Fans of Fiction. Purveyors of Dodgy Writing Advice.
Magic System Guidelines​
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Make sure the magic has some sort of limit or cost to create conflict.
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Why don't people with magic rule the world? (Or, what does it mean if they do?)
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How is magic accessed?
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Sanderson's Laws of Magic:​
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Weaknesses are more interesting than powers.
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Deepen the magic you have already established, rather than widening and adding new elements.
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The author's ability to resolve conflicts in a satisfying way with magic is directly proportional to how the reader understands said magic.​
Books and Media We Talked About
Books and Media We Talked About
Harry Potter​ by JK Rowling
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Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein
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Brandon Sanderson
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Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie
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Bone Criers Moon by Kathryn Purdei
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Defy by Sara B. Larson
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Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
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Avatar: The Last Airbender
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Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
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If you would like a first chapter critique, check out our submission guidelines here
About our Guest
Sara B. Larson is the author of the acclaimed YA fantasy Defy trilogy (Defy, Ignite, and Endure) and the Dark Breaks the Dawn duology (Dark Breaks the Dawn and Bright Burns the Night).
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She writes in brief snippets throughout the day and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.”
About our Guest
Kathryn Purdie is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Burning Glass series and the forthcoming Bone Crier’s Moon duology.
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The writing bug bit Kathryn when she was in recovery from donating a kidney to her older brother. She found her old stash of short stories, and the inspiration for her first novel struck. She’s been writing fantastical stories ever since.