Tarot Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a technique used by screenwriters and animators, but it’s also a viable tool for novelists and short story writers. If you’re not much of an artist, you’re in luck! The tarot already have beautiful illustrations to fill your storyboard--all you have to do is pull some cards and arrange them to fit your scene.

Here’s some spreads to get your started with tarot storyboarding:

Linear Scene Spread

This tarot spread is perfect for outlining a basic scene. It’s simple, action-focused, and a great way to visualize the essential components.

Every scene in your story should have a purpose. They connect Point A to Point B. Before you draw the cards for this spread, think about what you want this scene to accomplish. Ask questions like:

• Why is this scene important?
• What needs to happen to get from (Point A) to (Point B)?
• How does this impact my protagonist’s desires?
• How does this drive the conflict?

Linear Scene Tarot Spread

Now draw the cards and place them face-down in a vertical line. Starting with the top, turn each one over and pause before the next to digest the possible meanings and visualize its place in the scene.

1. Set-up: This is the catalyst, the event that leads up to the scene. What incites the action? If not a physical action, what is the psychological trigger? This card ignites the conflict or problem in the scene.
2. Action: This is the body of the scene. What happens? What does your protagonist do? How do other characters behave? 
3. Reaction: Now your protagonist must deal with the result. What do they carry with them to the next scene? How does this change the story? Was the conflict resolved or exacerbated? 

Flashback Scene Spread

Flashbacks inform the reader of past events that are relevant to current action. They’re a great way of articulating character backstory without using an info-dump or obvious meta-statements. That being said, use flashbacks sparingly, as too many can become confusing or seem overdramatic. 

Flashback Scene Tarot Spread

1. Trigger: The event, person, word, etc. in present time that incites the flashback. 
2. Flashback: An event from your protagonist’s past that made a huge impact on their character. Something that changed them, that represents their core desire, etc.
3. Response: How the protagonist reacts to the flashback in present time. They may change their behavior, react to people around them in an uncharacteristic way, etc.

If the scene doesn’t change something--even something small--cut it from the story. Scenes have something to prove. They drive the story forward. They’re mini battles between the protagonist’s desire and whatever is keeping them from it. Consult the cards to craft a scene that belongs, that is essential to moving the story forward.