The Weekly Draw: June 3rd thru 8th
Character development and writing motivation
Hello and welcome to another edition of The Weekly Draw.
This week, I wanted to try something a little different. Instead of merely pulling cards and offering guidance for the week ahead, I wanted to get more strategic and have a little play with some character development. I will be using the past/present/future spread to brainstorm some ideas for a character’s backstory (past), their current situation (present) and their potential character arc (future).
Also, in my Instagram Stories, I posted a poll asking what was the top writing struggle my followers were facing. The top answer was “motivation.” As I was still in the flow after the character development spread, I pulled cards to address this as well, and offer some solutions to carry you through the week.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Tarot spread: using past/present/future for character development
At first glance, these cards paint a fascinating picture of a character's journey, one of immense struggle leading to a powerful future.
Past (10 of swords): The 10 of swords traditionally signifies defeat, endings, rock bottom and emotional or physical exhaustion. In the classic RWS deck, this card is often an unwelcome sight. At this point in my tarot practice, none of the cards make me uncomfortable. But I can’t deny how grim the imagery is the classic RWS deck. Click here to get a visual. What I appreciate about the So Below deck is the imagery is one of rising from the ashes. The burn bowl signifies that there indeed has been some sort of ending and release, but she looks peaceful as she’s releasing the phoenix.
This tells me your character has likely faced a significant setback in the past. This could be a failed relationship, a devastating loss, a creative project gone awry or a public humiliation. It could be anything. They might carry scars, both physical and emotional, from this experience.
Present (The world): The world marks a sense of completion, achievement and a feeling of being "at home" in oneself. As the final card in the major arcana, it also hints at new beginnings. If you think about it in terms of the fool’s journey, once he reaches this stage of enlightenment, he begins the cycle all over again, wiser and more knowledgeable than before.
This suggests that despite the past struggles represented by the 10 of swords, your character seems to be in a good place now. They've integrated the lessons learned from their hardship(s) and have found a sense of peace and fulfillment. Perhaps they've achieved a long-held goal, embraced a new life path or found a supportive community. Again, this could be anything.
Future (The magician): I love the magician card in this deck. I mean, look at it. The imagery speaks for itself. This is why I’m always telling writers when using tarot for brainstorming, don’t rely on book meanings. Let the imagery speak to you first — then look at the guidebook for additional information. Your first intuitive hits are always the most potent.
The magician signifies resourcefulness, willpower and the ability to manifest one's desires. This suggests your character is poised for a period of immense creative power and potential. They've not only overcome their past but are ready to leverage those experiences to create something extraordinary. They might be brimming with new ideas, eager to take charge and confident in their ability to make their dreams a reality.
The overall character arc: This combination suggests a character who has undergone a significant transformation. Broken by past experiences (10 of swords), they've rebuilt themselves stronger and wiser (the world). Now they possess the skills, resources and inner strength to manifest their greatest potential (the magician).
Here are some writing prompts to develop your character further:
Nature of the past defeat: What was the specific struggle your character faced? How did it break them, and how did they pick up the pieces?
Finding completion: What brought your character to their present state of peace? Was it self-reflection, external support or a combination of both?
The magician's manifestation: What will your character create with their newfound power? Will they write a masterpiece, build a successful business or go on a life-changing adventure?
By exploring these questions, you can create an intriguing character with depth and a clear path forward. Their journey from defeat to mastery can be a potent source of inspiration for your readers.
Addressing the lack of motivation for creative writers
To address the lack of motivation, I pulled the knight of chalices (cups).
Here’s some guidance on channeling this energy to get back into the flow of writing.
Open your heart to the knight's romantic spirit:
Focus on the passion, not the product: The knight of chalices is driven by love and beauty. Your writing should be fueled by your passion for your story, your characters and/or the craft itself. Instead of solely focusing on the finished product (the first draft, publication, recognition, finding an editor etc.), reconnect with the initial spark that ignited your desire to write.
Look for inspiration everywhere: This knight is a dreamer and a charmer. Actively seek out inspiration in your daily life. This involves practicing mindfulness, appreciating beauty in the mundane and actively seeking out new experiences. We live in a society that makes you feel like a worthless human being for wanting to slow down. Everything is go, go, go… now, now, now. But it’s impossible to experience magic in the mundane at that pace. You have to slow down. You have to pay attention. Beauty is everywhere, you simply need to look.
Channel the knight's action:
In tarot, knights = movement/action. In other words, don’t wait for the muse. I will say this till I’m blue in the face. The knight of chalices may be dreamer, but he’s not passive. He takes action to pursue his desires. In my personal practice, I have learned that inspiration often strikes when I’m already engaged in the creative process. This section of this newsletter is evidence of that. I was already in the creative flow of pulling cards for character development when I got the intuitive hit to pull cards for this too. The same is most likely true for you as well. Set aside dedicated writing time, even if you don't feel particularly motivated in the moment.
The knight of chalices is also a gentle leader. As writers, we have big goals, which can be overwhelming at times. Writing a novel is no small feat. It’s a tall order. Break down your writing goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Completing these smaller tasks can build momentum and a sense of accomplishment, leading to increased motivation.
Further guidance
I also pulled two additional cards to pinpoint what might be draining your motivation and some solutions to overcome it.
What's draining your motivation? (9 of pentacles)
The 9 of pentacles is mini empress energy. She represents material comfort and security. This card suggests your lack of motivation might stem from:
Feeling overwhelmed with practical matters (pentacles represent the element of earth, which is the material world): Are you bogged down by financial worries, household chores or other responsibilities?
Chasing external validation: Are you fixated on achieving a certain outcome (publication, awards, etc.) rather than enjoying the writing process itself?
Comparing yourself to others: Are you feeling envious of other writers' success, leading to a sense of inadequacy and hindering your own progress?
Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed by the "business" side of writing (the 9 of pentacles is also a business woman): querying, marketing or social media pressure. This focus can overshadow the joy of writing itself, leaving you feeling unmotivated.
The solution: (3 of chalices)
The knight of chalices is telling you to use your passion to fuel your writing journey. The 3 of chalices offers an interesting solution in line with his energy. Particularly because it’s the same suit (chalices/cups represent the element of water, which is our emotions). It suggests finding connection and joy in the writing community. Therefore, the solution is rooted in action and emotion.
Connect with fellow writers online or in person. Share stories, participate in writing prompts or just have a chat about your favorite books. Reconnecting with the joy of storytelling can reignite your own creative fire.
Support other writers. Read their work, offer respectful, constructive feedback when appropriate and celebrate their achievements. The supportive energy of a community can be a potent motivator.
Team up with another writer for regular accountability and inspiration. Share goals, cheer each other on and discuss your progress.
A note re: the second bullet point: Heavy on the “respectful” bit. I can’t tell you how many writing groups I’ve left because the members treated it like a pissing contest. As a book coach, this saddens me. If you feel the need to bash the writing of others to feel better about your own writing, then I suggest doing some self-reflection. Constructive feedback is necessary for a writer to improve, but it should be done respectfully and with kindness. There’s no need to break a writer’s spirit to get your point across.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of The Weekly Draw. Remember, the cards are simply guides, and your own interpretation and action are what truly fuel your creative journey.
Until next week, happy writing.
The Book Druid xo