Just call me sucker...

Have any of you delved into enneagrams? They’re fascinating, I’ll give you that.

Here’s a few links to check out just in case you haven’t seen them..

http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

http://www.9types.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality

Now frankly, enneagrams have previously bored me to tears, but I’ve tried my best to learn them. First, because it will give me better, fuller, rounder characters. Second, because a friend of a friend of a friend wants me to design a book cover for his book on – you guessed it – enneagrams. And thirdly, because Laurie Schnebly Campbell and Lori Wilde (both of whom I admire greatly) insist it will help with my characters and my book overall.

So, I did a wee bit of research. And, using myself as a victim..er..I mean specimen….maybe that’s not right either…using myself as a test subject, I did some research and soul searching to find out what number I am.

Rats.

So, I did it again. And again. And yet one more time for luck.

No matter how much I want to be the Achiever, The Challenger, or even the Individualist for Pete’s sakes, instead I am The Peacemaker.

Let me just post a little line from the “brief description”

Nines are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace.
(source http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/)

Let me paraphrase that for you in carrie-speak.

What it really means is I’m a SUCKER!!

As in “there’s one born every minute.”

Yes, that’s me. Too willing to go along with others to keep the peace.

You can read more about what a weenie I am here…

http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeNine.asp

It’s embarrassing.

Oh sure, the creative and optimistic sound wonderful, the fact that Sophia Loren is a nine is just icing on the cake, but what they’re trying to say (and I’m trying not to hear) is that I’m not the all-powerful Oz.

I don’t have the killer instinct of Donald Trump. I’ll never speak my mind like Oprah Winfrey and when I say “I’ll be back!” like the Terminator, people just giggle, not cringe in fear.

I’m a sucker. A weenie. A dreamer.

Haul back on the reins there cowboy! A dreamer? Now that’s not all bad is it? I mean it is if you’re driving a bus full of people to a casino, or if it’s your job to guard the inmates at Alcatraz, sure, it can be tragic. But if you’re a writer, being a dreamer is a good thing. So is being creative. Optimistic? Sure, you have to be to get that Happily Ever After. See, maybe it isn’t so bad after all being a nine.

On the other hand, Marge Simpson is a nine. And Edith Bunker. (remember her?) Nancy Kerrigan is too.

Sigh.

But so is George Lucas.

So there! Take that!

Rawr!

Sorry, did I scare you? I’m sorry, really, let’s go out for a chocolate milkshake and I’ll make it all better ok? Yeah? I’ll buy. 

=)

carrie