Tarot for the Fiction Writer: How 78 Cards Can Take You from Idea to Publication

by Paula Scardamalia

Writing a novel is a wild, unpredictable—and oftentimes stormy—adventure. And sometimes you need a compass to guide you. Because story is inherent in Tarot’s structure, it is an effective map and storytelling tool—whether you’re writing a novel in progress or starting out on a brand-new endeavor. Now you can use Tarot myths, symbols, characters, settings, and innumerable combinations as a powerful, portable, and imaginative tool for story development, editing and revisions, publication, and promotion! Each card has a story to tell you and can help you map out your book. Discover how to hook your readers. Figure out what happens next. Find a unique twist in a scene. Deepen your characters’ backgrounds. Create meaningful settings. Identify that “Black Moment.” Is your novel going in the right direction? Grab your Tarot compass! The path to publication is just around the corner!

Genres: Tarot, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2019

Reviews

[Michelle Stockard Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Since I love tarot, I'm definitely going to utilize this in my writing. It's a great reference to have, and her recommendations in the back are very helpful.

[Delia Marrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the approach of using the Tarot as a tool for writing. The idea of story telling through the journey of the fool is one I haven't thought of before and working with the cards to flesh out ideas and character development is a game changer for me as a writer.

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 04/30/2019.

So darn many of you expressed an interest in this book when I shared it on social media, and you were all right to be excited. “Tarot for the Fiction Writer: How 78 Cards Can Take You From Idea to Publication” by Paula Chaffee Scardamalia was I book I had been anxiously anticipating.

First off, Scardamalia has been featured on our website in the past. Obviously, this makes me partial to following her projects. Also, I had the pleasure of having dinner with her once where we talked shop. Let me tell you, she is intelligent, supportive, and brimming with inspiration and ideas for others. She is one of the few personal coaches I’ve ever met that I think could truly make a difference in their client’s lives. She’s an amazing lady.

Then I get my grubby little hands on “Tarot for the Fiction Writer”. It is a beautiful, full color, hardcover book featuring images from Ciro Marchetti’s “Legacy of the Divine Tarot” and “Tarot Grand Luxe” decks as well as Robert Place’s “Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery” deck. It even has a built-in ribbon bookmark! This is easily the most attractive book I’ve seen from Schiffer Publishing.

Now here is the truly delightful surprise of “Tarot for the Fiction Writer”. You don’t need to be a fiction writer to get something out of this book. Let me clear, this book absolutely and clearly shows the similarities of the tarot and a story, and how you can use the tarot to inspire and navigate the storytelling process. The surprising twist is, in doing that you learn more about the tarot itself. If you love stories, Scardamalia’s methodology brings a new angle to learning the tarot cards.

[LotusBlade · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book! Well written and easy to follow, full of wonderful techniques for both writing and reading, I cannot recommend it enough for tarot readers and fiction writers alike. Brilliant stuff.

[Leeza Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will stay in my forever library, it is that good. A must-have for tarot readers as well as fiction writers.