How to write Harry Potter magic
Feb. 10th, 2004 11:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
icarus![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
painless_j inspired this, and long ago I told sparrowhawk and Moira McDuff that I'd teach magic. Well. How to write it anyway. Original Magic is rarely well done, but I don't think it's really Harry Potter fanfiction without Magic, and I feel cheated when people just reiterate what's already known. It lacks... charm.
People just don't know how to write it.
Treat it as ordinary.
Magic in Harry Potter is taken for granted, much like we don't think about turning on the lights or stepping on an elevator. Ordinariness is the key.
Don't: Ron used a Veneer Charm which involved a combination of Transfiguration and Illusion and were very tricky indeed. He said the incantation, flicked his wand (with the double twist), and in a puff of blue smoke the window became a mirror. "Wow," said all the onlookers who, despite the fact they'd seen Veneer Charms all their lives, were unaccountably impressed. Veneer Charms date back to....
Do: Ron had put a Veneer Charm on the window between their beds and tried to use it as a mirror. Ron wasn't very good at these though, and the thing was still rather see-thru. Ron preened and fussed at his hair, brushing it first one way, then another.*
The magic is treated just like any other mirror, and the point of the passage is Ron's sudden teenaged interest in how he looks. Not the magic. Most original fanfic magic is given even more attention than the JKR's spells, probably because the author is so pleased with it. It's okay to know this about the spells. Just don't bore the reader with the details.
Magic doesn't always work.
We seem to forget that magic is a skill, and like most skills has to be learned, and some people are just better at a particular type of magic than others.
But in fanfic, magic works every time equally well for everyone (unless it's a plot device where the error causes untold difficulties: i.e. the accidental aphrodesiac; or Neville Longbottom in which case it never works; or Snape who is always miraculously good at potions).
Don't: Ron said, "Accio, book." And it flew gently into his hand.
Do: Ron said, "Accio, book." And ducked as the book slammed into the wall behind him. He was good at Accio. Just maybe a little too good.
Just once I'd like to see that 'Lubricus' charm get bungled.
"Oh hell, Weasley, why is this blue?"
"Um...I'm not sure."
"Shit! It's not coming off! I have a blue cock!"
"That's not all that's blue...."
*swears*
"Gives new meaning to the phrase 'blue balls' doesn't it?"
"This is not funny!"
Make it unexpected.
Don't just transform something from our world into a magical counterpart. It's too obvious. Take things from our life and twist them. Make them do the opposite of what you'd expect, and remember -- magic is generally somewhat uncomfortable.
Don't: Harry Potter went to the library and wrote his question in the Card Catalog book. The answer magically appeared on the page.
C'mon. Everyone knows this is what happens with a search engine and that the idea is ripped off from Tom Riddle's diary.
Do: Harry Potter stepped onto the little platform and scratched his question in the book. He had only an instant's warning as the platform shuddered, and then it suddenly lifted off. He clung to the book desperately as it zipped from one bookcase to another, and finally came to a hover in front of the book he sought.**
Ron snorted. "I hate that thing. It's way too slow."
There are a few ways to 'twist' things.
- Have them do the opposite of what you expect. Visualise that search engine and then go, "okay, what's the opposite of this?"
- Use puns. Like a poison pen that is really poison. Try not to be too obvious though, or your readers will groan. Rita Skeeter's poison pen is acid green.
- Use irony (discussed below in the magic as irony section).
- Use visual puns. Coat hooks that sniff at you... well they do look like noses, don't they?***
Magic is uncomfortable and/or inconvenient.
Too many people use fanfic magic as cure-all that makes life easier than ours. We all want magic to fix everything for us, right?
Don't: The boys were caught outside without lubricant in the dead of winter. But hey! They magically created a blanket with a warming charm, and the special bubble of sunshine. Then they conjured up: Lubricus! which was gently warmed and issued a sweet almond scent.
Welcome to paradise.
Do: They were caught outside in the dead of winter. They scrambled indoors, privately wishing that warming charms could be cast on air as they shivered and waited for the fire to catch. Harry muttered, "There is something to be said for central heating."
As they snuggled closer to 'warm up,' Ron said, "Shit. I didn't bring any.. you know..."
"We could use Lubricus."
Ron made a face. "Yeah. I just hate the way that stuff smells."
Think Victorian era level of comfort, then add magic, and you have Harry Potter.
Catch Harry off-guard.
The other characters take Magic for granted. Harry walks into it all the time where he doesn't know what he's looking at. Remember if you're writing Harry as your central character, he's the one all those Muggle readers identify with.
I'll use the same example as above (because I'm getting lazy).
Don't: Harry Potter went to the library and wrote his question in the Card Catalog book, then stepped off the platform once it stopped.
