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I’m about 21,000 words into my latest WIP after a week of NaNo. Can I keep up the pace? Not a chance! But it feels good that the words are spewing – yeah… spewing. 🙂
But I have a problem… naked shapeshifters. They’re distracting, and I refuse to bog down the story to deal with all the nudity or the logistics of finding clothing. I’m curious as to how you might handle it.
The challenges of keeping your clothes on while shapeshifting
My human characters are shapeshifters. The story is an adventure that takes place over four large territories. Shapeshifting is a convenient way of traveling, spying, stealing, protecting oneself, and escaping some sticky situations. There are extreme drawbacks to shifting, so it’s a choice that has to be carefully weighed.
Anyway, when a human shifts into a bird or leopard or beetle, for example, their clothes don’t fit anymore and, logically, are left behind. (Yes, exceptions abound, but I’m not going there .)
So the animal travels or escapes, and then shifts back into human form somewhere in the mountains or jungle. It would follow that their tidbits are fully exposed to the elements, to the terrain, and to each other. Naked shapeshifters dangling and bouncing, wrapping themselves in handy fern fronds, or keeping a thousand stashes of plastic-wrapped outfits all over the vast territories doesn’t work for me. What to do?
Of course, I googled this problem, and I’m not the only one to face it.
Here are some ideas based on my research:
1. Clothing is a part of the shifter’s physical organism and when he changes, his clothing goes along for the ride. It’s part of his being. Damaged clothing could regenerate just like physical injuries.
2. Shapeshifters transform by rearranging the space that their physical organism and clothing occupy. The matter that makes up clothing transforms with them.
3. Similar to fey glamor, a shifter doesn’t physically reconfigure matter or change form, only appears to. Thus clothing is optional, and only the shifter knows the truth.
4. A shifter’s pattern, or archetype, is not limited to the physical body and appearance, but includes, personality traits, quirks, instincts, and training, as well as a distinctive choice of clothing. Just as the pattern of a wolf or bear includes a specific coloring of skin and fur. When a shifter changes into another archetype, the clothing disappears with his humanness. When he retakes his human form, the human imprint reappears. The shapeshifter simply transforms from one archetype to another, and back.
5. Another take on patterning – Magic is a form of energy. It interacts strongly with matter and can be controlled consciously. A shifter transforms by mentally reforming his self-image into an animal. The mental image provides a pattern for the magic, and they shift to match. Same thing in reverse, with clothing.
6. Shifters perform a ritual using the carcass of the animal they wish to turn into. They wear the skin or furs of that animal, and when they shift, the ritual pulls through the “bonded” matter around the shifting body. When transforming back, the spell returns the shifter’s body and other matter to its former arrangement.
7. Shifter clothing is crafted from animal skins and furs so it can morph with the shapeshifter. Inorganic items cannot shift and are left behind.
8. Clothing is made for a child-shifter using hides, hair, feathers, and other animal materials. During a ritual, the clothing is patterned to the child, who eventually learns to shift with them. Until they learn this skill, they are shifting in the naked human form.
9. A shifter imbibes a substance that permeates the body and gives the shifter control over his physical organism, integrating consciousness with anatomy. The substance reacts based on the conscious commands of the shifter.
10. The clothing is made of psychoactive fibers that meld into a shifter’s body when he transforms, completely hidden from view.
11. Shifters wear some kind of charm that allows them to change or create appropriate clothing.
12. Magic requires no explanation – it just works.
13. Clothing doesn’t exist in this world.
14. Deal with the nakedness.
15. Have everyone wear ponchos.
Is there one or two of the above that appeal to you? Any other ideas?
Happy Writing!
Myths of the Mirror 
I didn’t really have words for it, but after reading your list, I think what I have in my books is probably most similar to #5 on your list.
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Isn’t it interesting that there are so many options and opinions? I ended up just letting my characters deal with being naked, but the discussion was great fun. Thanks for sharing your solution and Happy Writing!
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It really is an interesting topic (with far more solutions than it initially seems there would be). My stories and the magic within has kind of developed over the years, and as such, my understanding of how things work (like clothes for shapeshifters) were something of an afterthought. That said, it seems that as long as things are self-consistent, that seems to be the most important part. 🙂 Thank you, and Happy Writing to you, as well.
