How I Created a MAGIC SYSTEM Out of Nothing

Worldbuilding a fantasy novel is hard! It was particularly difficult as a Pantser who has never written fantasy before. In this video, I break down, step-by-step, how I managed to create a magic system for my contemporary fantasy novel. I wanted my approach to be unobtrusive to someone who has no idea what they're doing (like me)--I hope you can take something away from my process!

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - 1. Came up with the very basic concept for the magic
2:03 - 2. Loosely gave the characters powers
2:44 - 3. Decided which houses had what type of magic
3:34 - 4. Sorted any existing notes about magic into "Magic System Brain Dump" document
4:19 - 5. Sorted any existing mentions of magic in the book into "Magic System Brain Dump" document
4:55 - 6. Organized "Magic System Brain Dump" into bullet point notes
6:43 - 7. Refined/expanded on bullet points to create a Magic System Bible
7:32 - 8. Made notes in a "what to revise" document about what about the magic system needs to change
8:26 - 9. Created a "Roost Power Breakdown" document

RELATED:

🌟 QUESTIONS FOR YOU🌟
1. Have YOU ever created a magic system? What was that like?
2. What's your favourite magic system (either created by you or someone else)?
3. Do you like worldbuilding?

LINKS

MY STORIES:
→ “Eat Well” in CAROUSEL, forthcoming

MY POETRY:
→ "the drive-up microphone at burger king" in carte blanche:
→ “At night, I rest my limbs in water and search for my mother’s father’s mother’s mother’s tongue” in Augur Magazine, forthcoming
→ "My Wolf Lives on the Windowsill" in Grain Magazine: [print only]

ABOUT ME
Hi y'all! I'm Rachel, a twenty-year-old writer from Toronto. I've been writing for eight years and will be entering my fourth year of my BA in creative writing in the fall. On my channel, I document my writing journey and try to post once a week (usually on Fridays).

DISCLAIMER:
I'm only one writer, and approach each video from my experience/expertise. While I make content like writing advice videos on this channel, it's important to me that my viewers ultimately write in the way that best resonates with them. :)

Outro: This is not a joke by Monplaisir

My equipment:
→ Camera: Sony ZV1
→ Vlog mic: Rode Video Micro
→ Sit-down mic: Blue Yeti OR Blue Snowball iCE
→ Editor: Premiere Pro

#authortube

[rachelwritesbooks]

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - 1. Came up with the very basic concept for the magic
2:03 - 2. Loosely gave the characters powers
2:44 - 3. Decided which houses had what type of magic
3:34 - 4. Sorted any existing notes about magic into "Magic System Brain Dump" document
4:19 - 5. Sorted any existing mentions of magic in the book into "Magic System Brain Dump" document
4:55 - 6. Organized "Magic System Brain Dump" into bullet point notes
6:43 - 7. Refined/expanded on bullet points to create a Magic System Bible
7:32 - 8. Made notes in a "what to revise" document about what about the magic system needs to change
8:26 - 9. Created a "Roost Power Breakdown" document

[wallacejames]

ngl this is such a good way to build a magic system thank you SO MUCH. I like how I do it but this will add so much to my process omg

[rev]

Thank you so much for this video ~ I really love fantasy but worldbuilding and magic systems kick my ass

[Lara_Ameen]

This is such an interesting way to approach worldbuilding! It’s something I always find difficult, whether I’m writing a genre TV drama pilot, some type of speculative short story or a speculative fiction novel. Thank you for sharing what works for you! Really cool to see your process. Best of luck finishing SEVENTH VIRTUE! 🥰🎉

[sheylamoon]

this video comes at the perfect time because i just started on the magic system for my NaNoWriMo project :D
world building is one of my favourite parts but I tend to go a bit overboard with complex magic systems, something this story doesn't need. wanted to make it smaller and themed on something so this video hits the nail on the head tbh

[maya-gur]

I thought The Species is Dead is considered genre fiction. I read a lot of sci fi and fantasy and I would call it a aci fi story.