Embrace the Writer Personality: Three Tips to Clarify Your Message

Understanding your unique writer personality is essential to gaining clarity on your book’s message and creating a work that truly resonates.

Your writer personality, shaped by your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and other factors, influence how you approach the writing process, handle resistance and obstacles, and connect with your readers.

By recognizing how your writer personality affects your ability to gain clarity and stay motivated, you can develop strategies to work with your natural tendencies, overcome challenges, and write a book that showcases your expertise while making a lasting impact on your readers and your business. Let’s explore how.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Writer Personality

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals based on their preferences and tendencies.

The MBTI consists of four categories. Each category is rated on a continuum, and the interaction of these categories results in 16 distinct personality types.

However, it’s important to note that these types are not fixed. Rather, they represent a spectrum, as each individual falls somewhere along the continuum within each category.

Understanding the MBTI Categories

One of the key MBTI categories that influences your writer personality is the Judging (J) versus Perceiving (P) preference.

This category reflects how you approach tasks, make decisions, and organize your life. Judgers tend to be more structured. They prefer to plan and schedule their activities, while Perceivers are more spontaneous and adaptable, preferring to keep their options open.

Approximately 50% of people fall into the Perceiver category, with the other 50% identifying as Judgers. It’s important to remember that this is a continuum, and individuals can fall anywhere from 0% to 100%.

The degree to which you exhibit Judging or Perceiving traits will influence your writer personality and how you approach the book writing process.

The Impact of Personality Type on Writing and Clarity

Your writer personality, as influenced by your MBTI type, can significantly impact your ability to gain clarity on your book’s message.

Perceivers, who value spontaneity and adaptability, may struggle with committing to a single book idea or message. They may find themselves constantly exploring new ideas and possibilities, making it challenging to focus on one topic long enough to write a book.

On the other hand, Judgers, who value structure and planning, may struggle with perfectionism and the desire to have everything figured out before starting their book.

They may get stuck in the planning phase, trying to outline every detail and anticipate every potential obstacle before putting pen to paper.

Recognizing how your writer personality influences your approach to writing and clarity can help you develop strategies to work with your natural tendencies rather than against them.

By understanding your MBTI type and its impact on your writing process, you can learn to embrace your writer personality while still making progress on your book and gaining clarity on your message.

READ MORE: Is Joy Really the Secret Writing Tip to Help You Write Your Book?

Overcoming Resistance to Clarity

As a writer, you may find yourself struggling to gain clarity on your book’s message. This resistance to clarity is often rooted in underlying psychological factors, including what we call the “secondary gain” of not having clarity.

By identifying these secondary gains and understanding how your writer personality contributes to resistance, you can take steps to overcome these obstacles and move forward with your book.

Identifying the “Secondary Gain” of Not Having Clarity

The secondary gain of not having clarity refers to the hidden benefits or payoffs that you may experience by remaining unclear about your book’s message. For example, if you don’t commit to a specific idea, you may feel like you’re keeping your options open and avoiding the risk of choosing the “wrong” topic.

Or, if you don’t fully clarify your message, you may avoid the vulnerability of putting your ideas out into the world and potentially facing criticism or rejection.

These secondary gains can be particularly appealing to certain writer personality types. Perceivers may resist clarity because they value spontaneity and adaptability, and committing to a single message feels like a limitation.

Judgers, on the other hand, may resist clarity because they want to have everything perfectly figured out before they begin, and the fear of not getting it “right” can lead to paralysis.

Understanding How Your Writer Personality Contributes to Resistance

Your writer personality, as influenced by your MBTI type, can contribute to your resistance to clarity in various ways. Perceivers may find themselves constantly chasing new ideas and inspiration, making it difficult to settle on a single message. They may also fear that committing to one topic will limit their creativity or prevent them from exploring other possibilities.

Judgers, in contrast, may get stuck in the planning phase, trying to anticipate every potential obstacle and perfect their message before they begin writing.

They may fear that if they don’t have everything figured out from the start, their book will be a failure.

Recognizing how your writer personality contributes to your resistance to clarity is an essential step in overcoming these obstacles.

By understanding your natural tendencies and the underlying fears or desires that drive your resistance, you can develop strategies to work with your personality rather than against it. This may involve setting specific goals and deadlines for Perceivers, or embracing imperfection and iteration for Judgers.

By tailoring your approach to your unique writer personality, you can break through resistance and gain the clarity you need to write your book.

READ MORE: Are You Sabotaging Your Chance at Being a Successful Writer?

A 3-Step Process for Gaining Clarity on Your Book’s Message

Gaining clarity on your book’s message is essential for writing a focused, impactful book that resonates with your target audience. However, the process of achieving this clarity can be challenging, especially if your writer personality tends to resist commitment or perfectionism.

