Chapter 1: Magical Girl Incident In a small town called Serendipity Springs, something strange was happening. The townspeople went about their lives, unaware of the powerful forces that were at play. It all began on a quiet Monday morning when a beam of light suddenly shot down from the sky and into the heart of the town. Lily, a typical high school student, was on her way to school when she noticed the strange light. Curiosity got the better of her, and she followed the beam to its source. To her disbelief, she discovered a magical wand lying on the ground.
I think regulations will come. Perhaps when a number of lawsuits are won. Legal stuff of any kind always takes very long to get right. And now for something completely different…
Apps that are based on artificial intelligence AI , such as ChatGTP and Midjourney, along with apps aimed specifically at authors, have caused quite a stir. In terms of help with learning structure, I recommend looking up Joseph Campbell s Heroes Journey, Dan Harmon s Story Circle, and Jessica Brody s Save the Cat.
To her disbelief, she discovered a magical wand lying on the ground. Without thinking, she reached out and picked it up. As soon as Lily touched the wand, a surge of energy coursed through her body.
I was lucky to get an interview with M. V. Prindle, the author of Bob the Wizard, and a semifinalist in this year’s #SPFBO9.
Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m a 38-year-old father of two in Austin, Texas. I lived in Seattle Washington for two years in my early twenties. I’ve visited about 30 states and traveled outside the US, however briefly, to Toronto, London, and Paris. I’m a delivery driver by day and a crime fighter by night. Okay, I made up that last part.
I’m also a huge nerd that belongs to too many fandoms, including but not limited to A Song of Ice and Fire, Doctor Who, First Law, Lord of the Rings, Malazan, Marvel, Star Trek, Star Wars, and Warhammer. I am also a veteran of several collectible card games and tabletop wargames.
. its not really about revenge. Bob thinks it is, but it isn’t. — M. V. Prindle
Why should I buy your SPFBO9 entry?
Do you care about a strong author voice? Do you like stories that are difficult to categorize? Do you like some science fiction with your fantasy? Do you like some humor with your violence, some zig with your zag? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Bob the Wizard might be for you.
If you are looking for a more concrete answer to the question, “what is this book about?” then I’ll just let you know it’s about a guy chasing the strange being that murdered his family through otherworldly realms. But its not really about revenge. Bob thinks it is, but it isn’t. What is it really about? I’ll channel River Song from Doctor Who for a moment and give a warning: “Spoilers!”
Subgenre: Epic/Portal/Sci Fantasy
Pages: 538
Self-published: 2023
What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
It’s not the only thing I’m good at, but it’s the thing I’m best at. Despite this, I didn’t write with any consistency for most of my life. I spent too much time trying to decide who I was and what I should be doing. I finally figured it out. I’m a writer. And now that I know that, I’ll always be one.
Have you participated in the SPFBO before and where did you hear about the competition?
I have not. This is my first time entering the contest. I heard about it through Booktube, which I watch, perhaps, a little too much.
Why did you choose to write fantasy?
Aside from the fact that I simply love fantasy stories, its appealing to me to be the ultimate authority on all matters within the text. Sure, there must be some real-world reference points for the audience, but for the most part, all of the lore, history, governments, and religions are entirely up to me. Makes it more difficult to get facts wrong and look like a doofus.
Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
Without a doubt its Stephen King, if for no other reason than I’ve read so many of his books. King fans, while reading Bob the Wizard, may notice some direct influence from The Dark Tower. As honorable mentions, I’d like to acknowledge that, more recently, Joe Abercrombie, Steven Erikson, and George Martin have all significantly changed my brain with their writing.
If you were to win the SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
Well, I’d hope it would give me the platform I need to continue being successful as an author. The goal is for people to actually read the things I write.
What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
The first challenge I faced was learning to write a coherent novel. I spent several years writing a book, and finished it, before I wrote Bob the Wizard. Had to get the kinks out, and teach myself how to play to my strengths, to support my weaknesses. They second challenge was getting published. I was shopping Bob to agents all through 2020 and 2021. That may have been a poor time to be looking for an agent as a completely new author, but whatever the reasons, Bob was rejected by over one hundred agents. So I published it myself. Problem solved. Traditional publishing wasn’t ready for Bob, anyway.
Do you have any tips or an author app, tool, or resource that you can really recommend we try?
Listen, I still use Microsoft Word. I was recently turned onto Atticus, a formatting app, by some fellow authors. It is very helpful but not cheap. In terms of help with learning structure, I recommend looking up Joseph Campbell’s Heroes Journey, Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, and Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.
And now it's time to yank out your Palantir! Let’s talk about the future. What new projects are you working on?
I am closing in on a completed draft of my next novel, a grimdark epic fantasy with demons entitled The Outer Darkness. I also have part of a manuscript for Bob 2, though I expect we won’t see Bob return until 2025 at the earliest.
