📖 The INFJ Writer – Lauren Sapala
What This Book Covers
The INFJ Writer by Lauren Sapala is a book specifically aimed at writers who identify as INFJs (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It explores how the INFJ personality type influences creativity, writing struggles, and the overall approach to storytelling. The book covers:
How INFJ Traits Affect the Writing Process: A deep dive into INFJ tendencies, such as overthinking, perfectionism, and emotional sensitivity.
Challenges INFJ Writers Face: Addressing struggles like self-doubt, procrastination, and emotional burnout.
Emotional & Intuitive Writing: The importance of tapping into an INFJ’s deep well of emotions and intuition.
Overcoming Blocks & Doubts: How INFJs can work through writer’s block and creative anxiety.
Why I Was Disappointed
As an INFJ myself, I was hoping this book would provide practical advice tailored to my writing struggles, but instead, I found it convoluted and somewhat unfocused. While the book offers some insightful chapters that help INFJs understand themselves better, I didn’t find much that was actually useful in improving my writing process. Here’s where it fell short:
Lacks Practical Writing Advice: The book spends a lot of time discussing INFJ traits but offers little in the way of actionable writing strategies.
Can Feel Repetitive & Vague: Many chapters circle around similar points without offering much depth or new insights.
More About Self-Discovery than Writing: It feels more like a self-help book for INFJs rather than a craft book for writers.
Key Takeaways & What I Learned
Understanding Your Personality Can Help Your Writing: The book does a good job of reinforcing the idea that personality affects creative approaches.
INFJs May Struggle with Perfectionism & Self-Doubt: A useful reminder, though not necessarily unique to this personality type.
Tapping into Emotion Is an INFJ Strength: This aspect is helpful for crafting deep, introspective narratives.
What I Appreciated About This Book
✅ Insightful for INFJs Who Struggle with Identity & Creativity: If you’re looking for a self-reflective book about being an INFJ creative, this may resonate with you.
✅ Encourages Writers to Embrace Their Natural Strengths: The book promotes trusting intuition and embracing deep emotional storytelling.
✅ A Good Reminder That Everyone’s Writing Process Is Different: Even if the advice isn’t practical, it does validate the INFJ approach to creativity.
What Could Be Better
Not Very Useful for Writers Seeking Structure or Techniques: If you’re looking for help with plot, character development, or craft, this book won’t provide much guidance.
Feels More Like a Self-Help Book Than a Writing Guide: The book focuses on internal struggles rather than actionable writing strategies.
Not Exclusive to INFJs: While the title suggests a highly specific audience, much of the content could apply to any sensitive or intuitive writer.
Final Verdict: Not Recommended for Writers Looking for Practical Advice
If you’re an INFJ struggling with creativity and identity, The INFJ Writer may offer some valuable insights. However, if you’re looking for concrete writing techniques, guidance on craft, or structured advice, this book falls short. It’s more of a self-help book for INFJs who happen to be writers rather than a true writing guide.
Let’s Chat!
Have you read The INFJ Writer? Do you find personality types influence your writing process? Let’s discuss in the comments! And if you enjoyed this review, subscribe to my newsletter for more writing insights and book recommendations!
