Making Magic Systems That Work and Wow

By Bethany Henry

Part of The How They Do It Series

JH: There's something magical about making magic, and it's often a fantasy writer's favorite part of writing in that genre. Bethany Henry shares tips on how to create a compelling magic system for your novel.

Bethany Henry writes fantasy novels, and blogs about writing and wellness at bethany-henry.com. When not writing, she can often be found on the frisbee field, drinking tea, or reading picture books with her two little girls. Sign up for her email list for weekly posts on writing craft—along with fun extras like quotes and freebies.  

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Take it away Bethany...

Writers: Know Your Magic

By Ken Hughes, @TheKenHughes

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: My favorite guest authors on this site are always the ones who started out as readers, so today is a very good day. Long-time reader Ken Hughes takes the podium to talk about one of the challenges he faced while writing his new book, The High Road--dealing with the rules of magic (and science) in a speculative story. Please give him a warm welcome.

Ken dreams of dark alleys and the twenty-seven ways people with different psychic gifts might maneuver around each corner. He grew up on comics and adventures before discovering Steven King and Joss Whedon, and he's written for Mars mission proposals and medical devices, making him an honorary rocket scientist and brain surgeon. Ken is a Global Ebook Award-nominated urban fantasy novelist, creator of Shadowed's "Whisperers" series and The High Road Spellkeeper Flight series, under his writing motto of “Whispered spells for breathless suspense.” (That and, "Never play fair.") Don't get him started on puns.

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Take it away Ken...