Archive
Daily Archives: April 24, 2009
Daily Archives: April 24, 2009
Focus: the Alter Ego strategy
http://focusquick.com/ch-13-website-chapter-bonus-short-video-about-using-alter-egos-to-handle-emails/
http://fostercovers.blogspot.com/
http://www.fostercovers.com/
http://behlerblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/im-so-pretty/
http://fantasyartdesign.com/free-wallpapers/best-fantasy-art.php?s=36&np=10&srt=3&best=1
Short Story
http://adirondackreview.homestead.com/FultonFerrell.html
Book Trailer
http://footage.shutterstock.com/
http://www.shockwave-sound.com/genre_track_list.php?genre=198.html&sort=mostrecent&page=2
I’m on a Maass kick. I’m now reading The Fire in Fiction. The priciples reprise Writing a Breakout Novel and the Workbook — this one also has “homework” at the end of each chapter — but the examples he uses to illustrate the point are all new, so it’s worth reading.
You can never read too many samples of something done right.
I took a personality test as part of a study which is going to compare people’s personality traits to the type of writing in their blogs. I would give you the link, but it’s based on random sample, so I can’t.
The good news is I’m supposedly less “neurotic” than 98% of the population. (Don’t believe that for a minute.) As those forced to live with me will attest, I’m actually quite neurotic; my insanity just bothers them a lot more than it bothers me, and in our crazy world, that somehow translates to sane. Go figure.
I’m agreeable and trusting. (Read: “Dupe.”)
I’m open to experience, with “a general tendency to appreciate emotion, adventure, and unusual ideas or experiences.” Apparently this means I am “intellectually curious, appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty.” I should hope so, or boy am I in the wrong career.
However, I’m a hermit and lazy to boot. This last trait is the one which makes me wince. “Individuals low on conscientiousness tend to show less persistence and may have trouble seeing things through.” Ouch. It’s great to be sensitive to beauty and all, but without discipline, I know I can never succeed as a professional novelist.
The test is based on five different personality dimensions collectively known as the “Big Five”. I’ve taken many variations before — I’m sure some of you have too. It’s the same as the Meyers-Briggs, except M-B skips the “neurotic” component. So, no big surprises for me. Yeah, I already knew I was a guillable, flaky artsy-fart nerd, and happy about it. (I’m an INTP for you Meyers-Briggs affectionados.)
I love personality tests. Love to take ’em, and especially love to give them to my characters. It’s a great way to know my characters better. Admittedly, given my favored genres, some of my characters don’t always know how to answer the questions:
QUESTION: When the phone rings, do you rush to pick it up or wait to see if someone else answers it?
HARL THE PRINCE OF TORGLA: What is this ensorcelled object? It wails in pain — someone must be trapped inside! I will smash it open and free the trapped soul!
QUESTION: Do you prefer activities which are lively and fun or quiet and intellectual?
ZOMBIE: Argggg! Brains, eat brains….
Your results
The questionnaire you filled out measures your scores on five different personality dimensions collectively known as the “Big Five”. Below are your scores on each dimension based on the answers you provided, along with some interpretation. If you’d like more information about these personality dimensions, the Wikipedia entry is a good place to start.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism (sometimes also called Emotional Instability) is the tendency to experience negative emotions such as sadness or anxiety. People who score high on neuroticism are vulnerable to stress and tend to experience negative feelings more often. People who score low in neuroticism tend to be less susceptible to stress, and experience negative feelings relatively infrequently.
You scored 13 out of 50. This score is higher than 2.9% of people who have taken this test.
0%
100%
Extraversion
Extraversion (or Extroversion) is the tendency to experience positive emotions and seek out stimulating situations. People who score high on extraversion tend to be active, energetic, and enjoy being around other people. In contrast, people who score low on extraversion, known as introverts, tend to be quiet, low-key, and are typically less involved in the social world.
You scored 24 out of 50. This score is higher than 18.0% of people who have taken this test.
0%
100%
Openness to experience
Openness to experience is a general tendency to appreciate emotion, adventure, and unusual ideas or experiences. People who are open to experience are intellectually curious, appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty. People with low scores on openness tend to have more conventional, traditional interests.
You scored 46 out of 50. This score is higher than 83.0% of people who have taken this test.
0%
100%
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness is the tendency to show self-discipline and persistence. People who score high on conscientiousness tend to be persistent, responsible, and duty-driven, but are sometimes perceived as being overly perfectionistic and concerned with order. Individuals low on conscientiousness tend to show less persistence and may have trouble seeing things through.
You scored 21 out of 50. This score is higher than 4.4% of people who have taken this test.
0%
100%
Agreeableness
Agreeableness is the tendency to be sympathetic and cooperative towards others. People who score high on agreeableness strive for social harmony and value getting along with others. Disagreeable people tend to be more suspicious and hostile towards others.
You scored 46 out of 50. This score is higher than 94.8% of people who have taken this test.
0%
100%
http://e-xperiments.org/personality/results/8R54E0I030