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I totally agree with you on the consistency. Readers will buy in as long as within the world, magic functions consistently and “logically.”
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Yeah. It’s part of the reason I’ve got someone reading my books to check for consistency (both with plot and in-world elements). 🙂
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Magic just works! Cool stuff here.
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After all this, I ended up deciding to deal with the nakedness. 🙂 I like my magic to be “scientific” as perceived by the characters. So it has to logically conform with how their world functions even if it’s magic to ours. The discussion was awesome in helping me clarify the magic system in general. And now my characters have to deal with the occasional glitches of inconvenient nudity. Thanks for the visit and for weighing in. 🙂
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All of these are possible, but various peoples and tribes of shape-shifters do not agree on what is most in natural harmony with the world. Thus, their different ideas have various side-effects on themselves, on “normal” humans and on the world at large. They can have dialogue and discussion about which is the “right” way and sometimes, these verbal disagreements become physical. This turns your “exposition” about how it works into “ammunition” (to reference Robert McKee) and allows you to try out several different methods without becoming inconsistent. You can see which methods you yourself enjoy writing about the most. Personally, I like the idea that shape-shifters, while shape-shifting, go into an “out of time” portal and it is here that they make their choices and sometimes meet up with others. But on earth (or wherever the main story is) time has moved forward not at all (or perhaps an eye blink). You might enjoy these tales. https://petersironwood.com/2018/08/07/myth-of-the-veritas-the-first-ring-of-empathy/
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Thanks for sharing an interesting approach! I decided to go with the much more mundane solution of bio-morphism, a branch of energy patterning and manipulation. Clothing is beyond their capability so nudity it is! Other beings in my fantasy world have different energy-manipulating abilities, but I’m trying to make the story more about the characters and less about the magic. All fun. Thanks for the link. 🙂
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Interesting post. Its been a while since I’ve thought about this.
Just watched Harry Potter, where Petigrew lost his clothes changing back to a mouse, but shifted with them on, so not sure what happened there.
I know that in the Belgariad, they shifted and the clothing became part of the fur or feathers or outer skin of the morphed person, so it travelled with.
I think if I would be doing it you make the change you lose the clothes, and return naked. It makes for more of an interesting situation and adds a bit of a restriction to what is a very powerful spell/trait.
I’ve also often wondered if its an illusion how a smaller form fits, without banging a larger hidden head on the ceiling or wooden support!
Fun post – Happy blogging.
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After all the discussion, I ended up going with nakedness! It was just too much of a stretch for me (and my style of stories) to have clothes magically shift with them. Too easy in a way. Your right that nakedness added some complications and interesting situations. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It’s fun stuff to think about. 🙂 Have a great Sunday.
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Wow, this is really enlightening and informative. Thanks a lot for this write up. It’s definitely going to help me build up my characters physic when writing a shape shifting novel.
I’m new to Word press and I’ll appreciate it if you kindly follow me.😁
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Thanks for the visit, Lyn-Ann. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It was a fun discussion and helped me decide about the “naked” question as well as further define my magic system as a whole. I noticed the follow and plan to visit, read, comment and return the lovely gesture of connection. I’m just running a bit behind… as usual. But I always reciprocate. Welcome to WP and Happy Blogging!
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Thank you 🤗. I hope my journey on WP will be great.
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My writing doesn’t have shapeshifters (yet) but the MC does regenerate from some pretty absolute damage. And he’s naked. And people get annoyed. And he doesn’t give a shit.
Luckily though, one of his powers is essentially access to hammer space, so he carries his wardrobe with him.
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I like the attitude! After all the discussion about how “not” to have my characters naked… they’re naked. Lol. In the end it was more realistic for the story, and I gave up trying to resist it. I just don’t focus on it, though it does create a few problems for the characters here and there. Thanks for reading and sharing your approach. Sounds good. 🙂
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This was very interesting to read! As for your dilemma, all the ideas listed are great, but I have another one (with drawbacks). Depending on the setting, your shifters could wear a type of super stretchy clothing that can just stretch and shrink like rubber to fit the new form (sort of like Bruce Banner’s purple pants). The drawback of course, is that when they turn into animals they will be wearing clothes.
