Just What Kind Of Writer Is The ISTJ?
Intro:
I decided to use MBTI as a system of trying to help new writers find their voice and style. If you don’t know what the MBTI is or you need a quick overview click for my intro article here.
I think that personality has a big influence on writing, understanding your personality will be key to understanding how to come across to others. There are many writers who have become popular based on the personality of their writing style, this is often referred to as voice. A writer’s voice can be incredibly magnetic and engaging.
Think about it like this, if you were stuck on a long bus ride with someone you’d rather them be interesting enough to listen to or boring enough to lull you to sleep. You never want to be in the middle. Writers will die by being lost in the pack. How should you stand out? By understanding what makes you unique, what is your flavor or style. Understanding this as a new writer will help you understand what kind of audience to attract, and what kind of things to write.
I am absolutely not saying that you should base your entire writing career in a multiple choice personality test. In fact there could be incredible value in doing exactly the opposite of what you’re comfortable with. For new writers, however, it’s best to learn to walk before you run.
Please use this as a guide to suggest a direction and don’t take this as gospel.
Note: For the MBTI experts.
I am not breaking type down by cognitive functions, or even the letters. I think these things are nuts and bolts details that are for those interested, not everyone. Type descriptions should be fluid and comprehensive to better understand the whole archetype of character.
Type overview:
The ISTJ personality is a quiet and reserved personality who likely works hard and has a hobby or two that they deeply care about.
That was a strange way of putting it wasn’t it? Doesn’t everyone, or at least most people, have hobbies?
The distinction between others and the ISTJ when it comes to hobbies or even work itself is the level of dedication they give it.
Like the ISFJ the ISTJ tends to be a bit of an aesthete, and their interests tend to gravitate toward creating harmony within their environment.
The ISTJ can create this harmony by beautifying their home or organizing the workflow of their job.
They collect facts and tend to remember most of the information that they learn. You can find a stereotypical ISTJ as a carpenter or mechanic, this person would know all of the tools of their trade and would take great pride in this fact.
Examples of famous celebrities:
Nick Offerman, Anna Kendrick, Daniel Craig, Jessica Chastain.
What kind of writer are they?
These are the types of writers that prefer to speak about events that exist in the real world. This isn’t because they lack imagination per se, it is because they prefer to talk about what they can see, touch, taste, and hear.
This is where their writing can come alive since ISTJs are amongst the best types at paying attention and interpreting sensory details.
Their writing is often written in vivid detail.
Advice to the writer:
The ISTJ feels emotions quite deeply, yet to the outside world they may seem robotic. This is because they are naturally reserved and don’t see much value in expressing their emotions to the entire world and instead prefer to share them with a small circle of people.
Unfortunately this can lead to isolation and loneliness.
The ISTJ can benefit from someone who can help them connect with people without having to make themselves try to become something that they aren’t. This person will be a someone who can put people at ease and help others connect by generating interest in them so that the ISTJ does not have to do this themselves.
Takeaway:
The ISTJ is a reserved person who likes to learn about the world around them. They love to organize and adjust their environment so that it has a better impression on them. Their reserved nature can lead to shyness and isolation and they can benefit from a friend who can help them connect with other people.