Apps that are based on artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGTP and Midjourney, along with apps aimed specifically at authors, have caused quite a stir. Do you expect these new technologies will make your life as a self-published author easier or harder, and do you expect that they’ll mean you’ll earn more or less?
AI-generation technology has already made my life more difficult. If you know, you know.
Yes, I almost decided not to include the AI question. You probably guessed that this question is why I stressed the “you don’t have to answer any question you don’t want to” last night in our DMs.
By the way, this is always the case in my interviews. It should be interesting to the readers but fun and definitely not a grueling task for the author to be a part of.
The reason I kept the question is because I feel that your perspective…after what happened…is relevant input for us authors when we talk about this issue.
In general, I think AI is a tool that should be closely regulated. It not only endangers livelihoods, but our very humanity. At least, that’s what my AI girlfriend says. (…that’s a joke.)
I think regulations will come. Perhaps when a number of lawsuits are won. Legal stuff of any kind always takes very long to get right. And now for something completely different…
Do you have any dreams you’d like to share?
When I was a teenager, I thought I was a musician. In my twenties, I thought I was a visual artist. Turns out I was a writer all along. In some ways, I am already living a dream. But what good are dreams if they don’t stay out of reach? I fantasize about selling a million books. Sure, what writer doesn’t? Right now I’m concentrating on putting one foot in front of another. Every step I take is a step closer to being who I want to be.
Anything else you would like to say before we close?
I suppose I just want to say thanks for the questions. And whoever is reading this, remember: Fear is the mind killer. Journey before destination. You’ve got to be realistic about these things. May the odds be ever in your favor. There are four lights. And of course, may the force be with you.
Right back at you, Joe!
I wish you the very best in the SPFBO. I hope a lot of readers discover your writing.
Thanks for doing the interview.
She felt an inexplicable connection to the wand, almost as if it had chosen her. Suddenly, her clothes transformed into a dazzling outfit, complete with a frilly skirt and a tiara. Lily had become a magical girl, a defender of justice and truth. At first, Lily was mesmerized by her newfound powers. She could fly, shoot beams of light, and even create small explosions. But as the days went by, she realized the weight of her responsibility. The town was under attack by mysterious creatures, and it was up to her to protect everyone. Lily soon learned that she wasn't alone in this magical transformation. Three other girls in her school, Mia, Emma, and Sophie, had also found magical wands and became magical girls. Together, they formed an unlikely team, with their unique powers complementing one another. The four girls, now known as the Serendipity Squad, spent their days fighting off the magical creatures that threatened their town. They honed their skills, learned to work together, and protected those who couldn't protect themselves. The townspeople began to look up to them, grateful for their unwavering dedication. But as the girls faced their toughest battle yet, they realized that there was a darker force at play. The magical creatures they fought were not just mindless monsters but beings controlled by a powerful sorceress, Serena. Serena had her own agenda, with plans to unleash chaos and domination on Serendipity Springs. Chapter 1 ended with the Serendipity Squad preparing to confront Serena, unsure of what lay ahead. The fate of the town now rested in their hands, and they were determined to not let its residents down. Together, they stood strong, ready to face the challenges and dangers that awaited them in their fight against evil. Little did they know that their journey was just beginning, and the magical girl incident would become a life-altering experience that would test their courage, friendships, and the limits of their magical powers..
Reviews for "The Magic Within: Understanding Chapter 1 of the Magical Girl Incident"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Magical Girl Incident Chapter 1" as I am a fan of magical girl stories. However, I was quite disappointed with this chapter. The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, and the characters lacked depth and development. The artwork was also subpar, with inconsistent drawings and unattractive character designs. Overall, I found this chapter to be lacking in both story and art, and it failed to captivate my interest.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Magical Girl Incident Chapter 1" was a complete letdown for me. The narrative was convoluted and poorly paced, making it difficult to follow and understand the plot. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, lacking any depth or relatability. The artwork was also underwhelming, with unappealing visuals and bland coloring. Overall, I found this chapter to be a tedious and unenjoyable read, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical Girl Incident Chapter 1" since I'm a fan of the magical girl genre, but unfortunately, this chapter fell short of my expectations. The story lacked originality, and I found it to be predictable and cliché. The characters were forgettable and lacked any noteworthy development. Additionally, the artwork was average at best, with nothing particularly striking or memorable. Overall, this chapter failed to leave a lasting impression and didn't offer anything new or exciting for fans of magical girl stories.
4. Liam - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Magical Girl Incident Chapter 1". The story felt like a jumbled mess, jumping from one scene to another without any coherence. The characters were poorly introduced and never given a chance to develop or become relatable. The artwork was lackluster, with unimpressive character designs and uninspiring backgrounds. Overall, this chapter was a complete waste of time and offered nothing unique or engaging. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality magical girl manga.