Thank you for the thoughtful comment Charles.

I agree that we shouldn’t think of introvert/extrovert as a simple dichotomy. I think it’s best to think of it as a continuum.

And yes, some introvert/extrovert characteristics or behavior choices will be shaped by culture and specific upbringing, but one of the points made in the book is that some people are born with innate characteristics of introverts or extroverts.

I think people commonly misunderstand the difference between introversion and extroversion. The difference is in what energizes you. Introverts are capable of enjoying parties and conversation and extroverts are capable of reading and working quietly. However, an introvert will not feel the same as an extrovert after 2 hours of small talk in a room full of new people and loud music. The introvert will feel drained. The extrovert will be just getting started. Likewise, if an extrovert is doing some solitary reading or research for 2 hours…they will probably feel the urge to take a break and call up a friend. Whereas the introvert might have more energy than they did at the party. So if you’re not sure whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, think about what levels of social stimulation energize you and what tires you.

Margie, you are right on about the value of introverts, points that Susan Cain also makes in the book.

We are very similar about how we like to socialize. I remember when I was young I never liked to “party,” although I find that I like potluck gatherings of good friends where people break into groups for good conversation.

We seem to view introverts as weak and socially awkward, but that’s not the case. We’re just more introspective and “take things in” as opposed to extroverts, who like to put it all out there. Neither is better than the other — we’re just different.

I’m definitely an introvert, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like socializing or being around other people. I’ve found that I don’t enjoy large group situations because I want to have more intimate, one-on-one interactions with people rather than shallow, brief conversations with a whole lot of people. It’s confusing and exhausting for me, but that’s just how introverts are.

I think introversion can help as a writer in that you may be naturally more intuitive. As a freelancer, it may be to your benefit because you don’t need the outside stimuli, i.e. co-worker chats, etc., as much as the extrovert. An introvert may prefer to connect online or one-on-one coffee meetings as opposed to the extrovert who may prefer networking events. We all work in the way that works best for us. I don’t think we introverts have to view introversion as a negative.

Oh good lord yes, it’s difficult… pretty much impossible.

Greg, one of the few pictures of me as an adolescent shows me sitting on the couch reading a science fiction book, probably one by Robert Heinlein. I know that all those hours I spent alone reading had a lot to do with my becoming a writer.

Must be a bit difficult getting that important alone time when you have a kid on your shoulders!

Self-Promotion for Introverts looks like an interesting book Chamois — thanks for sharing it with us. I’ve put it in my “Saved” list in my Amazon shopping cart to examine in more detail later.

I started out a bit introverted online, but I’d already been published in large magazines and I’d written a couple of books, so I overall I had very little shyness. I do remember carefully crafting the very first comment I left on a blog: fellow freelance writer Tom Chandler’s trout fishing site.

And like you Samar, I don’t like to be bugged when I’m working!