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I had such fun with this discussion and found so many of the suggestions helpful. I have a character who takes the shape of a crow, which really limits my options. I actually decided (after all this) to just go with nakedness! I’m not making a huge deal out of it, but it is causing a few dangerous as well as awkward moments. Thanks so much for reading and I’m glad you found it interesting!
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Nice! Besides, nakedness can be interesting in a number of ways. It could provide a comedic relief, a reason for a character to stay shape shifted (maybe they are in a cold climate), or who knows what!
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All of the above! 😀
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This is such an interesting read. I’m saving this for future reading.
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Thanks for stopping by, Ashley. Figuring this stuff out is a lot of fun and bloggers are often happy to share their ideas. I found it extremely helpful. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year.
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I love 14…… its magic….. poof. To be honest tho I think its easier just to make it part of the shapeshifter. I like the idea tho of “cloths how”….. “belive in magic muggle”
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Thanks for the vote, Jerry. I actually went with “naked” after all the discussion and just didn’t make a big deal out of it. The characters have to plan a little more, and they get in some tight spots, but it was easier to go with the “realism” of shapeshifting (if that makes any sense). Thanks for the visit and Happy New Year!
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Nice, it makes for a good side struggle for sure. I have to be careful with fun details in my own writing, I’m not sure how many of my 1st readers have told me…. Love it, skip over all the detail about (my favorite detail) I just want to know what happens next *sigh*…. Delete… Delete… Delete. Happy new year to you as well!!!!
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Yes! That came through loud and clear in the comments – don’t let the mechanics bog down the story. 😀 It was incredibly helpful.
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15. Have everyone wear ponchos.
Haha – literally just snorted tea reading that 🙂
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Ha! I liked that one too. 🙂 In my research there were suggestions of “capes” and “robes.” I thought ponchos would work just as well (and couldn’t resist adding that to the list). Glad you got a laugh. Thanks for the visit and Happy New Year!
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i would definitely go with 1. Sounds silly but i always wondered about clothes when it comes to shapeshifting in general. great ideas alll in all though 🙂 just 1 being my preference.
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Thanks for the vote, Dany. 🙂 This was a really fun discussion and so helpful in making me think about my magic system in general. I decided to make the characters deal with nakedness when it comes up. It makes for a few awkward moments and requires a bit of planning, but should work. Happy New Year!
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Congrats on doing so well into your NaNo. I like 1 & 3 personally, but I think there’s something to be said for the naked idea. Maybe every town/city there is a stash for such an occasion, or there are little bundles of clothes hidden in little nooks and crannies all over the place.
Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for the comment, Rachel. I actually did decide to go with “naked,” but without putting a lot of emphasis on it. The characters have to plan a little better, and there are some awkward and dangerous moments, but I think it’s going to work. 🙂 The discussion was great and helped me think about my magic system in general. Happy New Year and Happy Writing!
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I would usually have the clothing meld with the new form. A shapeshifter could be able to meld their clothing with their new form as it would be ridiculous to always be naked afterword. So over generations of practice, they learned how to use the magic to cover their clothing as well. To make it even more interesting, perhaps they can also alter their clothes as necessary, but not their form as needed, like a glamer. Or clothing is needed as part of the ritual. Without your jacket, your wolf form is hairless. As hominids evolved, we lost a lot of our hair and replaced it with animal skins to survive harsher climes. Could be similar, a creatures hair, in older times, was integral to the magic, but the loss of natural hair made them have to improvise. They never found a work around. Then, being naked could really be a vulnerability for the shapeshifter.
I’ve had the same thing with a character who is unaffected from fire with, well, his clothes. I have thought about having his clothes and whatever he carries to be similarly protected or that what is really going is an instinctive magical force that repels the fire around him (akin, to a really then aura). He may also be able to control it, as if holding someone in the fire he is unaffected by. As long as you lay out the rule and follow that logic, people will be able to suspend disbelief.
