Crafting a Scene from a Single Idea
How I Craft a Scene from a Single Idea, and then Weave it into the Story
Title: Discover the Magic within you to believe in yourself.
In writing my Actual Magic series for Young Adults, I drew upon all my favorite story characters I loved as a kid to create my own.
Here’s an excerpt:
“You will learn that the way you think holds the key to all things magic. Have the courage to imagine only great things. By pushing your minds far beyond what you already understand, you will discover what is yet to be.” Mondragon took his place next to her. “Good afternoon, Bea,” he whispered hoarsely into her ear as if they were lovers. The wide grin on his face told her he’d been up to something. Probably something that, when she found out later what that was, she wouldn’t like it. She ignored him for the moment. She was too deep in her speech to bother with him now. At least this time he showed up.
“The Bonaventure-Mondragon is awarded to the student or team of students who push their minds far beyond our known supernatural reality and create a thought or a way of thinking about our world that we’ve never before considered.” “Like a frog with wings?” Morlock teased with a twinkle in his dark brown eyes. “Not if you’re casting about for something else,” she smiled at the students. Mondragon knew better than to interrupt her during her orientation speech. What was going on with him? “What if that is exactly what you want?” he persisted.
She shrugged and studied him. Whatever Mondragon was up to, he’d better have a good explanation for why he was acting like this. “Well, then, a winged frog would definitely be a success.” Beatrice pointedly returned her attention to the students. “Your grades will be decided by the number of successful spells you cast, not by the size or the perfection of your results. And remember this: The Bonaventure-Mondragon Award isn’t just a competition. It’s also about cooperation, how fairly you play the game, and what you learn about yourself along the way. While you attend school here, you will do no harm to yourselves or to others as you study and learn. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll make friends — real friends you’ll keep forever. Boys and girls, attending the Bonaventure Academy of Magic is as much about your character as it is about the magic. Keep that thought in mind should you be tempted to cheat, or steal, or sabotage someone else’s spells.”
Posted by Deborah McTiernan Author of Lilly Noble & Actual Magic Dares readers to believe in themselves and discover the magic within!
