A Few Thoughts On Magic
Yeah, “magic”.
A guy by the name of Terry Brooks wrote a book on writing fantasy once, called Sometimes the Magic Works. Now, to be honest, I’ve not read the book. In fact, I’m not a really big Terry Brooks fan, but the title of this book has been so evocative for me that it has always struck a chord when I think of it.
So, here’s the thing. Magic is pretty rare in this muddy, mundane world of ours. We don’t get many chances at it, so when it comes, you’ve got to grab it with both hands and hold on for all you’re worth to see how far it takes you. Sometimes, it doesn’t go very far at all. Other times, it takes you farther than you can imagine. And, still other times, it just runs around in a circle. But, see, it’s not where you get that matters, because no matter the destination, it’s the ride that’s magic.
You know, most days, I feel like I’m a potter, working with low-grade clay trying to make a beautiful vase, but that I’m surrounded by amazing artists blowing glass into fantastic shapes. Still, I’m in the workshop, elbow deep in muddy clay, spinning that lump around, trying to draw out what magic I can. After all, the effort is the thing, not my end result, right?
And, who’s to say which is more magical? Those fragile, glass baubles or my sturdy, earthenware vase?
