The Need to Write for the Ambivert Reader

Writers are supposed to be introverts, right? They hole up by themselves with their keyboard and write, no need for outside interaction. At least that’s the stereotype.

I’m actually the complete opposite – so extreme on the extravert scale that I’m about to slip off the edge. Yet, I’m a writer.

Extraversion and introversion are personality traits that describe where a person puts their energy and what feels most comfortable for them – either turning their attention to external things and people (extraversion) or to internal ideas and reflection (introversion). This trait is measured on a continuum, and most people actually fall somewhere in the middle. People who exhibit both introverted and extraverted traits have been labeled “ambiverts”.

Forbes recently reported research that shows ambiverts, and not extraverts, as previously thought, make the best sales people. Why is this? Because extraverts get so excited and enthusiastic that they forget to listen to their customer. Whereas an ambivert will have enough energy to excite the customer and will still be introverted enough to listen to the customer, ultimately meeting his needs.

Writers can have issues similar to sales professionals. I was recently reading a book by a popular author, and I found myself skimming the majority of the book. I wanted something, and to be honest – it wasn’t there. As an extravert, I was looking for dialogue and action. I’d bet my last nickel the author who wrote it is an introvert. Over 90% of the book took place in the characters’ heads. Pages and pages went by with no action or dialogue. I couldn’t take it. I felt like I was trapped inside the character’s head, held hostage and subjected to incessant navel gazing.

Introverts may love this style of writing. That’s great, but for an extravert like me, it’s like fingernails raking a chalkboard. The study I mentioned gave me some insight into this problem. Most people are not that introverted, or as extroverted as I am. They’re somewhere in the middle. I propose that it benefits authors to aim for that middle ground in their writing.

Being from the extraverted side of the spectrum, I struggled mightily when studying how to write in “Deep Point of View”. I’d read examples where characters were so in touch with their deep thoughts, feelings, and observations that I thought, “I have never been that deep in my own head, how can I be that inside my character’s?” As an extrovert, most of my world happens outside of me. Not inside. That’s why I like dialogue and action – it’s external to the character. That suits the way I’m wired psychologically.

Keep these things in mind. Consider your reader. Most of them will have both extroverted and introverted tendencies. This is why you’ll have more success with a good balance of  1.) your character’s thoughts/emotions (internal world) and 2.) action/dialogue (external world).

Your writing will be more palatable to a wider audience AND you’re less likely to turn off readers who are on the extreme end of either side of the extroversion- introversion scale. If they can find something they can respond to in your work, they are much more likely to read your next book or recommend your work to a friend.

How about you? Are you an extravert or an introvert? How does this affect your writing or your experience as a reader?

 

 

 

 

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