In this episode, Jeff and Claire talk about Claire’s new book “Wirte Iconic Characters” in which Claire uses the Ennegram to show how to write diverse characters.
Claire has also been on the show in Episode 100 and Episode 229.
You can find Claire’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Iconic-Characters-motivations-unforgettable-ebook/dp/B0FRV351Y8/
Also check out Claire’s coaching at https://www.liberatedwriter.com/claire
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AI Summary of the Conversation
In this conversation, Jeff Elkins speaks with Claire Taylor, an author, editor, and accredited Enneagram practitioner who runs FFS Media. The discussion focuses on using the Enneagram to enhance character development, Taylor’s published and upcoming work, and her shift away from social media.
Personal Enneagram Insights
The call begins with Taylor (a Type 1) and Elkins (a Type 6w7) sharing their personal experiences with the Enneagram. Taylor notes that her Type 1 tendency to over-structure and take on too much can sometimes make it difficult for her to leave space for others in a community setting. Elkins discusses how different members of his family—including his wife, who is a Type 8—express their types differently based on their wings and personal backgrounds.
Using the Enneagram in Character Creation
Taylor discusses her book, Writing Iconic Characters, which she wrote to help authors use the Enneagram to define core motivations. Key takeaways for authors include:
- Core Motivation and Fear: Taylor argues that the most important elements for “baking the cake” of a character are their core motivation and core fear. Understanding these allow a writer to “poke” characters in a way that generates natural conflict.
- Fear vs. Desire: Motivation is not just about deficiencies; it includes both what a character is terrified of and what they deeply desire. Even powerful characters, like a Type 8, have vulnerabilities, such as a fear of powerlessness.
- Levels of Health: Taylor breaks types down into healthy, average, and unhealthy levels. She suggests keeping protagonists in the average levels to maintain sympathy, while using unhealthy levels (where characters are triggered by fear into destructive behavior) primarily for villains.
- Incremental Growth: Character growth should move in logical steps rather than leaps. Characters can graduate to healthy levels but may slip back into average levels when faced with new situations or different relationships.
Writing Practice and Examples
Taylor shares that she often writes Type 1 protagonists because she views the world through that “perceptual filter,” making it the easiest starting point for an author. However, she has challenged herself by writing a Type 7 for a comedy and a Type 9 for a cozy mystery. She admits finding Type 2s and Type 3s particularly difficult to write, noting that the “facade” maintained by Type 3s makes it hard to see what is happening “behind the curtain”.
Upcoming Projects and Platform Shift
- Write Iconic Relationships: Taylor is working on a follow-up book that explores the dynamics between characters. It will cover all 45 possible pairings of Enneagram types, examining what draws them together and what repels them in romantic, friendly, and adversarial roles.
- Substack and Social Media: Taylor recently left social media to launch a Substack called Liberated Writer. She prefers the long-form blogging format, which allows for complex, deep ideas that do not fit into the “pithy catchphrases” required by social media algorithms. She emphasizes that this shift has significantly improved her emotional health and focus.