#introvert writer

[succulentsiren]

Women need to embrace not having friends and moving independently. Having no friends doesn’t mean you lack anything, if anything it means you are at an advantage because you are the sole focus of your life and you’re not looking for approval from anyone.

Sometimes you need to walk alone and be confident alone without looking for anyone’s validation or permission.

[wordx]

"Writing is something you do alone. It's a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don't wanna make eye contact while telling it."

— John Green

[thewarmthofequallyreturnedlove]

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Introverts

Introvert - a person who is reserved, reflective, and prefers minimal social situations.

Unlike extroverts who prefer networking and socializing, intense social interactions may leave introverts feeling drained and needing to recharge their energy with ample alone time.

However, introverts don’t necessarily lack social skills, they just prefer alone or socializing in small groups.

Introversion is a personality type introduced by noted Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who theorized that people could be divided into groups based on their distinct attitudes.

These attitudes include introversion and extroversion (which refers to a preference for external stimuli).

Jung believed that while both of these attitudes are present in every individual, one type is generally more dominant.

Characteristics of an Introvert

Reserved: Introverts don’t like to be the center of attention and may not be as willing to make new friends or break the ice in large groups, social gatherings, or networking opportunities. However, a common misconception is that an introverted personality is always shy and quiet. Some introverts are more talkative and energetic when they are passionate about something specific, engaged in an activity they love or surrounded by people they know.

Introspective: Introverted personalities tend to spend more time with their own thoughts, which means they tend to think more before speaking. Introverts are often described as more thoughtful or focused than extroverts. This personality type prefers to think and prepare before they act, making them efficient planners.

Solitary: Time alone and away from social settings is necessary for introverts. Social activities can be draining for many introverts, and they may require time to recharge after social events. This solitary time away from the outside world is beneficial to an introvert’s mental health and well-being.

Selective: An introvert may enjoy spending time alone in their inner world, but that doesn’t mean they are loners, antisocial, or lack a social circle. On the contrary, an introvert prefers a smaller circle of close friends, leading to more quality and meaningful relationships.

Patient: Introverts are thoughtful decision-makers that are not driven by impulse. They often take their time when faced with a decision to ensure the best result. In sales, this personality type prefers to take their time to strategize and find the best way to appeal to a potential customer.

Are Introverts Shy? Introversion and shyness can overlap for some personalities, but these qualities are distinct. Introverts and shy people avoid being the center of attention and might experience social anxiety. Generally, introverted people can start conversations, make small talk, and navigate social interactions more readily than shy people, especially with small groups. Introversion describes people who prefer higher levels of internal to external stimulation. Alone time is energizing for introverts, but they can still exhibit agreeableness and social skills in social settings.

Signs of Introversion

The following personality traits align with being an introvert. Consider the signs of introversion:

You are comfortable with alone time. Introverts can travel and engage in hobbies alone without feeling the need to share that particular time with others. Introverts tend to focus on their own thoughts.

You prefer smaller social gatherings. Both introverts and extroverts can be sociable, the difference is that the former prefers shorter social situations with smaller groups of people. For example, introverts might enjoy social activities like dinner parties or book clubs.

You think before you speak. Introverts often consider how they want to respond to a question or comment before replying and are likelier to be quiet and contemplative in group settings. If you often think before you speak, you might be introverted.

You value unique experiences. A personality assessment might classify you as an introvert if you prefer special activities specific to your interests that command your emotional and intellectual attention.

Benefits of Being an Introvert

Being an introvert can have advantages. Consider the following attributes and benefits of this personality trait:

Attention to detail: Introverts often care about details others might forget or overlook.

Good listening skills: Introverts tend to think before they speak, which means they can be more thoughtful, wise, and considerate. Introverted people are often effective listeners.

Positive well-being: Engaging in alone time can boost self-esteem and improve mental health.

Strong sense of self: Introverts prefer to spend time with themselves, which gives them more opportunities to reflect on who they are and what they want. Introverts have a strong sense of self. There is a misconception that introverts have a narrow view of the outer world, but introspection can give them a broad perspective.

Quality friendships: Introverts prefer a smaller social group, which means they are more selective about friendships and how they spend their time socializing. Introverts tend to have close friends.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[toastedbuckwheat]

Czerwone Tatry

[dora-papp]

World Introvert Day

We are quiet

Not stupid.

[raineandsky]

#137

tw: mentions of death

“You might consider yourself lucky, [Hero],” the supervillain snaps coolly, “being here, still alive. You are only alive because I let you—because you are much more fun to slowly squeeze the life from, until you’re begging me to end it all, and we will have plenty of time for that.”

With one last cold glare and a swish of his coat, the supervillain leaves the hero in the dungeon. The hero would be inclined to call it a prison, or even a cage, but the walls are damp and there’s bloodied chains sitting in one corner, so in their mind this counts very much as a dungeon.

They settle against the cool stone as comfortably as they can manage, which frankly isn’t comfortable at all. They close their eyes, a sigh escaping their lips. They’re prepared to face whatever agonies are doubtlessly ready for them ahead. Waiting for said agonies will be boring, that’s all.

“You too, huh?”

The hero opens their eyes to glance across the dungeon, to the other side of the darkness. They can only just make out the outline of a figure sulking in the other corner, but they recognise the voice all the same.

“Fancy seeing you here,” the hero says with a short laugh. “What did you do?”

The villain practically growls. “I’m not entertaining you.”

“It’s not entertainment; I’m just curious.”

There’s a second of silence, and the hero thinks they might get an answer before the villain simply says, “You first.”

