By Sheri Harshberger
Tarot and writing seem to go perfectly together. Corrine Kenner's new book, Tarot for Writers shows us techniques to help us all leverage our love of Tarot to help us become better writers... or to take a stab a writing.
This book is very timely. Tarot and writing seem to be at the forefront of everyone's minds lately as well as in the news. Just this past year, the new National Poet Laurate, Kay Ryan, mentioned that she used a deck of Tarot cards to learn to write poetry. Many Tarot readers I know focus their talents on assisting writers who have creative blocks, or are looking for insight or inspiration for a writing project. The use of Tarot has expanded past its historical uses as a tool of fortunetelling into a tool of self-help, therapy and now creative inspiration.
This book very comprehensive, as are all Corrine Kenner's books. It is not only for Tarot readers who write, but also for writers who have never used Tarot before and wish to explore it as a tool of creative inspiration. In the first section, Tarot 101, she provides a brief lesson on Tarot meanings, how to read the cards, classic spreads and examples of readings. If that weren't enough, she also provides writing exercises with the spreads to get the reader started writing. I can't think of a better way to teach a reader how to journal readings!
As if the first section weren't enough to make this book an amazing resource for a Tarot reader, she has embedded throughout the book an unofficial "Creative Writing 101" in which she discusses subplots, characters, storylines, settings and descriptions, and more. She also includes techniques for breaking the dreaded writer's block!
The last section of the book is devoted to descriptions and attributes of each Tarot card in a 78-card deck from a writer's perspective, including lists of writing prompts. A glossary of Tarot terms and symbols is located in the back of the book.
This is a must have for any Tarotist interested in writing -- from journaling for his or herself to writing a book, or any writer interested in using Tarot as a tool to unlock his or her imagination.