Using the MBTI as an author

 

Unfamiliar with the MBTI? Take a free online version here:

https://www.16personalities.com/

or https://practicalpie.com/myers-briggs-type-indicator/

 

What is the MBTI?

·         Great 2 minute video!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoQi9Mvqip0

·         It is based on the work of Carl Jung (Yep… The dude who brought you the Hero’s Journey!!)

·         The MBTI does NOT tell you which dichotomy you have. It tells you which you prefer. Think right handed / left handedness.

·         Harry Potter: https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-characters-mbti/

·         Avenger Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzCov8YyaXA

 

I or E: The Battery: How do you “recharge?”

            Introvert (charged by alone time or time with people who are an “extension” of self)

            Extrovert (charged by community. Lots of friendships, though perhaps not as deep)

S or N: Data Intake: How do you take in the world around you?

            Sensing (prefer to see the specific, tangible (5 senses) world. The small parts build the whole)

            iNtuition (see the big picture, the whole is seen first and then the parts)

T or F: Decision Making: How do you come to a decision?

            Thinking (Make decisions primarily based on rational thought and best practices)

            Feeling (Make decisions primarily on emotion and relationships)

P or J: Work First, Play Later OR Play First, Work Later?

            Percieving (Tend to want to collect all the data possible and delay making decisions)

            Judging (maybe a better term today is “closure”) (Move to decision quicker and seek to get closure)

 

Taken from: https://medium.com/@AddsTake/understanding-myself-part-ii-mbti-491129c4db42

These four areas make up 16 types. If you already knew how that math worked you probably know you prefer S and T!

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers%E2%80%93Briggs_Type_Indicator#/media/File:MyersBriggsTypes.png

Taken from: https://www.toolshero.com/psychology/myers-briggs-personality-test/

 

So…. Authors….

-1. Helps keep characters in character. ( https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/out-of-character/ )

-2. Keep characters different! ( https://www.kmweiland.com/myers-briggs-and-writing-my-characters-personalities/ )

-3. Builds Conflict! ( https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/4-places-find-storys-best-story-conflict/ )

                -a. Internal conflict of personality vs need in a situation

                -b. Differing personalities (or two who are identical but with different goals!)

                -c. Give your character their worst nightmare!! (i. e. Introvert speaking or an extrovert isolated)

-4. Allow your characters to surprise you!  ( https://writingcooperative.com/how-to-create-characters-for-your-novel-using-a-personality-test-19643ef4794b )--> Take the MBTI as your character to find out more about them!

From: https://www.well-storied.com/blog/character-personalities