Extra information... - Writers Forum

Verago · 12-22-2005, 03:35 PM

The magic system that I've worked on for the past year has come along great, better than I ever could've expected, but I'm worried that it's so complex that I may have to include an extra 30 or so pages at the end of the novel as an explanatory thing, to make sure the reader understands.

It's complicated and detailed, and fairly ritualistic, but I think it may be possible to show how it works without adding the extra appendix to the back.

Is it generally hard to describe a magic system in-use during a novel?...Like, as the magician uses the magic, you tell what they're doing?

I know Eoin Colfer did this, and, though I enjoyed his books, it was one thing that peeved me.

Help.
Thanks.
--Ethan

Mike C · 12-22-2005, 04:23 PM

If it's that complex, it's probably not great.

Scrap it and use a system that takes no more than 5 minutes to formulate. The idea is that you write a novel, not a manual.

Verago · 12-22-2005, 06:27 PM

When I say that it takes 30 or so pages to write it all down, that's going into intricacies, such as why it works, and history and stuff...

The punchline of the system could be formulated in less than five minutes, easily, though; Magicians use demons to manipulate matter and elements.

Thanks for the reply.

writerri · 12-22-2005, 08:44 PM

I like books where the magic seems straight forward and simple, but then as you go deeper into the book and more into the series, the intricacies start to appear that were really there all along. It makes the book richer. If you like it and readers can understand enough not to get confused when they read the book, that's what matters. I bet it's pretty cool!

Terri

Talia_Brie · 12-22-2005, 11:46 PM

Don't explain it. Imply the explanation through the Magician.

Thnk about it. The Magician knows how it works, specifically. He's not going to need to explain it to himself every time he casts a spell.

If you use this method, then the reader will pick up the intricacies a lot quicker than you might think.

Read some Steven Erikson. He uses the most complicated magfic system I've seen, but he never explains it overtly, and I still understand what's going on.

Verago · 12-23-2005, 12:12 AM

Steven Erikson...I'll look for him. Thanks. Good advice, also...
This sort of thing is why you're a Mentor, I guess.
^_^

Writerri--I think this might be that sort of magic system. At least, I hope so. o_O;;

Thanks for the replies.
I thought this thread wasn't gonna make it for a little while.

--Ethan

journyman161 · 12-25-2005, 03:50 PM

I think you need the 30 pages - that is YOU need it. (Edit: You, NOT your readers)
Provided you understand your system you can ensure the use of it is internally consistent. Nothing worse than seeing something in a book & thinking - 'but that doesn't make sense!'

JRR Tolkien wrote a language for LOTR but he didn't include the dictionary.

amusinglackoftalent · 12-25-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talia_Brie

Don't explain it. Imply the explanation through the Magician.

I don't like 'ditto' responses. However, you're talking about adding 30 pages to 'explain' something. THINK about what you're saying. If you need those thirty pages then your work will likely go unread.

Talia is 'cutting to the quick'. If you need that much 'explanation' then you should be writing freakin' text books. (IMHO)

The best writing can make calculus look like 2+2 arithmetic and do so without the reader's 'conscious knowledge'... Does that make sense? Talia may very well be a mentor but I suspect the first pursuit is WRITER...

Best of luck with your work, Verago.

Ilan Bouchard · 12-25-2005, 09:04 PM

amusinglackoftalent, I may be misunderstanding what you're saying, but it sounds like you're manipulating TB's words to mean something completely different. I personally wouldn't be keen on having something like that happen to me.

Verago, my only suggestion is that you avoid an information dump. You could describe the magic system slowly throughout the story, or avoid explaining it at all, but don't put 30 straight pages on the magic system. People will get bored.

amusinglackoftalent · 12-27-2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilan Bouchard

amusinglackoftalent, I may be misunderstanding what you're saying, but it sounds like you're manipulating TB's words to mean something completely different. I personally wouldn't be keen on having something like that happen to me.

Wasn't manipulating at all, Ilan. I was agreeing with Talia and the way the 'point' was made. Obviously, I didn't do so very clearly. However, perhaps you should allow Talia to take offense if any was taken. I can assure you that none was intended. I'll keep your 'attitude' concerning quotes in mind for future reference.