A breath of magic is becoming a popular prop in modern fiction. Even books that might not otherwise be classified as fantasy will bring in ghosts, psychics, or just a hint of something other. As a lifelong lover of speculative fiction, I am enthusiastic about this trend, but I want to see it use well. Far too often, magic is used to make things easier for the protagonists. It gets in there and fixes things, and in the worst cases, acts as a deus ex machina.
In a compelling story, magic should never simplify things. On the contrary, it should complicate things.
The danger isn’t just the deus ex machina. I’ve groaned aloud when handy ghosts lead the protagonist straight to the buried bodies and help him solve his murder, but that’s not common. More often, the magic just doesn’t matter at all. It’s background. It’s scenery. It’s a prop. You could argue that you’re free to build your stage however you like, and you’d be right, but what if…?
Speculative fiction likes to ask “What if?” It likes to take an unreal situation and really consider it. What if this woman really could predict the future? Would that be cool, or would it actually make her life harder? Would people ridicule her? Would she be able to change what she sees? (Touch of Fate) What if…?
Complications make stories interesting. They challenge the author, yes, but they also challenge the protagonist and the reader. They keep us on the edge of our seats and make us come back for more.
Magic is a complication. If it’s there, it matters, and you should think about how.
I’m teaching a world building workshop Savvy Authors starting October 21st — check it out for more world building tips, hands on practice, and instructor feedback.