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Writers of all Myers Briggs types -- how do you create characters?

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Hello to all writers! What's your type and how do you create characters? I'm curious to the variations and how your type might correspond to that. Also feel free to gush about your characters if you want :D

I think I'm INTP or INFP. Usually my characters pop into my head partially formed. To improve them/make them full people, my job is to analyse them, ask them questions, and research anything relevant to them. If they have a trait that doesn't make sense to it's my job to think more, not discard the trait.

EG: Lumin is both cruel and kind -- I shouldn't try to erase the seeming contradictions but figure out why these traits coexist. In Lumin's case, she values justice, which explains the seeming discrepancy. The sweetness and the violence/cruelty come from the same ideal: that people should get what they deserve. Here's the values that this leads to for her: If they are worthy they deserve adoration and due respect. If they are unworthy they should be punished and their thoughts discarded. Incompetent people should be protected even though they are annoying.

Once I understand why they act/why they believe what they do I can write them properly, but before then it's just a process of discovery and throwing possible motivations at them until I find what fits. A lot of my first drafts are shallow because I don't understand the mechanics/feelings behind who the characters are -- I'm just writing what they're doing without any sort of deeper comprehension, and I have to come back to fix things once I understand.

More random details that might be interesting to you:

Their appearance isn't important to me unless it's important to my character -- usually physical appearance is the last thing I figure out. I only figured out that Dotto was a drag queen when I imaged what he was wearing months after I first made/found him. (It included part of a literal fishnet XD) (he's an alien mermaid so I found that pretty amusing)

My characters have sometimes told me that I'm wrong even when I think I'm right. I thought Lumin didn't have much anxiety because she is so arrogant and sure of herself, but she corrected me and told me that she experiences quite a bit of anxiety in social situations since she's jostling for status and her temper could easily ruin the reputation she wants to gain. I thought Asran was grumpy at first but when I wrote him he turned out to be absolute sweetheart, just dour and unenthusiastic at times.

I hope you enjoyed the explanation! Have a nudibranch.

Marine invertebrates Organism Terrestrial plant Electric blue Marine biology
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I think I gave too much information and that's why people haven't responded. I'm going to repost this in a bit, just ask the question, and elaborate in the comments on how I create characters so as not to overwhelm anyone with info and a wall of text.

Not sure if should delete this or not. Hmm.
ENTP. I use MBTI a lot for character creation, relying on stereotypes as a starting point. But then I add some quirks.

To create a more complex character, I begin by analyzing their behavior and thought processes. Matching them to each MBTI type helps me determine their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. This enables me to create characters that are more nuanced and believable.

MBTI can also help me understand how different types interact with each other. By incorporating this knowledge into my writing, I can create realistic and dynamic relationships between my characters. For example, an INTP may clash with an ESFP due to their conflicting communication styles.

Using MBTI, I can develop compelling character arcs that challenge my characters to overcome obstacles and grow as individuals. I can also incorporate unique traits associated with each type to create memorable characters.

However, it's important to remember that characters should not be limited by their MBTI type. By using it as a starting point, I can create well-developed characters that go beyond their type, with their own personalities, motivations, and quirks. For instance, one character may have an allergy to cephalopods, while another may be afflicted with pantophobia - the fear of everything.
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I think I gave too much information and that's why people haven't responded. I'm going to repost this in a bit, just ask the question, and elaborate in the comments on how I create characters so as not to overwhelm anyone with info and a wall of text.

Not sure if should delete this or not. Hmm.
Hah. I answered about the same time you were giving up.
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ENTP. I use MBTI a lot for character creation, relying on stereotypes as a starting point. But then I add some quirks.

To create a more complex character, I begin by analyzing their behavior and thought processes. Matching them to each MBTI type helps me determine their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. This enables me to create characters that are more nuanced and believable.

MBTI can also help me understand how different types interact with each other. By incorporating this knowledge into my writing, I can create realistic and dynamic relationships between my characters. For example, an INTP may clash with an ESFP due to their conflicting communication styles.

