nami
A writing related spread I came up with. Posting two versions, one intended for short works and one for longer works. This started off as the smaller one when I was wanting some guidance for a horror story idea.
*******
***6***
4**3**5
***2***
***1***
*******
The idea behind the spread and the the arrow is that whatever is happening is inescapable for the main character.
Position one- The main character. What kind of person are they? What are their traits? what drives them? If you already have some specific traits in mind, you could use choose a specific card to place here and in position two.
Position two- The antagonist. They've stepped before the main character on this path. What are they like? What drives them?
Position three, four, and five have a few possible interpretations. Symbolically, on this path, no matter what road our protagonist takes, they just can't get away from the antagonist. These positions could represent encounters with the antagonist, strange happenings linked to the antagonist, or clues about how to deal with/who the antagonist is or want. Depending on where you'd like to go with the story, you decide what each will focus on. For a somewhat longer story, additional cards may be draw along side these, but I suggest not drawing too many more! This is for a short piece, after all. Don't want to lose the focus.
Position six- The climax. The main protagonist is at the end of our story's road now and has a final encounter with the antagonist. What happens? Who prevails?
And here's the longer version, intended for novella and novel length works.
***********************
***********13**********
***********************
*****11****6*****12****
********4**3**5********
**9********2*******10**
***********1***********
7*********************8
***********************
Positions one through six are the same. The additional cards symbolize a barrier around the path, further trapping out main character in these events.
Positions seven and eight- These represent other major characters in the story. Add additional cards in this bottom row as needed.
Position nine- Outside influences that create conflict for the main character. This could represent people who refuse to believe the protagonist, an ally of the antagonist, a rival of the protagonist, etc.
Position ten- Outside influences that are helpful to the main character. Events that work in their favor, a lucky break, local help, etc.
Position eleven- Something unexpected. A plot twist. A strange event that seemed linked to the antagonist but wasn't. A distraction. A set-back.
Position twelve- How the main characters actions have effected the people around them.
Position thirteen- The main message or theme of the story.
*******
***6***
4**3**5
***2***
***1***
*******
The idea behind the spread and the the arrow is that whatever is happening is inescapable for the main character.
Position one- The main character. What kind of person are they? What are their traits? what drives them? If you already have some specific traits in mind, you could use choose a specific card to place here and in position two.
Position two- The antagonist. They've stepped before the main character on this path. What are they like? What drives them?
Position three, four, and five have a few possible interpretations. Symbolically, on this path, no matter what road our protagonist takes, they just can't get away from the antagonist. These positions could represent encounters with the antagonist, strange happenings linked to the antagonist, or clues about how to deal with/who the antagonist is or want. Depending on where you'd like to go with the story, you decide what each will focus on. For a somewhat longer story, additional cards may be draw along side these, but I suggest not drawing too many more! This is for a short piece, after all. Don't want to lose the focus.
Position six- The climax. The main protagonist is at the end of our story's road now and has a final encounter with the antagonist. What happens? Who prevails?
And here's the longer version, intended for novella and novel length works.
***********************
***********13**********
***********************
*****11****6*****12****
********4**3**5********
**9********2*******10**
***********1***********
7*********************8
***********************
Positions one through six are the same. The additional cards symbolize a barrier around the path, further trapping out main character in these events.
Positions seven and eight- These represent other major characters in the story. Add additional cards in this bottom row as needed.
Position nine- Outside influences that create conflict for the main character. This could represent people who refuse to believe the protagonist, an ally of the antagonist, a rival of the protagonist, etc.
Position ten- Outside influences that are helpful to the main character. Events that work in their favor, a lucky break, local help, etc.
Position eleven- Something unexpected. A plot twist. A strange event that seemed linked to the antagonist but wasn't. A distraction. A set-back.
Position twelve- How the main characters actions have effected the people around them.
Position thirteen- The main message or theme of the story.
