Writing Our Questions
Using tarot as a creative tool.
UPCOMING OFFERINGS
💌 Launch and Grow Your Substack Newsletter · Tuesday, May 21, 6-7:30PM · Regency Square Branch Library (Jacksonville, FL) · Get my take on newsletter content strategies, the benefits of using Substack over other platforms, and monetizing your newsletter. This in-person class is free, though registration is encouraged.
🌝 Summer Writing Nights · Wednesdays, June 26 - September 18, 7:30-9:30PM · Write with me every Wednesday this summer. $30 for 13 sessions. Sign up.
TAROT FOR WRITERS
My writer friend Meg Hayertz uses tarot to help writers with their creative processes. She even wrote a book about it! I asked Meg some questions about how writers can use tarot cards as a creative tool.
How can tarot best be used as a writing tool?
My “Creative Momentum Method” uses the cards to reveal points of thematic crossover between our own lives and the lives of our characters, regardless of how different a character’s circumstances might be from ours. This is usually a surefire way to get into the flow, especially if we’ve been feeling blah about a piece, because it makes us realize how immediately relevant this story is to our lives—even more relevant than the laundry begging to be folded or whatever our inner procrastination voice tells us to do.
Once we’re in the flow, I like to use the cards to illuminate details and craft choices such as, “What’s the mood of this setting?”, “What action does this character take in response to that character’s action?”, or “What structure or pace would best suit this scene?” Questions are magic. The moment we move from “Ugh, I’m stuck,” to asking, “What’s not working here?” our brain starts churning, then speaks to us by directing our attention to a particular aspect of a card.
How can tarot-curious writers begin to incorporate tarot into their creative lives?
Don’t worry about learning the meanings of the cards! Don’t even look up the meanings! Formulate a question (ask anything except a yes/no question), pull a card, and notice where your eye is drawn to and what emotions and memories come up.
How has tarot helped you in your own writing recently?
I’m currently revising a novel I began eight years ago, and it can be hard for me to get back into my protagonist’s motivations and mindset. But by using the cards to find what’s relevant for me now, inside these old scenes, has really kept me going. It’s also humbling, realizing what I still have in common with this vulnerable, confused protagonist who’s loosely based off me!
SHARING A WRITING RITUAL
I recently spoke with Meg about all things writing and creativity for her YouTube channel. Meg pulled a card for me—incredible!—and asked me to share a writing prompt. Jump to 28:24 to hear about my favorite ritual! 🐚
Meg is offering an online workshop on June 7th called Creative Clarity, Focus & Momentum. And get this: Meg has generously offered Lonely Victories subscribers 80% off with the code LONELYVICTORIES. As a facilitator, Meg is gentle and radiant. Highly recommend her classes.
READING AND LOVING
A few book recommendations.
Lessons for Survival: Mothering Against “The Apocalypse” by Emily Raboteau · As I gear up for another summer at the Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference, I’m digging into books by authors who’ll be on the mountain this year, including Emily Raboteau, whose essays on climate grief I’ve been enjoying. I especially appreciate Raboteau’s emphasis on the role public art plays in climate education and grief processing.
Worry by Alexandra Tanner · It’s the funniest book I’ve read in years. Could there be higher praise?
SUMMER WRITING NIGHTS
The summer gets busy. Let’s guarantee ourselves some writing time!
Join me on Zoom every Wednesday this summer starting June 26, 7:30-9:30 EST, for Summer Writing Nights. 13 evenings of co-writing and accountability.
Revise your novel. Draft your essay collection. Write in your journal. Brainstorm new poems and short stories. Get your newsletter off the ground. The nighttime sky’s the limit.
$30 for the whole summer. $10 off for paid newsletter subscribers: promo code below the paywall at the bottom of this email.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This is not a traditional class or workshop in that there is no instruction. Here’s what we’ll do every Wednesday this summer.
7:30-7:40PM EST: 10-minute check-in. We share what we’ll be working on during that evening’s writing time.
7:40-9:20PM EST: 100 blissful, bountiful minutes of camera-off, self-directed writing time.
9:20-9:30PM EST: Wrap up with an optional 10-minute writing progress report.
SIGN UP
Cost: $30 for the summer. Lock in a summer of weekly writing time by signing up today.
PAID NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS, there’s a code for $10 OFF Summer Writing Nights at the bottom of this email!
SUMMER WRITING PLAYLIST
Here’s an instrumental playlist as we ease into a summer of writing.