Useful Writing Tips Based On Your Enneagram Type
I’m a total nerd for the Enneagram.
And today, I'm digging into it in order to pinpoint some great writing tips for each Enneagram type.
Through the Enneagram, I discovered that the things about me I struggled with or viewed as "wrong" were not character flaws, but recognizable patterns based on my personality type.
This was useful to me in 3 ways:
It helped me accept myself where I am.
Like I said, rather than judging things about me I thought were wrong, I was able to embrace the fact that these were actually things that made me unique in one sense, and connected me with others who understood my thought processes and behavioral motivations in another.I gained more awareness.
Rather than awkwardly muddling through certain situations, I was able to understand why they made me uncomfortable, and therefore approach my life from a place of ownership.
For example, I could choose to accept the fact that as a type 5 I spent much of my time unconsciously (until then) trying to preserve my energy.
This means that in social situations with more than a few people, I am quiet. It makes sense—I'm an Observer! Type 5's naturally tend to sit back and observe. It wasn't because I didn't have anything interesting to say. It's because I like to preserve my energy, observe the situation, and give myself time to process before contributing my opinions and input.I am more able to responsibly (from a place of knowing and understanding) pick and choose the things I am content with and the things I want to work on improving.
Using the Enneagram to Achieve Your Writing Goals
All of these things have been applicable in all areas of my life. But most notably, it was applicable to my writing and my goals to publish my work.
With all of that said, I genuinely think the Enneagram can do the same for you!
If you can understand what you are more likely to struggle with and what approaches are more likely to be easy and motivating, you can write more, write faster, stick with your projects until they are complete, master your craft, make friends in the writing community, and achieve your goals.
It's about letting go of resistance and instead embracing what comes most naturally for you, so that you can move forward further and faster.
So. Here are a few writing tips for each Enneagram type:
Note: I took inspiration for this article from an Instagram post from Mirabelle Creations. Check out her account - it’s awesome. And you can find the original post here.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 1 (The Perfectionist):
Tip 1
My husband is a type 1, and when it comes to work (or even fun - I leave vacation organizing up to him) he feels more grounded when he has a plan.
So do this for yourself! Plan where and when you're going to sit down and write. Pull up the story structure plot points and use them as a guide to get your story out of your head and mapped out. Embrace your desire for structure and use it to your advantage.
Tip 2
Don’t get too attached to your plan.
Sometimes things need to change. This might be in your schedule or in your story itself.
For example, if you hit a point in your story where it’s obvious your plot is not working, don’t feel locked into sticking to your original plan. Outlining can be so lovely because it allows for rearranging without a ton of lost time or words, so it will likely be a particularly useful tool for you.
Tip 3
Don’t beat yourself up if you fall short or if something doesn’t line up.
This is not a deficiency in you, it’s just how the process works. Any progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. It means you're further ahead than you were yesterday. You’ll feel so much better when you stop worrying about the small stuff. Accept that the work you did today was enough, leave unclear plot points for later, just get it done and move forward.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 2 (The Giver):
Tip 1
If you find that something is not working and you can’t figure out why, zoom out a little bit.
It’s easy for 2’s to fall into a lack of awareness, especially regarding any shortcomings or misalignments. So don’t be afraid to question things.
Is this structure working? Is this really a story I love? Is my reason behind writing this particular book something that feels good? Is my daily writing routine effective? What's the reason I'm constantly feeling frustrated when ___?
Tip 2
As a 2, you want to push your generosity onto other people, but as an author you are going to have to focus on (and even promote) your own work.
You love sharing and connecting, so think about sharing your current project with someone you love and trust. Someone who will be happy for you. Who will be a sounding board. It might provide the extra encouragement you need to get out of a slump, and it will be good practice for when it comes time to promote yourself to agents, readers, editors, bloggers, etc.
Tip 3
Make your writing space beautiful.
Clear out the clutter and/or mess. Put out a picture that makes you happy, a candle that smells fantastic, or music that gets your head in the right space. This alone can provide an energized boost of motivation.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 3 (The Achiever):
Tip 1
Give yourself plenty of time.
As a 3, you pride yourself on achievement. But sometimes things (especially writing a freaking book) take a lot longer than you originally planned. That’s okay.
You're goal-oriented, and that's great. Just don't cut yourself off by underestimating the amount of time you'll need to achieve those goals. Be generous with yourself and schedule or allow more time than you think it will take.
Tip 2
Where 2’s thrive on a more empathetic connection, 3’s often get their connection by seeking validation.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with this, just make sure you seek validation from people who understand your dream and support you in it. This might provide a necessary boost to keep you working toward your goal.
