Guest Post: Creating Complex Secondary Characters Using Tarot by Chris Votey (Part 2 - Cores & Pillars, plus Sample Reading)

Today, I am welcoming back author Chris Votey, to complete his guide to creating secondary characters using tarot cards.

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Creating Complex Secondary Characters Using Tarot 

by Chris Votey 

(Part 2 - Cores & Pillars plus Sample Reading)

Yesterday, we looked at the basic tarot spread I use when creating secondary characters and how I use the 4 bases to develop the basic building blocks for my character. Today I am going to talk about the cores and pillars within the spread and  I will explain each area, then do a sample reading to demonstrate how this works.

This is how we are going to group these together:

A - Inner Core (Role) - In the Story, who they are deep down
B - 1st Pillar (Journey) - What is the path they follow
C - 2nd Pillar (Essence) - Their basic nature
D - 3rd Pillar (Ambition) - Deep down, what is it they seek and how they will obtain it
E - 4th Pillar (Manner) - How one presents themselves or how one sees this person
F - Outer Core (Obstacle) - What is holding them back?

You'll note that each card in the Inner Core is part of the 4 pillars, and each pillar shares a card with another pillar. This is a representation of how interconnected we are in our personalities. This is part of what makes us deeply complex, especially in narrative.

Sample Reading

I am now going to do a sample reading. You should note that some cards may not fit, and if that is the case, remove them. Other times, cards will have a specific meaning, but it will inspire you to assign a different value to it, do so. Also, some cards at the beginning may not make sense until you get to the end, that is perfectly all right.

Let's get started.

Block I - Super Ego

1. Lovers - Their childhood was highly encouraging, got everything they ever wanted
2. Queen of Cups - They are deeply concerned for someone they are close to
3. Devil - They are highly critical of themselves
4. Death - They aspire to be a better person, one not ruled by their weakness

Block II - Narrative

5. Temperance - Main Character will help them find balance in who they are
6. Page of Wands - Is not ready to deal with the Antagonist, they are not skilled enough or mature enough
7. King of Cups - The Protagonist gives them a stable connection they need as they grow.
8. Four of Cups - They are well loved and well received, but dependent on everyone being there for them.

Block III - Id

9. Ten of Wands - They seek to accomplish their goals, no matter what the circumstance.
10. Two of Wands - Often consider all the options, even after the event is over with, wonders if there was a better way
11. Four of Pentacles - Afraid they will never have enough to accomplish what they desire. Hold everything close and difficulty sharing.
12. Two of Cups - Love conquers all. They seek new relationships, whether friends or lovers, or loved ones.

Block IV - Ego

13. Six of Cups - They have an attention to detail, highly analytical, and a photographic memory
14. The Star - Strong, unconditional faith. Whatever they believe in, it is hard to change their minds of it.
15. Nine of Pentacles - They value serenity, contentment, and relaxation
16. The Fool - They are risk takers, but often times reckless, often leaping without thinking

So, some of this seems to go together nicely and other aspects seems out of place. Now, let us apply the second part of this, the cores and pillars, and see what we turn up with.

A. Role. They have a lot of love and support, but are hard on themselves. They find strengths in their convictions, but will punish themselves over any little thing, believing that they must make amends, even if others tell them the opposite. They are generally seen as a hard worker.

B. Journey. They lost someone close to them in their life, to which they blame themselves for. They are surrounded by people who love them and want to help them, but first they must help themselves. Possible depression.

C. Essence. They are quick to second guess their own decisions after the fact. Wondering if they should have chosen a different path. They are highly valued for who they are, seen as a hard worker, and surrounded by love.

D. Ambition. Having friends and love is paramount to them. They find comfort around others and has faith in them. They are willing to do anything for their friends, no matter the costs. Possible codependent behavior.

E. Manner. They are highly critical of themselves to be a better person, holding themselves up to a near unreachable goal. They are highly methodical and unwavering faith. Possible stubborn personality.

F. Obstacle. They were given everything they asked for growing up, but wasn't taught how to fend for themselves. Since they are use to getting things their way, they tend to be selfish about the things they have.

