I am more than willing to change things to make them fit. I'll address everything mentioned (quickly) and give more in depth responces later.
Regarding "Magic" or Handwavium-top hat and dancing to come later, but a preview of the act:
I suspect that there's always been something real about magic. Be it Handwavium, or Wiccans and "wizards" have somethng related to handwavium inside, I don't know. But, "magic talismans" and the like are created by the "magic rituals." They may easily be only related, and use similar techniques--or perhaps the Wiccan rituals create a more primitive form--as in, "Magic essence" that, when created/invoked/whatever, does one thing only--want something else, use a different, also very complex ritual/spell. Thus, something who can force a "magical" effect will be able to work effectively with the much more versatile Handwavium. This is sort of rambling, due to the late hour, but there must be some reason that Wiccans, alone among the people mentioned, have an easier time with Handwavium. A previous connection with something related is implied.
I can up her age easily enough with no real effects on anything I plan to write. I do know (reality, not fiction of any time) a college student who started at 15 (I think--might have been 14) and she's a very good boxer, also.)
As for University of Ottawa, the American reaction to Handwavium rules it out, so I did a quick search for good research universities, and found Toronto--and thought that she'd see it as overly likely to have the USA sticking its nose in too deep. Ottawa was the next choice.
Originally, I'd planned on having her live in New Hampshire, but decided on Florida instead, simply because some of the best female boxers are based there.
I can also easily move her forward 4 years, to 2010 or 2011. That's why I specificaly listed her as a light heavyweight--a big woman. There will be no Olympic boxing in that weight class at the 2012 Olympics.
I can rewrite and revise.
(More coherent reply in the next day or two--it's late at night, the caffien's worn off, it's HOT--but I wanted to say something--and offer thanks for the comments.)
Regarding "Magic" or Handwavium-top hat and dancing to come later, but a preview of the act:
I suspect that there's always been something real about magic. Be it Handwavium, or Wiccans and "wizards" have somethng related to handwavium inside, I don't know. But, "magic talismans" and the like are created by the "magic rituals." They may easily be only related, and use similar techniques--or perhaps the Wiccan rituals create a more primitive form--as in, "Magic essence" that, when created/invoked/whatever, does one thing only--want something else, use a different, also very complex ritual/spell. Thus, something who can force a "magical" effect will be able to work effectively with the much more versatile Handwavium. This is sort of rambling, due to the late hour, but there must be some reason that Wiccans, alone among the people mentioned, have an easier time with Handwavium. A previous connection with something related is implied.
I can up her age easily enough with no real effects on anything I plan to write. I do know (reality, not fiction of any time) a college student who started at 15 (I think--might have been 14) and she's a very good boxer, also.)
As for University of Ottawa, the American reaction to Handwavium rules it out, so I did a quick search for good research universities, and found Toronto--and thought that she'd see it as overly likely to have the USA sticking its nose in too deep. Ottawa was the next choice.
Originally, I'd planned on having her live in New Hampshire, but decided on Florida instead, simply because some of the best female boxers are based there.
I can also easily move her forward 4 years, to 2010 or 2011. That's why I specificaly listed her as a light heavyweight--a big woman. There will be no Olympic boxing in that weight class at the 2012 Olympics.
I can rewrite and revise.
(More coherent reply in the next day or two--it's late at night, the caffien's worn off, it's HOT--but I wanted to say something--and offer thanks for the comments.)