Are you struggling to create a believable and compelling INFP character for your story?
As a writer, it can be challenging to accurately capture the unique traits and tendencies of this personality type.
INFPs are known for their creativity, sensitivity, and idealism, but they also have a non-linear way of thinking that can make writing in chronological order difficult.
In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for crafting an authentic INFP character that will resonate with readers.
Whether you’re an INFP yourself or simply looking to expand your writing skills, read on to discover how to bring your INFP character to life on the page.
How To Write An INFP Character
1. Understand the INFP Personality Type
Before you start writing your INFP character, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what makes this personality type unique. INFPs are intuitive, creative, and empathetic individuals who value authenticity and emotional expression. They tend to be idealistic and may struggle with feelings of self-doubt or insecurity.
2. Use First Person POV
INFPs tend to be introspective and reflective individuals, so using a first person point of view can be an effective way to convey their inner thoughts and emotions. This will allow readers to connect with your character on a deeper level and understand their motivations and struggles.
3. Emphasize Emotional Expression
INFPs are known for their love of language and emotional expression, so make sure your character’s dialogue and actions reflect this. Use descriptive language to convey their emotions and show how they express themselves in different situations.
4. Avoid Chronological Order
As mentioned earlier, INFPs often struggle with writing in chronological order. Instead, try writing scenes or moments as they come to you, then connect them later on. This will allow you to capture the non-linear way an INFP’s brain works while still creating a cohesive story.
5. Show Their Idealism
INFPs are often idealistic individuals who believe in making the world a better place. Show your character’s idealism through their actions and beliefs, but also acknowledge the challenges they may face in trying to live up to their own high standards.
6. Explore Their Inner World
INFPs tend to have rich inner worlds full of imagination and creativity. Use descriptive language to explore your character’s thoughts, dreams, and fantasies, and show how these shape their actions and decisions.
7. Highlight Their Sensitivity
INFPs can be sensitive souls who may struggle with criticism or conflict. Show how your character’s sensitivity affects their relationships with others and how they navigate difficult situations.
Understanding The INFP Personality Type
INFPs are introverted, intuitive, feeling, and prospecting individuals who possess a unique set of personality traits. They are quiet, imaginative, and open-minded, with a caring and creative approach to everything they do. INFPs have a vibrant and passionate inner life, often losing themselves in daydreams and inventing stories and conversations in their minds.
These personalities are known for their sensitivity, with profound emotional responses to music, art, nature, and the people around them. Idealistic and empathetic, INFPs long for deep, soulful relationships and feel called to help others. However, because this personality type makes up such a small portion of the population, INFPs may sometimes feel lonely or invisible in a world that doesn’t seem to appreciate the traits that make them unique.
INFPs explore situations using imagination and ‘what if’ scenarios, often thinking through a variety of possibilities before settling on a course of action. Their inner lives are a dominant force in their personality, and they engage with the outside world by using their intuition. INFPs focus on the “big picture” and things that will shape the course of the future. This ability helps make them transformative leaders who are excited about making positive changes in the world.
INFPs are imaginative idealists who are guided by their own core values and beliefs. They believe in possibilities and pursue truth and meaning with their own individual flair. INFPs are sensitive, caring, and compassionate individuals who are deeply concerned with personal growth for themselves and others. They are individualistic and non-judgmental, believing that each person must find their own path.
INFPs are creative and often artistic individuals who enjoy finding new outlets for self-expression. They keep imagination alive in the world around us with their vast and lush inner worlds filled with magical or transformative possibilities. For INFPs, listening and exploration drive them as they seek to understand themselves and their unique path in life.
Exploring The Creative Side Of An INFP Character
INFPs are known for their creativity and love of the arts. They have a rich inner world full of imagination and are often drawn to creative pursuits such as writing, music, and art. When writing an INFP character, it’s important to explore their creative side and show how it influences their personality and actions.
One way to highlight their creativity is through their hobbies and interests. INFPs tend to be passionate about their hobbies, but may struggle with sticking to one for an extended period of time. Show your character trying out different creative endeavors and exploring new techniques. You can also show them using their creativity as a way to express themselves or cope with difficult emotions.
Another way to explore their creative side is through their career or profession. INFPs are often drawn to careers that allow them to use their creativity, such as writing, art, or counseling. However, they may also struggle with finding a career that aligns with their values and passions. Show your character navigating the challenges of finding a fulfilling career while staying true to themselves.
Finally, it’s important to show how their creativity influences their relationships with others. INFPs tend to be deeply empathetic individuals who value emotional expression and authenticity. Show your character using their creativity as a way to connect with others and express their emotions. You can also show them struggling with relationships where emotional expression is not valued or understood.