Using MBTI, I can develop compelling character arcs that challenge my characters to overcome obstacles and grow as individuals. I can also incorporate unique traits associated with each type to create memorable characters.

However, it's important to remember that characters should not be limited by their MBTI type. By using it as a starting point, I can create well-developed characters that go beyond their type, with their own personalities, motivations, and quirks. For instance, one character may have an allergy to cephalopods, while another may be afflicted with pantophobia - the fear of everything.
Hah. I answered about the same time you were giving up.
I'm very happy someone responded! It's hilarious that you commented just after I gave up XD

Excited to analyse your response in detail when I have the energy to. From a skim read your answer is comprehensive and insightful -- thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Hello to all writers! What's your type and how do you create characters? I'm curious to the variations and how your type might correspond to that. Also feel free to gush about your characters if you want :D

I think I'm INTP or INFP. Usually my characters pop into my head partially formed. To improve them/make them full people, my job is to analyse them, ask them questions, and research anything relevant to them. If they have a trait that doesn't make sense to it's my job to think more, not discard the trait.

EG: Lumin is both cruel and kind -- I shouldn't try to erase the seeming contradictions but figure out why these traits coexist. In Lumin's case, she values justice, which explains the seeming discrepancy. The sweetness and the violence/cruelty come from the same ideal: that people should get what they deserve. Here's the values that this leads to for her: If they are worthy they deserve adoration and due respect. If they are unworthy they should be punished and their thoughts discarded. Incompetent people should be protected even though they are annoying.

Once I understand why they act/why they believe what they do I can write them properly, but before then it's just a process of discovery and throwing possible motivations at them until I find what fits. A lot of my first drafts are shallow because I don't understand the mechanics/feelings behind who the characters are -- I'm just writing what they're doing without any sort of deeper comprehension, and I have to come back to fix things once I understand.

More random details that might be interesting to you:

Their appearance isn't important to me unless it's important to my character -- usually physical appearance is the last thing I figure out. I only figured out that Dotto was a drag queen when I imaged what he was wearing months after I first made/found him. (It included part of a literal fishnet XD) (he's an alien mermaid so I found that pretty amusing)

My characters have sometimes told me that I'm wrong even when I think I'm right. I thought Lumin didn't have much anxiety because she is so arrogant and sure of herself, but she corrected me and told me that she experiences quite a bit of anxiety in social situations since she's jostling for status and her temper could easily ruin the reputation she wants to gain. I thought Asran was grumpy at first but when I wrote him he turned out to be absolute sweetheart, just dour and unenthusiastic at times.

I hope you enjoyed the explanation! Have a nudibranch.

View attachment 918432
ENFP,

I try to think like them, putting my feet into their shoes. I came to this site to study other personality types when I first started back in 2014. I really wanted to dive in and see how other personalities responded. There's something in textbooks that don't always translate to real data.

I think I start with a story or a concept I want to write about. One day I was watching the history channel's (all the different ways humankind can die off) and then the same day I watched the movie Source Code and an idea just clicked, then as I sat down to start typing it out my favorite novel was laying on my desk next to my computer (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) and then I knew I had something. It's kind of interesting how both writers love mathematics, Lewis was a mathematics professor at Oxford University.

I want it to feel real to the reader but I still like the classic novel I grew up with. A lot of my first drafts sound slightly robotic and more in the head of what the person feels. Probably because I write from Fi so I have to remember and remind myself that humans talk and have dialog. Then I start to add emotions and heat to the mix.

My characters never talk to me but I can see them as a movie or tv series in my brain, scenes will play where I see the whole atmosphere happen. It's fun to world-build and to daydream.
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I think I gave too much information and that's why people haven't responded. I'm going to repost this in a bit, just ask the question, and elaborate in the comments on how I create characters so as not to overwhelm anyone with info and a wall of text.

