Misplaced, Not Lost

Currently writing ✦ finished book one ✦ debut: https://books2read.com/u/bML5AV

[writtenwithnv]

About me:

surrealism enjoyer

writing and collages

debut novel currently out.

#own posts for my random stuff

[alleesaur]

is time running out? better go catch it

[1five1two]

Speiredonia spectans, the granny's cloak moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae.

[writtenwithnv]

Do hard magic systems encourage powerscaling?

I think the current hard magic vs soft magic discourse is blaming magic systems for problems that are actually writing problems.

A lot of the criticism aimed at hard magic systems, especially around “power scaling brain” and fantasy becoming too focused on mechanics , is identifying a real phenomenon. Some fantasy readers do approach stories like battle forums or wikis now, obsessing over rankings, loopholes, and whether systems are “balanced.”

But I also think people overcorrect when they argue soft magic is automatically better or more literary.

Hard magic doesn’t prevent theme, atmosphere, or character work. Brandon Sanderson’s (yes that debate is what prompted this post) systems are extremely structured, but books like The Stormlight Archive still explore trauma, ideology and power in interesting ways.

And also I feel like critics of soft magic aren’t entirely wrong. If magic has no visible limits, stakes can absolutely start to feel vague or unearned. Poorly written soft systems can drift into deus ex machina territory very quickly, when what can and can't happen isn't really well defined.

But neither of those problems are caused by the type of system itself.

Soft magic can still create incredible tension and emotional stakes by utilising mystery and awe. The reader not completely understanding what is happening can be very effective when done right. I love tons of books with soft magic. I'm even writing one right now. because I understand that every tool has its situations! And hard magic can still support deep themes and atmosphere. The Stormlight Archive does this very well. Tolkien and Sanderson are clearly trying to achieve very different things, and both approaches clearly resonate with readers.

I think the more useful question is: what is the magic actually doing for the story?

Curious where people here fall on this. Also these are my views in brief. I have more detailed thoughts on this topic below.

Do hard magic systems encourage powerscaling?

On the current hard vs soft magic systems debate

[writtenwithnv]

“…Miss Allison?” The drawing room was close with heat and conversation, crowded enough that she could barely see the dark peony-patterned wallpaper past the press of bodies. A servant brushed past with a tray of drinks held aloft, the crystal glasses faintly clinking together. They were Aunt Maud’s nicer ones that she rarely ever took out. Certainly not for the likes of them.  “Miss Allison?” Allison started at the sound of her name, nearly spilling the glass of champagne she held in her hand. 

[formlab]

Kirill Semenovich

[noondreemer]

Glitch with a cat, oil.

Here I wanted to show a confusing yet cozy liminal space, warm, sunny, and leading into the unknown. A small, forgotten corner of an abandoned city.

Ignore the cat. Error loading.

[bombjack]

[houseofcatwic]

Alex Alemany (1943-2021) is a Spanish painter known for his unique blend of realism and surrealism.

[panoptinomicon]

[writtenwithnv]

Allison pushed the thought out of mind and kept going on. Every corridor had to end eventually. It’s not like they could keep going on forever, for eventually they would simply run out of space. 

oh, Allison <3

[lamignonette]

[braaainwaaash]

[silentoatmeal]

Olympic (1998)

[moon-fence]

[foodbucketjesusvhs]

.: . do not touch the tape inside 002 📼

[cosmicportal]

"The universe is written in the language of mathematics, and its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures"

~ Galileo Galilei, Il Saggiatore