Using The ENNEAGRAM To Write CONFLICTED CHARACTERS

I get a lot of questions about writing good internal conflict. You know that your characters must have internal conflict, but WHAT exactly should their desires, fears, and misbeliefs be? When in doubt, go to the Enneagram. In today's video I'm sharing with you how I use the Enneagram system as a starting point to writing relatable, conflicted, dynamic characters.

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✨T I M E S T A M P S ✨
0:00 Introduction
2:00 What Is The Enneagram?
4:40 1: The Reformer
5:48 2: The Helper
6:16 3: The Achiever
6:44 4: The Individualist
7:22 5: The Investigator
7:51 6: The Loyalist
8:24 7: The Enthusiast
8:57 8: The Challenger
9:30 9: The Peacemaker
10:22 Using the Enneagram on Your Characters
14:00 Get My Enneagram Cheat Sheet
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✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ The BEST Character Profile

→ How to Write an Awesome OPENING HOOK

→ How to Write a Mind-Blowing INCITING INCIDENT

→ How to Write THEME Into Your STORY

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

[shushumini]

Since one of my protagonists is a psychologist I just had a meta thought that he'd probably know about the Enneagram. But EVER BETTER, he would be absolutely conflicted with his answer!!

[amberflowers]

Ok to be honest I always rolled my eyes at using personality type stuff to make characters cuz it just never worked for me. I think it was because I always looked at it as a way to create characters, not STRENGTHEN them like you mentioned. So now that I’m watching this I feel like I finally get the hype and I’m totally going to be using this for my main character!!

[kayciejones]

I was so worried my character's misbelief/fear/desire didn't make much sense, as I'd based it off a pretty particular theme. Took the personality test for my character and was basically given the exact same fear/misbelief/desire I'd already planned out. Which is a huge help because now I know I'm on the right tract. Sure, this isn't a be all end all. But it was really helpful, and now I feel ready to move on to other characters. Thanks so much!

[danielagesuele]

TIMESTAMPS!!!
1- The Performer 4:40
2- The Helper 5:48
3- The Achiever 6:16
4- The Individualist 6:44
5- The Investigator 7:22
6- The Loyalist 7:51
7- The Enthusiast 8:24
8- The Challenger 8:57
9- The Peacemaker 9:30

[thytrkas]

Just finished writing a YA book that has the Enneagram at the heart of the story, and a Five as the protagonist. MC's secretive personality doesn't allow her to deal with the truth/reality of her father's death (or any deep emotional pain), or to speak about it with others. She learns a better way to cope eventually... and therein lies the story.

[carlydaniels]

Abbie, your writing channel is by far one of the best on youtube because you focus more on the internal aspect of storytelling-- the part that makes the story matter.

[anna-ybwd]

What’s that? I should be working on my WIP? I totally am— by binge watching Abbie Emmons entire channel and stalking her blog and Pinterest.

[jaym.]

I just decided this morning to watch your entire character series to help me with my novel, so this is an amazing coincidence: thank you for the amazingly helpful video!!

[douglasphillips]

This is helpful to fill in supporting characters with some depth, but without having to build each one from scratch

[rebeccahergenrader]

Funny that this came up! My daughter, a life coach on personality types, says enneagram is better than MB because it shows weaknesses. Well done! This is what I am using.

[katherined]

I don’t comment often, but this helped me so much! I’m currently planning a novel. Without knowing it, I made one of my POV characters an enneagram type 3 and the other a type 5. Reading through the in depth descriptions is helping me tighten up their character arcs and giving me ideas for new conflicts and character interactions. It was so cool to read the descriptions and think, “That’s 100% my character!!!” Now I understand my imaginary friends better :)

[missellie]

I just took the 16 Personalities test, answering as if I were my characters, and it was super helpful! It let me see how they would interact with each other, their motivations, etc.

[Gburn]

I'm revising my novel and I can't even express how much this is helping me. Literally had the question in the back of my mind two days ago about how to create more dimension in my characters. Thank you!!!

[YangSuhyeon]

i love how her blue eyes fit with the text color

[jays]

I saw type 8 and immediately thought “that’s Toff Beifong right there”.

[ibelonginabook]

I found your channel this week and you have such a clear, direct way of boiling down story into a concise package that I can wrap my head around so much more easily. The comments I get from agents are that my writing, description, etc, are great, but plots need work. After watching many of your videos... I think it's truly my CHARACTERS that need work! This feels like a breakthrough. And this method of using the Enneagram is completely revolutionary. Thank you so much for this channel!

[narrativedude]

This is a brilliant episode. I’ve been obsessed with Myers-Briggs, but had only a passing knowledge of Enneagrams. I love how you put it to use for character development - really something I hadn’t thought about and I’ve spent more than a few years with different character development methods. After watching this the f irst time I took a couple of online tests (I seem to be a solid 4, but that could be the Norco talking…😊) and thanks to your intervention I have a good idea how to proceed with applying it to my current novel in progress. I only recently found your YouTube (Praise the Algorithm)to ooand I’m thoroughly enjoying going through your catalog. I follow you on Patreon and I’m looking forward to perusing your archive and catching your new episodes (and your sister’s). Your content is superior and that’s what matters. You have amazing production values and that makes your work art unto itself. Thanks for sharing your talent and wisdom.

[ashleythomas]

I've been bingeing your videos so hard! You are by far the most helpful writing resource I've come across! And the internet says you're an ENFJ 1w2! No wonder I love your stuff, I'm an INFJ 2w1. Thank you so much for these videos, they're truly a goldmine!

[LadyAlmariel]

Thanks a lot Abbie ! This is so helpful !! I believe in what you say about internal conflict but always got lost when trying to find answers even to the questions of your character template. The enneagram is going to help me alot with a new story I'm currently beginning to write, and it also just made me realize something that I think is of vital importance to a writer: your characters don't just fall in love with each other because they're handsome or funny or smart, or just because you decided it would be so before you even began writing. They do because they fill each other's NEEDS, because their personalities are complementary. I think this as well is going to improve my writing a
Thank you for your awesome content, I love the energy on your channel, you sound so passionate & everything is fun with you !

[DaveLH]

12:41 -- Very good point. I'll never forget a review of one of Arthur C. Clarke's novels that said that the trouble with all the dialogue between his characters is that it sounds like Arthur C. Clarke talking to himself. I take that assessment as a cautionary tale for my own writing.