McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Uh, oh . . . it's magic
OZ:
--- Quote ---He did have a bit of fetish for body changing and its impact on self-definition though.
--- End quote ---
I don't know if I have read every series that he wrote but I have read a lot of them. I noted that in every series of his that I have read a man ends up in a woman's body at least once and often multiple times. Usually it's temporary but not always.
I have read some Zahn but I don't believe I have read Triplet. I will have to look at it.
Aminar:
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on September 24, 2012, 08:48:44 PM ---Oh, I agree entirely. I'm just not seeing why you think understanding it in every detail makes it entertaining.
Intuitively clear varies far too widely between different people for me to back off on something interesting because it strikes me as non-intuitive.
--- End quote ---
I'm mainly just saying it shouldn't pop the reader out of the story as they go huh? For instance, Sanderson's Time Bubbles ignore red/blue shift not because he didn't think of them but because they would just get in the way of the story and confuse people unfamiliar with the phenomenon. Water magic shouldn't start fires without explanation. That kind of thing.
o_O:
That would seem to be substantially contained within 'use language appropriate to the readership', no? Fire resulting from water magic seems to clash with the basic definition of 'water'.
gatordave96:
Well, let me see if I can get your take on what I am trying to build in my system of "magic." I always had some fascination with the idea of psionics in the old AD&D system. There was a Dragon magazine article on the subject way back when, I think. Wish I still had it as a reference, but lost it long ago. So I am trying to base a system of magic based on the use of the mind to alter probabilities.
And the purpose of creating a believable system of magic is to create friction or a hierarchy in society. Those with the most ability are a select few with both telepathic and kinetic abilities; they also hold the greatest risk of losing grip with reality when they manipulate probability. Beneath that are those with kinetic ability (run faster, jump higher, limited control over energy). And then there are the normal humans that hold a lot of fear, jealousy, loathing, etc. Throw in the additional friction of those with power versus those who have none, economics, and religion and stir vigorously.
I thought it would be fun to start with a very ordered society and then watch it all come tumbling down. The "new order" is saved for the sequel, I think.
Now it is just a matter of trying to figure out the limits of power and what happens when one goes too far. I have kept it simple, with those practitioners who push themselves making themselves ill both physically and mentally. Megalomania takes a prominent role with the antagonist. But it is difficult to know the difference between straining credibility and creating a situation where the reader sits back and says, "hey, that was cool!"
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: Aminar on September 24, 2012, 10:39:22 PM --- For instance, Sanderson's Time Bubbles ignore red/blue shift not because he didn't think of them but because they would just get in the way of the story and confuse people unfamiliar with the phenomenon.
--- End quote ---
And not having red/blue shift in is what popped me out of the story.
All other things being equal, I'd sooner err on the side of overestimating the reader than of treating them as dumber or less informed than they are.
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