The 9 Types of Writers. Which of These Are You?

What the Enneagram reveals about how we approach writing

I am usually reluctant to look at the Enneagram this way, as it risks reducing people to stereotypes. But as you’ll see, it can be an insightful way to understand how you approach life and writing.

If you’re new to the Enneagram, it is a powerful model of human development that reveals tremendous insights into personality and motivation.

It is best used when not locking in on one type, but rather, to use it as a map to explore and understand oneself. While we have one primary or leading “type,” we also access other points on the Enneagram.

For example, as someone who leads with type 7, I also readily access types 1 and 5, as well as my wings, 6 and 8. I also personally resonate with type 4, which is another of the idealist types.

Here’s a fun and hopefully light journey through the nine types and what they reveal about us as writers. If you have other experiences or perspectives, I would seriously love for you to highlight the specific type and leave a comment so that other readers can get a wider perspective.

1 — The Reformer

The Reformer is motivated by being a good person in the world. The belief is that there is an inherent right or wrong, good or bad. They are also sometimes known as Perfectionists.

In terms of content, you might be drawn to writing about self-improvement, ethics, or how to do good in the world. Your voice may be controlled, direct, precise, honest, and clear. You may even be critical of yourself or others.

Reformers are conscientious and responsible. For sure, their articles are well-research and referenced. The perfectionist writer may agonize over getting an article right. Do you find yourself reworking a piece or editing it multiple times until it is perfect?

2 — The Helper

Helpers, also known as Givers, are motivated and fuelled by the feelings and experiences of others. Twos are naturally caring, empathic, and generous. The Helper is one of the three “heart types” (along with Three and Four).

Are you drawn to helping others through vulnerably sharing stories from your own life? For sure your content will seek to provide insights to help people in their lives, often filled with as much or more feeling as fact.

Giving may not only show up in your writing but also how you participate in the writing community. Are you drawn to commenting on other people’s articles? Do you enjoy making connections with other writers and lifting them up?

3 — The Achiever

If you’re an Achiever, you’re on a mission. You don’t just want to write here for self-expression, you want to be the very best you can be. That means doing whatever it takes to learn how to master this platform and get your content out there.

If this type is prominent for you, you’re more likely to be a prolific writer and actively seek readers and followers to validate your success.

You’re driven to master the art of writing articles at the right length and with the right headline to maximize reads. Your process is incredibly efficient, and you probably don’t agonize over multiple edits to get your content out there. Near enough is good enough.

Your voice is confident, enthusiastic, and direct. You will likely favor shorter sentences and succinct language that gets to the point. And you’ll leave us on an upbeat with a topic that you know will help us.

4 — The Individualist

Also known as the Romantic, you feel everything. Authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional expressiveness are your greatest strengths. Often drawn to what is missing, writing can be used to explore or discover some deep aspect of the self or life.

Are you drawn to reading and writing articles that express or connect with vulnerability? I think of publications like CRY Magazine as a giant hug for anyone who wants to connect deeply with the heart.

Fours are also sometimes known as the Artist. Unlike the Achiever, your work is likely to not be so succinct. Your voice is full of feeling and intensity. You will probably enjoy finding a new, unique, and creative way to express your idea.

The joy of creating and expressing yourself uniquely is more motivating than the number of reads you get.

5 — The Investigator

At the risk of stereotyping the writer of an article that takes fifteen minutes to read, most Investigators will not be brief in their writing. But the gift here is that the content will be well-researched and thought through.

The Investigator’s great strength is a perspective that allows them to see a situation with a wider lens. The downside is that the drive to include every perspective on a topic will leave the article incredibly long or exhaustive for writer and reader.

Your voice can be analytical and intellectual, while also being very perceptive and innovative in expression. If an article is driven by this part of yourself, it’ll bring little emotion or vulnerability.

You’ll likely follow and value other writers that are well-researched and provide you with information you find helpful. You’ll likely have little patience for a subject explored with heavy emotion and limited facts.

6 — The Loyalist

This type is sometimes also known as the Skeptic or Devil’s Advocate. Your greatest strength and weakness is your ability to question. Raising a provocative question and exploring it from every angle is very motivating for this type.

Your voice may sometimes lean towards pessimism or cynicism if your questioning doesn’t lead to an adequate answer. But because you are so responsible and thoughtful around the topics you choose; your writing is likely to be very engaging.

You are probably more invested in the quality of the ideas you are putting out there than the style of writing or the number of reads. So long as you are bringing a different perspective that challenges with good questions, you are aligned to your mission.

7 — The Enthusiast

Screw having a niche! The last thing an Enthusiast wants is to be pigeon-holed into any one topic or style. One day you’ll write a poem, the next day a long essay, and then a work of fiction. And that’s the way you like it.

The Enthusiast gets excited about almost anything. You could easily write about personal growth, cryptocurrency, writing, health, spirituality, craft, or any topic you like. In fact, you may even weave multiple topics into one article. The outdated idea of needing expertise doesn’t hold you back.

When experiencing the Enthusiast energy, your writing style is likely to be fast, fun, and upbeat. You’ll never want to leave an article on a down note. You’ll want to lift your reader and give them an exciting vision for the future.

Don’t mistake the Seven’s positivity and optimism for a lack of vulnerability though. Although they don’t access this readily, underneath the surface is an incredible well of feeling that makes this type empathic and able to connect with readers.

8 — The Challenger

This type is also sometimes known as the Protector, Leader, or Boss. They can be one of the more misunderstood of the Enneagram types for their direct and often-abrupt personal style. But I say, I’m glad you’re here; the world needs you!

The Challenger is highly motivated by injustice and is very comfortable advocating for others. This may come out in writing content or providing a platform or publication for others to have a voice.

Your voice and style are authoritative and direct; unlikely to mince words. If you are driven by the number of reads or followers, the underlying motivation will be to reach the widest number of people with your message.

9 — The Peacemaker

The Peacemaker, Diplomat, or Mediator is driven to create harmonious relationships between people. You will likely find articles critical of this platform to be distasteful and ungrateful, preferring readers to see the other side in a situation.

Your output will be less prolific as motivation towards action can be an Achilles heel. That is unless you find a style that allows you to get in the flow and not agonize over the output.

You might find yourself second-guessing in the middle of writing an article if you run into a wall on a topic or perspective. This will be the time to charge up and push through that wall, rather than abandon the article.

Your voice will be warm, friendly, and unconfrontational. You’ll happily marry both facts and feelings, although your style might be scattered and unclear.

Which ones do you resonate with?

I hope that was helpful and rewarding to discover more about the way you approach writing. But remember, you are not one type. You have many quality and life experiences that make you unique.

If this is your first time coming across the Enneagram, please don’t take this article as any kind of conclusion as to what your type might be. Here’s an article I write that provides links to resources for further exploration.