I'm taking the Fool out, it doesn't fit with everything else.

Character Summary:
While having a loving childhood, somewhere along the way, they lost someone close to them. This left a deep emotional scar that they often blame themselves for everything and hold themselves up to a high standard. The Main Character sees a potential in them and wants to help them balance out, and try to help them see that they are surrounded by a lot of people who want to help them.

They are deeply methodical, great at remember things, but can easily become skewed by their own beliefs. It is hard to convince them that they might be wrong about something, even when presented with information to show them they're wrong. They spend a lot of time second guessing their decisions.

They believe in the power of love and friendship and base themselves on what others think of them, working hard to maintain a good relationship. Often going above and beyond in an effort to prove their worth. Their own needs are secondary to the needs of others.

Adding to The Character

Now we have a character. Now, the character is incomplete. They're supposed to be. It is now your job to insert them into the story, to make them fit.

Does this character sound like anyone you know? This character does come off a bit stereotypical. Sometimes that happens, not often. When you use this system, often times you know what you are looking for and can insert extra elements in as you need to. I am doing this blind, rather doing this without direction, so I leave them incomplete.

You can leave it here for the character, if you are satisfied with it. If you want more, you can take it to the next level for added complexity. How we do that is for each of the pillars and cores, we draw a card specific to each one. Then we apply each card with our reading. I will do that below.

A. Strength - Person has more strength than they realize
They are hard on themselves and surrounded by lots of people that love them, but are convinced they are worthless. Others see that the person has so much potential, if they just tried a little harder. Their strength is shown in their convictions and hard work.

B. Knight of Wands - Despite their troubles, they are happy their live is moving forward, happy to find new adventures.
They lost someone close to them and blame themselves for it. Through the Main Character, they feel they have a chance to redeem themselves and may come to forgive themselves, despite the people around them that already forgive them, or try to convince the person to forgive themselves.

C. Seven of Cups - New Choices, New Experiences
They are quick to second guess themselves and their decisions, but work hard to do what is right. They are valued and well received by others. They are excited by the prospect of new changes.

D. Three of Pentacles - They gain satisfaction from working hard, they value themselves in their skills
They find great reward in their relationships and are at peace around others. They work hard for all of them, looking for positive reinforcement for what they do.

E. Seven of Wands - Often feel their beliefs are under attack. Feel pushed against the wall demanding they defend themselves.
They are quick to punish themselves and hold themselves up to a higher degree. While valued for their intelligence and quick thinking, they are often stubborn in their beliefs and resort to argument over a simple disagreement. They have to be right, even if they know they are wrong.

F. King of Pentacles - Dependent on material possession, need for luxury. Little concern for money.
They were given everything they asked for growing up, but wasn't taught how to fend for themselves. Since they are use to getting things their way, they tend to be selfish about the things they have, often going out of their way to have more stuff.

So, we see here, that the character is basically the same, we just added a bit more flavor to who they are. I like to use this as a writing exercise, and often create a stockpile of characters, so if I need one, I can look through and find one. Now you can try to use this to create a specific character, but I find that this often creates a different character than I want and I ended up finding the character I initially wanted later by accident.

Just so you know, the different combinations of characters you can create for level 1 is 2 to the 33rd power, or 2 with 33 zeroes after it. For Level 2 is 2 to the 45th power. So you will create some truly unique character, though this doesn't take into account different decks and different readers.

This is a good starting tool. It is not meant to make a complete character for you, but meant to give you a good starting point. I find this to be a time saver in the long run, so I can make sure that my characters are not too similar. Often times, it is the differences that bring people closer. Or at least, the differences that make the narrative more fun.

If you feel there is any element of this I got wrong or have suggestions on how I can improve this, I am all ears. I don't mind being told I'm wrong, as long as there is something I can learn from it.

Unfortunately, there are no generators online for tarot cards that can help you facilitate this spread. So you may need to go buy your own deck. I think every writer should have a tarot card and a bag of dice, but I'm a geek that way.

