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Writers, do you ever take personality tests from your character's perspective?

Discussion in 'Entertainment and Technology' started by Canterpiece, Nov 20, 2017.

  1. Canterpiece

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    As in, do you ever pretend to be your character momentarily, and take personality tests as if you were them just out of interest of what they would get? I know personality tests aren't great, but a part of me wonders how much certain characters of mine differ from me. With some characters there is quite a lot of difference, but with others we're fairly similar.

    I found that most of my characters scored as introverted, except for two whom were extroverted. In fact, I wonder what they would get on Pottermore quizzes, especially the wand one....hmm.... :thinking:
     
  2. Creativemind

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    ALL the time! It's super fun.

    For stuff like MBTI and enneagram, I usually don't take actual tests, but instead assign one after reading the descriptions. I've also taken those alignment quizzes too.
     
  3. Crisalide

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    Always, and they always end up as my mbti type. That must mean they're my alter-egos. Or that I can't really empathize with people different than me.
     
  4. tranonymous

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    I have not done this but it sounds really cool, I might have to try it out.
     
  5. jam93

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    I've never even thought of doing that, but it sounds fun. It also sounds like it could be a good way of getting into the characters heads, since it would require thinking about the test from thier point if view. I could definately see this as a way to help develope them further too, by making you think about aspects of who they are you may not have considered. I'll have to give this a try some time.
     
  6. Spot

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    Yeah, I have. I've mostly done Hogwarts house quizzes out of curiosity (although I could guess beforehand) but the MBTI is a good idea too.
     
  7. SeulgiBunny

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    Not, rarely.
     
  8. Percy15

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    Whenever I'm writing a new character, I get one of those 'About Me' sheets that a teacher might make their second-grade class fill out and then do it from the perspective of my character. Quizzes are also pretty fun.
     
  9. Shoei Loei

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    Oh my god, I’ve never done this before, but I’m gonna go do that right now! That sounds awesome haha...Meyers Briggs, here I come...or here my character comes haha.
     
  10. Creativemind

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    Now we probably need a thread stating our own MBTI types, and our character's types.

    I actually almost always get characters that are different than my own type. Maybe that is normal for my personality? I'm an INFP. Descriptions state that we are empathetic to other perspectives and one of the most creative types of people when it comes to writing, so that could be why it is very easy for me to get into the heads of other types. Only one of my characters was an INFP as well. Otherwise, I seem to have a lot of "E" types and even "T" types.
     
    #10 Creativemind, Nov 23, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2017
  11. Kira

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    Hmm. I might have to try that, any recommended?

    I'll often have trouble properly understanding others so it can be difficult for me at times.
    Especially writing a proper antagonist, who will have reasons behind what they're doing and isn't just "Terrorizing for the heck of it"
    I mean, aside from possible indoctrination, as I already know that one first hand.
     
  12. Secrets5

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  13. Canterpiece

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    I did one of those tests on my characters, the side character was ENFP, as for the main character they were INTP, can't remember what my protagonist got (Yes, the two can be separate).

    Another side character was INFP, and they were in a relationship with a character who got ISTJ, as for my villain they got ESTP.

    I usually get INTP/INFP (my feeling and thinking scores are usually close to 50/50).
     
    #13 Canterpiece, Nov 24, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2017
  14. Creativemind

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    Awesome thread!

    I have two stories. I actually ended up with an ESTP villain as well as an ESTP protagonist/hero. They are not from the same story, though. The protagonist in the ESTP villain story is an ESFJ, while the villain of the ESTP hero story ended up being ENTJ. (They're all extroverts, ahhh!!!)

    It's funny with the ESTP villain and hero though (despite being in different books). They are so similar personality wise, but their motives and morals are so different as well.

    Though the significant other of my ESFJ is an INFJ.
     
  15. Crisalide

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    Hey, "terrorizing for the heck of it" is a good reason LOL
     
  16. Canterpiece

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    Update: Apparently my protagonist is an INTJ, whereas my main character is INTP, which makes sense since the protagonist is always reminding the main character of deadlines, haha. :grin:
     
  17. Lawrence

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    Yeah that's weirdly fun. Plus filling out loooong character profile forms

    Last time I checked most of my characters lead with Fe or Se
     
  18. Suomi

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    No. All my characters are versions of my myself that are the same.

    All from different ages, genders, gay or straight, transgender, races, parts of the world etc.

    As I'm not gonna bullshit, I do have split personalities.

    I have some characters that are young attractive girls, I have some characters that are old men. Yet they are all apart of me.

    I have over 5000 characters by the way so. It's easy for me.
     
    #18 Suomi, Nov 25, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2017
  19. BiDragon

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    I take tests as my characters all the time! It’s fun and helps you learn more about your characters.
     
  20. Necrose

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    Yes. Serenity, my MC, is a good person at heart, but she has a long fuse, powerful bomb temper and a bit of social anxiety. Fantasma, Serenity's third youngest of eight and second youngest daughter, well, she isn't a sociopath or afflicted with antisocial personality disorder, but she does have a heartless streak and is prone to episodes of panic and dread when her sexual orientation comes into question.