Looks like June is a month for guest posts, all bundled up into this past week. I’ve been wanting to write an article for Mythic Scribes pretty much since I started this blog over two years ago. Problem was I never had an idea to pitch to them. Until now.
It all came about when I was up to my eyeballs in editing woes for A Shadowed Spirit (I’m still just so thrilled just to have a title for that dang book). Some of these woes came from one character, specifically. In an effort to address those problems, I ran the character in question through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Incidentally, I had also run a different character from the same story through the MBTI but for different reasons. It occurred to me then that it might make for an interesting article, and one I could pitch to Mythic Scribes. So I did, and they loved it.
A bit of fair warning, though. While there isn’t any spoilery information in the article as far as the story goes, I do talk at length about these two characters and their respective roles and developmental journeys. Think of it kind of like a “behind the scenes” type thing. If that’s information you’d rather not know about prior to the book’s release, then it’s probably best you don’t read the article.
If, however, you’re like, “Whatever, don’t care!” then click on.
Applying the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to Fictional Characters
Enjoyed the article. And you know? My MC is a bit like your Enon. I too have a problem letting reader connect with him. In fact, this problem as showed up already in the opening of the novel.
Can I ask you how did you deal with it?
Well, I’d say the Enon problem is still ongoing. But for the moment, the way I’ve addressed it was to try and find some moments where he was “off duty” and to try and have him show a little bit more of himself where it felt right to do so. One of the biggest problems with Enon is that he’s a side character, and so the reader’s perception of him is very much tied to the MC’s observations. Hopefully, with your guy being the MC, you won’t struggle with it as much as I have.
I also changed a couple of his reactions when he was “on duty” to perhaps be a bit more relaxed, given the circumstances of that particular scene (meaning it wasn’t a break in character for him to do so). Ultimately, I’ve just tried loosening his strings a little bit. Not too much, though, because I still want him to be… him. It’s definitely a balancing act and I honestly have no idea whether or not I’ve pulled it off.
I’d be happy to read through the opening of your manuscript and give you some feedback, if you’d like. I’m kind of curious about your own taciturn character problem, so it’d probably be a learning experience for me as well. Just throw me a mail if you’re interested. 🙂
Well, Michael is the kind of character that acts in one way with people he trusts and in a completely different way with people he doesn’t trust. But I do have the same problem as you: I feel like breaking character if I go too far one way or the other.
Hey, I’d love if you could read my opening chapters. Having a fresh eye on the novel is so helpful… and not easy to find.
I’m contacting you 🙂
Yep, I totally get what you’re saying. Looking forward to your chapters! 😀
It’s such a great idea to use the MBTI on characters! I love how it gave you Jash’s nosiness too, which is a great character trait and totally makes sense given what you told us about him. I’ll definitely be giving it a try next time I create a new character so I can get a better and deeper handle on them 🙂
Thanks, Celine! Hopefully it will help you out! 😀
Heading over. 🙂
I’ve left a comment about your article over at Mythic Scribes, but I wanted to leave a note here to say congratulations on having your pitch greeted with open arms and your article posted. That has to feel good!
Thanks, Kern. It did feel pretty nice to have it accepted. 🙂
What a great idea! And congrats on getting your article accepted. That’s awesome!
Thanks, J.H.! 🙂