Can you write an article on how to use magic effectively? Too often I see it used as a way to fill plot holes or else it comes across as just overused or something.
So exciting to have a new Creative Liberty article to read! Very interesting topic, I always hated school in real life, but often quite enjoy the setting in fiction. As far as the real world education system goes absolutely agree that the money spent on expensive university, could be put to much better use enriching childhood with far more educational things. Thanks for the article John!
Btw, with headphones the audio went to one ear alone. And I had been using them up til I started the audio here so it’s not on my end for once I think!
I’m unsure if that’s something you can work with, but I figure I’m not the only person who tends to use headphones over none when listening.
I’m glad this topic has finally been addressed (I haven’t encountered such before, at least, though I haven’t sought it out either) and I have a couple thoughts I’d like to add.
For one, I am inclined to think the magic that draws so many into these stories must be linked to what they desire or wished they could have had, as you mentioned, but I’m afraid in this particular article alone justice was not served to the implications of that for people, individual and society. Will there be more from you on that if you have more to say?
Also at the note of your personal mention of no longer engaging much with school-setting fiction, how much of that is due to the tendency of the tropes as opposed to the setting being one you’ve perhaps outgrown? For me, personally, in recent years I’ve found myself generally unable to relate and enjoy such centered media much at all and especially nowhere near how I used to! I first assumed it had to do with my age (too close to 30 for the little I’ve done in life!) but have found none of my peers, even those already in that decade of life, to feel the same; in fact, most had never considered the detachment and strangeness I feel when I’ve expressed it to them! There is a part of me that wonders if there is something culturally to be said on this, especially considering these friends still tend to maintain many millennial stereotypes such as toy-collecting and being focused on games with “adulting” being a skill only out of necessity and to get away from controlling, restraining parents.
A third thought before I ramble in the comments here:
For an adult who never read Harry Potter nor watched the movies (except saw some clips in French back in school, read some excerpts from French translations of the books - the teacher in question had a huge crush on Snape) would it be worthwhile to read/watch them now? I know general things as the franchise is inescapable and I’ve had multiple friends obsessed with them to the degree she I’m still close with actively brandishes Hufflepuff gear. I’m unsure the quality of the writing itself, however, and after hearing some recollect on The Hunger Games writing style and my own awareness of the awful writing in the Warriors series… I’m hesitant with Y/A fiction for concern it’ll warp my own voice in writing which already happened with Warriors some ten or so years back.
All the best and looking forward to what’s to come as well, of course :)
Though that's certainly observable, it's a wordy way to say "Shared social experience with a twist is an easier concept to engage with."
But that's why it's a trope, it writes itself. You're in school to learn so character growth, the ability to introduce new factors and everything else can be done easier. Character dynamics, friendships and development can be done far more organically. There's no explaining friendship dynamics, and relationship chemistry. It makes the basic worldbuilding easier, and approaching something from a learner position makes everything more adaptable as the story progresses.
You effectively find the same concept in Ursula Le Guin and C.S. Lewis. The Wizard of Earthsea uses the education of Ged and the dynamic of higher education to introduce much of the theory of magic, but also have the cocky, self-assuredness of a younger character to cause the conflict of the novel, and the same is effectively repeated in the Tombs of Atuan. Even if the story leaves these moments, the core points and theory are used for world and character building in a relatable manner, and does so faster than comparable books trying to do the same without that same feature.
A last point would be that a student is a blank slate in terms of personality, skills or abilities. It's the same trope found in Role Playing Games like the Fallout Franchise, you can envision the character however you want to because their only backstory is that they had some sort of education, and any described physical features. Jasper Fforde uses that to set up Charlie in Early Risers and effectively repeats it again in Shades of Grey, having a comparatively blank character with a handful of basic features, and at best some casual anecdotes of "Out of Character" moments that become running gags, which gives you just enough character to be themselves, but enough of a blank slate to engage you as a self-insert; Charlie isn't even gendered in Early Risers, but has just left the orphanage, has a misshapen face and bit another kid's ear off. Charlie's learning of the new environment and the explained worldbuilding seems more natural.
In terms of the AI; It can be a bit soulless, if used too much, but it's good enough.
Can you write an article on how to use magic effectively? Too often I see it used as a way to fill plot holes or else it comes across as just overused or something.
