Fantasy and Magic

I love fantasy and magic. Why? The reason is very simple.

ANYTHING is possible.

Really!

Not a whole lot of people seem to get this basic tenant of all fantasy and magic.

Anything.

Can.

Happen.

It doesn't have to make a whole lot of sense.

It doesn't have to follow very many rules.

If you can come up with it, then it can happen.

It's like Rule 34... only for LIFE and pornography isn't the limit.

That's why dreams are kind of the ultimate fantasy. Anything can happen in your dreams and it makes perfect sense to you. You may be watching a black, flaming robotic unicorn battle a wizard which is flying by shooting fire out of his backside. It's normal. Awesome and funny, but not unusual.

It's there.

Unfortunately, if you take this completely to heart and write a book with a fantasy world where literally anything can happen if you just imagine it, you get a boring book without  conflict.

Or you get Alice in Wonderland.

Either way, people like wish-fulfillment fantasy so it may be popular for a time before people realize just how boring and dull it is... unless it is the new Alice in Wonderand, then you become a world-famous author and make loads of money.

This is why, fantasy and magic and all that fun stuff I just described for you have RULES. Anything can happen... within certain parameters.

Harry Potter: Anything can happen, if you know the proper wand movements and incantation.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Anything can happen if you're a witch with enough magical power.

Star Wars: Anything can happen if you're a strong enough Jedi.

Lord of the Rings: Anything can happen, if you're one of the gods or if the gods grant you the right gifts (or if you're Gandalf).

Edward Eager: Anything can happen if you have the proper applied phlebotanum.

Charmed: Anything can happen if you have the right potion or spell, AND it's not for personal gain.

Song of Ice and Fire: Anything can happen if you have dragons, worship the right god, or are a green-seer... within "reason".

A Wizard of Earthsea: Anything can happen if you know the True Name of what you're trying to manipulate.

Any Form of Mythology: Anything can happen so long as you're a god or child of a god and it applies to whatever you or your parent rules over.

Get it?

People like for things to be neat and organized. They like to put stuff in little boxes and have cause and effect readily evident. Due to this, magic has to have rules. It doesn't matter what those rules are. They can be completely ridiculous like sparkling vampires and invisible pink unicorns or mermaids that wear plaid underwear.

Regardless.

There.

Must.

Be.

Rules.

Oh really?
Well, I have something to say about that. It's very important and I hope it sinks in very well. Are you ready?

I DON'T LIKE RULES!!!

Savvy?

I mean, magic is supposed to be this free and wonderful thing that permeates everything... in most fantasy settings. Fantasy itself is supposed to be the land in your head and there is no end to imagination. So, why limit it with ridiculous crap like rules?  I understand that some of the rules run between very creative and completely ridiculous.

I do.

But they're still rules. 

Of course, words themselves are limiting when it comes to fantasy. That's why it's fantastic. People really overuse that word these days. I don't think it means what they think it means.

Don't give me that look, Doctor!
This pretty much seems like a nonsensical post, but really it comes down to a few things. Fantasy is this boundless land of endless wonder that books only begin to explore. It exists in the brain of every man, woman, and especially child. It's a thing that should be nurtured and encouraged to grow for the entirety of a person's existence. You experience it whenever you ask "What if?" and whenever you dream.  Rules... Gaah! Rules limit it and, in their own way, spoil the fantasy. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN AND IT DOESN'T. Why not? Because people want to limit fantasy and imagination with rules. I hate them, but I understand the need for them.

So, be epic in your fantasy and shatter the rules when you can!

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