Not sure if should delete this or not. Hmm.
You only gave it six hours. .. you were going to give up....

Nose Cheek Lip Vision care Eyelash
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You only gave it six hours. .. you were going to give up....

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I started working on the response like three hours ago, then I posted some posts in another thread. It took a bit of thought to describe my writing process.
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I started working on the response like three hours ago, then I posted some posts in another thread. It took a bit of thought to describe my writing process.
Well it took me about forty minutes to come up with mine in between dancing around to music 😅

Some of my scripting into the ai tonight for a cozy cabin. Now to find a piece of land not taken with a private lake for fishing and writing.

Brown Couch Property Furniture Building

Property Furniture Picture frame Building Wood

Brown Picture frame Property Furniture Couch

Brown Property Picture frame Furniture Wood

Furniture Window Wood Building Living room

Furniture Window Building Couch Wood

Furniture Property Couch Window Table

Table Lighting Interior design Wood Window
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Freaky! The theme of the AI art I did today was similar to yours.
 

Plant Building Window Sky Nature
Plant Flower Window Building Art paint
Window Chair Tints and shades Art Painting
Plant Cloud Atmosphere Building Sky
Plant Building Light Natural landscape Nature
Brown Wood Rectangle Tints and shades Flooring
Sky Cloud Plant Building Mountain
Plant Building Window Paint Nature
Atmosphere Plant Green Natural landscape People in nature


OK, I put them in spoilers so people can look at these only if they want to.
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My prompt was "A cozy home in the forest near the sea." I tried using different artists in the prompts.
Plant Sky Ecoregion Cloud Natural landscape
Furniture Property Comfort Interior design Architecture
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I usually have a vague idea of what they look like, then I think of their important items to understand them better.
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My prompt was "A cozy home in the forest near the sea." I tried using different artists in the prompts.
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Yeah I try not to use artist in my prompts but I can write like anime or kawaii or magical fantasy, or realism or surrealistic. For @WickerDeer I do mention the artist in the photo if I used them in the prompts. Mostly I do ones of my face but I have been playing around with scene creations or designs art like when I did my car designs. Like below I actually was inspired by WickerDeers name.

Plant Green Light Nature Natural environment



Plant Water Light Elk Nature

Water Plant Vertebrate Light Green

Plant Water Nature Natural landscape Branch


I mean the first thing I did with it was all my cosplay all me into my fantasy. Metroid, Alice in Wonderland, Dune, Mad Max, Blade Runner.... got jealous of myself being at a beach 😆 🤣

Then yeah it dawned on my you could use it for design, character art, scenes, story boards... because then I was like ohh I could inspire myself on what I'm thinking in my head for a character I'm writing...

Flash photography Fashion design Electric blue Space Fictional character

Blue Sleeve Thigh Entertainment Music artist

Light Flash photography Sleeve Art Cg artwork

Space Flash photography Electric blue Fictional character Eyewear

Chin Eyelash Art Cg artwork Space


Like these were done for my husband using Egyptian gods mixed with sci fi prompts and his face.
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I started a thread to post AI art, but it didn't generate much interest.

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Yeah I try not to use artist in my prompts but I can write like anime or kawaii or magical fantasy, or realism or surrealistic. For @WickerDeer I do mention the artist in the photo if I used them in the prompts. Mostly I do ones of my face but I have been playing around with scene creations or designs art like when I did my car designs. Like below I actually was inspired by WickerDeers name.

View attachment 918487


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I mean the first thing I did with it was all my cosplay all me into my fantasy. Metroid, Alice in Wonderland, Dune, Mad Max, Blade Runner.... got jealous of myself being at a beach 😆 🤣

Then yeah it dawned on my you could use it for design, character art, scenes, story boards... because then I was like ohh I could inspire myself on what I'm thinking in my head for a character I'm writing...