Tip 3
The journey is just as valuable (and enjoyable!) as the destination.
Remind yourself of this as you are brainstorming, outlining, writing, revising, and submitting/publishing your story. Find joy in the work you get to do every day, not just in the idea of a published book some day in the future.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 4 (The Individualist):
Tip 1
In order to complete a novel, you’re going to have to wade through some tedious work.
For you that might be brainstorming, drafting, outlining, or revising (or anything in between).
Don’t avoid this just because it doesn’t sound fun.
You want to find your own identity, but you can do this within the existing buckets of the writing and publishing process. What particular outlining style do you have? How is your writing process different and perfect for you? What sort of unique spin do you put on the way you revise?
Focus on adapting each stage, no matter how tedious, to you, and show up every day. Even when it's not fun.
Tip 2
Remember that your future success has nothing to do with your past.
You are here, now, and capable of anything, so long as you put in the work and stay consistent. Remind yourself of this as you’re outlining, writing, and more. No amount of past failure can stop you from creating future success. Think about posting this truth somewhere you can see it every day, to remind yourself to look forward and not behind.
Tip 3
Focus on one stage at a time.
It’s fabulous to dream big, but before fulfilling that big picture dream, you’ll have lots of mini-goals. The very first one? Outlining a full novel. Just a suggestion. Check that box off and then move onto the next.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 5 (The Investigator):
Tip 1
As a type 5, I fell into the trap of constantly researching without taking any real action.
I just didn’t understand the difference between learning about something and actually doing something. This was most notable in my business.
After earning my health coaching certification, I spent years “building” a business…with little to no results. Because I wasn’t doing, I was learning. Watching webinars, listening to podcasts, going through courses.
That's not how you get something done. You learn what you need, and then you apply it. And if you find a gap in your knowledge, you research it and then move on.
So if you’re a 5 like me, don’t think about outlining and writing your novel. Don’t spend all of your time researching how to do it without actually getting any of your story down. Learn the difference between thinking and doing, and then move into the doing stage as soon as possible.
Tip 2
Guess what? People have published books.
Does this mean you’re behind or doing it wrong because you don’t yet have the same result? Nope.
Embrace your journey without telling yourself you’re behind. You’re not.
Instead, re-wire your brain every time you feel envy or inadequacy or behind-ness (that's a word, right?) to see it as a possibility for what you can achieve. There's no right, or even better, time. People find success in publishing at every stage of life, with every set of challenges. You can, too.
Tip 3
Honestly, all of the tips covered in this entire post could apply to pretty much every type. But maybe none more so than this: recognize your progress.
If you haven’t read The Gap and the Gain, it basically covers one principle: the idea that the only way for you to be happy is to recognize how far you’ve come, not how far you have left to go.
Stay in the gain of all of your achievements. You're further than you were yesterday, or a book ago, or a year ago.
Don’t get caught up in the gap between where you are now and your next goal. When you do that, you'll literally always feel deficient. Did you outline one more plot point? Great! Put that in the win column. In fact, make this tip practical and start keeping a journal of 1 win/gain you achieve every day, no matter how seemingly small.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 6 (The Skeptic):
Tip 1
Type 6’s might be even more into planning than type 1’s. So if you’re a 6, go even crazier!
Outline milestones based on what you will get done, and when. For example: On Tuesday, outline plot points 1-3. On Wednesday, outline plot points 4-6. On Thursday, write 1,000 words.
Customize it to you and your pace and personal goals.
Tip 2
I’m a 5w4, but I felt my 6 coming out big time when I zeroed in on a single mentor. Rather than listening to every theory and trying to implement all the approaches, I found someone who I resonated with, and I stuck with her particular guidance (for the most part).
6’s love exercising their loyalty by finding an authority figure they can stick by. So find the right mentor for you (perhaps in writing advice or self-development) and follow through with their guidance.
Remember that there's no right way to do any one thing.
If someone has had success with something you want to achieve, chances are that their guidance can get you there. But you're way more likely to achieve a goal if you stick with one path, rather than getting distracted by all the approaches.
Tip 3
As a 6, you might thrive being part of a group or organization.
Great! Just make sure it’s the right one. Find a writing community filled with ambitious and dedicated writers who will challenge and inspire you, and go to work to make lasting connections.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 7 (The Enthusiast):
Tip 1
Writing is a long-term goal. Even the fastest or most experienced writers need time to go through all the stages of developing a book.
So, dear 7, don’t give up! 7’s want to live life big and fun. They want to avoid any sort of rut. But writing takes dedication, commitment, and consistency. So stay with it long enough to see it through. This is a simple reminder that might make all the difference.