Navigating The Non-Linear Thinking Of An INFP
INFPs have a tendency to think in a non-linear manner, which can make writing a challenge. They often have many ideas and creative paths they could take, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed and unsure of which direction to take. However, this non-linear thinking can also be a strength for INFP writers.
One way to navigate this non-linear thinking is to embrace it and allow yourself the freedom to explore different creative paths. It’s not uncommon for INFP writers to work on several projects at once, moving between them as inspiration strikes. This circular way of working can be highly effective for INFPs who have accepted their nature and don’t try to force themselves into a linear way of working.
Another way to navigate this non-linear thinking is to avoid writing in chronological order. Instead, write scenes or moments as they come to you and then connect them later on. This approach allows you to capture the non-linear way an INFP’s brain works while still creating a cohesive story.
It’s also helpful to set realistic deadlines and have someone hold you accountable. While INFPs may struggle with time management, they can do well with deadlines when put in place by a compassionate mentor or teacher. Having someone else count on them can act as a motivating agent and help them finish their writing projects.
Finally, it’s important for INFP writers to avoid comparing their creative process to others and resist the urge to judge themselves harshly. INFPs need variety and flexibility in their artistic pursuits, so embrace your natural tendencies and allow yourself the freedom to explore different creative paths.
Developing The Idealistic Nature Of An INFP Character
INFPs are known for their idealistic nature, and this can be an important aspect to develop in your character. One way to do this is to show their strong sense of morality and their desire to make a positive impact on the world around them. They may have a deep passion for a particular cause or belief system, and this can drive their actions and decisions.
However, it’s important to also explore the challenges that come with being an idealist. INFPs may struggle with feeling overwhelmed or disillusioned when they encounter setbacks or obstacles in their pursuit of their ideals. They may also struggle with reconciling their own high standards with the reality of the world around them.
To develop the idealistic nature of your INFP character, consider exploring their values and beliefs in depth. What motivates them? What do they care deeply about? How do they see themselves making a positive impact on the world? You can also show how their idealism affects their relationships with others, both positively and negatively. For example, they may struggle to connect with people who don’t share their values or beliefs, but may form deep connections with those who do.
Crafting Authentic Relationships For Your INFP Character
One of the most important aspects of writing an INFP character is crafting authentic relationships. INFPs value personal interaction and meaningful connections, so it’s important to show how your character forms and maintains relationships with others.
1. Prioritize Emotional Connection
INFPs prioritize emotional connection over superficial interactions. Show how your character forms deep, meaningful connections with others and how these connections shape their actions and decisions. Use descriptive language to convey the emotions involved in these relationships.
2. Show Empathy and Compassion
INFPs are known for their empathy and compassion towards others. Show how your character’s empathetic nature allows them to understand and connect with others on a deeper level. Highlight their ability to provide comfort and support to those in need.
3. Explore Different Relationship Dynamics
INFPs may have different relationship dynamics depending on the person they are interacting with. Show how your character adapts their approach to different individuals based on their unique needs and emotions.
4. Highlight Their Idealism in Relationships
INFPs may have high expectations for their relationships, as they believe in making the world a better place through meaningful connections. Show how your character’s idealism affects their relationships and how they navigate conflicts or challenges that arise.
5. Emphasize Communication
Communication is key for INFPs in relationships. Show how your character communicates their emotions and needs to others, as well as how they listen attentively to others’ perspectives. Avoid loud or brash interactions, as INFPs respond best to calm and respectful communication.
By crafting authentic relationships for your INFP character, you can create a rich and nuanced portrayal of this personality type. Use these tips to create meaningful connections between your character and other individuals in your story.
Avoiding Common Stereotypes And Misconceptions About INFPs
When writing an INFP character, it’s important to avoid common stereotypes and misconceptions about this personality type. One of the most prevalent stereotypes is that INFPs are emotional crybabies who avoid logical thought. However, the truth is that INFPs are value-oriented individuals who prize integrity and authenticity. They are capable of thinking logically and often use personal, value-based reasoning when making important decisions.
It’s also important to avoid portraying INFPs as overly idealistic or indecisive. While they may have high standards and struggle with self-doubt, INFPs are also capable of making firm decisions and taking action to achieve their goals.
Another misconception about INFPs is that they are always open about their emotions. In reality, they can be quite guarded about their inner feelings and may avoid crying or showing vulnerability in front of others.
By avoiding these common stereotypes and misconceptions, you can create a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of an INFP character. This will allow readers to connect with your character on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of what makes them unique.
