The above statement is from John Green, author of The Fault In Our Stars. It’s an interesting jump-off point to discuss some of the paradoxes of the writing temperament – quiet people who are expressive; private people who want to draw you into a deep experience.
Today I’m at Jane Davis’s Virtual Book Club blog, discussing this and a few other matters. Although we also cover the origin story of Not Quite Lost, which many of you already know, we soon get on to plenty of other talk. And Jane is celebrating a big birthday this week, so if you’re quick, you can take advantage of a special offer she’s running on her own books. Step this way. Don’t be shy.
Nail Your Novel 
I think this statement speaks for a lot working in a creative field. Even in my own profession, engineering, I see a lot of this too (yes, I’ll be the first to say engineering is a very creative field). To me, though, it’s a good form of selfishness and bodes well for being an introvert, which I consider to be. But, the stigma is that introverts are anti-social. Meaning, that they don’t like people, which is the furthest from the truth. For me, it’s more a comfort thing. I’d rather take a vacation to a deserted island, or camping i the woods to be alone, than going to New York City. I can easily talk to others, but I don’t seek it out, unless it has a specific purpose. It’s the same reason I am mostly quiet, but can then ramble forever given the right topic. Hence, I write a lot since I let my thoughts stay locked in my head.
Hello David! Thanks for pointing that out – introverts aren’t necessarily antisocial, they just sometimes need quiet. A pause. Space. And maybe an empty page. Thanks for stopping by.
It is refreshing to read this blog, as it hits home directly. Having just finished the first draft of my first Sci-Fi Novel during NaNoWriMo 2017, I’ve reflected on the experience thus far. Creativity is a personal thing, the products of our creations in their rawest form may not be understood or even accepted by others.
Like-minded acquaintances are more receptive and are often easier to engage in conversation with as compared to those who have no connection to the topic.
We can see this in discussions concerning subjects such as paranormal or extraterrestrial. Mystery and many unknown aspects surround these concepts. If you are inclined to believe in them, then acceptance and conversation, both come much easier. On the other hand, if you are a non-believer or find it of very little interest, then you want to switch topic and turn this conversation into something more plausible.
When a writer, being a creative type, attempts to converse with an audience which is seeking more triteness, the writer sometimes feels a disconnection and even a rejection.
Sinking then back into their own creative mind and possibly unable to move forward with conversation which is felt to be too typical. The writer can be taken, as an introvert, and as it would appear to be rightfully so.
Thanks to you Roz and Jane for the enrichment.
And thank you, Mr Extrinsic, for a thoughtful comment! Introversion is such a slippery thing to define.
Writera are introverts in the outside world just to show their inside out in their books. However, they can be very easygoing and reliable people once you get to know them.
Let’s hope so!