Using world building techniques in realistic fiction via Holly Black

This Saturday I attended the Vermont College of Fine Arts Special Day on fantasy. Holly Black ( blackholly ) was the first speaker and I believe had everyone in that room aching to go home the minute she finished to tackle our projects and answer the insightful questions she proposed when creating a magic system.

Hold up.

Magic system?

I know. The theme was fantasy after all. And no, I'm not writing one.

But as I sat there listening to how Holly builds her brilliant plots, I realized all the questi...