Do you like to take personality quizzes? There are quite a few different kinds out there.
Do you ever wonder where a character would fall on one of those personality scales? Well, good news. My friend Sarah Anne Crouch has agreed to join us and give a sneak peek into how she developed her main characters for her book, A Summer in Shady Springs. Read on to find out more from Sarah!
Are you into personality assessments? You know, like The Enneagram or Myers-Briggs? Growing up, my family was very interested in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI, for short), and my cousins and I took the test once we were deemed old enough. I’m an INFP, in case you’re wondering. And a 9 on The Enneagram. And a Golden Retriever on one of those where you’re assigned an animal.
Do you ever read a story and find yourself relating to a character’s personality? Or do you find yourself wondering what a personality assessment would reveal about them? I love character-driven stories, which is pretty handy, since I write romances. While the internal struggle of the main character is most important, I also like to figure out my characters’ personality types. Matching the female and male lead with complimentary types is really helpful. I want a man and woman who have something in common but are different enough to create some conflict.
In my debut novel, A Summer in Shady Springs, my female lead is a lot like me. She’s introverted, creative, and a bit too sensitive. I was very intentional about finding a man with a personality type that would push her to the place I needed her to be by the end of the story. While my heroine is an INFP like I am (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving), the hero is an ESTP (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving). They share that last letter, which means they are both a little unorganized and love being spontaneous and flexible. (This might make planning a wedding someday very interesting…!) But her emotional and sensitive side is baffling to him, and she can’t understand why he can forgive people so easily.
Here’s some fun character bios I made for my blog:
Just like my characters, my husband and I have nearly opposite personalities. (He’s an ENTJ and a 3 on the Enneagram.) I was always advised to find a man who closely matched me, but I enjoy being married to someone so different. He’s pushed me to grow in ways I never would’ve on my own.
What about you? Are you slightly obsessed with personality assessments? Do you know what your personality type is?
Comment below by Friday, April 15th, for a chance to win an electronic copy of A Summer in Shady Springs.
The last place Madeleine Mullins wants to be is back in Shady Springs, Arkansas—the town where her whole world fell apart. But when her beloved Aunt Clara begs her for help, Madeleine reluctantly takes a job painting a mural at her aunt’s church. Her plan is to finish quickly and leave her bad memories behind. But the more time she spends with the handsome youth minister and the more she reads her Bible, the more she wonders if she has been wrong about God and the Church all along.
Three years out of college and A.J. Young still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. He knows he wants to settle down and build a family but hasn’t found the wife he’d like to share his life with. Then Madeleine comes to town. Their friendship buds quickly, although it can never be anything more as long as she isn’t a Christian.
An undeniable attraction grows between A.J. and Madeleine, but she’s only in town for a few weeks, and he can’t date someone who doesn’t share his beliefs. How can Madeleine help A.J. discover a passion for the career he’s always wanted? And how can A.J. convince Madeleine to give God and Shady Springs a second chance?
Want to know more? Click here.
Sarah Anne Crouch lives in Arkansas with her husband, three children, and thousands of books. She always wanted to be an author, but spent some time as a teacher, earned a degree in library science, and makes feeble attempts to corral her small children as a stay-at-home mom. Sarah loves reading books, recipes, piano music, and emails from readers.
Follow along on her writing journey at her website and various social media sites.
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
I know I have done these test but have no idea what I am but I really want to know what my animal is and sure hope its a cat, tiger, etc but not a dog cos I am scared of them.
I know I am more an introvert to an extrovert. At a camp I went to we did the personality test and the one girl in our room who was an extrovert didn’t gel with me at all. we were so different in everything.
Now I really need to know what animal I would be asigned.
At some stage, we were all into Tim La Haye’s personality tests and twenty five years later we still laugh at my mother biting her tongue not to respond in anger and saying” just as well that I am a Spirit controlled phlegmatic. ”
I had never thought of applying that to characters in books but it makes a lot of sense.
Test everything, keep what is good – 1 Thess 5:21. I believe one should be really careful with these “boxes” into which those “tests” can put a person. We develop, we grow, we are transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, from glory to glory, from strength to strength.
I believe these tests are good when they help us understand ourselves and others and why we react and interact as we do. I took tests that helped me understand my spiritual gifts and direct my Christian service as well as personality profiles that helped me understand myself. I believe they can be useful to authors in developing characters. I agree with Anke that we have to be careful of the “boxes.”
