How to write Harry Potter magic
Feb. 10th, 2004 11:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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
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*** - From Fanning the Flames.