Let’s talk about personalities. I didn’t use to be a believer in the Myers-Briggs personality types. I honestly thought they were just alphabet soup that meant nothing. People can’t be shoved into boxes with letters painted on the outside. It was my mother who talked me into taking the test. I found out that I’m an ENFP; one of the features of that personality type is we don’t like to put people in boxes, and therefore mistrust personality tests. What I came to realize is that while people are individuals, Myers-Briggs types can be very helpful in understanding why people are the way they are. The Myers-Briggs types can also help with writing a character. 
In order to define what personality types my characters in Legend of the Sword Bearer, I took the personality test on 16Personalities.com as my characters, answering the questions as I thought they would answer them. It’s helped me to think about how my characters react to different situations.
Bran, like me, is an ENFP-T (T stands for turbulent) also known as a Campaigner personality. This was unintentional on my part. I think all writers put a bit of themselves into their characters. Bran is a lot like me, but also different in some ways. 16 Personalities says: 

The Campaigner personality is a true free spirit. They are often the life of the party, but unlike types in the Explorer Role group, Campaigners are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. Charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd.

This fits both myself and Bran pretty well. ENFPs are curious, independent, energetic, friendly, and are good communicators. We also find it hard to focus, we overthink, get stressed easily, and can be highly emotional. Sometimes our independence gets in our own way; we don’t like onerous rules. This personality type is shared by Hoban “Wash” Washburn from Firefly, Robin Williams, Robert Downy Jr., Will Smith, and Russell Brand.

Stumpy is an ISFJ-T or Defender type. According to 16 Personalities:

The Defender personality type is quite unique, as many of their qualities defy the definition of their individual traits. Though sensitive, Defenders have excellent analytical abilities; though reserved, they have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships; and though they are generally a conservative type, Defenders are often receptive to change and new ideas. As with so many things, people with the Defender personality type are more than the sum of their parts, and it is the way they use these strengths that defines who they are.

Defenders like Stumpy are supportive, reliable and loyal to a fault. He has practical skills, and he’d do anything to protect the people he loves. However, he tends to be reserved and represses his feelings. People who share this personality type include Queen Elizabeth, Vin Diesel, Dr. Watson, Captain America, and Sam Gamgee. 

It may not come as a surprise to people who study this sort of thing, but Waldo Boulstridge is an INFJ-T or Advocate type. According to 16 Personalities:

The Advocate personality type is very rare, making up less than one percent of the population, but they nonetheless leave their mark on the world. Advocates have an inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is that they are not idle dreamers. These individuals are capable of taking concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting positive impact.

Waldo is insightful, passionate and altruistic. Unfortunately, he’s also a sensitive and very private individual and a perfectionist. People who share this personality include Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Morgan Freeman, Aragorn, and Galadriel. 

Bran’s sister Orla was tough to type. She turned out to be a Consul (ESFJ-T). According to 16 Personalities:

People who share the Consul personality type are, for lack of a better word, popular – which makes sense, given that it is also a very common personality type, making up twelve percent of the population. In high school, Consuls are the cheerleaders and the quarterbacks, setting the tone, taking the spotlight and leading their teams forward to victory and fame. Later in life, Consuls continue to enjoy supporting their friends and loved ones, organizing social gatherings and doing their best to make sure everyone is happy.

Orla is loyal, she has a strong sense of duty, and despite the tough exterior, she is warm and easily forms connections with others. You probably figured out that she doesn’t take criticism well, and she is pretty inflexible. She also tends to be too needy. Some famous Consuls include Taylor Swift, Steve Harvey, and Mrs. Hudson from Sherlock. 

And last but not least is our villain, Mordred or, as he’s also known, Malcolm Masters. Mordred is in the ENTJ-A group, also known as a Commander. According to 16 Personalities:

Commanders are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. However, Commanders are also characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they’ve set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three percent of the population, lest they overwhelm the more timid and sensitive personality types that make up much of the rest of the world – but we have Commanders to thank for many of the businesses and institutions we take for granted every day.

This describes Mordred to a T. Mordred is efficient, self-confident, strong-willed, strategic, and charismatic, dominant, intolerant, arrogant, cold, and ruthless. He won’t let anyone get in the way of his goals. Famous Commanders include Gordon Ramsey, Margaret Thatcher, Harrison Ford, Whoopi Goldberg, and Doctor Strange.

​Revealing any more personality types would give away too many spoilers, so I’ll leave you with these. If you’re having trouble with a character, I would suggest going to 16 Personalities and either taking the test as your character or simply perusing the personalities to find one that sounds right, and read up. Maybe take the test for yourself, if you haven’t already. It can be very revealing. What personality type are you? Leave a comment to tell me.