How To Write an INTP Character

Series: The Psychology of Character Creation

The INTP personality type, are known for their love of abstract thinking and their dislike of rules and structure. They can be highly analytical and are often interested in understanding how things work. Have you met someone who likes puzzles and patterns? They might be an INTP. They are flexible thinkers with creative, scientific imaginations. These characters have excellent deductive reasoning skills, and can find the silver thread connecting the mystery. If they aren’t careful and lack balance, they can suffer ‘analysis paralysis’, locking them from moving forward on projects. They are often the “Mad Scientist” type in literature.

If you’re trying to create a character with an INTP personality, there are a few key elements to keep in mind.

1. Take your time to develop your INTP Character’s Interests:

One of the defining characteristics of an INTP is their love of intellectual pursuits. They love to learn for fun. From science and math to philosophy and literature, INTPs enjoy exploring new ideas and concepts. When crafting your INTP character, consider what topics they might be interested in. Do they enjoy reading about theoretical physics? Are they passionate about computer programming? Are they fascinated by how poisons affect the body? What’s cool about INTP’s is that they don’t shy away from a subject just because it’s “socially unacceptable”. So you can definitely give them some strange topics to play with. 

2. Consider Your INTP Character’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Like all personality types, INTPs have both strengths and weaknesses. They are often skilled problem-solvers and quick thinkers, but they can also be overly critical and prone to analysis paralysis. Have a bomb in need of defusing? INTP’s are likely to freeze from the pressure. This includes relationships as well. They are prone to shutting down when emotions are high to avoid conflict. Which leads me to my next point.

3. Explore Your INTP Character’s Relationships

Despite their independent nature, INTPs can form close and meaningful relationships with others. Typically, they value/ admire only one or two people’s opinions. However, they may struggle with expressing their emotions or connecting with others on a deeper level. When writing your INTP character, consider their relationships with other characters in your story. Do they have a close friend or romantic partner? How do they navigate these relationships and express themselves to others? Try to lace in their interests when expressing their emotions. Have a character who’s a mortician? Have them give their love interest a corpse flower. 

4. Emphasize Your INTP Character’s Creativity:

While INTPs are known for their analytical minds, don’t forget their overactive imaginations. They enjoy exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, which is what makes them such excellent inventors. You need something to be done that’s never been done before? Write yourself an INTP. 

Here are some attributes to add to your INTP Characters:

• Hates small talk
• Curious
• Deep conversationalist
• Prefers solitude
• Original
• Imaginative
• Abstract and Logical thinker
• Objective
• Impatient
• Disconnected/ Daydreamy

Here are some Characters in literature with the INTP personality type.

• Victor Frankenstein 
• Magus Chase
• Mycroft Holmes 
• Thomas (The Maze Runner)
• Henry Branwell
• Mr. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) 
• Haymitch Abernathy 

Hope these tips help you better understand the INTP 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.

Want to know more about the Myers-Briggs 16 personalities? Click Here

Up Next: How to Write an ENTJ Character