~

About Chris Votey

Christopher D. Votey was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1980, first son of Steve Votey and Jolene Knight (née Nichols). He is a college graduate in Computer Science at Collins College in Tempe, Arizona and has worked in the computer field for 10 years. After a debilitating work injury, Chris decided to take up writing, producing 2 books.

Chris currently lives in Mesa, Arizona awaiting Social Security disability and working to recover from his condition of Post Concussion Syndrome to return back to a normal life.

Chris' current project is a Paranormal/Alternate History/Fantasy series.

Website: http://home.chrisvotey.com
Blog: http://writing.chrisvotey.com
World Building: http://www.chrisvotey.com/writing/worldbuilding/
Twitter: @authorvotey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherDVotey
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+ChrisVotey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7733607.Christopher_D_Votey


By Chris Votey

Terran Psycosis:
A man who thinks he is an alien finds himself in a mental institution. He has been visited by many doctors, but none of them were able to help him. The hospital has brought in a specialist to try to get some answers. This specialist is the top of his field and he may be able to unlock the secrets of the patient and be able to answer: Is he an alien, or simply a man seeking attention.

http://www.amazon.com/Terran-Psychosis-Cosmic-Revolt-Christopher-ebook/dp/B00IGY0KI4

Guest Post: Creating Complex Secondary Characters Using Tarot by Chris Votey (Part 1 - The Spread & The Bases)

Today, and tomorrow, I am happy to welcome author, Chris Votey, to my blog to talk about the creation of secondary characters using tarot cards as a developmental tool. So, without further ado, over to Chris.

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Creating Complex Secondary Characters Using Tarot 

by Chris Votey 

(Part 1 - The Spread & The Bases)

If there is one thing I love, it is creating characters. I consider myself a character driven author, in that my characters tell the story. The flip side to this is a plot driven story. Most people make a balance between the two, as do I, but have a preference of one over the other. Though some are able to have a great plot and great characters all in one.

Creating powerful and complex Protagonist and Antagonist is second nature to me. When I create them, I think of their strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices. If my story involves a very small cast of characters, I am set.

One of my challenges is creating a large cast of characters. The difficulty I have is that when I create the Main Character, Protagonist, or the Antagonist, that I create them often as what do they need to be for the story to work. Secondary characters can be regarded as such, but it tends to make them flat and uninteresting.

In light of this, I decided that I wanted to use tarot cards to create characters. I used Tarot cards because they are 78 cards (in most decks) that describe some sort of state of transition for people. Being a video gamer myself, I often look at Tarot cards as having a complex main story with 4 side quests that intersect quite often.

Now, it doesn't matter what deck you get. Just note that there are different interpretations to cards from deck to deck. They tend to have similar meanings, but there are distinct differences. Just so you know, I am using the Gilded Tarot deck.

I am going to show you the spread. There are two levels to this. I am going to show you the first and how the spread work, and then show you how the second one is different.

First, we need to put our cards in this layout, in this order (order doesn't really matter, but I tend to be a stickler for order).

This is the basic spread. I do love the symmetry. However, this is anything but simple. Most spreads, the place of the card has a specific meaning and then the whole spread has an overall message or story to tell. This spread is different in that a card interacts with other cards to get a general idea across and the entire spread tells a lot of general ideas to create a complex thought.

This spread makes use of 4 bases, 1 inner core, 1 outer core, and 4 pillars. In essence, 10 different ways to interpret the cards. Let us start with our 4 bases.

The 4 Bases

Please note, using this spread requires you have a basic idea of who your Main Character, Protagonist, and Antagonist is. Main Character and Protagonist can be two different people.

The image shows how the bases appear in the spread and you can see overlaps occurring. The colours I chose were at random, they have no added meaning. This was done for your benefit so you can start to see how this works.

Block I - Cards 1 - 4 (Red)

This block represents Super Ego. Basically what we are taught that shapes us, whether through family, conflict in our lives, or society exerting its control.