Do: Harry Potter stepped onto the little platform and scratched his question in the book. He had only an instant's warning as the platform shuddered, and then it suddenly lifted off. He clung to the book desperately as it zipped from one bookcase to another, and finally came to a hover in front of the book he sought. **
Ron snorted. "I hate that thing. It's way too slow. You should try the one in the main branch."
Magic as irony.
Another point is that JKR usually uses magic to make fun of something in the 'real' world. There's a tongue-in-cheek humour.
Don't: Harry used a spell to unlock a door. Then he used a spell to hang up his coat. Then he used a spell to light a candle. Then he used a spell to make dinner. Then he used a spell to make the bed. Then he used a spell to untie his shoes....
Do: Harry got junkmail as usual, from various different stores in Diagon Alley. Because he paid for his own things instead of his parents buying them, he got all of the advertisements. He neatly ground a particularly loud one under his heel. He opened a letter and it announced:
"SALE!!!"
-- before he could crumple it to shut it up. The entire school turned in his direction. How anyone thought you could attract customers by sending them rude notes, Harry had no idea. *
Magic isn't just an ordinary part of Harry's life. It's got a point as it takes pot-shots at advertising. That's the hardest kind of magic to invent, but it really captures JKR's style on those rare times you can manage it. Quick-Quotes Quill in 'acid green' to describe a reporter's poison pen... the pun on 'horseless carriages.' The magic, especially in the earlier books, was a kind of social commentary.
It takes a little extra effort, but it's worth it. AT first you think steam's gonna come out of your ears coming up with this stuff. But as you get into the habit of writing in magical detail, it becomes easier and easier.
Have fun, bring out your quirky sense of humour, and remember... the point of Harry Potter magic is that it doesn't solve all your problems. No more than this computer I'm typing on.
ETA:
* - From Primer to the Dark Arts. It was easier to use my own magic than look up other people's successful spells.
** - From conversation with
sparrowhawk on creating magic.*** - From Fanning the Flames.
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Date: 2004-02-10 07:44 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-10 07:50 pm (UTC)Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 07:49 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-10 08:09 pm (UTC)Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 07:54 pm (UTC)And, by the way, that dialogue about the lubricant? ::dies::
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Date: 2004-02-10 08:08 pm (UTC)Absolutely, I think the flavour of the spell at least should match the tone of the moment and if you can tie the magic into the theme, more power to you. The fact the portraits of Sirius' relatives had a permanent sticking charm really does say a lot about family, doesn't it?
But I try not to do it deliberately, or it might come out heavy-handed. I once had a magical toy in a fic, and I only later realised I'd instinctively chosen something that was very innocent when Harry was struggling to maintain his own innocence.
So I don't think she does it consciously, and I wouldn't force it, those sorts of themes will probably happen naturally. Just like when things are in turmoil we always want to reach for that 'dark and stormy night.'
Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 08:44 pm (UTC)I want a spell that has an accompanying rude noise.
*ponders*
Not like a whoopie cushion, though, because: ew.
*ponders further*
Something....terribly British, like the sound of giving someone a raspberry.
*wanders off, pondering still*
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Date: 2004-02-10 09:20 pm (UTC)Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 09:04 pm (UTC)I suppose magic in fic is like British slang in fic-- much as I hate fics that have no magic in them, it's still better than badly-done magic that distracts a reader from the plot.
My favorite magical moment in the books is in Sorcerer's Stone when they're trapped in the devil's snare, and Hermione says "Oh, if only we had some fire," and Ron responds with "ARE YOU MAD? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?!?" (paraphrasing)... it's just so perfect. :)
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Date: 2004-02-10 09:19 pm (UTC)I love those clashes between magical and ordinary, when the wizards blythely stick their heads in a fireplace and Harry just blinks. Or ekeltricity. Or when Muggleborn kids forget oh, right -- I can do magic.
I wrote a Harry/Fred/George drabble where the twins were teasing Harry about the way he did dishes, "Watch this... first he summons Muggle dish detergent, then he washes it Muggle-style. Then he uses a Cleasing Charm, then -- he rinses it! Ha!"
Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 10:15 pm (UTC)I've tried to put original magic in my fic (in small ways), and hopefully it fits, but this was most helpful and has given me some concrete things to keep in mind while writing fic. I agree with you, it's just not Harry Potter without the magic, but people often don't handle it well. I am not sure that I always handle it so well, lol.
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Date: 2004-02-10 11:01 pm (UTC)I have no idea why I ranted about this at the moment. I must be in a random sort of mood.
Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 10:18 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-10 11:05 pm (UTC)Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 10:30 pm (UTC)and there's always the pop-culture jab. While trying to look up what spell they actually cast, Harry stumbles across Voltaire, which makes the victim tell long winding stories that go nowhere and involve lots of resurrections.
