After studying the Enneagram that details personality traits, I discovered a correlation between a person’s profession and their backstory. The Enneagram Institute lists many examples of real people throughout history, as well as fictional characters, with certain personalities and professions. Surprisingly enough their backstories are also similar.
For those of you that follow my blog, you know that I consider the Enneagram the magic tool in my Writing Trunk to creating fictional characters.
But I also feel like I’m stealing—yep, I feel guilty about owning the key to my character’s backstory made readily available by using the Enneagram.
Below I’ve created a one page chart Profession-Backstory Relationship (pdf) for you to add to your arsenal of tricks in an effort to help you, as a writer, to more easily identify what backstory your character might have and how their backstory correlates to their profession.
Cyndi-
Great chart you’ve made! I’ve always had troubles sinking into the Enneagram tables–they sort of tire me out right off the bat. But, I love this chart–it’s highlighted great insights and so user friendly. Thank you!-
Lisa Sorensen
So glad this helped you! I’ve been wanting to produce this help sheet for some time. Keep studying the enneagram. You’ll make it work for you too! Cyndi
Thanks for the toe-in-the-water! BTW–I pay attention to your blogs. I think you do a great job on them in general. They’re straight forward, interesting and useful. I appreciate all that.
~ Lisa
You’re welcome! And thank you! 😀
Great tool for the writers toolbox. I will have to really study it.
I agree. If I need a “king” I just look across and see what type of wound he received as a child then create that backstory. Hope that helps you too! Cyndi
Very nice breakdown, Cyndi. Thanks for taking the time to steal – um – create this.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Thanks for sharing, Cyndi! Looks awesome!
Thank you, Laura! Cyndi 😀
Good post, Cyndi! I’m a tad behind.
Thanks, Mary! So glad you stopped by! Cyndi
Love it! Thanks, Cyndi!
You’re welcome! The Enneagram is an awesome tool to add to your writer’s toolbox!