How to Write Magical Realism
Magical realism is a form of writing difficult to pin down. Scholars attempting to create a set of rules for what defines magical realism find themselves stymied. Like many forms of art, it exists on its own terms and exists in any way the writer perceives it. Yet, while it is impossible to completely come up with a set of guidelines everyone agrees upon, certain elements exist within magical realism that a writer can incorporate into her own fiction.
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Instructions
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Create the world you want to explore. In magical realism, the world created must also exist in the "real" world, but there must be differences. For example, a writer might set a story in New York City, which does exist, but the writer might create a smaller segment of the city where mystical things occur, taking the story into the world of magical realism.
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Define your characters. An aspect of magical realism is that the characters within the story accept the fantastic. While other forms of fiction dealing with fantasy elements possess characters all too aware of the fantastic nature of what happens, characters in magical realism tend to simply accept these incredible elements as part of their world.
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Determine your theme. Knowing what it is that you want to say forms the "theme" of your work. Keep in mind that a "theme" is not the plot of the story. For example, if you write a story about a man who flies, the plot might be dealing with a flying man, but the theme of the story might deal with what it means to truly be free. Knowing the theme of your magical realism story helps you to focus on what you want to say.
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Relax your mind. Unlike other forms of writing, magical realism tends to have a poetic and lyrical quality. Prior to writing your story, let various images and thoughts just come into your mind. Write them down and put them aside. No matter how absurd the idea or thoughts are, write them down. During this period, you just want to have fun with what you are doing.
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Create your story. You have your world, you have your characters and you have your theme. Take your characters, place them in the world you have created, and apply the theme to the process. Since this is your first draft, go anywhere you want to go with the story. The story is inside of you and by letting yourself write that first draft without imposing limits, you allow the magical realism to express itself through you.
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References
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