Once in a while, writers tap into the hidden depths of their imagination and create something truly unique and captivating. However, there are also instances where creativity gets lost in translation, resulting in what can only be described as dreadful fanfiction. The dreadful witch fanfiction is a prime example of this. In the world of literature, witches have always held a certain allure. From their mystical powers to their enigmatic personalities, witches have fascinated readers for centuries. It is no wonder then that fanfiction exploring this realm has emerged.
Slow down your engine. Take time to consider your options. And be willing to open the Bible and ask your Creator to speak to you through His inspired Word. Everyone wants power, but not everyone is wise enough to consider the source of their power and then make the right call for the sake of their soul.
Those who pursue it get duped by highly intelligent fallen angels who hate you and desire to see you reject Jesus and His free gift of eternal life in Paradise. I always took it this way A work of fiction where Harry Potter-like or LOTR-like magic exists is a world different from our world in that that sort of magic doesn t exist here.
It is no wonder then that fanfiction exploring this realm has emerged. Unfortunately, not all of it is worthy of praise. The dreadful witch fanfiction often misses the mark in terms of storytelling and character development.
Martial Arts and Magic, Part 4: Qigong and Inner Power
Part 4, all right! If you haven’t read the previous installments, here are the links: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
I’m going to start Part 4 here by saying that I hate magic systems that involve concepts like “magical energy,” “inner power”, or “focus.” Unfortunately for curmudgeonly, unpleasable fantasy writers like me, real-life martial arts are all about that shit—in fact, qi (also known as chi and ki) is almost inseparable from Chinese (and some Japanese) martial arts, especially soft and internal styles. But before I get into that, let me lay out why I hate these concepts in fiction.
First, stories that rely on a mage using a limited pool of magical “energy” always pull out the same trick: “Oh no, I’m out of magic! I’ve used up all my body’s reserves, and now I’m useless!” I appreciate the attempt at limiting a mage’s power and trying to create tension by making every spell count, but it ends up feeling like magic points in a video game. Reducing magic to a discrete, measurable energy gives it a very tool-like role, which usually sucks the wonder out of it and makes a mage into something like an Energizer battery.
Meanwhile, the vague concept of “inner power” usually ends up doing the opposite: mage characters that draw on a nebulous well of inner magical strength always seem to have just enough energy to wipe out whatever obstacle is in their way, or (conversely), never enough to keep up with whatever threat they’re currently facing…until the plot needs them to. Because there’s usually no concrete limits given to “inner power,” the author has a blank check to create or dissolve tension whenever it’s convenient for them by cranking or lowering a character’s power.
Lastly, “focus” magic, where a mage has to focus on performing a specific spell by visualizing the effect, is usually the default magic system an author uses when they can’t come up with anything better. It’s the all-purpose duct tape for hacks and novice writers who just want to make magic happen. What’s obnoxious is that the confusing, chaotic din of images and thoughts that pass through one person’s head in a stressful moment is almost impossible to translate into writing, so it inevitably ends up looking like this:
Namira closed her eyes and focused on creating the fireball. A thousand thoughts swarmed through her head, but she calmed them one by one, until the sensation of heat and light was all that was left. Slowly, she felt her palm grow warmer, until an orb of fire was floating around her fingertips.
Watching someone going into meditation before casting every spell is cumbersome to write and boring to read, so the author usually skips it, until characters are effortlessly casting spells just by thinking about them.
There are always exceptions, but all in all, magic systems that rely on inner magical power in one form or another usually perform the same basic function as caulking or Styrofoam peanuts: fill in the gaps in a quick, functional way and don’t draw too much attention. And that’s fucking lame.
Here’s the thing, though: qigong is based around all three of the concepts I just described, but it does them better. It turns out that qi and its associated practice, qigong, is actually a really great source of inspiration for movement-based magic, because it’s essentially a magic system that focuses on the body. I’ve already written a piece about how qi is more myth than fact, so let’s go ahead and treat it like its own magic system.
Instead of delving into the complexities of witchcraft and its implications, these stories tend to focus on shallow romantic subplots and clichéd character tropes. They sacrifice depth for predictability, leaving readers feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. One of the main issues with the dreadful witch fanfiction is the lack of originality. These stories often borrow heavily from popular works, failing to add any original ideas or twists to the existing narrative. Instead of building upon established characters and lore, they simply rehash the same tired plotlines and scenarios. Furthermore, the dreadful witch fanfiction often suffers from poor writing and grammar. The prose is clumsy and awkward, lacking the finesse and fluency that is expected in professional writing. This detracts from the story itself, making it difficult for readers to fully immerse themselves in the fictional world created by the author. It is worth noting, however, that not all witch fanfiction falls into the category of dreadful. There are talented writers out there who are able to masterfully explore the world of witches, crafting engaging stories that captivate readers. These writers understand the importance of originality, character development, and strong storytelling. In conclusion, the dreadful witch fanfiction is a disappointing subgenre that fails to live up to its potential. Lackluster storytelling, unoriginal plots, and poor writing make these stories a far cry from the captivating works they are based on. However, it is important to recognize that there are exceptions to this trend, with talented writers producing compelling witch fanfiction that is a joy to read..
Reviews for "The Intersection of Fantasy and Reality: Lessons from Dreadful Witch Fanfiction"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The dreadful witch fanfiction." The writing was subpar, with grammatical errors and weak character development. The plot felt rushed and lacked depth, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the story. Overall, it was a forgettable read that didn't live up to the hype.
2. Paul - 1/5 stars - I can't even express how much I disliked "The dreadful witch fanfiction." The storyline was cliché with predictable twists and turns. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any real substance. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the story. It was a complete waste of time, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "The dreadful witch fanfiction" was a major letdown. The writing style was choppy and inconsistent, making it difficult to follow at times. The pacing was off, with unnecessary filler scenes that didn't contribute to the overall plot. The author relied too heavily on clichés and tropes, resulting in a lack of originality. I was expecting much more from this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat.
4. Alex - 3/5 stars - While "The dreadful witch fanfiction" wasn't terrible, it didn't meet my expectations either. The characters lacked depth and felt cliché, making it hard to invest in their stories. The plot had potential, but it seemed rushed and lacked proper development. There were some enjoyable moments, but overall, it failed to leave a lasting impression. I wouldn't actively discourage reading it, but I wouldn't recommend it either.