Even though developing fictional people fascinates me, updating the character template for my favorite writing app proved harder than I expected. Here’s why.
The Writing Puzzle
I’m probably not much different that most writers. Pulling together the many pieces of a novel intrigues me more than character development. That’s why updating my character template proved harder than expected.
But for many writers, me included, the missing piece to the writing puzzle is the development of characters who react realistically to plot events.
Fortunately, I discovered how the Enneagram of Personality could provide that crucial piece.
The Enneagram of Personality
The Enneagram of Personality describes the interconnected patterns of how people see the world and manage their emotions. Since the 1950s, theorists have tested the Enneagram and documented their findings.
By understanding each personality type’s traits and behaviors, you can show readers how your fictional characters approach life, such as romantic relationships, career choices, and friendships.
In your novel, you can use this body of knowledge to create villains, heroes, and supporting cast members — characters who react to fictional people and events with realistic emotions and behaviors.
The Danger of Falling into a Bottomless Rabbit Hole
The Enneagram theory set my imagination on fire. I envisioned an updated character template for my writing app.
However, for writers who like to research (me!), exploring the many character traits and behaviors is like a bottomless rabbit hole.
My reference library will attest to that danger, with a half-dozen Enneagram-related titles lining the digital shelf.
To avoid wasting time, I needed a straightforward way to understand and apply Enneagram theory to character development.
Different Takes on Character Development
Unless you spend an inordinate amount of time studying Enneagram theory, it’s hard to understand the relationships between characters.
I looked at the different takes on the problem, such as mythic character archetypes, or the hero’s journey (monomyth) popularized by Joseph Campbell.
All the surveyed methods required two things:
- An understanding of the underlying theory (e.g., Enneagram, Monomyth, Archetypes, etc.).
- A process to turn the theory into interesting characters who react realistically in response to plot events.
Why Use Enneagram Types
After surveying these methods, I chose the Enneagram approach because the nine character types clearly defined essential traits and behaviors.
You can use these types as the starting point to introduce a character to your audience. Then, as the story unfolds, like a real person, the fictional character reacts emotionally to plot events with negative or positive behaviors.
Those emotions are what readers crave!
A Character Template Is Only A Tool
To be clear, a character template for your favorite writing app will not make you a bestselling author.
For example, not all popular novels have primary characters who change as the story progresses — but most do.
How you use a character template boils down to who you’re writing for.
Consider Your Audience
The majority of readers expect characters to:
- Show the emotions they crave.
- Grab and hold their attention.
- Have distinctive voices that eliminate confusion.
- Reveal the backstory justifying thoughts, choices, dialogue, and actions.
- Avoid the typical hero and villain cliches.
- React and change realistically as the story unfolds.
A robust character template helps you fulfill your readers’ expectations.
Conclusion
I wanted a character template based on the Enneagram of Personality. This update achieves that goal and brings together many tips in one convenient package.
If that’s of interest to you, check out the updated character template page.
Leave a Reply
How do you go about developing multi-dimensioned characters?
Great resource. Thanks for sharing, Grant 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony. A labor of love I hope others find useful.
Getting the characters right and bringing out the emotion they feel is such an important part of writing a successful novel. I remember thinking, when I read Dostoyevski’s Crime and Punishment, “How can he know how each of these characters feel and what they must be thinking – the government worker, the woman who prostitutes herself to survive, the student (an otherwise good person) who commits murder when he’s overcome by emotions? How could the author know what each of them must be thinking and feeling?” It’s this aspect of the novel that impressed me the most when I first read it. It was a very long time ago when I read it, but I remember the characters and how they felt and why they did what they did that made me admire this writer.
Excellent summary, Anneli! A plot draws an audience, but it’s the right mix of characters’ thoughts, choices, dialogue, and actions that turn casual readers into loyal fans.
Nicely organized. I’m working up characters for my next trilogy so this is helpful.
Thanks, Jacqui. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your next trilogy. I’d love to post about your process of researching and organizing the material. Just let me know if that’s of interest.