Personality Add-Ons
Summary
Registered users can use our free personality add-ons to create characters. There are three of these: the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs and Archetypes.The personality add-ons can be used with the period add-ons.
Select "Create Character From Add-on" from the "Options" menu on the Characters Tab.
The Advantages of This Method
The advantage of creating new characters this way is that the characters have a consistency. They seem 'right' because their personality traits conform to a known archetype.It's Just A Starting Point
It may seem that creating characters this way is too rigid. But the personality descriptions created by the free WriteItNow add-ons are just a starting point. They provide a frame-work for new characters. You need to flesh them out and bring them to life.Is It Complicated?
With WriteItNow it isn't. As a registered user you select the personality add-on you want to use and click a button. WriteItNow generates a personlity using one of available types. With that as a starting point you create a rounded and realistic character.The Enneagram
The Enneagram divides personalities into nine distinct types. These are type 1 to type 9. Each type has a set of distinguishing features.| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Type 1: Reformers | They always try to be right |
| Type 2: Helpers | They are motivated by helping others |
| Type 3: Motivators | Life is a challenge and they must win |
| Type 4: Romantics | These combine sensitivity, emotional intensity and intuition |
| Type 5: Thinkers | They try to explain the world |
| Type 6: Loyalists | These need to trust others and be trusted |
| Type 7: Enthusiasts | Tend to be adventurous, exuberant and have wide interests. |
| Type 8: Confronters | They are assertive, speak their minds and make quick decisions |
| Type 9: Mediators | These are patient people who are good listeners |
Each type can be influenced by the 'wings' on either side.
E.g. type 3's can be influenced by type 2's and type 4's. Type 1's can be influenced by type 9's and type 2's.
Myers-Briggs
Carl Jung developed a theory of psychological types based on the four pairs of attributes (Feeling or Thinking, iNtuition or Sensing, Extraversion or Introversion and Judging or Perceiving).This was quantified by Myers-Briggs.
This can be used to categorise 16 personality types.
| Type | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENFP: | Extraverted-iNtuitive-Feeling-Perceiving | The Enthusiast |
| INFP: | Introverted-iNtuitive-Feeling-Perceiving | The Idealist |
| ENFJ: | Extraverted-iNtuitive-Feeling-Judging | The Teacher |
| INFJ: | Introverted-iNtuitive-Feeling-Judging | The Counselor |
| ENTP: | Extraverted-iNtuitive-Thinking-Perceiving | The Innovator |
| INTP: | Introverted-iNtuitive-Thinking-Perceiving | The Thinker |
| ENTJ: | Extraverted-iNtuitive-Thinking-Judging | The Executive |
| INTJ: | Introverted-iNtuitive-Thinking-Judging | The Scientist |
| ESFP: | Extraverted-Sensing-Feeling-Perceiving | The Performer |
| ISFP: | Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Perceiving | The Artist |
| ESFJ: | Extraverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging | The Protector |
| ISFJ: | Introverted-Sensing-Feeling-Judging | The Nurturer |
| ESTP: | Extraverted-Sensing-Thinking-Perceiving | The Promoter |
| ISTP: | Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Perceiving | The Mechanic |
| ESTJ: | Extraverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging | The Supervisor |
| ISTJ: | Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging | The Inspector |
Archetypes
In 1940 Joseph Campbell wrote The "Hero's Journey", in which he identifies 7 archetypical character types| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Hero | A hero who must go on a journey and suffer to complete a task. |
| Mentor | The mentor represents a wise person. He or she helps or trains the hero. |
| Threshold Guardian | Not usually the main antagonist but they often provide the first problem to the hero. |
| Herald | Announces the coming of significant change. May be an event rather than a person. |
| Shapeshifter | Someone whose loyalties are unclear, or whose loyalties change. The Hero doesn't know if they can count on this person. |
| Shadow | Often the antagonist in a story. A negative figure, representing things we dislike and would like to remove. |
| Trickster | A mischief-maker or a clown. They provide light relief and surprises. |
George Lucas allegedly based the Star Wars series on ideas from Campbell's books.
Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" uses the archetypes in a very direct way.
Kurt Vonnegut satirized and summarized Campbell's archetypes with "The hero gets into trouble. The hero gets out of trouble."
| Useful references |
|---|
| Joseph Campbell on Wikipedia |
| Ageless Wisdom and the Hero's Journey |