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In a fascinating episode of Tarot Interviews, screenwriter, director, and audio storyteller Julian Simpson revealed the inner workings of his creative process through the lens of three tarot cards: Sorrow, The Hermit, and Strength. These cards provided a perfect framework to explore the mind behind groundbreaking audio dramas like The Lovecraft Investigations and Mythos.
Simpson's approach to creative disappointment, represented by the Sorrow card, offers valuable insight for all creators. "Nine out of ten things that I write don't ever see the light of day," he candidly shared. Rather than allowing this reality to whittle his spirit, Simpson has developed a powerful mental framework: finding fulfillment in the work itself. He advises emerging writers to judge their success not by external validation but by their satisfaction with the finished product. This perspective allows him to maintain creative momentum despite the inevitable setbacks of working in film and television.
When discussing The Hermit card, Simpson reflected on his journey from constant social activity to creative solitude. Unlike his younger self who saw staying home as a "social catastrophe," he now embraces isolation as a creative sanctuary. This shift intensified during the pandemic but began years earlier when he felt he'd reached a "glass ceiling" in British television. After working on popular shows like Spooks, Doctor Who, and New Tricks, Simpson craved the freedom to write for himself rather than fulfilling assignments.
This desire for creative autonomy led Simpson to write Kaleidoscope, a script that caught the attention of American producers and opened new doors. "The Americans really liked what I wanted to write and were very happy to pay me to write it," he explained. This transition allowed him to step away from the British television industry entirely and focus on projects that truly excited him. The Hermit card perfectly symbolizes this intentional withdrawal from one creative ecosystem to nurture a more personal artistic vision.
The final card, Strength (appearing as the Nine of Wands in the Thoth deck), represents energy and vivacity – qualities Simpson currently experiences while managing his successful Kickstarter campaign for Lovecraft Investigations: Crowley. This project, which reached its funding goal in less than 24 hours, demonstrates the passionate audience he's cultivated through his audio dramas.
When discussing how he captures creative inspiration, Simpson revealed that ideas rarely arrive as complete concepts. Instead, he collects fragments – like his note about "an occult or Wicker group that works like the hacker collective Anonymous" – waiting for additional "lightning strikes" to form connections. This patient approach has led to rich narrative worlds where characters and concepts evolve across different projects.
Perhaps most fascinating was Simpson's revelation about his writing tools. Despite trying various digital solutions, he's returned to the simplicity of notebooks and even manual typewriters from the 1950s and 60s. When creatively stuck, he loads a blank page into a typewriter and begins with "I'm stuck because..." The physical effort required and inability to delete forces forward momentum and often leads to unexpected places.
Simpson's current Kickstarter project, exploring the factual life of occultist Aleister Crowley through the fictional lens of characters from his previous work, showcases his unique approach to storytelling. As the campaign exceeds its goals, Simpson isn't pocketing the extra funds but planning additional shows – evidence of a creator driven by creative fulfillment rather than financial gain.
Through tarot and conversation, this interview reveals a storyteller who has found his power in creative solitude, embraced the inevitable disappointments of the industry, and developed unique methods for capturing elusive inspiration. For anyone creating in today's fast-paced, validation-hungry world, Julian Simpson offers a refreshing perspective on finding satisfaction in the work itself.
