A big thank you to everyone for the support on my post yesterday. I am not feeling quite so overwhelmed today, I even took a picture with the new camera, though I didn’t leave the house to go get my new glasses and I don’t care.
A special thanks to writerjenn who pointed me to Shrinking Violets Promotions. Lots of good reading there. And this wonderful quote in their sidebar:
Hardly anybody ever writes anything nice about introverts. Extroverts rule.
This is rather odd when you realise that about nineteen writers out of twenty
are introverts. We are being taught to be ashamed of not being ‘outgoing’.
But a writer’s job is ingoing. –Ursula K. LeGuin
I love that they make the distinction, many times, of the difference between being introverted and being shy. It’s all about where you get your energy.
I’m going back to my quiet place to store up some more go-juice. In the mean-time, don’t forget it is Thursday and time for poems of 15 words or less.
difference between being introverted and being shy. It’s all about where you get your energy.
I liked your last post, I’m sorry I didn’t comment, I thought quite a bit about it – and this point esp. stands out.
When you read our blogs, you see how BIG our personalities are and how much we have to say, but we just have to be in our comfort zones.
Please don’t ever feel bad about not commenting. I read so many great blogs and never seem to find the time, or quite often the energy, to post back.
Yes, we have BIG personalities that do come across in our blogs. It is a safe zone for many of us introverts.
I do wonder though, what impression my blog gives of me to others who don’t know me in real life and if it is an accurate one. I am almost afraid to wonder about that too much.
Thanks for your thoughts! And for sharing the Shrinking Violets blog. Good stuff there for writers.
I identify with your reflections on change and solitude.
May your 2008 be filled with lots of quiet moments and many good books!
Thanks for the support. I hope you are able to find your own needed quiet moments in the coming year.
Isn’t it interesting how many writers are introverts?
I am so with you on this introvert vs. shy, Susan. I am not a shy person, in the sense that I’m not private, I like sharing my opinions, etc. But I completely get my energy from my alone time. At times like this (winter break), I am overwhelmed and drained. I love my family but am ready for them to get back to school:>)
Last night, I was cranky, headachey, and all around grouchy. I just want to be left alone!
Introverts rule!
It was good for me to be reminded that while I am a bit shy, it is more the energy thing than anything else. I remember how hard it was when my kids were little and they were home on break. Our house was the house where EVERYONE came to play and it was exhausting.
The Shrinking Violets site helped me a lot, Susan. Like you, I’ve found the whole thing about where you get your energy really liberating. Just in the past few months I’ve finally understood this about myself, that I find spending time in social situations draining, and need alone time to recharge. And I’ve worked on finding that alone time, even when I’m on trips, and it helps a lot. Hope it helps you, too.
Thanks, Jen. It’s hard to find that quiet time when life all around me is so very noisy. But I am trying.
How’s your travel schedule in January? Are you up for coffee/tea/snacks with a few local writer/book people sometime that month?
My travel schedule is actually pretty good in January, Susan. Thanks for thinking of me. I’m pretty sick with a lingering and wretched cold right now, but assuming that passes, getting together later in the month sounds great.
Glad to oblige!
Happy refueling.