Write your novel 10x better with Myers Briggs

If you haven’t already, take the Myers Briggs personality test and discover your own MBTI personality type. Of all tests I’ve done, this one is, by far, the most accurate. I’m an INFP, and if you’re familiar then that gives you a great sense of who I am.

Then I took it to another level and took the test on behalf of my characters. Getting Over is a challenge. Being a multiple POV book, I have four main characters. I can easily identify with one, but the other three are so not me. Their ways are not mine. Their stories still need be told though, and accurately so. And they chose me to do it.

And as you may know, all assignments don’t come with instructions.

It’s my responsibility to get in their mind. To not only type out a series of actions, but to make sense of them as well. Who you are determines how you think, feel and perceive things. That then determines how you behave. As an INFP, it’s very unlikely that I’ll run up to someone and confront them about something they’ve done to me. I avoid conflicts as much as possible. If I must confront you, then I’ve already deliberated on paper.

Like me, Mona is an INFP. She has a huge argument coming up, and as her writer, I know she has to have been pushed to the MFing limit. Pam, on the other hand, is an ESTJ. She’s the in-yo-face type who knows exactly what she wants and how she wants it, and when it ain’t done that way then it’s a problem. Doris is an ENTJ, and then Reta is an ENFP.

Myers and Briggs themselves will tell you that this is a formula for destruction. Having all of these big ass personalities under one roof without a guardian, it was bound to go down…all the time. Now that they’re adults, needless to say, they’re emotionally messed up. Hurt women hurt themselves and each other. That’s a peek into my story. 

Now let’s guide your character through the process:

Step 1: Take the test as your character.

Step 2: Analyze the results according to at least two different sources. Personality Page is a great start.

Step 3: Create a character profile sheet, answering the following lifestyle prompts:

• What is her personality type?
• Make a list of other characters in the book and describe her relationship with each one.
• What does she do for a living? Does she like it? Does it relate to her personality type?
• What are her hobbies?
• How would you describe her spiritual life?
• How does she deal with conflict?
• How does she approach her ideas?
• Would you describe her as creative?
• Is she messy/organized?
• Assertive/passive?
• How was/is she as a child?
• What does she most want in life right now?
• What areas of her life is she discontent about? What is she doing about it?
• Which life experiences may have intensified a particular personality trait?
• What power does she possess, and how did she go about obtaining it?

 Step 4: Write (or rewrite) a scene in the book that pertains to one or more of your responses listed above. For example, if you described your character as being organized, passive and hating her job as a pharmacy tech, then create a workplace conflict that shows how it came about and how she deals with it.

It’s totally up to you whether you actually use this scene in your book or not. In addition to the Myers Briggs test being a great practice of strengthening your character development, it’s also a go-to when you’re feeling stuck. You don’t necessary have to retake the test, but you can go through the prompts again. Review your answers and repeat step 4. 

Remember: Books don’t have to written from beginning to end. So if you have a scene written (or in mind) that won’t occur until eight chapters later, no problem. I usually type it up in a separate document and save it in a folder that I call “Scrap Metal.” Then when I get to a part where that scene is a good fit, I go back and weave it in. 

 Chime in below and lemme know what personality type you and your character(s) are. I’d love to know. And for more writing goodies like this, sign up for my weekly newsletter.