Still lots of cool ideas.
https://hauntingachingwonder.wordpress.com/
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Reading your comment reminded me how fun this all is. I actually decided to go with nakedness, which means my characters have to plan ahead when they can and when they can’t deal with the hassle. What I’m not going to do is make a big deal about it. I don’t want to slow down the story. 🙂
The comments actually made me think about the magic system in general and how all the aspects need to work together as a cohesive whole. I may change my mind as I work through the outlines for the next two books in the trilogy, but it didn’t end up being a horrible problem in book one.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and how you’d handle it. Love your creativity. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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It’s always a fun challenge. 😀
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Hi. First time to your site. I like the free flow of ideas. I’ve always thought that its the mind/consciousness that is the more important element regardless of the body. Therefore it seems easier for the mind to take over a shape rather than have the body transform…..alternately the same consciousness could exist in different forms in different universes and be able to transfer shapes between universes. I like the detail you put into your blog.
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What great ideas. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It actually was extremely helpful to get all these ideas and they helped me, not only to make a decision about clothing, but to define and integrate the magic system of the world as a whole. Thanks for the visit and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Have a wonderful weekend!
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wow! great task i must say.
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Thanks for taking a peek at the post. I was quite stuck and all the comments were very helpful in getting me to think about the magic system in general. Have a wonderful Friday. 🙂
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thanks!! please check work and share love!
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So much to consider. I like 1 and 5! I especially like the level of power and self control implicit in mentally reforming your clothing.
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Thanks for taking a look at the options, Shyla. I actually decided to go with nakedness, creating a few hassles for the characters, but not to make a big deal about it otherwise. The discussion was immensely helpful in figuring out my magic system though, so definitely worth asking the question. Happy Writing!
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I really liked number 8. I haven’t seen it done before but it sounds fantastic and it got the world building part of my brain spinning with ideas.
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I really liked that one too, Tyler. I actually decided to go with nakedness, but I am using the concept of patterning as the means to shift. The discussion really helped me define how it works. And after all my worries, the clothing problem didn’t end up being a big deal… at least not yet! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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I’m so late to this party Diana… but I can sympathise with your dilemma! Its bothered me in books before when it was never dealt with. I think its the similar for time travellers – and I liked that Henry in The Time Traveller’s Wife always had to find clothes every time he snapped through time and had to make provisions for it, so it added even more tension. Good luck on your quest!
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After all this discussion, I decided to go with nakedness, Tara. Lol. My characters are going to have to figure it out, and so far it hasn’t been too much of a problem. The great thing about all the comments was they helped me think the “magic” through for the entire world so it’s more cohesive and makes better sense. All fun. 🙂
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There are some good answers there, Diana. I’ve never thought of that before either. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It was a pretty lively discussion, Suzanne, and so much great feedback. I’m so glad I raised the question because the replies helped me take a good look at the magic system as a whole. 🙂 Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend!
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[…] you can´t get enough of beautiful and fantastic stories visit Myths of the Mirror! Diana´s one brilliant […]
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Thanks so much for the shout-out, Sarah. I’ll leave a longer comment on your blog. ❤
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My NANOWRIMO is essentially dead at this point. I started, but life got too hectic and I could not sit down and write all the time for a fun challenge when there’s work to be done. Ah… I guess better luck next year.
It’s interesting how a simple thing when thought about deeply could be so profound. Clothing for shapeshifters! Well, if we go with lycan shapeshifters – clothing gets destroyed. It’s a physical transformation, but when you go the magical transformation, I guess anything goes. So, it depends, do you want them naked or not? What kind of shapeshifting are they using?
Good luck with your NANOWRIMO, and your naked shapeshifters!
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This is a tough time to do Nano with all the holiday prep, so don’t worry about it. For the past few years, I’ve skipped Nano and just scheduled my own writing binges, based on when I and the book are ready for a little focus. I’ll probably do another in February when I’m stuck inside and I’ve recovered from Christmas. And after all this discussion, I decided to go with nakedness! Ha ha. But the comments really helped me sort through how the “magic” works, so it now is more consistent and cohesive across the world. Thanks for adding to the discussion. Have a great day, and if you’re in the US, Happy Thanksgiving!
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Magic requires no explanation – it just works.
Yet, most in the fantasy genre research a lot to find a reasonable explanation on how the magic works. Magic in fiction, like everything in fiction, demands a certain level of plausibility.
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Thanks for stopping by and adding to the discussion. 🙂 Though I’m a fantasy writer, I’m not a big fan of loosey goosey magic. I like rules and limitations, and I do think they contribute to the plausibility. All the suggestions were really helpful in getting me to think my magic system through, not just related to clothing, but to the worldbuilding in general. Really fun. And after all this, I’m going with nudity (at this point). 😀
Have a great day!
