talkmagic.co.uk

Dick Dart wrote:I'm surprised you magicians are so evasive. I only have to google "magic tricks explained" and it reels off list upon list of tricks and how they're performed. It really is no secret. I just can't find the one I'm looking for.

Dick, we’re not being evasive, just considerate to the professionals, if you read the forum policy you wouldn't be surprised that TM doesn't give out such information. Many professionals make a living out of this kind of thing and, not only is it bad form to risk part of their livelihood, it's also a case that very often the secrets are someone else's intellectual property. We have a lot of secrets seekers arriving and asking these questions so we’re very wary. Just because some places give away secrets it doesn't mean we have to follow suit. Incidentally you’re the fourth or fifth person this year alone who’s arrived and posted messages stating that they’re writers researching an aspect of magic for their work so you’re not on your own – some of our members are also professional writers as well. Sorry if you can’t find what you’re looking for here but best of luck with your story.

OK your writing a fiction story..
...make it up. it doesn't matter how the thing really works invent your own, sparking crystals or a tiny tiny little flame imp
only joking but you get the idea I'm sure.

Yeah. I guess I'll figure something out. Might buy one and burn my flat down trying to light the damn thing.

Sorry if I've annoyed.

You have permission to vanish me.

*KAZZAM*

Gone...

Dick - I've already given my views on the Novel Vs. short-form Magazine fiction...

...Perhaps you'd care to explain why revealing the workings of this effect to a lay-audience is so important to the story, so we can see where you're coming from.

As an aside, if you've read Stephen King's short story 'Roadwork' (amongst several others), you'll see plenty of examples of him ADMITTING fudging details which aren't pertinent to the readership...and I certainly classify HIM as a good author ('though perhaps you don't - each to their own, I suppose )

Rob

I guess I like my facts to be solid. I've written Sci-Fi stories for magazines (sci-fi is usually easy to bend the truth) and have had readers picking up on the most pathetic details.

I can't stand it when that happens.

Like you said, I don't want to bore the reader with lengthy description.

It's kinda like a mentor explaining a trick to his apprentice. Perhaps only a sentence of dialouge.

Yeah, read Roadwork. Great book.

I'll think of something.

Thanks for time though. I think I've got enough.

sounds like cin-bim?

Er..right.

As far as I know there isn't a trick called the Alchemist’s Flip. It's a trick my main prog performs using palming. Flips a silver coin but catches a gold. Am I stealing someone's trick name?

Certainly a new one on me, Dick, and I can't see anything on the 'net to suggest the name's anybodies copyright

Rob

Dick Dart wrote:Er..right.

As far as I know there isn't a trick called the Alchemist’s Flip. It's a trick my main prog performs using palming. Flips a silver coin but catches a gold. Am I stealing someone's trick name?

There is a trick called this, but it's one of THE most protected secrets in magic. It's similar to Queen Mary's Fancy and uses a very difficult move called the Simian Half-Grind which is so hard to pull off people have snapped their wrists trying.

What about the Alchemist's Spin? The trick in my story is something I thought of. I read up on plaming and the trick for most of you would be simple to perform.

The Alchemist’s Spin:

Palm a gold coin in left hand. Show a silver coin in right. Flick the silver coin high in the air - the watcher should naturally watch its progress. Whilst spinning in the air, switch the palmed gold into to the right palm. When the silver coin is caught in the left, palm it, continuing to do so as you slap your right palm. Pulling away the palmed silver you can reveal the gold coin.

Probably not explained the conventional way but... Have I got the right idea for a basic trick?

There is obviously a trick that turns a silver coin to gold but is my explanation good enough for someone who's mastered palming to pull this off?

i think you're best off not trying to second-guess how the real magic is done, as said, as you're a writer - just use your imagination and come up with something for your story...

it doesnt really have to be based on "fact" does it...as long as it fits in with your story, im sure it'll be fine...

we dont expose the methods or secrets of effects, so its wasting your time prodding us for a yes or no...

try reading "the vanished man" by jeffery deaver, he has some ways of getting round the problems your having.

Yeah thanks. I've overcome the problem.

As I said earlier, I've read that novel. Great read. From a magician's POV did you enjoy it? Was it realistic?

yeah i enjoyed it. realistic? as with much of deaver's work, some of it was very realistic, but it doesn't really matter that some of it wasn't, it's a good read.
the big prop the female magician uses at the end, as far as i am aware, doesn't exist, but is based on something that does. it could be made and used and in that was very interesting.
this is what i was saying in an earlier post, use your imagination. you'll get much more respect from the magic community by coming up with your own ideas than exposing other people's, though i suppose that goes without saying.
good luck, any chance of getting hold of a copy when it's done?