Write a Witch who Isn't a Cliché

No one ever talks about what goes into writing witches …

But why not?

It’s not like all of the great witchy writers are born will all this inherent knowledge about magic and witchery. And it’s not like there aren’t amazing resources everywhere to help the budding writer find the source info they need to write these books. So what’s with all the hush hush? And speaking of keeping things quiet, why is it so difficult to find any reliable craft resources on creating magical realism narratives?

This is something I’ve been giving a lot of thought to, especially as I push forward into claiming the voice of witches in my work. What does a witch look like? Act like? What does she like for breakfast? Well, if you rely on the media, we're ither batty old crones or anti-society people who have malintent. But that's not at all who or what a witch is. Part of what I try to do in writing my witches is to bring them to life ... to make them as real as the human witches I know. I've been around this earth for lots of decades and I've never once met a witch who ate frogs, stood over a boiling cauldron wishing ill to the world, or set out to harm anyone intentionally.

I spend a lot of time exploring fictional witches and looking at their own actions through my witchy lens. It seems to me that there might be a smidge of a disconnect between what us witches do (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally) and what shows up on the page.

Here are my top-tier tips. Want to go deeper? Connect with me on IG for more witchy tips.

Witches are, unfortunately, one of the most overdone members of the supernatural world in fiction. It seems like every other book or movie features a group of teenage girls with magical powers who use them to battle some sort of evil. However, it is possible to write a witch that isn't clichéd. Here are three ways to do just that.

Make your witches complex and multi-dimensional

Witches don't have to be one-dimensional characters who are defined solely by their magic powers. In fact, some of the most interesting witches are the ones whose personalities shine through despite their magic being a central part of who they are. Give your witches flaws and fears, hopes and dreams. In short, make them feel real.

reconsider the word "witch."

The word "witch" has become so synonymous with young women with magical powers that it's easy to forget that there are other types of witches out there. Male witches, for example, are often overlooked in fiction. Why not write a story about a coven of male witches for a change? Alternatively, you could write about a witch who doesn't fit into any mold or stereotype. Breaking the mold will make your witch feel fresh and new.

subvert expectations

If you're going to write about a teenage girl with magical powers, then you need to find a way to make her stand out from all the other characters like her who have been done to death. One way to do this is by subverting expectations. Perhaps your character is part of a long line of powerful witches, but she has no interest in magic whatsoever. Or maybe she's the only one in her family who isn't a witch... until she discovers her own hidden powers. There are endless possibilities when it comes to subverting expectations, so get creative!

As the world lends and bends into a new season, now is the perfect time to break out your pen and paper and start writing about witches! Just remember that not all witches have to be young women with magical powers. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with an original concept that will surprise and entertain your readers. Happy writing!