Tip 2
In their effort to try all the things, 7’s can sometimes halt their progress.
I talk about the 3 stages of writing: mastering story (learn), finishing multiple books (practice), and publishing (share).
But within each of those stages are smaller steps. Don’t get distracted. Master one thing before you move onto the next. Finish an outline, then finish a story, then another. This will make all the difference.
So what is it right now? I like to figure out what my current 30-day goal is, and then stick to it, no matter what. I'm not allowed to change my goal when it gets hard or put it off for any reason.
(Your brain will come up with a lot of potential reasons to challenge this idea or to put your goal off. That's fine, you get to make the final decision. Just think about questioning yourself. Is ___ really worth putting things on hold? Could I get it done even though ___?).
I re-focus on my goal every day and work through any blocks or self-sabotage that comes up along the way.
Tip 3
Make it fun!
Unlike 1's and 6's, 7's do NOT love having a schedule or routine. So is there a way you can look forward to writing every day? Is there a fun treat that could go along with it? Maybe something that changes every day, such as a YouTube video, a snack, a bath, a walk with the dog, a check-in with a writing buddy, etc.
Find a way to mix things up and to keep it fun and light, without the heaviness that can come with rigid expectations and deadlines.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 8 (The Challenger):
Tip 1
Type 8’s can sometimes get caught up in themselves. But you’re going to grow more as a writer if you can get good at learning how to place your focus outside of yourself.
The best way to do this, is to get into your character’s shoes.
Discover their Enneagram types. Think about their pasts and their motivations. Their dreams. Strengthen your empathy by letting your characters expand it in new and exciting ways, and by reading books by other authors.
Tip 2
Sometimes you’re going to fall behind, give up for a while, write something that isn’t great, or face a rejection. This is not a problem.
Don’t let "failures" or rejections bruise your ego in a way that keeps you down for long.
One of the reasons I love the Enneagram is because it highlights opportunities for us to grow. So recognize that hits to your ego might actually be a path to massive growth for you as a writer. And don’t close yourself off to things that might challenge you.
Tip 3
Why are you writing?
The path to becoming an author is a long one. And the best way to keep along that path is by making sure your motivations are timeless and useful.
So take a moment and ask yourself: what is my motivation for becoming an author? Why do I want to write or publish a book? Is there anything about that reasoning that feels off? Why? What do I want my reasons to be?
Getting clear on your motivations, and tweaking them so that they are useful, expansive, and growth-oriented, will push you forward faster.
Writing Tips for the Enneagram Type 9 (The Peacemaker):
Tip 1
Type 9’s are the peacemakers. That means they are used to shutting down their own needs in favor of the greater good.
So why not work the system by surrounding yourself with people that aren’t going to need your special peacemaking skills?
Look for friends or a community that have similar goals and ambitions and that will call you out when you’re shutting yourself down and instead cheer you on along your journey (while you do the same for them, of course).
Tip 2
Stop waiting and start doing.
Unlike the 5’s who may spend a ton of time researching about story without actually writing their own, 9’s might wait to start at all until everything is perfectly aligned. They want their kids are taken care of, giant opening of time in their schedules, the perfect computer, etc.
Whatever you might be waiting for, catch yourself. Remember that there is no such thing as the perfect time or circumstance. Just start writing now.
A few years ago I was reading the blog of a successful indie author who has several published books. She said she started by writing 1 page a day in the moments between taking care of her kids. Her philosophy was, if I write one page a day, in a year I’ll have a completed book!
She was right. And now she has a successful career to show for it.
Tip 3
If you have the desire to be a writer, then you have the capability to be a writer.
I believe our desires are divinely given. They’re roadmaps guiding us toward the right paths for our lives (at least, one of the right paths--I like think there are many potential paths we could take that would be right for us).
Embrace your talents, sharpen your skills, and recognize your ability to write. You have the capacity because you have the desire. That's enough. The perfect seed to grow into a freaking tree.
Final Thoughts
Okay, I know that got a big rah-rah, but maybe you need to hear it!
Hopefully you found a few writing tips that you can take and implement today. If not, maybe a simple burst of motivation will get you through a particularly bad slump.
Whatever it is, this is your reminder that you’re capable and that it's always better to meet yourself where you are, not where you wish you would be. Because I promise that where you are right now is more than enough.
The fastest way to write a strong story is with an effective outline that plots your novel’s beating heart.
In Outline Your Novel, you’ll learn exactly what these beats are, why they matter, and how to outline them effectively to make your story sing.
