Finding Your Writer Type (Misfit Version)

I came across two interesting breakouts--then built my own . . .

Even Misfits need a sense of belonging! And even if you don’t fancy flocking together, it’s very useful to identify the spaces where you naturally gravitate as a writer. So I came up with set of ten tendencies that mark out different approaches to the vocation of writing.

Beforehand, I want to share two “writer archetype” strategies that inspired me.

• Shaunta Grimes, creator of Ninja Writers, has come up with five different writer types: Spiller, Teacher, Skipper, Artist and Hesitator. You can probably guess the general orientation of each one—except “Skipper,” which is basically organized around profit motivation. I learned quite a bit from taking Shaunta’s quiz, and sitting in on several of her free classes. (I’m a Teacher/Skipper, in case you’re wondering.)

• Brook Adams Law, creator of Writing Brave, identifies four writer archetypes: Turtle, Sprinter, Appointment Keeper, and Wild Card. These designations are related to writing practice, rather than content or style. Take the quiz, and you’ll get recommendations for setting up an optimum writing routine, along with the best approaches for accountability, and suggested ways to reward yourself. (Needless to say, I’m a Wild Card.)

Shaunta and Brook are polar opposites in terms of their approach to writer services. But I got something out of both exercises—and was inspired to come up with my own list of writer types. It’s not based on form, format, genre, style, motivation. It’s more like on inclination, temperament, training.

There’s no quiz, but I think everyone will recognize themselves pretty easily in one of my proposed categories, or a combination of several. So here they are, in no particular order:

1. Fictionista (lover of stories)

2. Informationalist (lover of research)

3. Verbalist (lover of words)

4. Artiste (lover of literature)

5. Revealer (writing for self-discovery)

6. Performer (writing for self-expression)

7. Message-bearer (writing as a tool)

8. Ambitionist (writing for attention)

9. Connector (community-builder)

10. Entertainer (audience-pleaser)

These categories apply equally to wishers (on one hand) and doers (on the other). And in each category, I imagine there can be both “romantics” and “pragmatists.”

None of my proposed categories is superior to others—morally, practically, or otherwise! Personally, I count myself as a combination of Informationalist and Verbalist. But I’d love to borrow a few attributes from other types.

I look forward to exploring these ideas in future Misfit posts. Meanwhile, you’re invited to share objections/suggestions in the comments!

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