To be honest, when I started writing in earnest a few years ago, and started getting involved in writing communities on social media, I didn’t know what “magic systems” were. I just went “y’all got systems?”
I had to be schooled in these matters. Now, I am by no means an expert, but these are just some thoughts I have on the matter.
First, let’s define “magic systems”. A magic system is basically the mechanics of how magic works in a fictional world. Magic systems basically exist on a spectrum, which runs from “hard” magic systems to “soft” systems.
Hard systems have hard and fast rules for how they operate that are completely set in stone. This type of magic system is employed by Dungeons and Dragons, and to an extent, Harry Potter. They have an almost scientific exactitude to them that is iron-clad in its complexity.
Soft systems are very fluid. The rules can bend and change depending on circumstances. they are ill-understood, even by those who practice them. Books like Lord of the Rings and the Conan the Barbarian stories employ this sort of system.
Again, don’t think of them as just being hard and soft; it’s a spectrum, not black and white. There are many shades of grey, such as Star Wars, where the Force acts as a sort of magic that is limited, but those limits are kind of like fuzzy lines that can be bent and moved.
Now onto my opinion on the matter. As someone who has very little patience for complex rules, I lean heavily toward soft magic. It’s the reason I didn’t enjoy playing DnD when I’ve tried it. I also come from a more traditional fantasy background; Lewis, Tolkien, R.E. Howard and people of that generation treated magic as a force of nature that could only be loosely controlled and much less understood.
To me, hard magic systems are indistinguishable from science fiction. If you are going to write science fiction, just write science fiction. No need to make the magic system so complex and rigid. To me, that just takes all the fun out of it.
In my own work, the magic system is only vaguely defined and I never fully articulate how it works. It’s more fun, for me, because then I can use the magic in the way that best serves the narrative I’ve written. And that’s whole point; if your system doesn’t serve to give both you and the reader a good time, what good is it?
Now, if you yourself employ a hard system, I’m not trying to put you down. If that’s what works for you and helps you write a better story, then by all means keep using it. I’m just some dude on the internet. These are just the thoughts that rattle around my fevered brain. If you find these thoughts helpful, maybe you could share this newsletter with your friends. If you haven’t already, maybe consider becoming a subscriber, free or paid. I would personally appreciate it.