To help you overcome these obstacles and find your book’s core message, we recommend following this simple 3-step process.

Step 1: Making a List of Potential Ideas Without Judgment

The first step in gaining clarity on your book’s message is to brainstorm a list of potential ideas without judgment. Set aside any preconceived notions about what you “should” write about, and allow yourself to explore a wide range of topics and angles.

Write down every idea that comes to mind, no matter how silly or unrelated it may seem.

During this stage, it’s crucial to silence your inner critic and resist the urge to evaluate or censor your ideas. If you’re a Perceiver, embrace your natural creativity and spontaneity, and let your ideas flow freely.

If you’re a Judger, challenge yourself to set aside your desire for structure and perfection, and simply capture your thoughts without trying to organize or refine them.

Step 2: Testing Ideas Using Quick and Easy Methods

Once you have a list of potential ideas, the next step is to test them using quick and easy methods.

This step is crucial for determining which ideas have the most potential and resonance with your target audience. Some simple ways to test your ideas include:

• Writing a blog post or article on the topic
• Creating a short video or webinar exploring the idea
• Discussing the concept with friends, colleagues, or potential readers
• Conducting a small survey or poll to gauge interest

The key is to choose testing methods that align with your writer personality and feel manageable and enjoyable. Perceivers may prefer more open-ended, exploratory approaches, while Judgers may appreciate structured feedback and data-driven insights.

Step 3: Evaluating the Experience and Enjoyment

After testing your ideas, take time to evaluate your experience and assess your level of enjoyment and engagement with each topic. Ask yourself questions like:

• Which ideas felt most natural and effortless to explore?
• Which topics sparked your curiosity and passion?
• Which concepts resonated most strongly with your test audience?
• Which ideas aligned best with your overall business goals and brand?

Your answers to these questions will help you identify the ideas that have the most potential. It will also help you identify which ones align best with your writer personality and goals. Remember, the key to writing a successful book is to choose a topic that energizes and inspires you. It should also providing value and impact for your readers.

Testing Your Book Idea

Once you have a list of potential book ideas, test them before fully committing to a specific topic or message. Testing your ideas allows you to gauge your own enjoyment and engagement with the subject matter.

Not to mention, gather valuable feedback from your target audience. By taking the time to validate your book idea, you can ensure that you’re investing your time and energy into a project that has the potential for success and impact.

READ MORE: Generate Book Ideas That Can Attract Clients and Boost Revenue

The Importance of Testing Before Fully Committing

Testing your book idea is a crucial step in the writing process, regardless of your writer personality type. For Perceivers, testing helps to narrow down the multitude of ideas and possibilities, providing a sense of direction and focus.

For Judgers, testing offers an opportunity to gather data and feedback, helping to alleviate the pressure of perfectionism and the fear of choosing the “wrong” topic.

By testing your ideas before fully committing, you can:

• Validate the potential impact and resonance of your message
• Identify potential challenges or gaps in your knowledge or expertise
• Refine and clarify your book’s focus and structure
• Build confidence and momentum in your writing process

Methods for Testing Your Book Idea

There are numerous ways to test your book idea, depending on your writer personality, resources, and audience. Some effective methods include:

1. Writing blog posts or articles: Create short-form content related to your book idea and share it with your audience. Analyze engagement metrics and reader feedback to gauge interest and identify areas for improvement.
2. Hosting webinars or workshops: Develop a webinar or workshop that explores your book idea in more depth. Engage with participants, encourage questions and feedback, and assess their level of interest and understanding.
3. Conducting surveys or interviews: Reach out to your target audience and gather their thoughts, opinions, and experiences related to your book idea. Use their insights to shape and refine your message.
4. Creating a book proposal or outline: Draft a detailed book proposal or outline that showcases your book’s key themes, structure, and unique value proposition. Share it with trusted colleagues, mentors, or industry professionals for feedback and guidance.

READ MORE: Book Ideas to Captivate: 9 Tips to Pick the Perfect Book Topic

Gauging Your Own Enjoyment and Reader Response

As you test your book idea, pay close attention to your own level of enjoyment and engagement with the topic. Your writer personality plays a significant role in your motivation and satisfaction throughout the writing process.

If you find yourself feeling energized, curious, and passionate about your book idea, it’s a good sign. This means that you’ve found a topic that aligns with your interests and strengths.

Equally important is gauging your reader’s response to your test content. Look for signs of engagement, such as comments, shares, and questions.

Analyze feedback and identify common themes or concerns. Use this information to refine your book idea, address potential objections, and ensure that your message resonates with your target audience.

