Distancing One's Identity from Fictional Personas

Doug Lewars, the author of thirteen books on Smashwords.com, has contributed a fascinating guest post to our blog, delving into the world of character development and the Myers-Briggs personality classification system.

In the article, Lewars discusses the differences between ESFP and INTJ characters, two distinct personas within the Myers-Briggs spectrum. An ESFP character, marked by extraversion, sensing, feeling, and perceiving, approaches social situations with assertiveness and a focus on emotional connections, inclusivity, and visceral appeal. On the other hand, an INTJ character, characterised by introversion, intuition, thinking, and judging, tends to be more reserved and analytical.

Lewars also highlights the potential for friction between these two types, especially when an ESFP character encounters resistance to their ideas. In such cases, the ESFP character might become defensive, accusing others of not being team players or being naysayers.

The author of the ESFP character described in the article is Linda V. Berens, a renowned expert in the field of Myers-Briggs typology. Berens' work provides valuable insights into the nuances of these personalities, helping writers create more authentic and engaging characters.

However, Lewars emphasises that each pair in the Myers-Briggs system is a spectrum, and the four-letter classification is a starting point. As authors, we may need to be prepared to enumerate a character's characteristics in a spreadsheet or text file and review them scene by scene to ensure consistency.

Moreover, Lewars acknowledges the challenges that come with writing a character who is drastically unlike themselves. Over the course of a novel, it may be difficult to remain consistent with a character who is unlike the author, and we may need to be prepared to cringe at our characters' behaviour if we choose to develop someone whose profile is drastically unlike our own.

In conclusion, Doug Lewars' guest post offers a thoughtful exploration of character development through the lens of the Myers-Briggs personality classification system. By understanding the unique traits and tendencies of different personality types, writers can create more nuanced and believable characters, enriching their stories and engaging their readers.