mykroft: You can have your spellcaster drop there weapon to the floor to cast a spell without loosing a turn. Just remember to have them pick it up again when the battle is over.
You can do this quickly (without going to inventory screen, etc.) by hitting:
SHIFT + S
I just don't bother having her armed as she sucks with weapons anyways. You may find a ring if you run around in Chap 0 long enough that reduces spellcasting costs by approx 1/3rd so she can start whipping spells. Plus MIndblast doesn't do too bad once she hit's 4th or so.
