Write in 2014 discussion

Does any one else have a rediculous amount of trouble with spells or riddles for their books? I know when I write one, I feel like it's silly or just plain bad.

How do ya'll get past blocks when it comes to spells? What techniques do you use?

Sometimes it's simpler to have your mage/sorcerer/witch/warlock simply utter something unintelligible as he or she waves or points their hands/wand/staff at the object/subject.

Another alter native is to translate the words of the desired effect into Latin.

Example: For coalescing a light sphere...

Permissum illic exsisto lux lucis, which means 'Let there be light."

... or simply point your wand and say Lux!

As to riddles...

I tend to avoid them unless a character is on a quest and is given a clue, but even then I prefer it not to be obvious...

Unless you're writing a fairytale story meant for small children.