Tarot talk: Crafting compelling convos
A 4-card tarot spread for engaging chit chat
Hello sweet writers, and happy Sunday!
How was your writing week? Did you manage to carve out some time to dig into your world and let your characters chat it up? Dialogue can be such a powerful tool, revealing hidden depths and propelling the plot forward. But sometimes, crafting those conversations can feel like pulling teeth.
This past Friday, on my YouTube channel (here’s the link if you'd like to watch the video walkthrough), I created a fun little tarot spread I have yet to name that can help you with writing engaging dialogue. It's a simple four-card spread (plus a bonus card) that digs into the core energy of the conversation, the speaker's intent, the listener's reaction and a hidden truth simmering beneath the surface.
In leu of my normal Weekly Draw, I have decided to write everything up for you, so you can try it out yourself. Please let me know how it goes if you do. I’m always fascinated by what you come up with.
First, let’s begin with the spread and the positions I came up.
Card 1: The core energy (major arcana)
I intentionally wanted a major arcana card for this position because it represents the core energy of the conversation. Is it a tense negotiation (the devil), a heartfelt confession (the lovers), or a burst of witty banter (the fool)? This sets the stage for the emotional tone.
Card 2: The speaker's intent (minor arcana - suit of wands/cups/swords/pentacles)
The second card reveals the speaker's underlying motivation. Are they driven by ambition (wands), compassion (cups), logic or intellect (swords), or practicality (pentacles)? This helps the reader understand what they truly want to achieve through their words.
Card 3: The listener's reaction (minor arcana - any suit)
Unless you’re making your speaker have a monologue, dialogue needs a minimum of two people… to actually be considered as dialogue. This card shows the listener's initial response. Are they surprised (the tower), intrigued (the star), defensive (5 of swords), or something else entirely? This creates a dynamic where the dialogue can unfold organically.
Card 4: The underlying truth (court card - page/knight/queen/king)
As with card one, I was intentional here as well. I specifically wanted a court card and kept pulling until I got one. This card hints at a hidden truth or unspoken emotion simmering beneath the surface. Is it a page's youthful optimism, a knight's passionate conviction, a queen's guarded wisdom or a king's unwavering authority? This adds depth and complexity to the characters and their exchange.
Bonus card: Like I stated in the video, because I’m extra, I shuffled the deck again and drew one final card. I decided that this card represents the lingering impact of the conversation. Did it leave a mark (the world) or fade away quickly (the 10 of swords)?
Now let’s take a look at the spread in more detail, using the cards I drew for the video: The world, the 4 of pentacles, the 8 of swords and the page of wands. The bonus card was the king of pentacles, which I found interesting because in a lucid dream the night before, I asked where my king of pentacles was. Yes, I used those words exactly.
The world, as the first card, suggests this conversation is a major turning point, a moment of immense significance for the characters. The stakes are high, and the outcome will have a lasting impact. The speaker, driven by the practicality of the 4 of pentacles, is likely laying out a clear proposition, focused on security and stability.
The listener, however, represented by the 8 of swords, feels trapped and restricted by the offer. They're stuck, unsure of their options. However, there's a spark of youthful enthusiasm with the page of wands. A part of them craves change, even if it's frightening.
This sets the stage for a tense but potentially transformative conversation. The speaker wants to solidify something, while the listener wrestles with the desire for something more. The resolution, hinted at by the king of pentacles as the bonus card, could lead to a period of growth and consolidation, but it won't be easy.
So how can you use this in your own writing?
Here are some prompts to get you started:
What is the ultimate goal of the speaker? What are they hoping to achieve with this conversation?
What is the listener's deepest fear? What are they afraid of losing if they agree to the speaker's terms?
How does the page of wands energy manifest? Is there a flicker of rebellion or a desperate yearning for something new?
How will this conversation change the dynamic between the characters?
As with any tarot reading I do to assist with your novel-writing, this spread is just a springboard. Feel free to interpret the cards in a way that resonates with your story. And if you'd like to see the cards themselves and hear me walk through the entire reading, head over to my YouTube channel.
Until next time and happy writing, sweet ones.
The Book Druid xo