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Going with nudity is a brave choice, I must say 😀 have a great day yourself!
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It won’t be a big deal over all, but I will use it to make life difficult, and more dangerous!
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You seem to have figured out the way to go.. good luck! Sounds intriguing.
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What a fascinating list… Now imagine explaining this research to yourself, ten years ago!
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First: Congratulations on being this far into your current WIP, Diana! I’ve often thought about this shape shifter problem regarding clothes/nakedness and think options 1, 4, 11, 12 work best for me. Although I found the nakedness problem always very funny to watch in the True Blood series. 😉
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I actually decided to go with nakedness, Sarah, after all that research to the contrary. It just seemed more “realistic.” Lol. The research and discussion wasn’t wasted though as it helped me think about the magic in this world in general, and it became more cohesive, more a part of the plot rather than just an interesting skill. Thanks for weighing in. All will be revealed in time. 🙂
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Yeah! Go for it! I can´t wait to read the outcome – and hopefully giggle a lot. 😉
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A little giggling. For the most part there will be too much danger (I hope). But it’s hard not to create a few awkward moments too.
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Diana, it’s either magic or deal with the nakedness 😂
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After all the research and discussion, Bel, I decided to deal with the nakedness. Ha ha. But it wasn’t a waste of time at all because it really helped me define the way the magic works in this world, which will tie together a big part of the plot. 🙂 This is a fun part of writing… how the ideas circulate and the story starts taking it’s own form. Thanks for weighing in and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Yeah, that’s what makes it fun. I love researching about the stories I have in my head. Happy Thanksgiving 😊
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Isn’t Google great? I like #5 and #11. Zoe likes #11, if you want a little girl’s perspective. Wow, 21,000 words! I hope you have been doing well, and have a great Thanksgiving, Diana!
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Thanks, Antonia. I love it that Zoe weighed in. 🙂 And the means for shifting is going to be, sort of, a blend of all your ideas. At this point, I’m leaving them naked (after all this discussion) but not making a big deal about it. It’s going to create some hassles for the characters, but its also something that they’ve planned for when they can. It’s really fun to puzzle this all together and make it fit into the larger plot and magic elements of the book. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
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This is so fascinating, Diana! I can’t wait to see how it all plays out! Thank you! 😀
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This is my fourth year of NaNoWriMo and it would scarcely be possible for me to be more behind. Good luck on your November journey!
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It’s okay to be behind! Sometimes the story just isn’t ready for the push. I think we have to honor our creative rhythms and not worry about forced word counts in specific 30 day windows. I don’t do Nano every year, but I do schedule my own private writing marathons when the timing is right. So, Happy Writing!
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Great advice, it’s very true. I think this one isn’t ready to emerge quite yet. Thank you!
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I always wondered about this! Which is very time-consuming because I read a LOT of shapeshifter stories so…
Loved this post, Diana, so very informative and clever 😉
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It was really fun researching the approaches to clothing, Sophie, which also impacted my conceptualization of shifting in general. I want all the “powers” of the different races in the book to integrate, so it makes sense in the world as a whole. It was fun to get everyone’s ideas. Thanks for popping over, and Happy Reading!
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Thank you, and to you! 🙂
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‘Have everyone wear ponchos.’ I laughed out loud at this one, Diana – and congrats on the word count!
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Thanks, Teri. Only one other person mentioned that option. You and I think alike. Actually, the recommendation is robes or capes, but ponchos work just as well. I’m cranking out the words after a dearth of writing over the summer. Lots of rewriting ahead though. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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Sounds like your muse is on your fire; 21 000 words in a week. 🙂 Happy writing!
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I’m really trying to push this one out, Khaya, though that comes at a cost – future rewrites. But it feels good to be writing again and making progress. Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello. 🙂
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I read this post with envy (21,000 words!), humor (shapeshifter lists on Google), and anticipation. I can’t wait to read this next book of yours and find out which way you go. Knowing you, I think your characters may end up naked. ✌️
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Yes! Ha ha ha. After all that work figuring out how to incorporate clothes, I’m leaning toward nakedness. You know me so well, Pam. It complicates some situations which is good – more hassles and danger for the characters. Otherwise it won’t be a big deal. I hit 30K today. It feels sooooo good to be writing, even though I know the rewrites are going to be monsters. I hope you’re getting some words down too, my friend. ❤
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Congrats on 30K. A magnificent achievement. Proud of you. You INSPIRE.
