What Kind of Writer Are You?

By Aileen Santos, CPC MAC

www.PinoyWritersGlobalNetwork.com

Writers are not created equal… and that’s a good thing!

If everyone wrote about the same ideas in the same ways, then this world would be a very boring place
to live in.

But have you ever asked yourself what kind of writer you are? Or more precisely: have you ever taken
the time to figure out the kind of impact you want to make on the world through your writing?

Based on PinoyWriters’ experience of helping writers become more of who they’re supposed to be, we’ve
met so many different kinds, like…

- writers who want to become novelists

- writers who want to make a career out of becoming freelancers
- writers who want to change the world from “behind the scenes”
- writers who write little, but are energized by being surrounded by other creative people
- writers who simply want to express themselves better, whether or not they get published
- writers who got into writing at an early age, and want to grow more
- writers who got into writing later in life, and want to grow in this new and different way
- writers who want to take their love for writing & use it in whatever career they’re in right now…
- and many many others!

Out of all these different – yet equally inspiring! – kinds of writers, however, we’ve come to see that they
all boil down to Three Different Writer Personality Types.

No, this is not a psychological assessment, and I’m not gonna tell you if “you’re a little crazy” (although
most writers believe they are, anyway). ;-)

But I do hope that this short, 10-question personality quiz will help you clarify your “writing growth
path,” and get a clearer idea of what you were meant to do in this world.

(And once you know, please share your “writer type” and let’s talk about it on our forum at
http://pinoywriters.ning.com!)

Enjoy. Create. And let’s celebrate this writing life! ☺

Aileen Santos, CPC MAC

Creativity Coach & A-ha! Trainer
www.PinoyWritersGlobalNetwork.com
What Kind of Writer Are You?
© Aileen Santos. All rights reserved worldwide.
www.PinoyWritersGlobalNetwork.com

1. At lunch, you would be most likely (or you wish you could) be found:
a) At the café, with a hot cup of your favorite beverage, a pen, a notebook, and your thoughts.
b) At your computer, reading blogs or interacting with fellow writers / creatives online, as you eat
your sandwich on your desk.
c) Somewhere surrounded by nature, with a picnic blanket or a nice park bench, eating something
healthy and organic as you think about how you will describe your surroundings.

2. The t-shirt slogan that best shows your personality:

a) Is something that’s witty and thought-provoking at the same time.
b) You’re not into slogans – and you’d rather wear a blazer on top of your shirt.
c) Something about the earth, the environment, or the beauty of life.

3. The kind of creativity workshop you’d like best would:

a) Bring out more of your hidden creative self.
b) Help you chart your career course as a professional creative.
c) Enrich not just your creativity, but other aspects of your life.

4. When you think about writers / writing:

a) I feel special and purposeful, like I’ve found what makes my life meaningful.
b) I feel empowered and responsible, because my words can easily influence people.
c) I feel free – writing is one of the most joyful and therapeutic gifts in the world.

5. Someone suddenly reads aloud one of your private poems without permission – in front of other
people. You:
a) Feel incredibly exposed. You might even blush from embarrassment… and from anger at the
person who read aloud your work.
b) Feel proud that someone was so impressed with your work that they had to read it aloud.
c) Are excited to find someone else who seems to appreciate writing; later, you approach that
person who read your work aloud and suggest you form a writers’ circle.

6. You shared one of your best ideas with someone, and a few months later you find that he/she has
been using your idea for extra credit / impressing others / personal gain. You:
a) Get angry – that idea was your baby! You do your best to make sure other people find out it was
your idea (and that the other person just stole it).
b) Get as much information as you can about copyright laws, get support from other people who
know the real deal, and approach that person with options for how he/she could set things right.
c) Are unperturbed. Oh, maybe you’ll talk to that person once, so at least he/she knows you are not
condoning plagiarism. But in the end you know there are a lot more ideas in your head than you
can ever bring out, so no big deal.
7. When you decide to share your work with others, your hope is that your writing will:

a) Help them feel a bit less lonely, knowing that other people are feeling the same things they are.
b) Inform and empower them, so they will know exactly what they need to improve their situation.
c) Enlighten and inspire them to appreciate the life they have, and to move forward & touch others.

8. Choose the word the best describes the kind of writing that matches your personality:
a) Expressive
b) Persuasive
c) Inspiring

9. Which of these creative people do you consider to be your role models?

a) Natalie Goldberg, Stephenie Meyer
b) Anna Quindlen, Stephen King
c) Oprah Winfrey, SARK

10. You believe that your best works will have the ability to:
a) Touch people’s hearts.
b) Improve people’s lives.
c) Transform people’s spirits.

What Your Answers Mean:

Mostly As: Brave Creative. You are a self expressive writer who is focused on an almost spiritual kind of
creative growth. Your writing is filled with courage, honesty, and personal authenticity. You dare to
share the secret hurts and pains that others try to hide. The gift you bring to the world is one of self-
understanding, self-acceptance, and the permission to become amazingly flawed and human. Your
greatest joy would be in knowing that your words have rescued others in the same way that they have
rescued you.

Mostly Bs: Change Catalyst. You are a reality-grounded writer who clearly sees what people need, and
whose growth is focused on communicating in the best possible way so you can address those needs.
Your writing is purposeful, targeted, and sharpened for the greatest impact. You dare to ask the
questions that others are afraid to ask… and you find the answers. The gift you bring to the world is one
of truth, understanding, and positive change, which you know only come from a decisive transformation
of one’s mind & spirit.

Mostly Cs: Joyful Creator. Your creativity shows up in every aspect of your being, and your growth is
now focused on using your creative energy to celebrate life. Your writing is exuberant, spiritual, and
expands into a variety of different fields. Your gift is all about allowing the world to see how we are all
connected to each other, and how everything we do impacts the lives of everyone else. You understand
things that others don’t, and you communicate your discoveries with warmth and excitement.

Celebrate your gift and grow into the writer you’re supposed to become. 
Join us at www.PinoyWritersGlobalNetwork.com for information, inspiration, and community. ☺