Believable Characters, Part 11

We're on Part 11 of this extraordinarily long series about creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts:

1.  Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)

2.  Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)

3.  Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

4.  Judgment (J) or Perception (P)

Today, let's look at INFP, who Keirsey calls THE HEALER. These folks are curious, helpful, and values-oriented. They strive to mend divisions, restore lost unity, and establish integrity. On the outside, they're easy-going and serene. On the inside, they're going nuts trying to help everybody achieve world peace and wholeness. They see the world as an ethical, honorable place, and strive to make all that idealism come true. More often than not, they are let down and take it badly. They love fantasy, and love to please everyone at all times.

INFPs are rare, making up less than one percent of the population. Think of the princess in fairy tales, or the knight who wanders the wilderness seeking someone to save. Logic is usually optional to the INFP, who prefers impressionism, metaphor, and intuition. They may make errors with facts, but never with feelings. They make excellent mates, having a deep commitment to their vows and showing immense loyalty to their spouse. 

Famous INFP's are Princess Diana (quit laughing! Just because most INFP's are loyal to their spouses doesn't mean that one can't stray...), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, William Shakespeare, Helen Keller, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Julia Roberts. In fiction, Anne of Green Gables, Winnie the Pooh, and Sleeping Beauty are all INFP's.

Great career choices for INFP's are missionary, psychologist, social worker, writer, and actor. You won't find INFP's seeking employment in science and technology fields, so keep that in mind when you're creating your characters. That *would* create a ton of tension for your INFP protagonist, though...

-Sonja

Believable Characters, Part 10

We are deep within a discussion of creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts:

1.  Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)

2.  Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)

3.  Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

4.  Judgment (J) or Perception (P)

Today's personality trait is the INFJ. Keirsey calls this person THE COUNSELOR. The counselor is curious, insightful, values-oriented, and organized. They want to help people to realize their human potential. They also want to contribute to the welfare of others and take great joy in guiding people onto the correct path. They are private, sensitive people, and don't crave the limelight of leadership, but are quite content to work behind the scenes to get things done.

They can be hard to get to know, as they are reserved and don't usually share their feelings with others. They can be hurt easily. When they find someone they can trust, they open up and let their feelings flow freely. They have strong empathic abilities and are often accused of reading people's minds because they can identify feelings and motives quickly. If anyone on the planet has ESP, it's the INFJ. They are seen as poetic and sometimes even mystical. They are highly attracted to the arts. 

Famous INFJ's include Jimmy Carter, Jerry Seinfeld, Fanny Crosby, Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Ghandi. In fiction, Luke Skywalker and Mulan are both INFJ's.

Counselors make excellent recruiters, coaches, ministers, and (duh) counselors. If you need an entrepreneur or flight attendant in your novel, look elsewhere. 

-Sonja

Believable Characters, Part 9

I'm back with more of this riveting topic of creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities, and If I don't pay attention, I'll lose where I'm at on the list. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts by now, so I don't have to repeat them yet again.

Today's personality is ENFP (extrovert, intuitive, feeling, perceptive), who Keirsey calls THE CHAMPION. The Champion is improvisational, optimistic, supportive, quick-thinking, and imaginative. To this person, nothing occurs that is without significance or profound meaning. And they don't want to miss any of it. They want to experience every moment of everyone's lives, and then relive those moments by telling others about it, all in the hopes of discovering truths about people and issues. Keirsey says these people are like fountains that bubble and splash, spilling over their own words to get it all out. Their enthusiasm is boundless and contagious, making them the most vivacious of all the types. They want to be seen by others as empathetic and benevolent. 

Champions crave intense emotional experiences and possess a great passion for novelty. Real life can become boring quickly. They are fiercely independent and don't like to submit themselves to others, including supervisors. They'd rather lead. They are good at reading others and notice suspicious motives immediately. They tend to be hyperalert, always ready for emergencies. 

ENFP's are rare, making up about two or three percent of the population. Famous ENFP's are Dave Thomas (founder of "Wendy's"), Samuel Clemens, Carol Burnett, Bill Cosby, Robin Williams, Dr. Suess, and Regis Philbin. In fiction, Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Dr. Doug Ross from ER are both ENFP's.

Some excellent employment options for the ENFP are inventor, entrepreneur, journalist, actor/comedian, or psychologist. You don't want your protagonist military leader to be an ENFP, or chaos will reign. Although, that could be fun.

-Sonja

Believable Characters, Part 8

We are still discussing creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts:

1.  Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)

2.  Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)

3.  Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

4.  Judgment (J) or Perception (P)

We're a quarter of the way through these personality types. Stay strong! We'll cover them all in no time. Today we're looking at the ENFJ, or who Keirsey calls THE TEACHER. This person is a natural teacher (hence the name) with the uncanny ability to influence those around them. ENFJ's want to learn about the humanities, are preoccupied with morale, and work well with everyone. They see themselves as highly empathic, benevolent, and authentic. Often they mimic people they admire. They're also enthusiastic, love the idea of romance, want to be recognized for their hard work, and aspire to be wise. They practice diplomacy over strategy and tactics - they are the peacemakers. 

