Write Witchcraft: Readers First

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Many years ago, I read a tarot book that bordered on convoluted. Much of the writing was poorly edited, and the tone was snobbish. Even though there were a few intriguing tidbits, I couldn’t get past the lack of cohesion and smarmy self-congratulatory writing. To this day, I’m still not sure what the author’s point was other than to make them seem smart.

Perhaps I wasn’t the right audience.

That statement isn’t true. I was the intended audience, but the writer didn’t bother to consider an important point: the reader’s experience. The reader needs to walk away with something. That might be helpful information or a transformation. What you don’t want is the situation I described above. If they cannot connect, you didn’t do your job.

Metaphysical writing is challenging in that regard. After all, we’re talking about topics that are abstract and mystical. How do you describe the esoteric without sounding cryptic or pretentious? Start with your reader.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What is the transformation your book promises?

• What will be the reader’s takeaway?

• How will you convey the information to ensure they grasp it - and more importantly, use it?

For example, let’s say you are writing a book about how to read tarot for your cat. The transformation promised is that the reader will be able to confidently throw cards for their favorite feline after finishing the book. They’ll walk away with useful cat-centered spreads mingled with paw-mistry techniques. The audience might be cat people who love their pets but aren’t tarot adepts, so the writing needs to be beginner-friendly with kitty puns. A cat-themed tarot deck for illustrations brings it together and delights the reader. Shazam!

While that might be a ridiculous example, the intended audience is clear, which gives the writer a guideline. This leads to intentional work tailored for the reader’s experience (as a cat lover, I think someone should write that book!).

Now, let’s say you are writing a different kind of book. One that is for an advanced tarot audience who longs for academic writing with all the footnotes. You certainly wouldn’t want to include silly cat jokes or slang in a book like that! (Well, you could…but it might seem off-putting.) Different audiences, different writing.

Keep in mind, you can strike a balance if you intend to reach a broad audience. Author Rachel Pollack did this well. 78 Degrees of Wisdom is a scholarly, intellectual tarot book, but it never speaks down to the reader. Pollack’s stories and gentle humor make the mystical accessible. It’s the most brilliant tarot book I’ve ever read and one that I refer back to all the time. (True fact: I have multiple copies on each floor in case of a “Rachel Pollack emergency.”)

The next time you sit down to write, keep your reader in mind. Make it about them. Remember, the magic isn’t just in the message; it’s how it’s received.

xo

Theresa

Image from stock photography - artist credit: Roman Samborskyi.