Here is a brief summary and test for the 4 animals personality test. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/4-animals-personality-test/
Being a golden retriever just means you are introverted but like people. Probably a lot of authors and readers fit into that category (although Amy is a lion).
You are right. It can be tempting to use the personality tests to explain away everything, but they are only a tool to help us better understand others and ourselves.
good morning. both my husband and I are introverts. both our kids turned out introverts. we have all had to learn to live well in an extroverted world. some of us are better than others at doing it.
I’m not much on these tests as I see each of us as created the way God sees best and we change and grow through trials and being put through the fire. We then have a choice to use it for His glory or become bitter.
I’ve done a few of the personality tests, but I don’t remember what they said! I usually don’t agree with them, though! lol!! Years ago, one of my sisters did a personality test, and I asked her what she thought mine would be, and she said a lion. Still don’t know if I agree with that one, though! She didn’t really explain what a lion personality was!
I’ve done little quizzes in magazines, does that count?
I think I did one of Tim LaHaye’s tests years ago but can’t remember what it came up with. I think those tests can be fun but people should be careful not to take them too seriously. We do have some things, like being an introvert or extrovert that fit into certain categories yet we have very unique gifts that do not. My entire life has shifted in the last few years, to a point where even parts of my personality are different. I think as we age and go through changes that our answers to a test like that would be different.
Thank you for introducing me to a new author and a book that sounds really good!
I totally agree. They are useful when used correctly,
A church I was a member of used a spiritual gifts survey which I found super helpful for figuring out where I could serve best.
It can be hard sometimes! But that’s nice that you all have a safe haven of introversion at home.
That’s definitely true! I believe that God made all of us different from each other. And praise God that we don’t stay the same! I just like to use them as much as they are helpful to understand myself and the people around me.
Sometimes it’s more helpful to read the descriptions than actually take the test. And sometimes sisters know us better than we know ourselves, haha!
For the record, a lion is extroverted and goal-oriented. Amy is a lion and is great at leading projects!
Totally, haha! I used to love the ones in teen magazines as a girl!
Welcome to Inspy Romance, Sarah Anne! I’m another author who uses MBTI for my characters. I find it helps me not to have too many similar characters. I also juggle birth order and other background info to ensure uniqueness. MBTI also helps me get glimpses of some of the conflicts the two characters might face in their relationship. :)
I haven’t ever taken a personality test before, but I’ve heard a lot about them.
I am an INTJ apparently there are few women with this type of “architect” personality the truth is that it totally fits me it made me laugh a lot when I took the test it was fun.
On the other hand, my dad and my mom do not fit into a single type of personality, although at first glance each of them looks like one of them, they also have things of another, I am almost a photocopy of the profile hahaha.
I don’t put too much stock in the personality trait tests, but they are fun to take & see which categories I fall into. I find I don’t 100 percent match every question or answer, so it’s not a perfect picture of who or what I am :-) I’m unique, just like God created me to be!
My husband and I are a lot a like you are. He’s pushed me in some areas that needed pushed & always brought out the best in me. I’ve grown a lot because of him….and vise versa is true. I’ve helped him grow & change over the years too. All in good ways, of course. I would never want to change who or what he is because those traits are what attracted me to him in the first place. At the core, we are very much alike and have the same goals in life….and that’s what counts the most! Of course there are still things we don’t agree on, but we’ve decided years ago to agree to disagree & it’s made for a peaceful existence. His quirks and my quirks actually compliment each other…a thought process that’s developed over time. And I love & accept him just as he is….like he does for me.
I think we all are uniquely created by God, and if we accept each other as He made us to be, it’s a much more pleasant world to live in. And yes, I love the opposites attract troupe in fiction….it can be so fun to read! I love seeing how a writer brings those two seemingly opposite traits together in the end & make a love match :-)
Deb, I have to agree with you in that my personality has shifted over the years too. What I deemed important is now maybe not so much anymore. I think we all change and grow as we get older & view life in different ways the more we experience. :-)
This was just one test I just took, but unfortunately you have to pay for the results. I thought it was free, but it isn’t.I’ll keep looking for free ones & post the result. Anyway, this is one line & I have agree with it (didn’t give me anything else like the letters INFP you posted)!
“Also known as the Defender or the Protector, they are one of the most humble and hard working helpers of our society. They thrive when others around them thrive and they feel like they’re being a helpful part of their community.”
