Note:  This part was all possible thanks to IsaiahLeIstya , a fellow Watt Pad writer who was feeling a bit unconfident about some stories they had in mind about wizards according to a comment in the last part.  I decided to not only reply to their comment, but explain how in my opinion to them and everyone else who reads this editorial how to write such a story.  In the end of the day I write about clichés not to cash in on a trend but instead give advice on how to help create any story potential writers may have in mind.  I believe any kind of story is possible as long as you are truly passionate about it and know how to avoid story damaging clichés.

  Why is it that wizard-based stories are so darn formulaic?  With magic involved, the possibilities are endless on what you could do.  The impossible can become possible in these kinds of stories.  You could bring people back from the dead, talk to animals, ride dragons, teleport to exotic locations, and even cheat death.  Magic in itself is very flexible in how you can interpret it.  Anything can be created for a plot.

  Despite this though, there seems to be a trend of wizard-based stories that follow the same plot structure.  Always some kid, aged ten to sixteen, will have some magical prophecy on their heads from the moment they are born.  Usually the main character is an orphan or is raised by a single parent.  After a life changing event impacts the main character, a mentor of sorts will enter their lives and send them to some type of magical utopia or most likely some type of magical school.  There the character meets a ragtag group of friends, one very talented, one goofy for that "much needed" comic relief, and one whose magic blows the main character's away.  Eventually the characters find out about the prophecy and go on a bunch of crazy misadventures.  The climax involves the prophecy-related evil wizard, whom the main character alone must face off against.  Either the main character sacrifices themselves in the final battle or they survive to decimate the villain.  The prophecy is finally fulfilled and the characters almost always live happily ever after.

  Most would point the finger at The Harry Potter series for creating this cliché story arc.  Although the series was completely original and non-formulaic when first released, many see it now as the blame for these series of unoriginal plots.  I feel that is not completely true.  While The Harry Potter series did create an interest in many magical school stories, the plot line for most wizard-based plots can be sourced from multiple popular books.  Both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings book series created the wise mentor trope through Gandalf the Gray/ White as well as the prophecy always involving the main character.  Merlin from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table started the craze for the orphan character being mentored by a wise wizard and the idea for multiple climax villains.  It goes on from there, with multiple stories giving one bit of the inspiration.  There is really no one to truly blame for this cliché.  The real problem is that this formulaic plot can be easier for most writers versus going into highly imaginative territory that could lead to an unpredictable result.

  Being imaginative is one of the gifts we as writers have.  We may not always get the desired result this way, but it is much better than sticking to a predictable plot that will always be structured the way we think we want.  Even if the first few attempts do not go as planned, try leaping into imaginative territory.  You may not get a hit overnight, but after a few attempts something incredible will be created.  Apply this to wizard-based stories and you could be capable of creating anything.

  If you still feel hesitant on going into an imaginative path for your wizard-based story, I recommend checking out the part fan fiction, part adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked.  Most of you probably know about the famous Broadway play, but probably not about the eighty year old book.  In there the usages of magic are unlimited, a beautiful friendship is crafted, the plot focuses on something other than a prophecy, and the main character is extremely original despite being an expansion of The Wicked Witch of the West.  Read that book and then possibly try to take the imaginative route for yourself.