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Like these were done for my husband using Egyptian gods mixed with sci fi prompts and his face.
Wait bottom ones are clearly Tom Cruise lol! Like undoubtedly Tom Cruise!
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Hello to all writers! What's your type and how do you create characters? I'm curious to the variations and how your type might correspond to that. Also feel free to gush about your characters if you want :D

I think I'm INTP or INFP. Usually my characters pop into my head partially formed. To improve them/make them full people, my job is to analyse them, ask them questions, and research anything relevant to them. If they have a trait that doesn't make sense to it's my job to think more, not discard the trait.

EG: Lumin is both cruel and kind -- I shouldn't try to erase the seeming contradictions but figure out why these traits coexist. In Lumin's case, she values justice, which explains the seeming discrepancy. The sweetness and the violence/cruelty come from the same ideal: that people should get what they deserve. Here's the values that this leads to for her: If they are worthy they deserve adoration and due respect. If they are unworthy they should be punished and their thoughts discarded. Incompetent people should be protected even though they are annoying.

Once I understand why they act/why they believe what they do I can write them properly, but before then it's just a process of discovery and throwing possible motivations at them until I find what fits. A lot of my first drafts are shallow because I don't understand the mechanics/feelings behind who the characters are -- I'm just writing what they're doing without any sort of deeper comprehension, and I have to come back to fix things once I understand.

More random details that might be interesting to you:

Their appearance isn't important to me unless it's important to my character -- usually physical appearance is the last thing I figure out. I only figured out that Dotto was a drag queen when I imaged what he was wearing months after I first made/found him. (It included part of a literal fishnet XD) (he's an alien mermaid so I found that pretty amusing)

My characters have sometimes told me that I'm wrong even when I think I'm right. I thought Lumin didn't have much anxiety because she is so arrogant and sure of herself, but she corrected me and told me that she experiences quite a bit of anxiety in social situations since she's jostling for status and her temper could easily ruin the reputation she wants to gain. I thought Asran was grumpy at first but when I wrote him he turned out to be absolute sweetheart, just dour and unenthusiastic at times.

I hope you enjoyed the explanation! Have a nudibranch.

View attachment 918432
I usually think about the key themes, main over arching philosophy, themes of the story then I divide them into arcs and workout the details for each theme/arc. Once I’ve got the general theme and idea i go to story boarding to fill the details and once the story is complete I design the characters around it last.

basically I don’t like thinking about the small detailed nuances, I only care about the big picture plot, themes and philosophy of what I’m trying to communicate.
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I started a thread to post AI art, but it didn't generate much interest.


Well this is the thread I started off my learning curve in.


Plus @Glacius and @ENTJudgement and @solarnis. And @Antiparticle and others inspired me to practice it made an intj 8 prompt script kind if scary for a character haha. 😳
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Well this is the thread I started off my learning curve in.


Plus @Glacius and @ENTJudgement and @solarnis. And @Antiparticle and others inspired me to practice it made an intj 8 prompt script kind if scary for a character haha. 😳
Your INTJs looked sick, personified INTJs pretty accurately I think xD
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Wait bottom ones are clearly Tom Cruise lol! Like undoubtedly Tom Cruise!
My husband looks like tom I think more handsome than Tom but from my personal perspective. 😁

He actually gets that all the time. I laughed when the ai spat those out. You can ask @ai.tran.75

Sleeve Eyewear Overcoat Asphalt Tree


Forehead Hair Hairstyle Eyebrow Beard


Muscle Strength athletics Shorts Grass Chest


He gets asked every now and then for an autograph, he's actually taller than tom. He doesn't look like Tom all the time but just the right angle and I tease him we need to get him a fighter bomber jacket and flight glasses. Lmao 🤣

Forehead Lip Chin Cloud Sky
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My husband looks like tom I think more handsome than Tom but my personal perspective. 😁

He actually gets that all the time. I laughed when the ai spat those out. You can ask @ai.tran.75

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He gets asked every now and then for an autograph, he's actually taller than tom.
He definitely looks taller than Tom lol
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