Building a Strong Book Foundation

Writing serves as a strong foundation for establishing your expertise and credibility in your field. When you write a book that aligns with your writer personality and resonates with your target audience, you create a valuable asset that can support and grow your companion business in numerous ways.

Writing the Book as a Foundation for Expertise and Credibility

Publishing a well-written, informative, and engaging book positions you as an authority in your industry. By sharing your knowledge, experiences, and unique perspectives, you demonstrate your expertise and establish yourself as a thought leader.

This, in turn, attracts more opportunities for speaking engagements, media interviews, and collaborations with other professionals in your field.

Moreover, having a published book enhances your credibility and trust with potential clients and customers. It showcases your commitment to your craft and your willingness to invest time and effort into creating valuable content.

When people see that you have authored a book, they are more likely to view you as a reliable and knowledgeable source of information and guidance.

How a Strong Foundation Supports Your Companion Business

A strong book foundation can support and grow your companion business in several key ways:

1. Attracting ideal clients: By writing a book that addresses the specific needs, challenges, and aspirations of your target audience, you attract more of your ideal clients. Your book serves as a powerful marketing tool. It can help potential clients understand how you can help them and why they should work with you.
2. Generating leads and sales: A well-written book can funnel readers into your other products and services. By including calls-to-action and references to your companion business throughout your book, you encourage readers to explore your offerings and take the next step in engaging with your brand.
3. Enhancing your brand and reputation: A book is a tangible representation of your brand, values, and expertise. By crafting a high-quality book that reflects your unique voice and perspective, you enhance your overall brand image and reputation. This, in turn, can lead to increased visibility, media attention, and partnership opportunities.
4. Creating a passive income stream: When you write a book, you create a valuable asset that can generate passive income for years to come. Whether through book sales, royalties, or using your book as a lead magnet for your other products and services, your book can provide a consistent revenue stream that supports your companion business.

Balancing Passion and Impact

When writing a book, find a balance between your passion for the subject matter and the impact your message can have on your audience.

By identifying a book idea that resonates with both your writer personality and your readers’ needs, you create a powerful foundation for a successful and fulfilling writing journey.

Finding a Book Idea that Resonates with You and Your Target Audience

To write a book that truly makes an impact, start by exploring ideas that align with your interests, experiences, and expertise.

Consider the topics that naturally draw your attention and spark your curiosity. Reflect on the challenges you’ve overcome. Consider the lessons you’ve learned, and the unique perspectives you’ve gained throughout your life.

As you brainstorm potential book ideas, also consider the needs, desires, and pain points of your target audience. Ask yourself:

• What questions or challenges do my ideal readers face?
• What knowledge, skills, or insights can I share to help them overcome these obstacles?
• How can my unique experiences and perspective provide value and support to my audience?

By finding the intersection between your passions and your audience’s needs, you identify a book idea that not only energizes and motivates you but also has the potential to make a significant impact on your readers’ lives.

Creating a Book That Is Personally Fulfilling and Professionally Impactful

When you write a book that aligns with your writer personality and speaks directly to your target audience, you create a work that is both personally fulfilling and professionally impactful. Here’s how:

1. Personal fulfillment: By choosing a book idea that resonates with your passions and values, you infuse your writing with authenticity and enthusiasm. You experience a sense of purpose and satisfaction as you explore topics that genuinely interest and inspire you. This intrinsic motivation fuels your creativity and helps you persevere through the challenges of the writing process.
2. Professional impact: When your book addresses the specific needs and challenges of your target audience, it becomes a valuable resource for your readers. By providing actionable insights, practical guidance, and relatable stories, you empower your audience to overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and transform their lives. This, in turn, establishes you as a trusted authority and thought leader in your field, opening doors to new opportunities and growth for your companion business.

To create a book that achieves this balance of passion and impact, continually refine your message and structure through the lens of your writer personality and your audience’s needs.

Seek feedback from beta readers, colleagues, and mentors to ensure that your book resonates with your target audience and provides tangible value.

Embrace Your Writer Personality!

Embracing your writer personality is key to gaining clarity on your book’s message and creating a work that resonates with your target audience.

By understanding how your MBTI type influences your writing process, identifying the secondary gains that contribute to resistance, and following a simple 3-step process for testing and refining your ideas, you can overcome obstacles and write a book that is both personally fulfilling and professionally impactful.

Remember, your unique writer personality is a strength, not a hindrance. Embrace it, trust the process, and let your passion and expertise shine through in your writing.

Your book has the power to change lives and grow your business – all it takes is clarity, confidence, and a commitment to your craft.