"Magic" words in my story - use or imply???

[Moonfall Mask]

ChibiGingi

Moonfall Mask

SoulSalvage

I think it'd be best to only imply the magic words. Shouting spells and such has always been a turn off for me, so that's simply my opinion.

Won't implying them again and again get old quickly? That's my only problem with that course of action...

It goes both ways, if you ask me. I would probably suggest a balance of the two, or just alternating. I know I'm suppose to be promoting the SHOW NOT TELL factor, but it's not going to ruin a story if somewhere were to shout a name of a spell at least once or even twice throughout the course of their story.

I have magic in one of my stories, but at this point I haven't had the characters announce their spell (one of which is a binding spell to weigh down the angels and prevent them from being able to fly too high so that their opponents can fight them). Of course, that's because I don't really have a 'name' for the spell, but I think it wouldn't hurt if the reader at least knew the name of the spell, and having a character announce it would at least be beneficial for the reader to understand.

Either way, magic is tricky to write. Good luck with that!

Thanks, I'm probably going to need it.

Does anyone know how J.K. Rowling did her Latin research? I know she used Latin in her spells, but how did she do the research???

[JeSuisMustapha]

Jo is brilliant. Ok, I thought I would start with that. She is fluent in French which is an enormous foundation, and plus, it is not difficult to look up words online whee

[Moonfall Mask]

JeSuisMustapha

Jo is brilliant. Ok, I thought I would start with that. She is fluent in French which is an enormous foundation, and plus, it is not difficult to look up words online whee

*Isn't fluent in any foriegn language* sad

Ok, so I take this Latin class when I'm able to. Where else can I use it other the story I'm working on?

[Nightfeare]

Hello my friend!! I have another idea, that is not like any I have read so far. If you want more "acurate" spells you may ask a witch. I think some still use Latin for spells, but I am not sure how realistic you want to use spells in your story. If nothing else you may get some advice on how to word/write them. Like I said just another idea. Not sure if this is even practical.... but NO delays in the story please LOL you have me addicted now and I don't want to wait forever to find out what happens.

[GreenWillowGoddess]

SoulSalvage

I think it'd be best to only imply the magic words. Shouting spells and such has always been a turn off for me, so that's simply my opinion.

Same here. But I also I prefer implying it because then people can think up their own words for whatever spell instead of trying desperately to wrap their heads around the one's you've put down. Or if you're using an existing language there's a chance, unless you speak it fluently, that you'll get it very very wrong and the next thing you know someone gets to the dramatic magical battle in your story and suddenly breaks out laughing "HAHAHA!!! 'surprise the purple fishstick'!!! What the hell was this idiot trying to say! rofl "
Kind of a mood-breaker, y'know.

[Moonfall Mask]

GreenWillowGoddess

SoulSalvage

I think it'd be best to only imply the magic words. Shouting spells and such has always been a turn off for me, so that's simply my opinion.

Same here. But I also I prefer implying it because then people can think up their own words for whatever spell instead of trying desperately to wrap their heads around the one's you've put down. Or if you're using an existing language there's a chance, unless you speak it fluently, that you'll get it very very wrong and the next thing you know someone gets to the dramatic magical battle in your story and suddenly breaks out laughing "HAHAHA!!! 'surprise the purple fishstick'!!! What the hell was this idiot trying to say! rofl "
Kind of a mood-breaker, y'know.

Which is why this topic is in existence - I didn't know if I should do either one or both since I didn't know Latin and online translators spit out to many grammar errors. But...since I found a human translator that was nice enough to translate for me, I think I'm going to do both. I'll consider Nightfeare's idea also.

But one of my questions has not been answered - where else can I use Latin IRL? It's the base of English and some other languages, but is my reason enough to warrant taking a class on it?

[JeSuisMustapha]

If you become a doctor!

[SoulSalvage]

I commented earlier, than kind of gave up. I'm here to throw another possibility out there (cause we're brainstorming, right?)

What about having motions behind certain spells? For example, an intricate wave of the hand and arm could blow something up, or whatever else you'd want it to. It'd be much easier to explain, and epic battles wouldn't be interrupted by having to say "The sorceress stood back, chanting ancient" blah blah blah.

I don't know, it's a possibility.

[Moonfall Mask]

SoulSalvage

I commented earlier, than kind of gave up. I'm here to throw another possibility out there (cause we're brainstorming, right?)

What about having motions behind certain spells? For example, an intricate wave of the hand and arm could blow something up, or whatever else you'd want it to. It'd be much easier to explain, and epic battles wouldn't be interrupted by having to say "The sorceress stood back, chanting ancient" blah blah blah.

I don't know, it's a possibility.

That is a great idea that I overlooked entirely. I will use that also when the scene comes (and for whatever else spell related when implying and the incantations get old). Thanks for the suggestion.

And I'm sort of brainstorming for this scene at the moment, yes, that is true.

[SoulSalvage]

Moonfall Mask

SoulSalvage

I commented earlier, than kind of gave up. I'm here to throw another possibility out there (cause we're brainstorming, right?)

