The Trouble with Magic: Writing Spells That Actually Work on the Page
A Talk by KJ Dell’Antonia (New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters and Playing the Witch Card)
About this Talk
Magic is fun to imagine—but much trickier to make truly work on the page.
In this lively, insightful conversation, book coach and summit host Heather Davis chats with New York Times bestselling author K.J. Dell’Antonia (Playing the Witch Card) about the real challenges of building magic systems that feel fresh, believable, and essential to your story.
From tarot cards with an agenda to magic that only causes more trouble, KJ shares how to create rules, limits, and consequences that keep readers hooked—while making sure the real heart of your novel, your characters’ emotional journey, stays center stage.
You’ll learn:
- Why your magic system should cause problems, not conveniently solve them
- How limits, rules, and consequences make magic more powerful on the page
- Tips for revising when your magic has written you into a corner
- And so much more
Whether you’re writing witches, curses, vampires, or something entirely your own, this conversation will help you create magic that doesn’t just sparkle—it bites back, shapes your characters, and keeps readers turning pages.