Re: slipstream

Mary K. Kuhner <mkkuhner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

The "why" of magic is often qualitatively different from the
"why" of science. (I tend to dislike stories in which it isn't.)
But there still has to be a reason: it's just that magic tends to
have symbolic or emotional or moral reasons, not physical ones.

Huh? Why should that be the case?

The main character of my WIS never explains why he can trap people
by softening the stone floor beneath them, but can't soften a
wooden table or a man's back. However, I think the reader will work
out for him/herself that this is because his power comes from
the Lord of the Mountains, and it works on earth and stone, not tables
and backs.

Saying it only works on stone and earth wouldn't cost much, would
it? Perhaps some readers don't like guessing at the why and would
rather have a consistent world.

This is important in avoiding the impression that the character's
magic works when the plot needs it to work, and fails when the plot
needs it to fail: that ruins SOD for me. Readers should be able
to build up a picture of what is and isn't possible, using
symbolic or intuitive logic: it may not be a complete picture,
but there should be some sense of limitations and structure.

Agreement here.

For me, some of Patricia McKillip's recent stories fall down on this
point: her magicians can do anything, which makes it useless to think
about what they might do next.

I'd say that depends on the story; whether the story is about what
they might do next.

--
Tina
WIP: Working title: The Knight's Journey 9688 words
WISuspension: Seasons & Elements trilogy | Magic Earth series
Posted to Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.sf.composition.

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