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Extrovert or Introvert?

edited February 2007 in - Reading

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  • I read somewhere that most writers are viewed as being introverts. As I actually know very few writers, I'm wondering if there's anything truth in what was written.
  • Mostly introvert. But what about all the other, non-writing things we do each day? And do you think that extroverts are perceived as being 'better' than introverts?
  • I think many people believe being introverted is something to be overcome, like an illness, whereas being extrovert shows confidence.  Personally, I don't think it makes any difference, as extroverted people could be hiding something behind the confidence mask, and introverted people could just feel that they are fine as they are.  I find a lot of these so-called experts are extroverts themselves.  Telling?

    Yes, I think a lot of writers are introverted in that we are happy in our own company - but as writers, we'd be in trouble if we weren't.
  • Bit left field here and maybe a bit off the point, but when I was a psychology undergraduate we did quite a bit on introversion / extraversion ... including several experiments.

    One that I can remember involved comparing ratings on Heisenck's intraversion / extraversion scale, body temperature and bio-rhythms (which involved me taking my flat mate's temperature and pulse twice a day at set times for a month!). As I recall, it turns out that (experimentally speaking - there will be exceptions!) introverts tend to have higher body temps early in the day & therefore function better in the mornings, extraverts are vice versa and generally function better in the evenings.

    As with all things, people assign different levels of 'social desirability' to any label.
  • I don't like labels. Surely there's a scale which we fit on somewhere. I know I can be particularly extrovert at times and very introspective on other occasions.
  • from what i've read, writers do tend to be introverted- lonely, self-critical, self-deprecating, full of angst and doubt. i'm sure that probably isn't true for us all, but it definitely feels true to me! or does it?! hahaha! a good friend of mine is a poet, and she seems to teeter on the borders of depression and suicide on a daily basis. i don't think i'm that bad, but i do certainly have my dark moments, and that seems to be when i do the most writing. happiness is definitely not conducive to creativity, at least not for me.
  • Mmmh. Tricky question for me. I often avoid people because I'd rather be on my own (bearing in mind that I live with man & daughters, and solitude is therefore a rare commodity!), but when I am in company I'm definitely extrovert.
  • What Katy says rings true: I work much better later in the day and in the evenings and I'm sure I'm an extrovert.  Quite a few of my friends who are writers are introverts  and enjoy getting up early to write.  I'd rather write late into the night, 
     
  • I had my introvert extrovertness tested once sounds odd but they do it. I came out as an introverted extrovert. It explains alot. It means apparently that I need to go out and live, take in information then go away and hide until I'm ready for another dose of extrovertness. I suppose it means I'm suited to writing at least I hope so.
  • I suppose I feel more like an introvert, although there are times when I could possibly be viewed as an extrovert. (Usually those times involve copious amounts of alcohol!Ha-ha.)
    If you are indeed a mix of the two, does that technically make you a Schizophrenic?! Hmmmm.
  • We're all a mix of the two, M. Introvert to extravert is a sliding scale: no rights or wrongs, no pass or fail, just like any other personality measure. We're all on there somewhere and may react differently from our baseline 'type' under certain circumstances.
  • Sorry M, just looked back at my comment and think it comes over as really pompous. Not meant that way at all, sorry, I know you were joking!

    I used to work in mental health and Schizophrenia is such a very serious chronic illness, not really understood fully even yet. It can really blight people's lives.
  • Somewhere between the two in my case.  When I started writing aged nineteen I was suffering from depression and very shy.  But putting your work out into the world, and having to sell your work there is no place for modesty.  So as I am getting older I am getting more confident and gradually more extrovert, with a thicker skin.

    Saying that I received a rejection for my latest article today, so I'm feeling a little fragile right now (to the extent where I start questioning whether I should be writing, but planning short stories has snapped me out of it).  Although there is nothing wrong with a few healthy hours of self-pity accompanied by a bottle of wine a hot bubble bath!.
  • I'm of the bit of both view. Generally I'm an extrovert, but I think in my writing I'm more introverted.
    So much has to do with self-confidence, and how comfortable we are with ourselves, and that goes a long way to being an extrovert.
  • I tend to think I'm an introvert, and I generally work better in the evenings, though it depends a lot on what I'm writing at the time.  I've been told I'm "not exactly forgettable" by a friend of mine, and I THINK she meant it as a compliment!  When I've had a few drinks, I get louder and more confident, but I've got more confident these last few years anyway (since I split with my ex, funnily enough), and my lovely man encourages me to be myself, as does my beautiful best friend (and both are creative).

    I think a lot depends on confidence, but there'll always be a part of me that prefers to keep to myself, whatever happens.  I'm perfectly happy in my own company for a while, until I start climbing the walls and have to go out and get plastered.  I suppose that does make me, as opposed to an introverted extrovert, an extroverted introvert.

    I'm probably talking sh** :o)
  • Can't decide as to whether I am an introvert or I just don't like people!!

    I seriously thrive better tucked up away in my corner.
  • It's all entirely relative, isn't it? I used to think I was an extrovert before I met my current husband. Boy, was I ever wrong!
    Talkback is a wonderful invention. It allows us to say things we ordinarily wouldn't say, to people we've never met, from the comfort of our own sanctuary. Is it any wonder we're all so chatty? 
    Thanks for being here for me.
  • I must confess, I love my own company and it's a rare occasion for me to feel like I need people around me. I think that may be to do with my work environment though; working for a large investment bank, I find myself surrounded by people all day long, most of which I personally find quite rude, ignorant and unpleasant! No wonder I want to escape to the comfort of my 'peopleless' space! Ha-ha.
    Having said that, I do really appreciate the time with my loved ones.
  • I remember doing something about introvert and extrovert people at teaching college many years ago. I'm sure that one of the studies our lecturer gave us showed that introvert people tend to be tall and extrovert short. Anyone else heard of this? I think I would be seen as introvert and I am tall.
    I am quite happy being on my own but I need to socialise as well or I get depressed. No man is an island.
  • That's interesting, KA. I'm tall as well and I'd regard myself as an introvert. Having said that, I do have a friend who is a complete extrovert but stands at 6ft2"!
  • Perhaps you can't hide if you're tall.
  • You're right there; there aren't many places I can hide! I have to confess, I wish I could just merge into the background most of the time. It's really frustrating that I get noticed when I'd much rather not be. Thing is, I'm quite clumsy and stupid too so I really could do with no attention. It's humiliating most of the time. Maybe I should enroll in the 'School of Cool'. :-0
  • My daughter is 6 feet and she hates it. She just can't seem to find a b/f her height or over. Her present one is shorter than her by 7 inches. It shouldn't matter really but it does to her.
    She also has trouble getting tops long enough to fit her.Longer trousers 34 inch leg are becoming more readily available in the high street though.
  • I'm five foot eleven, and I love it.  I used to work for Gala Bingo and all the old ladies used to say 'my you're tall' and I would think 'no, you're short'.

    The annoying thing is that the shorter girls now where these massive heels to look tall, which means I have to wear boots to emphasize my height.  My friends always say 'why are you wearing heels?.  You don't need heels'.

    P.S best shops for the taller girl
    1. Asda (George label).
    2. Primark.
    3. Dorothy Perkins.
    4. Internationale.
    5. Marks and Spencers.
  • I think it doesn't help me much that all my friends are shorter than me and so is every girl that I work with! Even when I wear flat shoes I tend to tower over them.
    I actually find it removes a sense of feminity; I always feel quite manly. (It's very hard to be dainty when you're tall and everyone comments on it!)
    Maybe I should just start befriending tall people! (Ha-ha...nutter alert!)
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