Using Tarot to Create Characters

Characters are difficult for me to write. Understanding and connecting to them enough to bring them to life within a story take more time than I’d like. So I’m always looking for a short cut to help speed up my creative process.

While writing Cursed Seas, I decided to use Tarot cards to help me grasp my characters. I choose the Tarot of Mermaids deck listed on Amazon to bring me clarity. I definetly liked the colors and the flowing aspect to the cards.

There are several books on using tarot with writing, but I went my own way. I drew one card to represent each character (hero, heroine, and villain) overall. And then two cards – one for who they are at the start of the story and one for who there are at the end of the story.

The Heroine – Kaycee

Kaycee is represented by the Queen of Swords. She is emotional, perceptive, confident and seeks balance and judgement. This works well as she is the future queen of the merkin. In the beginning of the story, she is represented by the Tower. Everything in her life is turned upside down. She is at a transitional phase in her life. At the end of the story, she is represented by The Sun. After all her trials and temptations, there is Joy.

The Hero – Alexander

Alexander’s character is defined by the Knight of Wands. He is an explorer, swift, strong, noble but a bit hasty to make and act on his decisions. He is represented by the Strength card in the beginning of the story. He has courage and an inner strength to overcome obstacles which is good since he cursed to live in exile at the story’s beginning. By the end, he is now represented by The Magician. He’s using his skills to take action and be resourceful in his new life.

The Villain – Vile Air Mage

My villain, a Vile Air Mage, is represented by the reverse King of Pentacles. He is authoritative, controlling, proud of the things he sees as achievements and very rigid in his beliefs. Justice symbolize his start because he thinks taking over the merclans will bring about the changes he thinks are necessary to the mages on land. At the end, he is the Hermit. Alone, committed to his goal of domination despite the resistance he encounters.

I hope you’ll read Cursed Seas for yourself and discover how I imagined these characters.


Happy Release Day – Cursed Seas

Cursed Seas Cover

She’s destined to be Queen. He’s trapped far from home. Together they must navigate treacherous waters to safeguard the merkin and sea creatures of Arilase.

A young mermaid comes of age during a turbulent time. A sorcerer threatens every creature within the seas of Arilase, her consort is ensnared far from home, and the monster inside her grows stronger. Can she prove herself as queen to the merclans and save her love before losing herself to the Siren call of the deep sea?

Chosen to become queen of the merclans, Kaycee dreads her first year participating in the Seven Seas Ceremonies. Swept away by cursed magic, she encounters a lone merman trapped on an isle of penguins. Although responsibilities drag her back home, she can’t forget the bleakness that surrounds him.

Alexander was the cherished heir of the Pelagius merclan. Then his arrogance cost him his freedom. Hexed to only assume his mer-form on the three nights of the triple full moons, his life has changed irrevocably. When a mermaid breaks his solitude, he clings to his affliction afraid to seize the hope she harbors.

Will the ghosts of the past keep them apart? Or will they learn to trust in each other to survive the treacherous waters, defeat an evil sorcerer, and permit love to rule their hearts?

Don’t miss this mermaid tale of adventure and temptation in the bewitched waters of Arilase—get your copy of Cursed Seas today!

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