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I have had this problem too but I like solution no 2 and no 8. In my book about selkies, shapeshifters into seal form, they carry their clothes with them in a skin bag as they shapeshift the bag becomes part of the animal then when shifting back into selkie form the bag returns to a bag. xxx
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That sounds like a simple solution, Adele, and perfect for your book. One my characters will be turning into a beetle on occasion, so I can’t really give them anything to carry or keep track of. Ha ha. I’m kind of sliding back toward letting the nudity happen without making a big deal about it. It will create some interesting situations that the characters are going to have to figure out. Thanks for the votes though, I sill have to work out the magic/science of the transformation, clothes or not. So this is very helpful! Happy Writing!
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While I can imagine this being a fairly widespread problem with authors, the googled list amuses me to no end. Some of the ideas are brilliant, others just good common sense, some really gave me a chuckle. I didn’t know you were participating in NaNo this year. Good luck to you, my friend. Cheering from the sidelines. *shakes pom-poms*
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I’m off to a good start with Nano but have numerous interruptions coming up. *Sigh* I’m going to just keep going through the winter and try to get the first draft of a trilogy done before spring. There were so many ideas on this issue, Sarah, and I distilled them down to what I thought was useful. Some were very funny and I had to share. Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing!
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🎶 Just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing, writing, writing, writing… What do we do? We write, write.🎶 🐠 (I know about interruptions. They can be tough, but I’ll be thinking of you and cheering for you.)
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[…] Wallace Peach wrote a great post recently about thinking around how the magic in her writing worked (in this case shapeshifters) and […]
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Thanks again for sharing, Kate. 🙂
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Sounds very intriguing Diana. Have you read John Perkins Shapeshifting; Shamanic Techniques for Global and Personal Transformation? I found it very thought provoking.
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Oooh. No I haven’t, Brigid. I do believe that we are in many ways Shapeshifters, that we impact energy patterns creatively – it’s merely a matter of choice and practice. I’ll pick up Perkin’s book. Thanks so much for the recommendation. 🙂
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#9, have a wonderful adventure! 😊
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Thank you! I may end up going with something like that – a catalyst of some sort that aids in the manipulation of organic matter as part of the shift, with or without clothing. Ha ha. Not entirely sure yet. Thanks for the vote, and have a great week!
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❤️
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Nice going on your NaNo, that’s a lot of story happening.
That thought about shape-shifters has occurred to me when watching or reading a story involving them. If I were writing them, I’d probably opt for number three. However, i think any of your solutions are feasible, so long as you convince us, within the story world, that this is how it works.
But I’m sure you already know that, and have probably already got an idea about how to work it out…
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This discussion has been great, Cath, simply by helping me focus my thoughts into what might work. Whatever I come up with will need to integrate across the world-building as a whole, it will need to serve the plot, and it will need to make “scientific” sense in my mind. I’m a firm believer in the idea that as long as the author follows the rules of the magic system, it doesn’t need to be fleshed out in minute detail for the reader. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and Happy Writing!
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Hmmm, i read a lot of fantasy with shifters and weres, Diana, and the ones that make more sense to me are the ones who roll up their clothes into a necklace before shifting – their clothes get ripped in the process to accomodate the body. This one makes more sense because clothes have no DNA to be part of the shift. However, when i was drafting the trilogy, i didn’t want people to go running naked in New York – you can see the problem here? – so i had a special made type of cloth – comes from the Sidhe land – that allows a body to shift with the clothes back and forth. However, only one person in my trilogy was granted clothes from the Sidhe land, and even she can’t predict when to wear them (the material shifts color and oozes heat)or if she’ll need to shift or not, so she has embarrassing moments. .I’d say from your list, #6,8, and a few of the last one – can’t remember the numbers now – appeal to me, though they dont solve the problem.
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I was thinking about you a bit as I wrote this post, Jina, since you have some shifting in your books, that you handle well, in my opinion. 🙂 Stories and plots impact our decisions as well, which makes this all so interesting and the results unique. I find it fun to discuss with other writers and think through- like a puzzle. Thanks for the ideas and feedback! Happy Writing!
