Incantations

When magic is present in a book and plays a fairly big part, do you think it is neccesary to have incantations present for most spells? The way one of my protagonists magic works seems that it would fit nicely with some words to help cast it, but this means I'll need to come up with a convincing incantation for every spell. I'm not after creating a whole language for it or anything, but it would still maybe get in the way of the writing, and I'm worried it might seem odd if he is the only one doing it (thanks to his unique brand of magic).

In books will a heavy magical presence, do you find it more convincing or immersing to have incantations or other processes play a big part, or are you happy with the twiddling of some fingers?

Well a lot o the more complex stuff he uses requires a fair amount of ritual, and that fits fine, but I was trying to think of how he could deploy his magic in the ehat of battle or something, the simpler stuff, and I wasn't sure how to go about it.

I thought about him tracing quick runes in the air, different ones corresponding to different spells, and then projecting the magic from that point in the air. However, if you were reading a scene i nwhich someone did that, would you want description of the runes specifically, or would you prefer that I just said he traced a rune and got on with it? I just want to make sure the workings of magic don;t slow down the action. Incantations seem to be a good way for this to happen, but if I can make another way work I will use it.

So in short, if the force of magic comes from within the caster (which in this case it does) then i can easily have it projected through concentration or quick gestures, without the need for a call for help or the like every time? So long as that is acceptable I'll probably forgo incantations of any kind for most of the story, unless a spell is particularly difficult or something. The one thing I don't want is to have to slow down a fast-paced action scene just to explain the mechanics of why Mr. X is drawing a Y on the ground to zap Mr. Z.

I was thinking more just tracing runes in the air, much like you might trace out a box while playing charades. Because of the lack of materials ie liquid or incense being used these runes aren't well-fortified and are only useful for quick jolts of power, a hasty spell cast in the heat of battle.

However, he can build more power/complex spells by weaving lots of runes in the air or actually preparing it properly. That way an enemy still has a chance to realise what he is doing if he knows what is going on, and he can be interrupted when preparing or performing more complex spells.

Does this sound like a good balance? Now he can cast in a fight but has to think ahead and/or have some sort of reprieve if he wants to do something more powerful.

Incidentally Wark I love the idea of him having to escape a cell by preparing runes in his own blood. there are no cameras in my world, but a good idea still, might try to incorparate that somewhere