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Q&A How to demonstrate an evolution of magic without it seeming like it is improvised?

Another really useful tool here is foreshadowing and buildup. This is your first defense against the feeling of "awww, he just made that up": make it clear that the elements surprising the reader ...

posted 8y ago by Standback‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-12T20:06:04Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/22226
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T05:18:22Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/22226
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T05:18:22Z (almost 5 years ago)
Another really useful tool here is **foreshadowing and buildup.**

This is your first defense against the feeling of "awww, he just made that up": make it clear that the elements surprising the reader deep into the book, were present and significant right from the start. The reader only realizes that when he reaches the twists and surprises, but when he does, you want his reaction to be "Ohhhhh, _now_ it all makes sense!" rather then "Where the heck did that just come from?"

If there are elements early on which we understand as not quite fitting, or there just being something _weird_ about them, these can click in to place later as the system is fully uncovered.

That will make it feel much less as though you're "making it up as you go," and much more as though you're making exciting new discoveries and answering long-standing questions.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2016-06-02T08:20:29Z (over 8 years ago)
Original score: 3