“George cast that one on Percy once," Ron reported. "Took Mum a week to notice, the only difference was him constantly mentioning that Muggle fellow with the long hair and the cross.”
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Date: 2004-02-10 10:56 pm (UTC)Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-10 11:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-10 11:25 pm (UTC)Most fanfic'ers don't realize just how wonky JRK makes the magic seem. That's why they go to school. It doesn't come naturally or easily to most. It takes training and practice. And the humor emerges out of that experience.
Thanks for the idea. I'll have to remember your advice next time I write a lube spell or an obliviate. Scourgify has all sorts of opportunities to inflict tickles to pain on the victim. ;-D
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Date: 2004-02-11 12:40 am (UTC)This is so on-the-ball that it's not funny- JUST how JKR writes magic... *dies*
As for the botched Lubricant charm... *dies* Now I want one!!! *a fic, not a botched lubricant charm. ;)*
~Jess
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Date: 2004-02-11 12:48 am (UTC)This entire post is absolutely awesome. That line above though is just effing perfect!!
Well done!
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Date: 2004-02-11 01:11 am (UTC)Well, that was really a very good essay, thank you!
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Date: 2004-02-11 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-11 01:51 am (UTC)Then you twist it.
How can you make it so that it's not acting like a computer? Perhaps, if it doesn't recognise a word (say you have to spell it with a Olde English Spellinges) you end up staring at a gnome whose likely to misunderstand you and report your efforts to Miss Pince. Hard of hearing, with an old fashioned horn up to his ear.
"Eh? Thou sayeth Conception? Watch thy language younge mann!"
"No, not conception -- Concepts In --"
"Ye cannot read such vulgaritie here! Here be a schoole for learninge."
You nail a lot of things like that: out of date computers, the search engines, certain people's attitudes about what's appropriate/inappropriate for a school libraries.... you see? That's exactly where you start.
Icarus
Other ideas (though the above is my favourite): Or if the material is restricted, the platform stops in front of Miss Pince's desk (technically it couldn't be Miss Pince because this hasn't been mentioned in five years of library work, so more likely such a card catalogue system would be in a larger library than Hogwarts) Miss Pince is glaring down at you, asking why you seek restricted materials.
Since it's not a computer, you have no idea how you got it wrong. Most likely she would know nothing more than you seek Restricted materials -- "do you have a note from your teacher?"
The basis is in our world, but by the time you're done, it shouldn't act at all like modern technology.
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Date: 2004-02-11 02:37 am (UTC)BTW...you mean
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Date: 2004-02-11 02:45 am (UTC)Yes,
Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-11 11:22 am (UTC)And I'd just die of joy if that Draco/Ron, faulty charm story was expanded.
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Date: 2004-02-11 03:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-11 05:55 pm (UTC)BTW, this is a drive-by-friending...*friends* I look forward to reading the rest of your journal and fanfics!
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Date: 2004-02-11 07:08 pm (UTC)Oh wow, really?
Date: 2004-02-11 11:19 pm (UTC)Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-12 02:12 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-12 07:46 pm (UTC)Icarus
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From:*applauds*
Date: 2004-02-12 08:42 am (UTC)Think Victorian era level of comfort, then add magic, and you have Harry Potter.
*nods* Yeah, what she said.
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Date: 2004-02-12 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-12 07:40 pm (UTC)If you were to say Harry Potter is not Buddhist, I could speak with some authority. ;)
What I can suggest is that Harry Potter is in terms of literature very post-modern and therefore ascribing a particular religion to it tends to feel out of place, unless there's some critical post-modernist slant to the viewpoint. An example would be a Dantesque Christian slant that includes the pokes-fun-at-hypocrisy angle. Because a post-modernist is critical and points out the flaws in vested authority.
Actually, in an unpublished fic have a discussion between two characters that brings out those sort of half-understood religious leanings people have, where they believe something spiritual and don't really understand the philosophy or why. In that case I made up a religion for Harry Potter and assumed it was some sort of half-remembered druid rite. The religion itself is stamped out, it has no church or teachers, but the mysticism remains. You hear about it from the most unexpected source.
But here it's still post-modern and critical because it's making fun of the fact that two people can know each other and not realise the other believes this stuff. And it points out how people tend to approach religion in a fuzzy sort of way.
Icarus
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Date: 2004-02-14 07:29 am (UTC)and just proves your point, i sure as heck didn't recognize anything buddhist about primer, but then again i'm not a buddhist... i'd like to be though...*sigh*
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Date: 2004-02-16 05:30 am (UTC)I had no idea you wrote essays; I gobble them up like candy. *friends you*
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Date: 2004-02-16 05:40 am (UTC)*friends back*
Icarus
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Date: 2005-05-22 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-05-22 04:59 am (UTC)Icarus