Writing a primer for my system
Writing a primer for my system
So I've been working on my own system for a while and I would like to start making a skeleton for a primer that would explain the system as a whole and give some insight into the magical paradigm behind it, as well as some basic magical information that correlates to it. I just want some help coming up with a good format for laying out this primer, for instance, introduction, correspondances, rituals, etc, and how to lay it all out into a pretty package. Does anyone have any experience in writing books about magic that might be able to give some insight on how to start?
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littledeadybear
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Re: Writing a primer for my system
As someone who reads such books!
Separating the primer into theory and then practice is so nice. Designing your own workbook companion would be fairly innovative, imo.
Keeping a fairly neutral narrative is nice, as well. Explain what's necessary to the practice and the principles behind it.
Separating the primer into theory and then practice is so nice. Designing your own workbook companion would be fairly innovative, imo.
Keeping a fairly neutral narrative is nice, as well. Explain what's necessary to the practice and the principles behind it.
Re: Writing a primer for my system
What do you mean by "Designing your own workbook companion"?
Re: Writing a primer for my system
Hey there. I don't know anything about you or your system (unfortunately), but on the subject of book writing here's what I would suggest, very generally:
* Clear and concise language. If what needs to be said can be said simply, do so.
* Coherent chapters. This is a major failing, in my opinion, of Donald Kraig's Modern Magick. Even though his writing style is fine, the formatting of that book is terrible, jumping from one subject to the next within a single "lesson", so that if you wanted to go back and find a specific piece of information it was needlessly tedious. If you want to read up on, for example, scrying, you would know to look in the chapter for scrying, or even just divination.
* Theory followed by practice within a single chapter is a good model.
* If you are including rituals and exercises, include an explanation of the rationale and the expected results beforehand.
* Be careful of plagiarism and include references to source material or even just other helpful/pertinent material from other authors at the end of each chapter.
That's all I can think of right now. I hope this was useful to you. Good luck with your writing!
* Clear and concise language. If what needs to be said can be said simply, do so.
* Coherent chapters. This is a major failing, in my opinion, of Donald Kraig's Modern Magick. Even though his writing style is fine, the formatting of that book is terrible, jumping from one subject to the next within a single "lesson", so that if you wanted to go back and find a specific piece of information it was needlessly tedious. If you want to read up on, for example, scrying, you would know to look in the chapter for scrying, or even just divination.
* Theory followed by practice within a single chapter is a good model.
* If you are including rituals and exercises, include an explanation of the rationale and the expected results beforehand.
* Be careful of plagiarism and include references to source material or even just other helpful/pertinent material from other authors at the end of each chapter.
That's all I can think of right now. I hope this was useful to you. Good luck with your writing!
Re: Writing a primer for my system
That was exactly the kind of information I was looking for! Thank you so much!
Re: Writing a primer for my system
You're welcome. Perhaps you can send me a signed copy of your book once it's finished! [grin]
Re: Writing a primer for my system
I just essentially wrote "essays" on my system and would share some on a few sites and with different people. Then I have it all together on a word press.
Beloved of Set