I rarely post in forums but I read alot. I figured I had to create my first post here to thank you Medifro, your post might be simple logic for some people, but it really made me understand that I was going the wrong way about learning my magic.
I only learned a couple of tricks and actually havent touched a single deck of cards since christmas because I was bored and didn't quite like what I learned or the pace at which I could learn those tricks.
I have just ordered royal road to card magic book and dvd to start my learning the right way =)
so again, Thank you Medifro for a great post that made me go back to magic =)
Skaclown, you are one example of a beginner that's been "gunned down" under the beasts of the internet.
Learn as much as you like, learn as much as you like, and perform as much as you like. I read that a magician here knows 200 tricks, well I know 12234512 tricks, because I read/watch, see a trick, and learn it. I perform it if I like it, then if it works for me, I add it to the list.
My list now contain above 30 effects ( and increasing ) that I love performing. Anyone who tells you need 10 or so effects to earn a living in magic tell him this: How many different effects have you performed? At least he'll say 100000.
And buy material as much as you want. 99% of magicians actually have a life supply of magic, yet they read more. Of course, its a good appraoch to start with a book, read it fully, do the things you like and then go on to the next DVD/book, but at the end, it all comes to you. Its a trail and error process, and you will learn by yourself. There is no "right and wrong", there is "good and better", and its up to you, with experience, you'll learn subconciously ( spelling? haha ).
At the end, I would like to tell you this:
Have fun, if you don't, not only you won't perform, but even if you perform your spectators wont feel your passion, and your performance itself will be a bad quality. Internet is full with people who don't perform, just type posts and say what they think its right to say, without any idea behind it, which makes some posts annoying to read ( like this post where you have to spend 1 week to practice a self-working trick. Why would you need one week to master a self-worker, or a trick that you already do its sleights well? even presentation comes with couple of hours if you work on that, which you don't need at this stage, AT ALL. Royal Road gives outlines only, which is PERFECT for your stage! ).
Geez .. I'm really angry because I suffered through all this, and I really don't want any other magician suffer like me. So, skaclown, do everything your way, not others way. Get opinions, but think about them rather than following them blindly.
Good luck, if you need any help, I'm a PM away.