Writing Magic

I love this time of year. Halloween, and its prequel Samhain. The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Across cultures, this is a time of spirits … and magic.

There are so many wonderful stories using magic. The best part about writing in this genre is … we get to choose our own rules!

​Will we write characters like Harry Potter who cast spells using a wand? Or will we go the route of X-Men, who have one specific power that they can’t help but wield. My own Element Girls receive necklaces that give each of them the power of earth, air, water or fire. So far there is no school where they can learn more … well, bring on Element Girls 3!

At Story Club at Thrive cafe this week, I so enjoyed the ideas that came up. A pickpocket working with a helpful cat, a trickster picksie, a girl-dragon combination setting things on fire, a rare otter with water magic and a moody fairy affecting the weather. All of these make unique and compelling characters!

So I invite you to try it! Think of a character who will have (or learn) magical powers. Human, fairy, cat or … ? How will they wield magic? Will they be able to learn more about their magic from another character, or is it something they must grapple with themselves?

Happy writing!

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