ENFJ's make up about two percent of the population, but that's enough. They are so charismatic, people around them tend to obey the Teacher's commands. They make excellent leaders and always have new ideas for group activities, often without a lot of pre-planning. They are natural hosts, making sure all guests are content and that there's plenty of activity to keep the group together. Teachers consider people their highest priority, and they communicate caring, concern, and a willingness to be friends with everyone. People often turn to ENFJ's for nurture and support. Sometimes ENFJ's can become too involved in the problems of others and become overwhelmed.

Famous ENFJ's include Ronald Reagan, Dr. Martin Luther King, Tommy Lee Jones, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Jordan. Lisa Simpson from the Simpson's and Padme Amidala from Star wars are ENFJs.

If your novel needs a top-notch journalist, a diplomat, or a high school coach, the ENFJ is your choice for a base personality. If you need a software developer, a purchasing agent, or a firefighter, look somewhere else.

Next time, we'll look at yet another personality type.

-Sonja

Believable Characters, Part 7

I'm continuing the heady notion of creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts:

1.  Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)

2.  Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)

3.  Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

4.  Judgment (J) or Perception (P)

Today we're covering INTJ (someone who veers towards introvert, intuitive, thinking, and judgement). Keirsey calls this person THE MASTERMIND. They are excellent at planning operations and contingency planning. Masterminds have a Plan A, but are always prepared to switch to Plan B, C, or D if necessary. They love to study science and technology. They are pragmatic and skeptical, and see themselves as ingenious, autonomous, and resolute. They trust reason, seek knowledge, and are prone to practice strategy far more than tactics or logistics. They love a great schedule. "Cost-effectiveness" is their motto.

Masterminds are rare in society, making up maybe one percent, and are rarely encountered outside their office or laboratory. They don't want to be the leader of any group, but will do a fine job if thrust into it. They are open-minded and will entertain new ideas or new procedures. Decisions come easy, and they have a drive to complete every project. Others tend to see INTJ's as cold and dispassionate, but they're just taking their tasks seriously. Indifference or criticism from others doesn't bother INTJ's in the least. 

INTJ's want harmony and order in their homes, but want their mates to be independent and strong-willed. Selection of a mate is a rational process, and they will not waste time on a second date if they realize the relationship won't work. They rely on their head, not their heart, to make decisions. They have a strong need for privacy, and aren't very outgoing or emotionally expressive, but they can be deeply emotional, even romantic, once they have found a person worthy of the affection. 

Famous INTJ's include Arnold Schwarzeneggar, C. Everett Koop, General Colin Powell, Jane Austin, and Stephen Hawking. From fiction, Ensign Ro Laren from Start Trek: The Next Generation, Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings are all INTJ's.

Masterminds are outstanding in scientific research or business executives, so if you need a lab researcher or a computer programmer in your novel, you'll want an INTJ. If you need a lounge singer or a CEO, look elsewhere. Remember that, human nature being what it is, even people within the INTJ camp are going to be different from one another. Comparing Jane Austin with Arnold Schwarzeneggar, I'd have never guessed they were the same personality type. These typings are generalities. Once you plug in backstory, quirks, and flaws, you'll come up with a unique character for your novel. But if you use an INTJ in your novel, remember they'll always crave alone time, use facts more than feelings to make decisions, and will look at every possibility before making plans. 

We'll cover another personality type next time around.

-Sonja

Believable Characters, Part 6

We are deep within a discussion of creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts:

1.  Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)

2.  Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)

3.  Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

4.  Judgment (J) or Perception (P)

We've already looked at the ESTJ  and ISTJ (we took one trait from each base pair). Now let's look in-depth at the next personality type, the ENTJ. Keirsey calls this individual THE FIELDMARSHAL. These are the uber-leaders, the generals, the guys mobilizing the troops. The basic, driving force of the ENTJ is to achieve The Goal. Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur were both ENTJ's. 

ENTJ's are utilitarian in how the implement their goals. They are preoccupied with science and technology, and work well with systems. They are pragmatic, skeptical, and focused. They see themselves as ingenious and autonomous. They are bound to lead others, and take command of any group within their sphere of influence. Sometimes they find themselves in charge of a group and are mystified as to how it happened, but they take charge of it anyway. They always climb to the top. They have a strong, natural urge to bring order and efficiency to everything. They are bent on using their skills to arrange, prioritize, and compile, and if given the opportunity, they always meet their goals. And often, they will offend people in the process and make enemies. They just don't care if they're offensive. The Goal must be reached.

