How To Write an ENTJ Character

Series: The Psychology of Character Creation

One of the most interesting personality types to explore in fiction is the ENTJ – also known as the “Commander” or “Fieldmarshal” – because of their leadership skills, ambition, and strategic thinking. Here’s a quick guide on how to write an ENTJ Character.

Understand the ENTJ personality type:

Before you start writing an ENTJ character, you need to understand the traits that define this personality type. ENTJs are confident, decisive, and goal-oriented individuals who thrive on challenge and competition. They are natural leaders who enjoy taking charge and organizing people to achieve their goals. They are also highly analytical and enjoy using their logical thinking to solve problems, like INTJ’s but draw energy from those around them. 

Give your ENTJ character a clear goal:

ENTJs are very ambitious characters. To make your ENTJ character feel authentic, give them a clear objective that they are working towards. This goal should be challenging and require them to use their skills and intelligence to achieve it. Whether it’s building a successful business, winning a political campaign, or saving the world from a disaster, your ENTJ character should be focused on achieving something significant. Make sure the goal is something that the character cares deeply about and is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish it.

Create a strong personality:

ENTJs have a strong personality, and your character should reflect this. They should be confident, assertive, and unafraid to speak their mind. They should also have a quick wit and be able to think on their feet. Don’t be afraid to make your character a little intimidating – that’s part of what makes ENTJs so dynamic. Also consider the Character Arc you want your character to go through. While your ENTJ character may start out assertive or overly ambitious, they should also learn and grow as the story progresses.

Show your ENTJ’s leadership skills:

ENTJ’s are considered dangerous because of their natural charisma coupled with their ability to lead. They are natural-born leaders who are good at organizing people and delegating tasks. Show your ENTJ character taking charge of situations and inspiring others to follow them. This could be through mentoring a subordinate, negotiating with a rival, or rallying a group of people around a common cause. It’s also a good way to dash their hopes and dreams if their overconfidence causes them to fail.

Balance their strengths and weaknesses:

Even the most successful people have their weaknesses, and your ENTJ character should be no different. They’re decisive and talented leaders, but taken to far and these traits can be oppressive and unyielding. They may be overconfident or struggle with empathy. Unhealthy ENTJs can be overcontrolling, and ruthless. They may also have a hard time listening to others or struggle with making personal connections. These weaknesses make your character more relatable and human. 

Show their strengths and weaknesses:

While ENTJs are often seen as strong and confident leaders, they are not invincible. Make sure to give your character some weaknesses or flaws that they will need to overcome in order to achieve their goal. This will make them more relatable and help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Consider their relationships:

ENTJs can be difficult to get close to, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have relationships. They have a hard time professing their love, but will often show it in small but meaningful ways. If they complement you, you can be sure it was authentic and sincere. Show your character’s relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. Explore how their personality affects these relationships and how they navigate them.

Here are some attributes to add to your ENTJ Characters:

• Blunt
• Self-Confident
• Practical
• Enjoys challenges
• Inspiring
• Authoritative
• Rational
• Judgemental
• Natural Strategist
• Restless

Here are some ENTJ Characters:

• Lord Voldemort
• Kaz Brekker
• Jude Duarte
• Evelyn Hugo
• Aelin Galathynius
• Aaron Warner 
• Edward Rochester 
• Tywin Lannister

In conclusion, writing an ENTJ character can be challenging, but it’s also a lot of fun. Use these tips to create a compelling character that readers will love. Remember to balance their strengths and weaknesses, give them a clear goal, and show their leadership skills. With a little research and creativity, you’ll have a character that readers won’t forget.

Hope this guide on how to write an ENTJ Character helps.

Want to learn more about the Meyers-Brigg 16 Personalities? Click Here

Up Next: How to Write an INFJ Character

How to Write an INTJ Character (Writing an INTJ Character)

Series: The Psychology of Character Creation

The INTJ personality type, also known as the “architect” or the “mastermind,” is known for their strong intellect, strategic thinking, and a tendency towards introversion. These characters often display excellent self-discipline. They may appear cold or distant, but only because they are thoughtful strategists. Being highly analytical, it’s not uncommon to find them disappearing into complex subjects that fascinate them. They are often described as the “Cold and Brooding” Type in literature.

If you’re trying to create a character with an INTJ personality, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. Here are some tips for crafting a compelling INTJ character:

1. Begin with a strong INTJ backstory and clear goal:

One of the most important elements of any character is their backstory and motives. For an INTJ character, it’s important to establish their past experiences, which may have shaped their strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. INTJs are often driven by intellectual curiosity, so it’s not uncommon for them to dig deep to uncover mysteries.

Some questions to ask when crafting an INTJ: Did they grow up in an environment that encouraged these traits, or did they develop them in response to a challenging childhood? Did they have any formative experiences that solidified their belief in logic and rationality? Do they consider emotions a weakness because it clouds their judgment?

2. Emphasize their intelligence and expertise.

All characters need a strength. INTJ characters are known for their tendency to be great problem solvers and your character should reflect this. They may excel in a particular area of expertise, such as science, technology, or business. Use their intelligence to unravel others and create complex plot points. It’s part of the reason INTJ’s make such good villains. You never know what their next plan is.

3. Use their introversion to create conflict

This is a fun tip. INTJ characters are notoriously introverted, and oblivious to most social cues. Including romance. Use this to create some hilarious and terribly awkward character interactions. 

Also ask yourself these questions: How does your INTJ character navigate situations where they need to interact with others, such as networking events or social gatherings? What coping mechanisms do they use?

4. Show their strategic thinking in action

One of the defining traits of an INTJ personality is their strategic thinking. Your character should be able to think several steps ahead, and anticipate potential outcomes of their actions. This can make them an effective leader or problem solver, but it can also create tension in situations where they clash with others who don’t share their worldview.

5. Don’t make them an INTJ stereotype AKA Emotionless.

INTJs are often portrayed as cold, distant, and detached in popular media. Challenge these stereotypes by crafting a well-rounded INTJ character with layers and complexities. Give them quirks, interests, and passions that defy the stereotype, making them more human and relatable. By breaking free from the one-dimensional portrayal, you can create a more engaging and memorable character. While INTJs may not be known for their emotional side, they still have feelings like anyone else. Be aware of what will break your character. This will make a powerful “All is lost” moment. 

Conclusion:

Writing an INTJ character requires a nuanced understanding of their key traits, strengths, weaknesses, and complexities. By delving into their logical minds, intellectual curiosity, emotional depths, and personal growth, you can create a compelling and captivating INTJ character that resonates with readers. Embrace the challenge of crafting an INTJ personality and enjoy the journey of exploring their unique perspectives and contributions to your narrative. Remember, the more authentic and multi-dimensional your INTJ character, the more they will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Here are some attributes to add when writing an INTJ Character:

• Dark Humor
• Intellectual
• Logical 
• Perfectionist
• Honest
• Strong Morals
• Hates being controlled
• Creative
• Goal oriented
• Values Truth

Here are some characters in literature with the INTJ personality type:

• Annabeth Chase
• Severus Snape
• Mr. Darcy
• Victor Vale
• Peyter Baelish
• Artemis Fowl
• Grace Blackthorn
• Elrond (Lord of the Rings)
• Spock

Hope these tips help you better understand the INTJ personality and how to craft better characters with them. Don’t be afraid to explore their strengths and weaknesses. Let me know if these tips help.

Up Next: How to write an INTP Character

Want to learn more about the Meyers-Brigg 16 Personalities? Click Here