Enneagram Authors: Type 5 – The Investigator
About the 5
Description from The Enneagram Institute
Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached, yet high-strung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation. At their Best: visionary pioneers, often ahead of their time, and able to see the world in an entirely new way.
Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable
Basic Desire: To be capable and competent
I got to interview my friend Farren for this week!
Interview with Farren
Hi, Farren! Can you share a little bit about yourself and what you write?
Like my bio says, I’m a Christian teen from California. I live in a noisy, happy home with a cat, a dog, and four chickens. I like to dance, read, draw, write, play piano, and outsmart my geography textbooks in their knowledge of Eastern Europe. I write fantasy mainly, but I have been testing out fanfiction recently.
What is your enneagram type, and how do you feel about it?
My enneagram type is 5. I don’t even know where to begin. I relate so hard to so much of what I’ve read about 5s. It’s like I never truly knew myself before, if that makes any sense.
Do you find that your enneagram type impacts your writing process? How so, or why not?
Yes and no. It definitely seems to impact the way I research and prepare my story, but it doesn’t affect my actual writing.
What strengths do you find in your writing or process that tie in with your enneagram type?
Research! I love love love learning about new things and topics.
What weaknesses do you find in your writing or process that tie in with your enneagram type?
I don’t know if this is tied in with my type, but I definitely have an issue with letting my Inner Editor get the best of me as I write.
Do you think your type impacts how you create characters?
Let’s just say, I have to do a lot of revising so all my MCs aren’t 5s. 
Do you think it impacts how you worldbuild?
I’ve probably done a fair share of worldbuilding, but I’ve never reached draft two on any of my projects, and I don’t tend to notice or care about details like that. I’m just aiming to get the story written out, plot holes and typos included. ;D
Do you think it impacts how you outline?
Call me crazy, but I don’t outline. At all. Ever.
Do you think it impacts your prose or writing style?
No.
Do you find that many of your protagonists are a similar type to yours, or very different?
Yes. Like I said earlier I have to review my characters a few times before I can be certain they don’t have clones of my personality.
If you have a strong wing, how does it impact your writing process, if at all?
I have a 4 wing. ^-^ It hasn’t affected my writing, at least not that I’ve noticed.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the writing process (plotting, writing, editing)?
My favorite is plotting. I love coming up with new worlds and characters. My least favorite is the actual writing process. I can’t for the life of me ever get enough motivation to write.
What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of the writing craft (setting, characters, theme, plot, prose, etc.)?
Favorite is definitely characters. They’re one of the easiest to come up with. I don’t really have a least favorite, but going off the rough list you gave, I’d have to say prose.
Do you have any writing “rituals” (drinking tea, lighting a candle, putting on music) to get you in the mood to write?
No, not really.
What most inspires you to write?
Books, music; it varies depending on my mood. Sometimes even sleeplessness.
What is your reason for writing?
Now, this is a hard one. I’ve gone over this question quite a few times in my head before, but I’ve never came out with a solid answer. I wrote because it’s something that brings me joy. I want to give the world the same joy I receive when reading stories that I love.
Anything else you want to share?
No. You covered quite a lot.
Thank you, R.M. Archer! I wish you all the best in your own writing and blogging. ^-^
About Farren
Farren Green is a Christian teen living in the suburbs on the coast of California. She reads a vast variety of genres, but tends to stick to fantasy in her own writing. When she’s not writing or in school, she enjoys reading, drawing, playing piano, and hanging out with friends.
If you want to read more of Farren’s work, check out her blog The Starry Eyed Dreamer!