1. Character's Past - Generally this represents all of childhood. It may reflect on how they were raised, who their parents were, or a major event that happened growing up.

2. Character's Conflict - Every character believes they are the Main Character of their story, and this is their personal conflict they are dealing with.

3. General Characteristic - This is a representation of who they are in general. All of us have a general trait about us. It is all the little things in conjunction with this trait that makes us a complex person. This can be strengths or weaknesses, or overall sense of who they are.

4. Character's Aspirations - We all want more for ourselves and know that what we have now is not all there is to life. What are their goals, what are their dreams?

Block II - Cards 5 - 8 (Green)

This block represents the Narrative of the story. If you are creating secondary characters, you generally have an idea of what the story is about. Though the magic of this process is that you can learn more of what the story or characters are as you create new ones.

5. Relationship to Main Character - How does this character and the Main Character know each other, what is their relationship like? Why are they together? Do they even like each other? If the Main Character and Protagonist are the same person, then this is their personal connection.

6. Relationship to the Antagonist - What is their connection with the Antagonist? Do they have a personal issue with them, or simply support the MC on their quest against the Antagonist?

7. Relationship to the Protagonist - If the Protagonist and MC are different people, then it is the same questions as card 5. If they are the same person, then it is their professional relationship. Do they work together, in what way? Do they fight together, in what way?

8. Relationship to the Central Conflict - In most stories, there is a central conflict, and this character is connected to it in some way. Whether as an active participant, passive participant, or having nothing to do with it all together.

Block III - Cards 9 - 12 (Light Blue)

This block represents the character's id. This contains their basic instinctual drive, what makes them tick as a human than what makes them a person.

9. Drive - What pushes the character forward, what do they lust after what gets them out of bed in the morning?

10. Ideas - What are their basic thoughts about, what plans to they have for life or conflict? When they daydream, where does their mind go?

11. Fears - At their core, what are they most afraid of? 

12. Beliefs - What to them is the highest form of being? Is it God, love, money, or something else?

Block IV - Cards 13 - 16 (Dark Blue)

This block represents the character's ego. Ego is described as a set of functions of self that give us judgement, tolerance, control, planning, and defence.

13. Skills - What are they skilful at, or rather, how skilful are they?

14. Quirks - What special thing about them makes them who they are? Namely, virtues or vices.

15. Values - What do they hold in high regard? What do they value above all else. Whether of self or of others.

16. Vulnerabilities - What are the weak to? What holds them back? What is their kryptonite? What will destroy them if it is lost?

Once we have those in place, it is time to design our character. While these blocks tell gives us an idea of who this person is, it doesn't really tell us how all of these relate to each other. This is where many personality tests fall short. Tomorrow, I'll show you an example reading and talk about how to use the inner core, the outer core and the 4 pillars to flesh out your character.

~

About Chris Votey

Christopher D. Votey was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1980, first son of Steve Votey and Jolene Knight (née Nichols). He is a college graduate in Computer Science at Collins College in Tempe, Arizona and has worked in the computer field for 10 years. After a debilitating work injury, Chris decided to take up writing, producing 2 books.

Chris currently lives in Mesa, Arizona awaiting Social Security disability and working to recover from his condition of Post Concussion Syndrome to return back to a normal life.

Chris' current project is a Paranormal/Alternate History/Fantasy series.

Website: http://home.chrisvotey.com
Blog: http://writing.chrisvotey.com
World-Building: http://www.chrisvotey.com/writing/worldbuilding/
Twitter: @authorvotey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherDVotey
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+ChrisVotey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7733607.Christopher_D_Votey


By Chris Votey

Terran Psycosis:
A man who thinks he is an alien finds himself in a mental institution. He has been visited by many doctors, but none of them were able to help him. The hospital has brought in a specialist to try to get some answers. This specialist is the top of his field and he may be able to unlock the secrets of the patient and be able to answer: Is he an alien, or simply a man seeking attention.

http://www.amazon.com/Terran-Psychosis-Cosmic-Revolt-Christopher-ebook/dp/B00IGY0KI4