In this episode…
I’m diving into one of my absolute favorite parts of storytelling—magic systems. Hard magic, soft magic, hand-wavy mysticism, rule-heavy power structures… all of it. I talk about why I love magic and tech so much, how they shape the stories we tell, and how they can become some of the most memorable parts of a book.
We walk through what actually separates a hard system from a soft one, why the difference matters, and how both approaches come with huge strengths (and a few pitfalls). I also get into the way magic and technology can mirror each other, why limitations matter more than abilities, and how magic should always serve the story—not the other way around.
I share examples from series like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Mistborn, The Greatcoats, A Song of Ice and Fire, and more, plus a look at how the magic works in The Eventual Realm—where everything revolves around balance, cost, and the consequences of power.
If you love building worlds, designing systems, or just nerding out about how magic shapes everything, you’re going to enjoy this one.
What actually defines a hard vs. soft magic system
Why magic exists on a spectrum—not two separate boxes
How rules and limits make magic feel believable
Why soft magic can carry big emotional and thematic weight
How Avatar: The Last Airbender uses bending to reinforce the theme of balance
Why Mistborn and Stormlight are great examples of “toolbox” magic
How GRRM’s soft, mysterious magic works because the story is about politics
Finding the right level of complexity for your audience
How magic changes a world—from daily life to economics to warfare
Why every ability should come with a cost
How tech often functions as magic with different clothes
When “simple” magic systems are actually the strongest choice
Behind the scenes of The Eventual Realm:
Magic derived from the gods
Elemental abilities balanced through physical consequences
Shadow, light, blood, and healing magic—and their mental/emotional costs
Why balance is at the center of the entire system
How to make your magic support your story’s heart and themes
Why writing for yourself first leads to more authentic worlds
Understanding market trends without letting them dictate your story
Traitor’s Blade / The Greatcoats — Sebastien de Castell
Ashes of the Sun — Django Wexler
Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Warbreaker — Brandon Sanderson
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Kingkiller Chronicle — Patrick Rothfuss
A Song of Ice and Fire — George R.R. Martin
Star Wars
The Eventual Realm — Tim Facciola
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Read A Vengeful Realm:
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