Okay, so I took this 16 personality tests (free) and this is what it says:
“Defender ISFJ-T”
Oh, boy, I’m NOT an extrovert!!! I’m smack dab in the middle of introvert/extrovert, and lean more to introvert!!
Hi, I have done tests like these before, and I find them very interesting.
As you can see from Sarah’s comment, my secret is out. According to this personality test, I’m a lion. Although I have some of the other animals’ tendencies, too. I think these tests can be fun, but I don’t give much weight to them. I figure we are who we are and don’t necessarily fit in a box … or a particular animal. ;-)
When Sarah told me how she used the personality assessments for her characters, it intrigued me, too. Your story is funny! Thanks for sharing.
Great points. Thanks so much for stopping by today.
I’ve never heard of the tests to understand spiritual gifts, Beth. I may have to look into that one. Although I’m one of these crazy people who think I need to serve in every single capacity I can at all times. Maybe why I’m always tired? ;-)
I live with a couple of introverts and have had to learn when to let my extrovertedness shine and when to tone it down. My husband definitely doesn’t like being around people as much as I do.
Thank you, Valerie! I’m trying to venture out into birth order variation. With my first and second manuscripts, everyone was an only child or first-born. The novella I wrote that comes out this fall has a youngest child, but none of the siblings make an appearance. Someday I’ll get brave and write a big family!
We are definitely all made differently. Thank God for that, because otherwise this world wouldn’t be nearly as interesting. :-)
Trudy, how funny that your sister thought you were more extroverted when you’re not. I’ve been told I’m a lion, but I have some bits and pieces of the other animals, too. I don’t know if anyone fits exactly in these particular animals or personalities.
I can remember doing the ones in teen magazines growing up, too.
That’s really interesting to know, Valerie. And now I want to go read a few more of your books and see if I can tell. Ha!
My mother-in-law passed down a copy of Tim LaHaye’s Understanding Your Child’s Temperament. The best part was all the notes and highlighted sections. She obviously found his book very helpful!
Thanks for your comments, Deb! Having children definitely forced me to be more organized. And living with my husband for 12 years has made me more logical. I’m sure I will change and grow even more over the years.
They can be fun and useful for understanding yourself and the people around you a little better!
Lilly, That’s so interesting! Some of us definitely fit into the categories better than others. And I’ve heard a few people say they prefer the Enneagram because it fits them better than MBTI.
I think so too! Thanks for stopping by, Alicia!
Trixi, my granddad and dad were both certified to give the Myers-Briggs type test, which is the one with the letters. It sounds like you found a helpful website though. Sometimes you can figure out what you are best by reading the descriptions, rather than taking the test. (Plus some of them can be really long!)
I love hearing that you and your husband have such a good relationship. One of God’s biggest blessings to me has been my marriage to my wonderful husband. I’ve grown and changed in ways I never would’ve expected.
fun bios
Thanks! I had fun making them!
I do not remember taking a personality test. I may have when I was younger. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I vaguely remember I had an IN in mine LOLOL
I enjoy personality tests
I like all kinds of quizzes
Thanks for the comments. I am actually more extroverted now than when I was younger.
I have friends who swear by personality tests. I tend to get a different answer every time. 😂
I don’t really “fit” any one single personality, either. I think it’s because I always change my mind in the middle of answering the questions. 😂
Trixie, I love your description of your marriage. I definitely believe a spouse is supposed to help us become our best self and vice versa.
Thanks for commenting. These tests can be interesting.
I think they’re cute, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Debra!
Then we’re at least half the same! Thanks for reading, Natalya!
Glad I’m not the only one! Thanks for stopping by, Amy!
I think so too. They can be lots of fun!
There are two changes that show up most in me differently now. Even when we get older there is always a type of ‘peer pressure’. I don’t mind doing things others may not choose to do or go along with the crowd, group, etc…
I am also much more likely to speak up when someone has hurt or done wrong to me where I used to hold a lot in. My daughter often says I’m getting old and crotchety! I say I’m more vocally sure of myself! 😊
I heard someone talk about ‘peer pressure’ recently. He said it isn’t really peer pressure, it’s ‘fear pressure’, the fear others won’t accept us. Great perspective isn’t it?
It’s been a few years since I took one, too.
You remember more about your results than I do about mine. 🤣
Thanks for commenting!
:-) They do look like fun.
It is a great perspective. But I am also the kind of person who has a goal of growing “up” to be a fiesty old lady. Sounds better than crotchety, doesn’t it? ;)
That it does! That’s why I came up with being more vocally sure of myself too!