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Wednesday, March 25

Writing About: A Magickal Battle


If you're looking for my A to Z Theme Reveal go HERE.
In my short story, Witch of Death, there is a magickal battle at the end that was so much fun to write. I love the paranormal and love action, so when I got to blend both for the climax, I was very excited.

Here are 10 things to consider if you ever write about a magickal battle:

1.    Make it clear who is in the battle. Is it between two of your characters or two separate groups? Is one side good and the other bad?

2.    Why does the magickal battle happen? Battles, done with magick or with guns, don’t just happen for no reason at all. The reason for the magickal battle in your story should be obvious. In Witch of Death, my heroine fights the witch who has been murdering people throughout the story.

3.    How does the battle start? Do your characters agreement to meet each other to fight it out, or does one side surprise attack the other? Who makes the first move?

4.    Know your characters’ strengths. Consider what kind of powers you want to give your protagonist and antagonist. These are the powers they will be using on each other during the battle.

An artist made for my flash fiction piece, The Summer Bride.

5.    Know your characters’ weaknesses. If your protagonist is afraid of fire, the antagonist could use fire to his/her advantage. If your protagonist is in love, his/her lover could be used as a pawn to emotionally compromise the protagonist. A weakness can be anything!

6.    Describe your characters’ appearance. In Witch of Death, my heroine’s eyes turn completely white and luminous when she uses her powers. Your characters’ appearances can change drastically when they call upon their powers. You can even use the changes to hint at who is good and who is evil.

For example: You can morph the face of the antagonist to make him/her look sinister.

7.    Describe your characters as they use their powers. Can they wield a power or element (like fire or water) with their hand? Give your readers details, so they can picture the whirl of flames in your character’s cupped hand or a stream of water flowing from his/her palm.

8.    What happens to the surroundings? If your characters are outside, perhaps trees bend away from them with the force of their powers. If your characters are inside, objects can explode or even levitate. When magick is involved, anything can happen.

9.    How does it end? Your protagonist can deliver a magickal blow that kills the antagonist or even strip the antagonist of his/her powers. Or the antagonist can win, it’s up to you!

10. See How to Write Action for additional tips on how to write action scenes. These tips will help you with writing methods.

Also see Writing About: A Fight for even more tips that you can use for your magickal battle.




QUESTION: If you could have any magickal power what would it be?
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50 comments:

  1. Debra McKellanMarch 25, 2015 at 8:11 AM

    I have two major magic battles in my story, one near the middle, and one at the end. I like that you've written about them!

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 25, 2015 at 9:59 AM

      I've written a few. They are so much fun! :)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 25, 2015 at 10:06 AM

    I love these epic magical battle scenes. I'd love to write one in the future.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 25, 2015 at 10:10 AM

      I love them too. I bet you'd write an amazing magickal battle. :)

      Delete
  3. Pat HattMarch 25, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    I don't think I've done one persee, but I've used some aspects in other battles

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  4. emaginetteMarch 25, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    Thanks for the tips. They'll come in handy :-)

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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  5. Susan Gourley/KelleyMarch 25, 2015 at 11:39 AM

    This is an excellent point. I've read books where magical users don't have enough weaknesses of it's not hinted at and then comes as a big shock.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 25, 2015 at 6:15 PM

      The weakness should be something the reader knows because it adds suspense and makes the reader scared for the characters.

      Delete
  6. Sarah FosterMarch 25, 2015 at 12:07 PM

    I've written a few magical battles, years ago (hopefully I'll get back to that series someday). I love the idea of using the character's weakness. It definitely makes things interesting.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 25, 2015 at 6:16 PM

      It does. We all have weaknesses and enemies always use that to their advantage.

      Delete
  7. Carrie-AnneMarch 25, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    I've only written about real battles, like the Battle of Tarawa and D-Day. My Magical power would probably be invisibility.

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  8. Alex J. CavanaughMarch 25, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    What happens to the surroundings - good question. If fireballs are involved, there's going to be some serious destruction.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 25, 2015 at 6:17 PM

      Yup. Canons will cause small craters, fire balls will cause outbreaks of fire, and machine guns will shred apart many objects.

      Delete
  9. Sherry EllisMarch 25, 2015 at 2:04 PM

    Those are all great details to consider when you're writing about battles.

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  10. PatsyMarch 25, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    Most of this advice would apply to any action scene, I think.

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  11. nashvillecats2March 25, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    The only battle I can write about is a "Battle with myself and family"
    Great post to read.

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  12. Loni TownsendMarch 25, 2015 at 4:09 PM

    Ooh! Magical battles! I can do those. :D

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  13. Stephanie FarisMarch 25, 2015 at 4:15 PM

    I don't think I've ever written about a battle of any sort. Well...brief fight scenes but not much. I've written about plenty of verbal battles, though!

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  14. Lisa ThomsonMarch 25, 2015 at 4:20 PM

    If I could have a magical power it would be to change the weather, make a storm start or end. Great tips, Chrys. I'm not sure I could write a magical battle but I know I would love to read it.

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  15. bettyMarch 25, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    Great tips for writing about battles! I think if I could have a magical power it would be keeping my mouth shut so I wouldn't want to eat as much as I want to eat :)

    betty

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  16. Elizabeth SeckmanMarch 25, 2015 at 5:27 PM

    Excellent tips. I'm not overly good at regular battles, much less the supernatural kind.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 25, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      That's okay. We all have our strengths. What you write, you write very well!

      Delete
  17. Christine RainsMarch 25, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    These are great tips. I love writing fight scenes too. My one thing my CPs always get me on is blocking. Where exactly are my characters in relation to things in the setting.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 26, 2015 at 12:02 PM

      Fight scenes are so much fun! I love to write thrillers because you can always count on there being at least one fight.

      Delete
  18. sageMarch 25, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    Interesting tips!

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  19. UnknownMarch 25, 2015 at 11:29 PM

    great tips, I've never written one of these scenes, but they sound like fun! I've always wanted to fly (though I don't think that counts as a power haha)

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 26, 2015 at 12:03 PM

      They are fun! And a lot of work too. Whenever I finish writing one, I feel exhausted as if I was actually in the fight/battle.

      Delete
  20. LidyMarch 26, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    Great tips Chrys. I'm going to bookmark this for future reference. In my wip I have 2 separate battle scenes taking place at the same location, but in different dimensions. Also, out of all types of battle scenes, I love supernatural and sword battles the most.

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    1. Chrys FeyMarch 26, 2015 at 12:04 PM

      Wow...that sounds a lot like that I did with two of my stories. In one story its a quick peek into a battle that happened and in the next story it's the actual battle.

      Delete
    2. LidyMarch 26, 2015 at 3:38 PM

      Forgot to also add, that although the battle scenes happen at the same location-different dimensions, they take place at different points of time in the story.

      Delete
    3. Chrys FeyMarch 26, 2015 at 6:18 PM

      That's good. And fascinating. :)

      Delete
  21. Lux G.March 26, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    Great tips again, dear. You're making it easier for writers to start.

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  22. Mary KirklandMarch 26, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    Magical battle scenes are so much fun to read too.

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  23. Billy Blue EyesMarch 26, 2015 at 3:48 PM

    Thanks for popping by my blog, hope you come back for a look

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    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyMarch 26, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      You're welcome, Bill! And thank you for stopping by my blog too. :)

      Delete
  24. FiMarch 27, 2015 at 5:08 AM

    Great advice there. I have lots of magical battles in the novel I'm working on and there'll be more in the next two novels too.

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