A fun and interesting concept of using tarot and runes for writing purposes. This is something I have been thinking about doing for a while, so this book was great for me! Clearly laid out and written guide for using runes to overcome creative blocks and also ways to take you, your writing, and your characters in new and exciting directions

I went into this book knowing something about runes and their uses. I knew the mythology (story) behind the creation of runes and am comfortable with the idea of using the esoteric to tap into the subconscious. I want to emphasize that you do not have to know anything about runes or be practiced in their use to use this book. Graham begins with a careful look at each of the runes, going into great detail about each, applying the interpretation of the images specifically to story writing--creation of characters, narrative conflict, etc.

After the lengthy first part of the book, he shifts over to specific uses of the runes themselves and offers interpretations of the rune spreads he recommends. I did all of the spreads, writing down the rune, carefully reading the interpretations as offered in the book, and setting the information aside to see what insight I might glean with a little distance. I also came to the runes for help with a specific problem I was having with one of my characters in a middle grades book I am currently outlining.

I waited to do this until I had read through the rest of the book ("Going Beyond" and "Odin's Tale"). I was enthusiastic and curious to see how my readings would turn out.

I'm afraid that they did not offer any information I could use. I did not come up with some mind-blowing story idea and my two-dimensional character remained uninspired. I don't feel that my expectations were too high and my whole reason for setting aside my results was to return to them with fresh eyes.

So over all my results were a bust and I don't think this is a book I will be recommending to my writing clients. Instead, I will stick with the tried and true:
- make space in your day at least once a month (preferably once a week or better still once a day) for silence
- take a walk without your cellphone and let your mind meander.
- take a leisurely bath or shower without a book or even music to distract you
- sit comfortably and patiently for at least 20-30 minutes and let your mind
and give yourself permission to come up with some really crappy ideas and two-dimensional characters because crappy ideas can be improved upon and flat characters can be fleshed out but you can't work on any of this if you have nothing to work on. It would be grand if every idea turned out to be a jewel and there were no craptastic results but that is not reality. Even David Lynch said "Sometimes film kills the room to dream."

Create time and space to dream and the rest will follow. Happy writing, everyone!

I've been fascinated by the idea of using tarot cards and runes for storytelling for a while now, so I was delighted to be given an ARC of this title.

The sections were clearly laid out and the way the author referenced the Hero's journey and drew in examples from literature are sure to please fans of The Hero with a Thousand Faces and other studies of folklore and traditional story structures.

I would definitely like to try out the author's system to tinker with a writing project, and I think it would be a useful book for any writer to find inspiration in.

Get to know your characters and their lives with the use of Runes. Wat a novel concept! (Pun intended)

As I am not familiar with Runes or Norse mythology, initially this was hard for me to understand. Sticking with it will help as the historical portion was designed by the author to make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding rune symbols and rune casting.

I hesitate to use tarot cards or dice for predicting the future for religious reasons. However, it is a great tool in this instance. It makes perfect sense for getting to know your characters and their lives better.

There is no right or wrong way to interpret any given card or casting so you can get an idea from the runes and run with it. “As with writing itself, the joy (and the challenge) of rune casting is in the process and in the discovery.”

The one caveat I would make is that the author tells us that this book is not for beginning writers but instead should be used for writers with at lease two manuscripts under their belt. This warning is not given until you are into the book. I believe it would be helpful to know that such experienced writers are helped by the information here before purchase.


I received an ARC from Erulian Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

2 Stars

The use of runes for divining stimulates the unconscious mind to randomize story ideas, a similar process to tarot.

I honestly didn't find this information useful, and was more interested in the psychological applications of conjuring up the unconscious, or the historical facts of storytelling. This book mostly focuses on the Norse runes, walking through the process of runecasting. The part I found most interesting, but was sadly quite brief, was the chapter "On Creativity and Writer's Block". The overall content of the book seemed a bit.. impractical, or perhaps unrelatable to non-fantasy type storytelling (given the dense Norse mythology references). I think I was expecting something else, and perhaps this just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this free ARC.

Loved this! I had never thought of using runes, tarot, or any such device as a means of unblocking my creativity and filling in gaps for characters and stories. I can see where this could take stories and their writers to new and unexpected places. What fun!

A super helpful guide for writers who want to boost their creativity by using Norse Runes as a divination technique. I think this guide gives you enough information to read the Runes, but I would have liked a basic chapter for total beginners.

A great resource for writers.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This uses a tarot card like system to gather details on the character, situation and plot. Much like a plot and character generator. The author uses ancient runes for inspiration.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.