[Faux]

I'm pretty sure the world would burst into flame if you succeeded in breaking one of the fundamental laws of the universe. Kind of surprised it didn't when my INFP friend became a game programmer, really. :P



Really, though, don't worry about your MBTI here. Worry about finding resources for novelists and seeing how you take to them (there's probably plenty about finishing and tying up loose ends) and if it's a long-term goal you think you can stick to. Read up on what it takes to get published and the subject of writing as work in general.

[kittymobile]

A writer takes willpower and determination, not a personality type. Having said that, if you want some reassurance, i'm an INFP and have finished 3 novels. Of course, i've not tried to get them published but the shortest was 60K words and the longest about 100K. If you don't enjoy sitting at your computer and hammering those words out and then putting in the time to edit them, you're not cut out to be a writer. Pure and simple. As many an author has said: many people say 'oh i could be a writer' but they just shake their head and smile; real authors write instead of making excuses as to why they can't.

Also, writing is extremely unlikely to make you money of itself. The likelihood is that it will forever stay your hobby alone. If you can be happy with that, you're fine. As even if you do get a novel published, people aren't going to know who you are unless you hit the market at JUST the right time with JUST the right storyline...then get lucky.

[The Umbraic Light]

I'm pretty sure the world would burst into flame if you succeeded in breaking one of the fundamental laws of the universe. Kind of surprised it didn't when my INFP friend became a game programmer, really. :P

[vellocent]

Get into the habit of writing more often, whether it is in a journal or blog or notes on your mobile device. If someone gives you criticism, thank them, consider it, but never let it stop you from creating & don't take it to heart (your work is a reflection of yourself, but it is not you). You will have slow periods and times where you aren't sure about yourself. If you keep doing it for long enough you'll reach a plateau, keep your options open and explore new avenues to get over this plateau.

[jd_]

Of course if you are too extreme in some areas (like P) it can be a hinderance, but that's true of all types in all areas of life.

You like George Orwell or his excellent political satire in Animal Farm and 1984? He was an INFP.

Animal Farm was a novella, which I was alluding to in the previous posts. The novel (1984) is more daunting. The epic novel, which the OP also mentioned being even more daunting, something similar to Atlas Shrugged/War and Peace, etc.

Being a critically acclaimed philosopher/writer/artist etc as many mentioned are generally not suitable as full time employment.

Many strive to be these and work in publishing, journalism, public relations, academia or related jobs. You could certainly teach creative writing, but for many it is just a source of income. Personally I have no interest in teaching and would find the job unsuitable for me.
How about writing and picking up a related skill?

[vellocent]

... Pure and simple. As many an author has said: many people say 'oh i could be a writer' but they just shake their head and smile; real authors write instead of making excuses as to why they can't.

True, same basic idea applies to anything that needs time to develop, from science & programming to art & exercise. A real anything is too busy practicing what they love to make excuses about it.

[aravis]

Mmm, this is a question I ask myself often. Except, I'm not really worried about the P in my personality. I agree with many of the above commentators. There are tons of Perceiving writers! Get some accountability and you'll be forced to finish it. As to the epic nature of the novel, this is one account where I envy the Introverts. You have tons of space in your head to dream up epic worlds and characters. Extroverts, or at least I myself, would prefer to hash out the world/characters/details with someone else. They don't all hang out inside my brain. So, be encouraged! You can write a book. If you can think of such a story, an epic book even. If you're a talented writer, an excellent epic!

[futuremental]

I wrote three drafts of a novel (first 85k words, third and currently final draft 120k) in 67 days (including several days of breaks which I needed desperately).

I set pretty specific goals for myself: 3000 words a day. When editing, I edited 9000 words a day. Of course, I had the good luck to devote all of my time for those ten weeks to the book. I did very little else. It was exhausting. I've never really finished short stories, screenplays or even novellas before. I would suggest that you do a lot of planning ahead, building a lot of structures first. Here's a strategy which was great for me, the Snowflake method. Just Google it.

I also spent a lot of time reading about dramatic theory, specifically for screenplays. That's a really good tool because you can see the bare bones structure of scenes, how to construct dialogue, and how to build a story that not only is emotionally satisfying, but also where each scene has a purpose in the story. Also, you can read a screenplay in about an hour, hour and a half which is a lot quicker than you can read a novel. And there are tons of websites discussing them too so you can see what works and why and so on. Here's a great one: ScriptShadow.

I also read a few other dramatic theories. I can recommend Ayn Rand's in The Romantic Manifesto. It's quite beautiful and good too. Basically, I just needed all of the pieces before I could finish something. At times, you'll hate it, but you'll need to write. You'll have to sit there until five in the morning. Personally, I also recommend that you use a computer without internet access. That really helped me.

If you find a story worth telling, good luck!

[Uncouth Angel]

Can INFPs write novels?

Can ESTJs boss people around?

Can ISTJ get shit done?

Can ESFPs be the life of the party?

Long story short, I want to write. And while Short stories seem like a fun idea, I've never been one for poetry or song-writing. I want to write a novel, if not many. I want to tell a story, preferably an epic, but I'm beginning to wonder if my personality will allow it.

Do a quick search for all of the famous INFPs. At least half of them are writers.

INFPs are known for being great writers, but they're also known for never finishing anything they've written. Or at least, not anything long. I've even heard someone say that if it's a novel, it's most likely written by in INFJ.

Bullshit. Pure MBTI prejudice. Stephen King is likely an INTP, Rowling may well be an INFJ, and Tolkien was definitely an INFP.

Oh, and I'm also of the opinion that short stories are harder to write than novels. In a novel, you have all the space you need to develop your ideas. A short story is more like a climax. You have to make sure every word counts, and keep your length in check if you want to submit it to any journal.

Anyway, the people who have posted here before me were correct on at least two matters:

1) Don't let MBTI tell you what you can and can't do (though if you paid attention, you'd know your Fi and your Ne are ferocious additions to have in any writing toolkit).

and

2) Writing is hard work, and it takes commitment. This would be true no matter what type you are.

By the way, I'm an INFP and I earned my MFA in Writing. I have one 45k word memoir published in an online journal and I'm currently at work on a novel I've had in the making for the last two years. I've attended one writer's conference for novel pitching, one writer's residency, and am a member of authorsalon.com, where several agents have already expressed interest in my project. I am struggling to finish it, but not for lack of motivation. It may be at least another year or two before it sees the light of day. The most important writing decision you can make, aside from commiting yourself, is your choice of subject matter. Thankfully, the literary world is more open these days to new styles and ideas. Having faith in your own is important.

[Lawless Land]

I write short stories but I don't think I would ever have the patience to create a novel