Four Personalitiy Types For Characterization

Though I provided this information in March 2011, it's worth reviewing again, because it provides a major way to create dynamic, three-dimensionsal characters for your fiction. When you locate the various personality types in your story,  you can build quality conflicts that catpures readers and hangs on. Though I'd studied the core personalities in my psychology classes in college, A couple years ago, Author Mark Mynheir presented a workshop on characterization and suggested the use of the Myers Briggs personality test to help create dynamic characters by using the basic core personalities and then wrapping a backstory history around him. Instead of using the eight personalitiy types in the Myers Briggs, focus on the four
core personalities: : feeler, driver, analyzer, and elitist.

Feeler:
The feller is a person who reacts and interacts through emotion and comes across as warm and friend. He avoids confrontation and always tries to put the most positive twist on every situation. He prefers intimate groups rather than a crowd and rarely initiates conversation, especially with strangers. When in a larger group, he becomes more reticent and only expresses opinions that are non-aggressive. His emotions are often on his sleeve. His body language can be emotive. Think Oprah.

Driver:
The driver tends to be a Type A personality who is perceptive and therefore likes to control the situation. He is curious and enthusiastic while tending to pick up on the mood and style of the group he is in. He is verbal and quick-minded. His body action is animated. Some people might considered him overly-friendly, but he is naturally gregarious. He would be considered a nonconformist, willing to take changes if he sees the possibility of positive results. Think Bill O’Reilly

Analyzer:
The analyzer is organized, logical, and stoic. He is careful in what he says, controlling himself mentally, physically and verbally. Though he is pleasant, he keeps his distance and appears to need no one besides himself. Emotions are not for the analyzer, but intellect is. He is very self-confident and is not at ease in lighthearted or frivolous situations. Think Barbara Walters and Martha Stewart.

Elitist:
The elitist is aloof and feels superior. Although he appears friendly, he has a strong sense of his own importance. He observes his surroundings yet is detached from the situation. He can be charismatic and easily stands out in a crowd by his bearing and manner. Think Simon Cowell and Hannibal Lector.

Identify your main characters into one of the four categories, then build your backstory around these kinds of personality traits. Once you have this established, look at your major plot points and begin to build the conflicts that can result from these particular personality combinations. You will come up with quality conflicts if you do your homework.

Internet Links for Characterization

When I begin working on characterization, I use catalogues for photographs (various poses of the same model in different clothing and sometimes settings) plus I begin to dig into their past. Through the years I've found links that can be very helpful in creating characters and giving them names.

Below is a worsheet, I often distribute to conferees at conferences or workshops when I teach. I thought I would share it with you.

Internet Links for Characterization

Creating realistic character’s is a key to writing a good novel. Developing these individuals as fully as you can to make the three-dimensional takes work, but when they are "real" and you know their personality, values, beliefs, and characteristics. Then you can incorporate true to life actions and responses in your novels.
As I create my characters through the years, I have found a number of website links that have proven invaluable in learning more about my character—his personality, his career, his likes and dislikes and even his appearance. I have learned that a character’s name truly reflects who they are.
Below you will find a variety of links that will help you name and create intriguing characters for you upcoming novels. Use your character’s POV to answer the test questions.

http://www.kabalarians.com/index.cfm
This link gives 80,000 male and female baby names with personality traits, health issues, personal relations and business attributed to that name
______________________________________________________________________________
www.parenthoodweb.com/babynames.html
This site allows you to put in baby names or meanings. Research on baby names and names and personality.
______________________________________________________________________________
www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
This lists the most 10 popular names between 1880 and the present.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://chatterbean.com/
Provides character and personality tests
______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.careerexplorer.net/
This site helps you determine a career personality.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html
This site explorers aspects of characterization or personality, including romantic qualities.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.testcafe.com/
This site offers a variety of free tests on emotion, personality, motivation, relationships, IQ, and more
______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Social_Sciences/Psychology/
This site provides many links to tests on careers, psychological and personality tests.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://web.tickle.com/
This site provides quizzes, fashion, hairstyles, and information for younger characters.
I find these links helpful in creating characters, and whatever you can do to make your character’s come alive the better. Save these links and use them when you’re creating new characters.

Internet Links for Characterization

When I teach writing all over the US, I often share this sheet with those in attendance to help them in creating believable characters. I've found these links to be helpful in getting a good understanding of my character and by creating a backstory for them. I hope you find these links helpful.

Creating realistic character’s is a key to writing a good novel. Developing these individuals as fully as you can to make the three-dimensional takes work, but when they are "real" and you know their personality, values, beliefs, and characteristics. Then you can incorporate true to life actions and responses in your novels.

As I create my characters through the years, I have found a number of website links that have proven invaluable in learning more about my character—his personality, his career, his likes and dislikes and even his appearance. I have learned that a character’s name truly reflects who they are.

Below you will find a variety of links that will help you name and create intriguing characters for you upcoming novels. Use your character’s POV to answer the test questions.
http://www.kabalarians.com/index.cfm

This link gives 80,000 male and female baby names with personality traits, health issues, personal relations and business attributed to that name

Example: Jerod
Your name of Jerod creates an idealistic, sensitive nature and a desire for culture and the refinements of life. You would work best in a relaxed environment at tasks involving writing, mathematical, or analytical skills that require concentration. You appear calm to others, but at times you suffer inwardly with nervous tension. You can find it difficult to express your deeper thoughts and feelings verbally. It is much more natural for you to express your deeper thoughts in writing. A lack of positivity and confidence is a source of difficulty in making decisions in business dealings. You are easily offended, and can suffer with moods of depression. You want the best, but lack the confidence and aggressiveness to materialize your desires. Procrastination is a weakness, for so often you are inclined to avoid issues and to leave things undone until the last moment when you are forced to take action. You are inclined to indulge in rich foods that lack proper nourishment. This name creates weaknesses in the heart, the respiratory organs, or the kidneys.

___________________________________________________________________________________
www.parenthoodweb.com/babynames.html
This site allows you to put in baby names or meanings. Research on baby names and names and personality.
________________________________________________________________________________

www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
This lists the most 10 popular names between 1880 and the present.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://chatterbean.com/
Provides character and personality tests
______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.careerexplorer.net/
This site helps you determine a career personality.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html
This site explorers aspects of characterization or personality, including romantic qualities.
______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.testcafe.com/
This site offers a variety of free tests on emotion, personality, motivation, relationships, IQ, and more
______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Social_Sciences/Psychology/
This site provides many links to tests on careers, psychological and personality tests.
______________________________________________________________________________
Http://web.tickle.com/
This site provides quizzes, fashion, hairstyles, and information for younger characters.
I find these links helpful in creating characters, and whatever you can do to make your character’s come alive the better. Save these links and use them when you’re creating new characters.