youtube.com/c/inanutshell
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
If you want to harden your science fiction: - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g
Need inspiration for non-humanoid beings to populate your fantasy/sci-fi world? Check out r/aidke for animals you didn't know existed, and r/Awwducational for nontrivial animal facts.
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: Clark's terminology's evolving. His newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, his new book, The Magic System Blueprint comes out tomorrow.
I use a hard magic system but its most important rule is the magic has a psychological component at its core that can make it unpredictable in certain cases. Thus I can find ways to include some softness when the story needs it. 😁
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Bringing you the parts specifically on magic systems. Hope you'll find this useful.
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, his new book, The Magic System Blueprint comes out next January.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Bringing you the parts specifically on magic systems. Hope you'll find this useful. (Don't have time to read the details of your post now. Might be able to come back later.)
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, his new book, The Magic System Blueprint comes out next January.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Bringing you the parts specifically on magic systems.
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, his new book, The Magic System Blueprint comes out next January.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, his new book, The Magic System Blueprint comes out next January.
You've misspelled "shine". 😁
Anyway...
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Bringing the relevant parts here.
. . .
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
. . .
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
AFAIK, he plans to publish his new book, The Magic System Blueprint, this November.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Bringing the relevant parts here.
. . .
Non-Genetic Magic Systems in Fantasy—With Brandon Sanderson, Marie Brennan, and David B. Coe
. . .
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy. Bringing it here to you.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
You mean the magic systems part of the list of resources for beginner writers I've put together, right? 🙂 Thank you for the suggestion.
I've expanded it a bit since we last talked.
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us...
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
I've put together a collection of resources for beginner writers, especially if they're interested in science fiction and/or fantasy.
Below is a part of that list. I hope you'll find it useful.
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Your portals are a magic system of the Clarke variety: "sufficiently advanced technology".
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June - and again in July for a second round.
Also on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... on Worldbuild With Us
... twice so far that I know of
... and on Just Keep Writing.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
I've put together a longer link collection for beginner writers with writing advice from Carrie Fisher, Dave Farland's tips, subreddits, Brandon Sanderson lectures, and CRR material. Only the latter part felt appropriate here.
C. R. Rowenson's take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June.
Then later on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... and on Worldbuild With Us.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June.
Then later on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... and on Worldbuild With Us.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June.
Then later on the Undercommon Taste podcast...
... on the Dead Robot's Society podcast...
... and on Worldbuild With Us.
Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Furthermore, he helped Daniel W. Eavenson work out the new system of magic for JUNO.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
A collection of resources for OP and any other beginner writer in this thread:
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
There's
r/worldbuilding and
r/goodworldbuilding, also
r/CharacterDevelopment,
r/CharacterNames,
r/INeedAName and
r/BetaReaders, to mention a few subreddits you may find useful.
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Then recently on the Undercommon Taste podcast. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
In order to have a magic system instead of a magic chaos, 🤣 I rely heavily on the work of Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Then recently on the Undercommon Taste podcast. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
THIS IS A COPY PASTE FROM A COMMENT I HAVE SAVED THAT HELPS ME DEVELOP MAGIC SYSTEMS, you can go through some of this if you want when you want
You should check out Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
The way you talk about this fictional technology, I think you're essentially creating a magic system.
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. I found it so close to the border between fantasy and soft science fiction that I'm unsure which side it really is on. 😉
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Then recently on the Undercommon Taste podcast. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
A collection of resources for you:
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Then recently on the Undercommon Taste podcast. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
A collection of resources for you and anyone else who finds it useful:
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's also written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Then recently on the Undercommon Taste podcast. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
You should check out Magic Engineer u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 35,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A quick start guide:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
(Side note: his terminology evolving, newer works use "irrational" instead of "nebulous".)
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCw4TcDjakQUUFyGXTm7ZF1Q
Clark was a guest of the Exolore podcast in June. Listening to him can help you. A lot.
Highly recommending his new book, The Magic System Blueprint.
Now that I have more time to read the article and react...
"You know, the squishy caster who cowers at the back of the party and throws fireballs through every open door?"
Magic user don't have to be physically weak.
"Designing a magic system is all about finding a balance between power and plot."
What about balancing power and character? If the magic system allows a character to gain power too easily, too quickly, that can hinder certain types of character arc but fit others nicely.
"A practitioner of soft magic might be Gandalf for example. We know Gandalf is incredibly powerful, but we don’t really know what his limits are."
Others more versed in Tolkien lore than myself gave me the impression that depends on which story you read... or watch.
I don't see the point in quoting almost the entire article in pieces and stating why I disagree. It's much easier to introduce you to someone the author of the article seems to have never heard of. (I don't know if it's your article or not.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 31,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Oh, and he's active on YT as well.
Since as far as storytelling goes, superpowers are a type of magic systems, taking a look at r/magicbuilding might help you. Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
I have a collection of resources I think you'd find useful.
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
Some general advice from Brandon Sanderson on how to begin writing your first novel, on why you should write it and on what you should know right at the beginning. He also has a few words on the so-called writer's block.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
2021 snippets
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 31,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Brought you a few resources. 🙂
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 29,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Some of the stuff below is good for fantasy as well because the two genres are so close to each other they sometimes merge into one. 🙂
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Even if you write science fiction, you need to be familiar with the concept of magic systems. (Google Clarke's laws if you haven't met them already.)
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 25,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
This workbook on creating limitations for magic systems could help you harden radiance.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
TL,DR: I think the last link below can be the most helpful to you right now but the others may also be handy.
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University have plenty of advice on magic systems as well.
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 24,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 22,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
A collection of resources for all the beginner writers in this thread:
Here's some writing advice from Her Royal Highness Carrie Fisher.
You can get Dave Farland's writing tips from https://mystorydoctor.com .
Brandon Sanderson's creative writing lectures (sometimes with guest teachers) at Brigham Young University
2012 & 2013 https://www.youtube.com/user/WriteAboutDragons
2014 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO9W1Nmh6clZP-IAhMeMpMru7vJaW7KJ
2016 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3mK1NZn9QqOSj3ObrP3xL8tEJQ12-vL
2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ
Writing Excuses podcasts
Beyond u/mistborn, there's another expert on magic systems you should know about: u/CRRowenson. I couldn't have gotten beyond 22,000 words in my current WIP without his help.
His take on Sanderson's First Law:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/basics-of-magic-systems/sandersons-1st-law-broken
A step by step guide to begin:
https://crrowenson.com/stage-0-where-to-start-building-building-marvelous-magic
https://crrowenson.com/stage-1-generating-ideas
https://crrowenson.com/stage-2-aligning-your-system
https://crrowenson.com/building-magic-stage-3-defining
https://crrowenson.com/stage-4-iterate
Help to decide what kind of magic system you need for your story:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-hard-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-soft-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-rational-magic-system
https://crrowenson.com/magic/types-of-magic/need-a-nebulous-magic-system
Magic System Variables to fine tune your system:
https://crrowenson.com/magic/creating-magic-systems/magic-system-variables
I'm not linking his spoiler filled series on the magic system of the Mistborn trilogy. You should read the story first. 😉
Clark's even written a workbook on creating limitations for magic systems.
Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System
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