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Weighing on point no. 12 — “Magic requires no explanation — it just works” — I would add a caveat to that: It needs to be logical and consistent. Magic shouldn’t necessarily be explained — we can accept that witches conjure spells somehow, or Superman’s birth on an exoplanet gives him powers here on Earth, or the flux capacitor enables time travel — but the rules, limits, consequences, and potential drawbacks to those powers need to be defined and consistent.
We know that Superman’s alien constitution gives him the power of flight, invincibility, and X-ray vision here on Earth, but a writer isn’t free to make up new powers on the fly when it’s narratively convenient! Furthermore, his power comes with a weakness: He is susceptible to poisoning through “Kryptonite” — that is, radiated fragments from his home world. Thusly, however you choose to explain the shapeshifters’ clothing conundrum, just be consistent about it. It isn’t important that we understand the how of those supernatural abilities so long as we’re clear on the rules that govern them. That’s what allows us, the readers, to believe in magic!
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“…the rules, limits, consequences, and potential drawbacks to those powers need to be defined and consistent.” Absolutely, Sean. That’s why #12 makes me wary. One of my challenges is that whatever I come up with has to integrate with other elements of the world-building and work with the plot too. I prefer a quasi-semi-science basis that ties it all together and is logically consistent. Perhaps limited manipulation of matter. I’m also considering going with the nudity, while at the same time, not focusing on it. I’ll need to make a decision soon as the magical parameters are going to impact the story, and I’d rather not do major rewrites. Thanks for the comment! Happy Writing!
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I read this the other day, but I had no clue which option sounded the best, so I didn’t try to offer a suggestion. At the time, I leaned toward number 5, but there was something about it I didn’t like yet didn’t know what. Today the problem became clear (to me). What if the shifter was unconscious upon shifting? How would he/she mentally visualize the proper clothes? Hmm. And number 12? I agree, in part, that magic doesn’t need explanation, but on the other hand, I’m curious and want/need to know how things work and why. I think you do too. I’m confident you’ll come up with the perfect solution. Forgive the long comment that wasn’t even helpful! Happy Writing.
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I so appreciate you coming back to give your thoughts, Mary. My shifters won’t be able to shift while unconscious (at this point). It’s going to take some focus, but it takes so much physical energy that they are unconscious upon completion – so that’s a big problem for them. A lot of bloggers like #12, but I am a big fan around limits and rules for magic, so I’m going to need something more. It’s been lots of fun to explore this and the feedback has been amazing! ❤ Have a wonderful week, my friend.
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I have 2 ideas and the first 1 is they could simply activate a glow thus obscuring their body except for the face until they could aquire clothes. 2. When transforming back that clothing would bade from whatever fur or feathers they transformed into. And ok 3. How about tattoos…maybe the have fur or feathers already inked onto their skin in most places…or 4. They have sev. Tattos in did. Places on their body and can use any of them…animals…dif. Sets of clothes…
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Thanks, CJ, for the ideas. All the different opinions and ideas are amazing. I love that. 🙂 I’m close to having to sort all the feedback out and see what words best with the plot. Tomorrow off to writing again. Have a great week and Happy Writing!
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Just an FYI, the link to your site isn’t working when I click on it. You might was to make sure it’s set up correctly. 🙂 I’d love to visit you.
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I’d have to go for #11, but instead of a charm I would have a shapeshifter have a device that sits just below the skin behind their ear or under their armpit that when pressed produces an outfit for where they are – e.g. shorts and teeshirt for warm climate, waterproofs and wellington boots for a rainy climate. Just my thoughts after reading your appeal, Diana, but I hope they help.
Good luck.
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Nice one, Hugh, and very original. I could use one of those! Ha ha. I’m a fashion disaster in real life. This has been a fun discussion – our community of bloggers is so creative! Thanks for chiming in and Happy Writing!
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Well done on 21000 words in the first week 🙂
I like the sound of 7 and 8 best, although 12 is tempting!
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Thanks, Louise. I haven’t written much in the past 3 days due to visitors, but will get into it again on Monday. Thanks for the votes. It’s funny how many bloggers like #12! I’ll have to decide soon enough. Happy Writing!
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