For the ENTJ, there must be a reason for doing something, and other people's feelings are NOT a good reason. They are skilled at eliminating bureaucracy in the workplace, and if someone needs to be fired, the ENTJ is the man for the job. They will abandon any procedure that proves ineffective--they are the supreme pragmatists. They can get so caught up in a project that they block out other areas of life, especially home life.

At home, the ENJT is in full command. Their children know what is expected, which is complete obedience. ENTJ parents don't make a scene when there is disobedience in the house, they simply dole out appropriate punishment and move on.

A few famous ENTJ people are Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Patrick Stewart, Queen Elizabeth I, Dave Letterman, Rush Limbaugh, and Steve Jobs. From fiction, Princess Leia Organa and Jordi LaForge from Star Trek: The Next Generation were both ENTJs.

ENJT's seek occupations where they can utilize their skills: military leaders, CEO's, construction contractors, technology guru's, and university deans. This personality type makes up less than two percent of the population, so use them sparingly in your novels. And don't use them as secretaries, teachers, or fast-food workers. (Can you see Margaret Thatcher happily flipping burgers?) Of course, if you did put an ENTJ into one of these unsuitable occupations, you'd have a ton of conflict in your novel...

We'll look at another personality type next time.

-Sonja

Believable Characters, Part 5

We are deep within a discussion of creating believable characters using the Myers-Briggs core personalities. I'm pulling from several sources, but mostly Jeff Gerke's book Plot vs. Character and David Keirsey's book Please Understand Me II. 

You remember the four parts:

1.  Extrovert (E) or Introvert (I)

2.  Sensing (S) or Intuitive (N)

3.  Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)

4.  Judgment (J) or Perception (P)

In the last post, we looked at the ESTJ (we took one trait from each base pair). Now let's look in-depth at the next personality type, the ISTJ (note: this just happens to be me, so I consider myself an expert on this type. Follow along.)

The ISTJ is quiet and dependable, always seeking to fully understand things, and punctual to a fault. Keirsey calls this person THE INSPECTOR. Their motto is "rules must be obeyed." Inspectors are thorough in their inspections, making sure that no inconsistencies or irregularities get by. They work behind the scenes, content to do their work in quiet, by themselves.  ISTJ's are reserved and soft-spoken, and don't naturally aspire to leadership positions. They are most comfortable when everyone around them does their duty with diligence. Conflict upsets the ISTJ, and they tend to back away from it. They thrive on to-do lists and schedules. They are also exceptionally traditional.

Inspectors despise flashiness. They have no use for fashion, glamour, or luxury. Their words, clothes, and home environments are neat, orderly, plain, and practical. They choose personal property (cars, furniture, etc) based on price and durability rather than on comfort or appearance. They prefer the old-fashioned to the new-fangled, and are not attracted to exotic foods or locales when planning their vacations.

The ISTJs make excellent mates. They honor their marriage contract and are faithful until death. Their word is their bond. Duty is another huge buzz-word for the Inspector. They enjoy social outings and gatherings, but if it gets too crowded, the ISTJ heads for the back door or a dark corner. They value ceremony and ritual. Weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays are significant events and will be honored with appropriate gifts or words of congratulation.

They make up about ten percent of the population. Some famous ISTJ people are Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, George H. W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth II, and Anthony Hopkins. I can't confirm this with inside sources, but I'm certain that Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games is an ISTJ. My husband read the book and said, "Look, Sonja, they put you in a book." But that's a post for another day.

Because of their attention to detail, ISTJ's make excellent bank examiners, auditors, accountants, or tax attorneys. They don't take monetary chances -- with their own money or someone else's -- so you'll never find an ISTJ working as a stock broker or an investor. It's not likely you'll find ISTJ's working comfortably in the performance industry, food service industry, or the sex trade. If you need a prostitute in your novel, don't make her an ISTJ. Ditto a fast food cashier or a jazz singer. She wouldn't be a good nurse, either. But if you need a librarian, dentist, legal secretary, or high school teacher, then ISTJ is what you want.

Side note: speaking from experience, ISTJ's prefer being by themselves, but can learn to interact with people as if they were extroverted. I don't feel comfortable talking to strange people, but I can do it when I have to. So don't stick too rigidly to the personality types - theres' room for subtlety. A sensing person (who relies heavily on the five senses for collecting facts) can also dip into intuition to make a decision. It just isn't their first inclination. A thinking person can take into account someone else's feelings. It's not a natural thing to do, but if they try, it's doable. So don't feel boxed in when using these personality traits. Use them to build a base, then feel free to alter them as necessary. I actually worked in a fast-food restaurant once. I was more comfortable in the back making food than up front taking money, but I learned to take orders and cash because my boss wanted me to do it. And pleasing my boss was important to me as an ISTJ. An ESFP wouldn't bother pleasing the boss but would instead do what she pleased or quit. (We'll cover that trait in a different post). So when you feel the need to stray from the base personality, make sure it's a believable stray.

We'll cover another personality in the next post. Stay tuned!

-Sonja