I was speaking with a work colleague the other day and confessed that I, like so many authors, am introverted. “No way!
I was speaking with a work colleague the other day and confessed that I, like so many authors, am introverted. “No way!
debradunbar
It’s sock bun’s influence. She makes everyone tough!
Sock Bun
I’m definitely an extrovert once I put on the uniform and duty belt. I scare myself at times. My powers of introversion have made me a natural observer though, which actually helps when dealing with my “clients.” I’m always relieved to return to the quiet, nerd girl when the costume comes off. Living at the extremes of introversion and extroversion is probably not the best way to be. I’m still trying to figure that out…
debradunbar
I think there are a lot of times when it makes sense not to force it. Everyone needs their “me” time, especially us introverts. But! We do need to force ourselves to occasionally get out the door, or we’re limiting ourselves professionally.
debradunbar
I really struggle, but I keep trying! There was a study that came up in an HR magazine last year that showed introverts were less successful in many corporate jobs, and tended to hit their own “glass ceiling”. And I agree about authors. Even if someone goes traditional pub, they’re still expected to exert a huge amount of marketing work on their own. The days of sitting in a cave with a ream of paper are gone.
Susan A.
Debra, I had to change schools a lot growing up too. It definitely forces you to crawl out of your shell if you want to have friends. I’ve never had any problems socializing, but I do have times where I want to cut the world off and do my own thing. There is nothing wrong with that occassionally. It’s just a matter of keeping things balanced. Writers need to put themselves out there or their work may not be found. Long gone are the days when you could be an introverted author and still sell tons of books!
Sock Bun
I definitely struggle with putting myself out there. I’m reading a book called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. It’s helping me to make peace with being an introvert.