I put together a Ravenclaw uniform earlier this year. :D
Anyway, school for me wasn't mundane; it was torture. Anything to escape that...
So exciting to have a new Creative Liberty article to read! Very interesting topic, I always hated school in real life, but often quite enjoy the setting in fiction. As far as the real world education system goes absolutely agree that the money spent on expensive university, could be put to much better use enriching childhood with far more educational things. Thanks for the article John!
Btw, with headphones the audio went to one ear alone. And I had been using them up til I started the audio here so it’s not on my end for once I think!
I’m unsure if that’s something you can work with, but I figure I’m not the only person who tends to use headphones over none when listening.
I’m glad this topic has finally been addressed (I haven’t encountered such before, at least, though I haven’t sought it out either) and I have a couple thoughts I’d like to add.
For one, I am inclined to think the magic that draws so many into these stories must be linked to what they desire or wished they could have had, as you mentioned, but I’m afraid in this particular article alone justice was not served to the implications of that for people, individual and society. Will there be more from you on that if you have more to say?
Also at the note of your personal mention of no longer engaging much with school-setting fiction, how much of that is due to the tendency of the tropes as opposed to the setting being one you’ve perhaps outgrown? For me, personally, in recent years I’ve found myself generally unable to relate and enjoy such centered media much at all and especially nowhere near how I used to! I first assumed it had to do with my age (too close to 30 for the little I’ve done in life!) but have found none of my peers, even those already in that decade of life, to feel the same; in fact, most had never considered the detachment and strangeness I feel when I’ve expressed it to them! There is a part of me that wonders if there is something culturally to be said on this, especially considering these friends still tend to maintain many millennial stereotypes such as toy-collecting and being focused on games with “adulting” being a skill only out of necessity and to get away from controlling, restraining parents.
A third thought before I ramble in the comments here:
For an adult who never read Harry Potter nor watched the movies (except saw some clips in French back in school, read some excerpts from French translations of the books - the teacher in question had a huge crush on Snape) would it be worthwhile to read/watch them now? I know general things as the franchise is inescapable and I’ve had multiple friends obsessed with them to the degree she I’m still close with actively brandishes Hufflepuff gear. I’m unsure the quality of the writing itself, however, and after hearing some recollect on The Hunger Games writing style and my own awareness of the awful writing in the Warriors series… I’m hesitant with Y/A fiction for concern it’ll warp my own voice in writing which already happened with Warriors some ten or so years back.
All the best and looking forward to what’s to come as well, of course :)
Can't wait for your YouTube channel!
Missed you John- where on earth have you been?
Though that's certainly observable, it's a wordy way to say "Shared social experience with a twist is an easier concept to engage with."
But that's why it's a trope, it writes itself. You're in school to learn so character growth, the ability to introduce new factors and everything else can be done easier. Character dynamics, friendships and development can be done far more organically. There's no explaining friendship dynamics, and relationship chemistry. It makes the basic worldbuilding easier, and approaching something from a learner position makes everything more adaptable as the story progresses.
You effectively find the same concept in Ursula Le Guin and C.S. Lewis. The Wizard of Earthsea uses the education of Ged and the dynamic of higher education to introduce much of the theory of magic, but also have the cocky, self-assuredness of a younger character to cause the conflict of the novel, and the same is effectively repeated in the Tombs of Atuan. Even if the story leaves these moments, the core points and theory are used for world and character building in a relatable manner, and does so faster than comparable books trying to do the same without that same feature.
A last point would be that a student is a blank slate in terms of personality, skills or abilities. It's the same trope found in Role Playing Games like the Fallout Franchise, you can envision the character however you want to because their only backstory is that they had some sort of education, and any described physical features. Jasper Fforde uses that to set up Charlie in Early Risers and effectively repeats it again in Shades of Grey, having a comparatively blank character with a handful of basic features, and at best some casual anecdotes of "Out of Character" moments that become running gags, which gives you just enough character to be themselves, but enough of a blank slate to engage you as a self-insert; Charlie isn't even gendered in Early Risers, but has just left the orphanage, has a misshapen face and bit another kid's ear off. Charlie's learning of the new environment and the explained worldbuilding seems more natural.
In terms of the AI; It can be a bit soulless, if used too much, but it's good enough.