User blog comment:VanishSpanish/Consequences of Psionics/Magick/@comment-29527260-20171010023010

Magic does not NEED focus to be a spell and to work, like you said, and thus the spell is likely to go awry (likely from not wanting to actually cast a spell at all). Think of a spur of the moment wish that goes wrong, that did not require focus. However, making a plan and keeping focused on what you are supposed to focus on allows you to be more in control of the spell you are casting. It also doesn't need knowledge, spells, nor materials. If you want to get to the true bare bone of it, magic merely requires energy and a program, but that's simplifying things too much.

I do agree with thinking ahead, though I don't care too much if a person were to ignore what you wrote, jump right in, and wing it. It's good to be aware and be given the knowledge beforehand, nonetheless of what an individual chooses to do with that information.

To add on to what you said about fear, we should recognize that fear can overcome your own magic. If you are scared, you can quite frankly manifest what you are scared of, creating what you fear, and not just bringing bad spirits.