Intuitives vs Sensors
The differences between intuitives and sensors is something few discuss. We’re told to be more of a sensor. We’re told be structured. Use the beat sheets. Know how many chapters you want. Use the senses to ground your reader into the story. So, you’d think sensors would be the easy winner when comes to writing.
Well, yes and no. They still have their weaknesses. Most outlines, for instance, don’t include details or senses to keep the sensor writer motivated. These are like air, so an outline can sometimes feel like a space walk without a suit. Sensors know where to go, but sometimes they can’t find the will to make it happen even with the road map in their hand.
Outlines are not friendly to intuitives. They’re more free-roaming. They’re not grounded in the senses. Sometimes, they’ll write entire scenes and never have a single smell, taste, touch, or feel. They’re hear things. They’ll see things, but they’re mostly thinking and reacting. An outline can feel like a constricting prison of death.
Outlines are still a great habit to have if you want to write consistently. The key to consistent writing is energy maintenance, and the key to that is knowing when your energy is fleeing and when it’s ramping out of control. Here are a few ideas on what to focus on and where to start with your outlines and your writing for both intuitives and sensors, both of which don’t always enjoy outlines.
For Intuitives (N):
Big Picture Focus:
You tend to the world differently and your stories are no different. Your plots are going to have less focus on what people do and more on why they do them. What element of the world around you do you want your readers to focus on? What do you want them to see differently? How do you want to shape the world around you? Figure out what that is, and then you can plan your book around that. You’re not an actions first person, so don’t fall for any advice that leads you down that path.
Mind Mapping:
Sometimes you can have a running list of chapter numbers and beats, but they just don’t flow well for you. Also, they don’t really mean anything. Knowing how to hit beats is important, but your initial outline might look more like a board with sticky notes and different colored yarn that connects them. That’s not wrong and it’s not a waste of time. It’s simply how you see logic. You look for the natural flow of energy and ideas.
Flexible Outlines:
Your books are never going to go to outline if you sit down and outline in one go. Do your mind map. Pull out your list of beats to keep your roller coaster experience. Figure out how many chapters you want. And then only outline so many chapters in advance. Figure out where you think you want your end to be so you know what you need to support your climax, but understand that by the time you get there, you might have a different ending all together. And that’s okay! Your outline is there to keep you motivated and focused. Motivate yourself through the tough parts, but focus through the parts where your energy is the highest. Staying focused and keeping your characters focused is hardest when you’re most excited.
Emphasis on Themes and Symbolism:
You are not a shallow person and you do not focus on one-dimensional stories. Others can and that’s okay! But you don’t. Themes are important and will be the main focus of your outline. Each beat, each action, each decision will reflect your theme. Don’t blow stuff up because you think you need to. Focus on what symbol would best reflect that application of your theme. Blow the right stuff up when needed. Make each explosion matter. Focus on the reactions to the symbols, and then use those symbols to bring an extra layer to the readers who will catch them.
Character Development:
You will rarely have a character who is the same going in as the one coming out. Cozy stories are not for you, m’dear. This is the mark you will miss every time. You want to change the world, so your focus on your theme will affect every major moment of your character’s stories. Focus on their reactions to things. Don’t let her just go from one traumatic event to another without being phased. I mean, if she needs to keep calm and trudge on, let her, but then give her the micro-reactions. Let her melt later. Let her make a bad choice and face the consequences of it. Concentrate on her choices, and how they evolve through the course of your story. That will take precedence in your outline and your writing.
Incorporate Future Thinking:
You love-love-love thinking about how you will impact your world. You may not think you do, but… this is just who you are, m’dear. You matter and you impact those around you. One thing you love to do is imagine the future. What would it look like if we did this? Or if she did that? What could I do to help him do that? Do the same for your characters. Let them think ahead a little because that will shape their reactions and their choices.
