Category: ramblings

A big problem in magic literature—at least from my point of view—is that the majority of publications are dogmatic in nature. There are many well-known authors who have a strikingly dogmatic style of writing, and who seem to assume that their way of doing things is the only right way. This then probably has more […]

I value Curtis Kam’s magic and his thinking. My newest aquisition is his take on the infamous three-ball-trick. Take a look at his lecture, where he explains it. These are the pearls I found to be perfect. The bowl is here. Okay—you’ll have to get your hands on the “gimmick” Mr Kam suggests, but that […]

Magic needs better ad copy! But writing ad copy is an art for itself, and insider knowledge of the hints and wrinkles is scarce and much sought after. I close the gap and reveal a cherished top-secret: a simple, but practical solution to writing fantastic and effective ad copy. Here is the formula. Step 1—Proper […]

Recently, I finished reading that book on how and why ideas stick with people (or not). It was an interesting read, and—more important—made it clear what we should have in mind when creating a powerful presentation in magic that people remember. It is a well-written book and an easy read. You’ll take away a formula, […]

Sometimes, I thought to myself: “Why did they never ask or book me? Anything wrong with my material? Maybe my personality?” But now—I like the idea of being one of the few magicians NOT being booked! I will hopefully continue that until the 50th anniversary!

Here the promised suggestions, tips and ideas to conquer the points I wrote up in the 10 Bad Habits article. I have mentioned a few sources. Google them and you will find more than you need. See what you can use. 1. Gimmicks Easy to stop that: Concentrate on sleight-of-hand magic. Select tricks with (almost) […]

Of course, I understand that proper practice requires some energy and willpower. Keeping it up regularly over a longer time is certainly not a simple thing to do. It is necessary because, in magic, it is important that certain movements and sequences are transferred into muscle memory. This is the only way to ensure that […]

Some might wonder what the saying “90% of everything is crap.” is all about. Well, it is Sturgeon’s Law. He was fed up with people regarding science fiction literature as inferior, i.e. as “crap” (which, admittedly, it is in most cases). But then he realised that in many other areas, too, the majority of publications […]

It’s an issue that has been bugging me for decades. Every time I see someone doing it again, I get the puke: the snapping of fingers just before the magic happens. And it doesn’t matter who is doing it, and it doesn’t matter if it’s my friends or not (my friends know I’m the first […]

Channing Pollock brought this to my attention many years ago. In a lecture in Germany at the Magic Hands Convention, he only touched on the subject briefly, and yet it was the statement that has remained in my mind to this day. Thereupon I took up Tai Chi, and in the following period my Samurai […]