What about having motions behind certain spells? For example, an intricate wave of the hand and arm could blow something up, or whatever else you'd want it to. It'd be much easier to explain, and epic battles wouldn't be interrupted by having to say "The sorceress stood back, chanting ancient" blah blah blah.

I don't know, it's a possibility.

That is a great idea that I overlooked entirely. I will use that also when the scene comes (and for whatever else spell related when implying and the incantations get old). Thanks for the suggestion.

And I'm sort of brainstorming for this scene at the moment, yes, that is true.

Also (because I'm just flowing today), maybe have a mix of the two? Longer, harder spells could need words (as magic can be hard to control), and only hand gestures or whatnot for simpler, quicker-reacting spells. Then, applying background knowledge I have, that would make the character either speedy but weak, or strong but slow. An inexperienced minor is best for this, as they'd use all of the wrong spells at the wrong time (or make the spells backfire), linking a key point in the plot (as long as it isn't too cliché). Of course, this is your story, so write however you wish. I'm just brainstorming (a lot).

Hmm...Maybe I should write something down today.

[Moonfall Mask]

SoulSalvage

Moonfall Mask

SoulSalvage

I commented earlier, than kind of gave up. I'm here to throw another possibility out there (cause we're brainstorming, right?)

What about having motions behind certain spells? For example, an intricate wave of the hand and arm could blow something up, or whatever else you'd want it to. It'd be much easier to explain, and epic battles wouldn't be interrupted by having to say "The sorceress stood back, chanting ancient" blah blah blah.

I don't know, it's a possibility.

That is a great idea that I overlooked entirely. I will use that also when the scene comes (and for whatever else spell related when implying and the incantations get old). Thanks for the suggestion.

And I'm sort of brainstorming for this scene at the moment, yes, that is true.

Also (because I'm just flowing today), maybe have a mix of the two? Longer, harder spells could need words (as magic can be hard to control), and only hand gestures or whatnot for simpler, quicker-reacting spells. Then, applying background knowledge I have, that would make the character either speedy but weak, or strong but slow. An inexperienced minor is best for this, as they'd use all of the wrong spells at the wrong time (or make the spells backfire), linking a key point in the plot (as long as it isn't too cliché). Of course, this is your story, so write however you wish. I'm just brainstorming (a lot).

Hmm...Maybe I should write something down today.

Oh, I've had those moments as well, believe me.

And what do you mean by "an inexperienced minor is best for this" ?

Another idea I did not consider. Forgive me, I'm rather inexperienced when it comes to writing... sweatdrop Again, thank you.

[SoulSalvage]

Moonfall Mask

SoulSalvage

Moonfall Mask

SoulSalvage

I commented earlier, than kind of gave up. I'm here to throw another possibility out there (cause we're brainstorming, right?)

What about having motions behind certain spells? For example, an intricate wave of the hand and arm could blow something up, or whatever else you'd want it to. It'd be much easier to explain, and epic battles wouldn't be interrupted by having to say "The sorceress stood back, chanting ancient" blah blah blah.

I don't know, it's a possibility.

That is a great idea that I overlooked entirely. I will use that also when the scene comes (and for whatever else spell related when implying and the incantations get old). Thanks for the suggestion.

And I'm sort of brainstorming for this scene at the moment, yes, that is true.

Also (because I'm just flowing today), maybe have a mix of the two? Longer, harder spells could need words (as magic can be hard to control), and only hand gestures or whatnot for simpler, quicker-reacting spells. Then, applying background knowledge I have, that would make the character either speedy but weak, or strong but slow. An inexperienced minor is best for this, as they'd use all of the wrong spells at the wrong time (or make the spells backfire), linking a key point in the plot (as long as it isn't too cliché). Of course, this is your story, so write however you wish. I'm just brainstorming (a lot).

Hmm...Maybe I should write something down today.

Oh, I've had those moments as well, believe me.

And what do you mean by "an inexperienced minor is best for this" ?

Another idea I did not consider. Forgive me, I'm rather inexperienced when it comes to writing... sweatdrop Again, thank you.

What I meant was, a person (preferably young, unless your story needs it otherwise) that has no real combat tactics/experience. I'm just going to list some pretty basic scenarios:

The sorceress has person A on the ground. Person A is bleeding, and can barely utter a word. The sorceress, even though she knows Person B is right over there preparing to attack her, decides to use a very powerful, annihilating spell. End result: She gets hit by Person B, and her spell becomes null and void.

The sorceress is being charged at by Person C, who is a long distance away. Instead of using an earthquake tremor, or a giant shield (chanting spells, which she has enough time for), she decides to use a flamethrower-type move to try and keep Person C away. End result: Person C is unaffected, and hits the sorceress.

Those are two, basic ideas to try and get my point across. Oh, and while I'm at it, would you care to send me parts of the story? My interest has been piqued...

[Moonfall Mask]

The chapter has been PMed to you. 3nodding

[I-wish-I-was-a-platypus]

very rarely do I read a book with a different language in it that I don't skim over it. The only one I didn't skim over ALL of the magic and different languages was Eragon that was only part of it that I even cared about.