For Sensors (S):
Detailed and Sequential Outlining:
Outlines were developed for you. You like to know where others have succeeded and how to follow them. You want the beats. You want the formulas. Don’t think this means you’re cookie cutter author. You can be, sure, and that’s great! The literary world needs cookie cutter books because readers love them! Not every single book needs to be the next most original work of art. However, you also know how to take that formula and make it your own. The idea of a beat sheet doesn’t scare you in the least. If anything, it makes you feel more comfortable.
Concrete Details:
Outlines can be tough for you because we’re not in the nitty gritty details. The outline is an overview and you don’t do well there. If you’re not in the dirt of details, how do you know how the scene is going to go? This is important because sometimes those details can derail you. To get through the outline, pick one concrete detail and put that in your outline. “He’s going to see a red Justy with a bumper sticker that reads, ‘My other ride is a broom.’” If you need to, put one of these details in each beat or chapter to keep you focused. This seems random to some people, but you know that he sees that car and it reminds him of the time he spent with his mom at the park feeding ducks and he misses his turn. And that’s how he meets his love. If someone else writes your outline for you and you’re looking at a glossy, big picture view, then either stick those details in to help you or figure them out as you’re writing and alter them so that you stay on track. You do not like throwing out your outline, but you also have the greatest ability to find ways to stay on track.
Research-Based Writing:
Research might not sound fun to you, but we’re talking about going to a place and seeing the real restaurant. Not just seeing it, though. You want to smell it. You want to hear what people are saying there, how they’re reacting to one another. Is it a place they can really unwind? What are the sounds like? Real, sensory research is something you enjoy and will incorporate into your stories to make them richer and more active.
Practical Scenarios:
One thing my sensory writers love to do is to chase trends, and sometimes that will cause them to try to incorporate some really bizarre things into their stories. You do best when you can keep yourself grounded in senses. Look, feel, taste, smell, and hear. Ground yourself in the setting. If you ever feel like your energy is draining, read your last scene and see if you put your sensory writing in there. If not, you’re not there and you’re air-writing. That’s great for intuitives, but sucks the life out of your writing. If you’re writing your outline and it’s sucking the soul out of your muse, add a smell in there. Focus on how the setting feels and write how that changes the direction your characters will take. You’ll be amazed at how that small thing will change how easy or how hard your outline will be to write.
Consistency Checks:
Because you enjoy following in the path in other successful people, you also enjoy consistency. I’m not just talking about a writing routine. I’m also talking about the consistency in your setting. You are the type of person who will have different types of witches in your society instead of having one witch have all the abilities like I do. You like rules and guidelines. If you find your outline or writing is taking too long, see if you delved too far outside of your own rules. Setting, characters, beats, schedule. The whole thing. If you’re out of balance, find a way to bring it back and you’ll have your energy again.
Sensory Descriptions:
This shouldn’t have to be said, but you’re a sensory person. Your narrative should be led with senses, and that includes your outline. I didn’t fully understand what that meant until I tried to write as an ESFP, my complete and total opposite. You don’t future think. You are in the moment. You’re smelling roses as the woman walks by. You’re seeing that man’s smile as he sees her and notice the slight shift in his eyes as if he’s remembering something pleasant. You’re feeling the softness of the cream colored fuzzy shirt on the rack you’re passing on the street. You’re feeling the warmth of the sun as you step out of the shadow, and the breeze of the car that just passed you as you stepped off the sidewalk. Find ways of including those senses into your outline because they are the air you breathe. You can’t breathe in vacuum, so don’t treat your outline like it should be space.
How You See Plot Matters
Whether you’re outlining or writing, understanding how you shape your story will alter how your story comes together. You’re not wrong in your approach, but depending on the shape of your outline, what’s included, what’s not included, and what you’ve provided, your outline might hinder more than help. If you created an outline that feels like a noose, take a look at your approach. Did you include the parts you need to be excited? Is it flexible enough for you to take the path that feels right?
Sensors are not naturally the more structured author. Intuitives are not naturally the more unique storytellers. Find your strengths and use them, but figure out your weaknesses and figure out how to support them so you can achieve the goals you want.
