Writing Excuses Transcripts

Writing Excuses Episode 15: Costs and Ramifications of Magic

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/05/18/writing-excuses-episode-15-costs-and-ramifications-of-magic/

The quick version: make sure that you consider consequences, ramifications, and limitations of magic in your story. Cost provides conflict between using the magic and paying for it. Consequences and ramifications make the magic a part of the world, not some special white box effect outside of it. And don't forget the donkey - using magic should be more difficult than letting the donkey do it.
( More words . . . and Schrödinger's Wizard Donkey )