: Re: When should we redefine a term that's used in a different way in the book we're writing? Let's say I am writing a fantasy book where magic users doesn't use something called "magic", but use

The problem with your question is that you're asking how to do something that should almost never be done in writing. By establishing this rule in your world "X word has Y meaning," you are locking that understanding in the minds of your readers. Even the best writers struggle to change the understanding their readers have of the meaning of a word or phrase, so instead of fighting an uphill battle, they make distinctions between the terminology. Look at Ancient Zoans, Mythical Zoans, SMILEs, and regular Zoan Devil Fruits in One Piece. Devil Fruit are already distinguished in 3 categories, and Zoan Devil Fruits are broken down into 3 more versions with the artificial Zoans known as "SMILE" as an added "fourth." Instead of trying to change peoples' understanding of how Zoans work, Eichiro Oda just made a distinction in the system.
But let's say you NEED to redefine the term... How might you do that? Look no further than Harry Potter.

"Help will always be given at Hogwarts, Harry, to those who ask for it." I've always prized myself on my ability to turn a phrase. Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it. But I would, in this case, amend my original statement to this: "Help would always be given at Hogwarts, to those who deserve it."
~ Albus Dumbledore

Back in the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore said the original statement, giving the suggestion that Hogwarts was a safe haven for those who asked for it and that those who are being unfairly persecuted (such as himself at the time) would have the support of Hogwarts, no matter what Death Eaters (or any unjust power) may try to do. In The Deathly Hallows, however, he says this quote where he corrects himself, pointing out that help will come to those who need it, not just those who want it. This gives the implication that no matter how much a villainous person may seek assistance from Hogwarts, they will find themselves with little support. Somebody who deserves help, though, would be able to rally an army to fight alongside them.
So why do I bring this up? Because this is a show of how much weight needs to be put behind a redefinition in order to make it stick. It needs to still be similar in essence, but with a strong enough change to intention that nobody could be confused by what you're now trying to say when using the term/phrase.
For example, Marvel's Thor then Doctor Strange does this well, also.

Your ancestors called it magic, but you call it science. I come from a land where they are one and the same.
~Thor

In this moment, Thor redefines "Magic" within the MCU to mean "Science." A few years later, we get Doctor Strange where we are shown that "Magic" in the MCU still actually can mean Magic, but now we have to fend for ourselves whether it's actually magic or just really advanced science. In fact, they do so in such a way by lampshading the fact that anyone who thinks about this too hard will get confused on how the MCU mechanically functions in regards to "Is it magic or science?"

You think you know how the world works? You think that this material universe is all there is? What is real? What mysteries lie beyond the reach of your senses? At the root of existence, mind and matter meet. Thoughts form reality. This universe is only one of an infinite number. Worlds without end; some benevolent and life-giving, others filled with malice and hunger. Dark places where powers older than time lie, ravenous and waiting. Who are you in this vast multiverse, Mr. Strange?
~The Ancient One

In short, the answer is, if you want to redefine a word, don't. Give the new meaning its own word ("SMILE Fruit") or specification within the old word ("Artificial Zoan", which means the same as "SMILE Fruit"). If you MUST redefine it, do so in a way that is memorable either from a contextual (Harry Potter) position or from a usage (Marvel) position.

Load Full (0)

: A common failure in writing I notice is the over- and under-detailing of people, places, things, and events. If your character is in a high-stress action-scene situation where every second counts,

@Angie602

Load Full 0 Comments

: How would I extend a line in poetry? I'm writing a villanelle as a school project and one of my lines is too short. Can somebody give me tips on how to extend the line?

@Angie602

Load Full 1 Comments

: How to traditionally publish a fantasy-fiction novel serial in our modern era of publishing without the use of zines? I am about 3/4 finished with the first "volume" of a novel I desire to

@Angie602

Load Full 2 Comments

: How do we properly manage transitions within a descriptive section? I wrote the following: She invited him to look out the window, which he did. He looked out of the gray window and

: Re: When should we redefine a term that's used in a different way in the book we're writing? Let's say I am writing a fantasy book where magic users doesn't use something called "magic", but use

More posts by @Angie602

: A common failure in writing I notice is the over- and under-detailing of people, places, things, and events. If your character is in a high-stress action-scene situation where every second counts,

: How would I extend a line in poetry? I'm writing a villanelle as a school project and one of my lines is too short. Can somebody give me tips on how to extend the line?

: How to traditionally publish a fantasy-fiction novel serial in our modern era of publishing without the use of zines? I am about 3/4 finished with the first "volume" of a novel I desire to

: How do we properly manage transitions within a descriptive section? I wrote the following: She invited him to look out the window, which he did. He looked out of the gray window and

Login to post a comment!

0 Comments

Back to top