Writing Personality Types: Why Writers Struggle Differently (and How to Work With It)
Have you ever followed writing advice that everyone seems to swear by —
only to find it didn’t work for you at all?
Maybe it helped another writer write faster.
Or feel more confident.
Or finally break through their blocks.
But when you tried it, it just left you feeling more frustrated… and quietly doubting yourself.
If that sounds familiar, here’s something I want you to hear clearly:
That doesn’t mean you’re undisciplined, unmotivated, or doing something wrong.
It usually means the advice you’ve been given wasn’t designed for how you are wired.
And that distinction changes everything.
Why Writing Advice Doesn’t Work for Every Writer
Most writing advice is shared as if all writers are the same.
Write every day.
Push through resistance.
Follow this structure.
Use this routine.
Try this system.
And while those strategies may genuinely work for some writers, they can feel exhausting, frustrating, or even paralysing for others.
Not because those writers lack commitment —
but because writing struggles aren’t one-size-fits-all.
They’re deeply influenced by personality.
How you’re motivated.
How you respond to pressure.
How you experience self-doubt.
How you regain momentum when you feel stuck.
When advice doesn’t take those things into account, it can quietly undermine your confidence — even when you’re trying your best.
Writing Struggles Aren’t Flaws — They’re Personality Patterns
One of the most liberating mindset shifts for writers is this:
Your writing struggles are not personal flaws.
They are personality patterns.
Resistance isn’t here to stop you.
It’s information.
It’s a signal that something in your current approach isn’t aligned with how you naturally function — and that a different kind of support is needed.
When you understand how you’re wired, you can stop forcing strategies that don’t fit and start working with your natural tendencies instead.
The Four Writing Personality Types (The DOPE Framework)
In my coaching and on the Write the Darn Book podcast, I use a simple but powerful framework known as the Bird Personality system.
It’s easy to remember using the acronym DOPE:
- Dove
- Owl
- Peacock
- Eagle
Most writers have one dominant personality, even though they may recognise traits from more than one type.
Understanding your dominant type helps explain:
- why you get stuck in certain ways
- what drains your creative energy
- and what actually helps you move forward
Here’s a brief overview of each.
🕊️ Dove — The Heart-Led Writer
Doves are connection-driven, emotionally attuned, and deeply empathetic.
They often excel at:
- emotional depth
- tender, nuanced characters
- meaningful themes
But writing can feel challenging for Doves because it’s such a solitary pursuit.
When they feel unsupported or disconnected, self-doubt can creep in — not because they’re weak, but because they care deeply.
Dove writers often thrive with:
- gentle accountability
- emotional safety
- encouragement and reassurance
🦉 Owl — The Analytical Writer
Owls are thoughtful, detail-oriented, and precision-focused.
They often shine at:
- structure and plotting
- research and accuracy
- refining language
But Owls can struggle with forward momentum if they try to make the work perfect as they go.
Their growth often lies in allowing the messy middle — trusting that clarity comes through writing, not before it.
🦚 Peacock — The Expressive Writer
Peacocks are energetic, expressive, and socially motivated.
They often excel at:
- voice and dialogue
- big ideas
- creative expression
But the quiet isolation of writing can feel draining for them.
Peacocks often write best when there’s:
- energy
- interaction
- conversation or community
🦅 Eagle — The Driven Writer
Eagles are goal-oriented, decisive, and motivated by progress.
They often work well with:
- deadlines
- clear milestones
- visible momentum
But when writing slows down — as it naturally does — Eagles can become frustrated or overly self-pressuring.
Their work deepens when they learn to balance momentum with rest and trust.
How to Work With Your Personality (Instead of Against It)
Most writers don’t need more discipline.
They need better self-understanding.
When you support your writing through your dominant personality:
- resistance softens
- self-doubt quiets
- and consistency becomes more sustainable
And while this framework is especially powerful for writers, it also supports:
- how you relate to other people
- how you collaborate
- and how you create believable, emotionally grounded characters
Personality awareness doesn’t box you in — it frees you.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
If you’d like to explore this more deeply — including how each personality experiences writer’s block, procrastination, and self-doubt — I walk you through it step-by-step in Episode 4 of the Write the Darn Book podcast.
👉 Listen here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/write-the-darn-book-beat-writers-block/id1858775581
🐦 Discover Your Writing Personality
If you’re curious to discover which writing personality you lean toward most, you can take my free Bird Personality Quiz here:
👉 maddisonmichaels.com/quiz
It’s a powerful starting point for understanding how you’re wired to write — and how to support your creativity with more ease and confidence.
💛 Want Deeper Support?
If this post (or the podcast episode) resonated and you’re ready for deeper support to break through your blocks and finally write the book you’re meant to write, I currently have a few spots available for 1:1 coaching.
👉 Learn more at:
www.maddisonmichaels.com/coaching
