Are you a shy writer? Many of us are. Can we overcome our introversion? Should we even try?
I don't know the answer, but tomorrow I'll be blogging on Once Written, Twice Shy with Rebecca J. Clark. Hope you'll take a look and leave a comment.
Being a guest there started me thinking about, how shy is too shy? Are most writers naturally a little shy about promotion? Are the best-known writers actually extroverts at heart?
These are all intriguing questions.
9 comments:
I don't like to do book marketing but I'm not very shy. I guess I just put too much imagined barriers up around book marketing. It's good that I can hide behind a computer.
My Darcy Mutates…
There are just some things I shy away from and others I embrace. Selling/promoting comes under shy.
Hi Monti:
I am shy. But I have learned that most people don't notice anyway so why be worried, because that word best describes the way I felt. So put in the right situation, I can force myself to be outgoing until I truly enjoy who I am with and then it's natural.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
I think I'm an introvert by nature, but this writing gig and the promo requirements that go with it have made me a little more comfortable with public appearances. It was tough at first, though. And mostly I'd rather be at my computer. :)
I confess - I'm an introvert!
Introverts are not necessarily "shy." It's just that we haven't got the energy or inclination to deal with a world full of extroverts - we like it up in our own heads, thankyouverymuch. :)
I'm a "situational extrovert." I am an outgoing, friendly, never met a stranger kind of person. On the other hand, when called upon to exercise those qualities, I'm left exhausted, drained, and in need of solitude. I'm really happy in solitude; I don't recall ever feeling truly "lonely." I like people just fine - in small doses. :) I like a few people fine in larger doses, too - mostly the ones who get me and aren't all up in my face and expecting conversation to be like a tennis match.
Selling/promotion comes under a different heading. Trust is very important to me. And I know how very low my trust is with most salespeople - I think I project that feeling onto others, and assume that if I'm promoting my own books, they will trust me less. I never really thought about this before - I'd just say, "I'm not good at it" - and in a lousy economy, that's true. But is it because I'm "shy" or "introverted"? I don't think so. I think it's because I have whole conversations in my head, before I even start, that have little to do with reality:
"Buy my book, it's great!"
"Yeah, but you WOULD say that - it's YOUR book."
"Well...yeah, but it IS great."
"Yeah, sure, whatever."
Of course, that may be because I'm an introvert. Do extroverts have these conversations in their heads?
Enid, interesting you aren't shy but still don't like book marketing. That's where I expect extroverts to shine!
Mary, hope you can start embracing promotion. I've started to believe that's more important than writing. If you're a great writer and no one reads your work, it's sad you haven't been able to promote it.
Nancy, you do a great job with shyness because no one would ever notice!
Pat, being with the computer is much more comfortable for me as well.
Alex, that's a great surprise!
Holly, I like your explanation and the term "situational introvert." BTW, for me the name, Holly, sounds like an extrovert! And I love the name...
Hey Monti--
I sure appreciate your thoughtful post on my blog. Thanks again for coming on and good luck with your promo.
:)Becky
Well, I'm definitely shy. But at best ~ I'm a blogger, not a writer.
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