I'm an INFP and a playwright and I read a lot of MBTI stuff online. I notice that "playwright" is often listed as a career choice* for INFJs, but not so much for INFPs.** INFPs get poet, novelist, character actor, and generic "writer" as career choices but not playwright.***
I am wondering does anyone know is this a deliberate omission by the people who create such lists? For example, have they concluded that our Fi make us better suited to working alone or with a single editor (writing poetry and novels), whereas the Fe of INFJs makes them better suited to collaborating with actors, directors and all the other people it takes to put on a play?
From my own experience, I can say that I like the balance of working alone on a script and then sharing it with a director, cast and crew, but it took me some time to learn the skills to do this effectively (and to pick the right people to work with).
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
* -- I use the term "career choice" here loosely. Almost nobody earns a living as playwright these days. Even if you have a Broadway show, that's not going to pay your bills for more than a year or two.
** -- The only exception I have found so far is Dan Johnston's book which lists "playwright" FIRST among INFP career choices.
*** -- Yes, I know Shakespeare is often listed as an INFP. But, really, who knows what Shakespeare was like? IMHO we all tend to project our own personalities onto him because just about anyone can find their thoughts in his writing. So...let's set that example aside.
(EDITED)
I am wondering does anyone know is this a deliberate omission by the people who create such lists? For example, have they concluded that our Fi make us better suited to working alone or with a single editor (writing poetry and novels), whereas the Fe of INFJs makes them better suited to collaborating with actors, directors and all the other people it takes to put on a play?
From my own experience, I can say that I like the balance of working alone on a script and then sharing it with a director, cast and crew, but it took me some time to learn the skills to do this effectively (and to pick the right people to work with).
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
* -- I use the term "career choice" here loosely. Almost nobody earns a living as playwright these days. Even if you have a Broadway show, that's not going to pay your bills for more than a year or two.
** -- The only exception I have found so far is Dan Johnston's book which lists "playwright" FIRST among INFP career choices.
*** -- Yes, I know Shakespeare is often listed as an INFP. But, really, who knows what Shakespeare was like? IMHO we all tend to project our own personalities onto him because just about anyone can find their thoughts in his writing. So...let's set that example aside.
(EDITED)