Those of you who’ve read my eBook know I put a lot of stock into the MBTI. To date, I haven’t seen a more accurate method of depicting characters. But this post series isn’t about your characters. These following posts are about YOU and how you can revolutionize your writing methods. If you haven’t taken the Meyers-Briggs Personality Assessment, stop reading and take it now HERE, then come back when you have your result. It costs you all of ten minutes. Answer in a way that feels most natural to you. IntrovertsHonor yourself by not feeling the need to show your work to others until you’ve polished it a bit. Or perhaps don’t show it to anyone except an editor/agent/publisher. It’s okay to keep your writing to yourself. Tell your extroverted friends to back off, they can read it when it’s published. Otherwise, the writing process may become overly stressful for you. Stress causes writer’s block. We hate writer’s block. So don’t stress. ExtrovertsContrary to popular opinion, authors can be both introverted AND extroverted. Gather together your friends and create a support group. You NEED to see the reactions of your readers as you go, and that’s okay. Get a bunch of other author friends, too. Set up a write-a-thon IN PERSON, if possible, and laugh at each other’s typos and mishaps. Socialize at conferences and retreats. Schedule readings. If you try to do this alone, you’re going get bored and frustrated real fast. SensorsRealistic and detail-oriented, Sensors are perhaps the most accurate of authors. Take advantage of this. Research. Use plenty of detailed imagery. Start your story from the little things and build it from there. IntuitivesIntuitives are the big-picture people. You see the overall arc before you can even put it into words. Start from this point and add the details later. Your word count might be tiny at first, but it’ll grow as you move forward. ThinkersThe logisticians in the author community. You may be drawn to technical genres such as sci-fi, mystery, and non-fiction (but it’s okay if you aren’t). Your story may also be more plot- or action-driven. AWESOME. Try giving your protagonist a Flat Arc to ward off readers who may complain about your writing needing more character development so you can focus on the action. I'm an ENFJ. What type are YOU?" FeelersHeart-driven and sensitive, it isn’t surprising when I say Feelers are most drawn to the romance genre, whether as a main or sub-plot. You prefer to focus on your characters rather than your plot, their relationships and experiences. Try studying a Positive or Negative Change Arc to pick up the pacing of your stories while refusing to sacrifice your intensely-developed cast. JudgersThese are the planners and plotters. Those who love weaving complex plots and that feeling of accomplishment when they finish a story. Set deadlines. Plan how many words or which scenes you’re going to do each day. Start writing a few short stories to play with your complex plots and get your “finishing a book” high before diving into that epic you’ve been dying to start. PerceiversI believe the technical term here would be “pantser”. You prefer the randomness and surprise of letting the book guide you instead of you guiding it. You get a rush from starting something new and diving into that blank page. If you must set a deadline for yourself, make it a broad one, such as a particular month or season, rather than a specific date. Self-publishing maybe better suited to your personality so you can be on your own timeline rather than stressing yourself by being on someone else’s. Finish that primary draft first, then ensure you have all the required plotlines in the proper places to take the most advantage of your spontaneous personality. Was this article helpful? Was it accurate? Comment below if you want to see an article dedicated solely to your personal MBTI!
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