When you create your own magic system, there really are no limits. It’s a lot like world-building. Anything is possible, and it doesn’t even have to be logical or limited to human understanding. It can literally be whatever crazy thing you can think up. To keep your magic system believable and authentic, though, you’ll want to keep track of some things — once again, just like world-building. It would help much more to create a file (online or off) for your magic system that you can refer back to!
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR MAGIC SYSTEM
- What does it do?
- How available is it? (Do people with higher positions have more access to more powerful magic?)
- Is it illegal, or no? Are there any parts of it that are illegal?
- How is it learned?
- How long do its affects last? (This can vary. One “spell” might take an eternity to fade and another could wear out within a few minutes. Whatever you want.)
- Are people born with magical abilities, or must the magic attained? Or both?
- How do people respond to it? (Is some magic good and some magic bad, one, or the other?)
- What is its cost? (What toll does it take on the wielder’s body/mind?)
- What can’t it do? What limits does it have, or is it unlimited?
- Is the magic’s existence common knowledge, or do most people not believe in magic?
- Are there magical creatures?
- What defense is there against magic?
Aside from these basic questions, let your imagination go wild!
Now, if your magic system is more of a superpower-sci-fi type of thing and less of a medieval-wizard type of thing, these still apply.
If you’d like to have names for certain abilities, such as telekinesis and telepathy, it’s perfectly fine to create a name from your own mind. But, if you’re like me and would rather be realistic, I’ve added a link to a site all about superpowers that could help you.
That’s all for now! If you have anything to add or any questions to ask, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you personally.
Beginners Guide to Writing 