“Fucked up.” The hero shrugs, though they can’t tell if the villain can see it or not. “Did something not particularly heroic.”

The villain shifts a little, chains clanking together with the movement. “Huh.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I figured it must be something bad.” The villain makes a noise that might be a laugh or a scoff. “[Supervillain] doesn’t get super serious with just anyone.”

“Must’ve been pretty serious for you to end up down here, then,” the hero comments with a huff.

The villain raises an hand to their face, and the hero gets a glimpse of the line of chain trailing from their wrist.

“Oh, it’s whatever. I also fucked up. Did something…” The villain grapples for a word awkwardly. “Not villainous.”

The hero barks a laugh that seems to make the villain jump, if the sudden clank of metal is anything to go by, but they can’t help it. A newfound anti-hero and a good-hearted villain sharing a supervillain’s dungeon. What a pair they make.

“You’ve peaked my curiosity,” the hero says brightly. “Please, continue.”

Like a broken record, “You first.”

“Ah, y’know, the usual.” The hero doesn’t really want to say it out loud. “I, uh… I killed someone.”

“Oh.” The silence following that is uncomfortably long, until, thankfully, the villain adds, “Yeah, you’re right, that’s not very heroic.”

The hero nods, though they’re not sure if the villain can see it. “I didn’t mean to. It was another villain. I don’t know who—they had red hair and glasses.”

“Oh,” the villain repeats, a little more strained this time. “Yeah, that’ll do it. They’re one of [Supervillain]’s favourites. Or were, I suppose.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Eh.” The villain waves a hand at them nonchalantly. “I didn’t really like them, honestly. They were always showing me up in front of [Supervillain], but I think that’s why he liked them. I wasn’t as willing to throw my comrades under the bus for attention.”

They clear their throat awkwardly, and the hero takes the hint. “What about you, then?” they ask shortly. “What did you do?”

The villain sighs, the puff of warm air catching in the one strip of sun lighting the place. “Well, quite the opposite.” A cough of a laugh jolts them slightly, like they weren’t expecting it. “I stopped [Supervillain] from killing someone, and they got away.”

The hero sits on that for a moment. “That’s very noble of you,” they offer eventually.

“Oh, don’t you start.” The villain tsks in annoyance. “I already have [Supervillain] calling me soft for it.”

“I can’t blame him. I mean… are we sure I’m the hero and you’re the villain here?”

The villain laughs like the idea is ludicrous, and the hero laughs too because it is, but then a silence falls over them and the hero knows that they’re both thinking the same thing.

“You know,” the villain starts slowly, “I’ve never really liked being here.”

The hero snorts humorously. “I can’t say I’m a big fan of grotty dungeons either.”

“Not here, you moron,” the villain snaps. “I mean here, with the villains. As one of them.”

“Oh, cheers to that. The agency has too many rules.”

“This hellhole doesn’t have enough.”

“Well,” the hero says brightly, “I’m sensing something big is happening here.”

The villain hums thoughtfully. “Can we maybe talk about it outside of the dank dungeon?”

“Oh, I thought you’d never ask.” The hero’s mind is already running through plans, scenarios, ways of escape. It’s always easier with a teammate, anyway. “Let’s get the hell out of here and start our new lives.”

[yourdeliciouspoison]

Believe me, it really doesn't matter how shy a girl is She will always become naughty with the person whom she loves the most

[tumbler-polls]

If you wish, tag your MBTI/enneagram type!

[liketwoswansinbalance]

In the modern publishing landscape, these days, I think like we do not have many (if any) point-of-view characters with low social motivation for whatever reason.

Sure, there are lots of characters with social anxiety or other perceived or legitimate foibles to overcome, there are many YA villain origin stories, and there are many unpalatable, traditionally "unlikable" men in classics, but disregarding those, who else do we have?

Can the state of openly being alone (and content) rarely be presented as morally-neutral or as the end result of a narrative? Must it always be that either being alone is the starting point, so there's room for "personal growth," or that being alone is seen as "undesirable" and/or an indication that the person alone has a "problem" or something otherwise wrong with them, like a deficit or moral failing that in some kind of karmic way gives them "what they deserve," which is being alone and discontent with it?

Characters with society anxiety, any differences in communication, or other reasons that interfere with forging connections "don't count" because they may still be motivated. Traits such as these only stand in the way of gaining relationships, as plot obstacles. They aren't intrinsically tied to indifference or to low motivation. So, these characters clearly are not experiencing a lack of interest. And they are not the ones rejecting others. Thus, they "don't count" as far as the archetype that I'm looking for goes.

Characters who undergo villain arcs or otherwise negative arcs may want to maintain their relationships or gain them, so some examples are immediately disqualified (hence not having low social motivation), even if they are the type of character most likely to alienate themselves by a story's end, conflicting with what they wanted.

(Unfortunately, Coriolanus Snow, who is quite close to the type of protagonist I'm searching for "doesn't count" because he has some drive to keep people in his life.

Rafal Mistral partially "counts," and is satisfying as a character, but also doesn't count because he temporarily makes "friends" or allies, depending on how you look at his exploits. Yet, despite all this, not having friends isn't exactly framed as a morally-neutral state either, so he is also disqualified by the end. Basically, he does have low social motivation, but his narrative lacks the conditions that would make the natural consequences of that low motivation play out for themselves. He is always surrounded by people, even if he hates every last one of them.

And, generally speaking, the usual, moody-broody, "misunderstood" YA love-interests very easily "don't count" because they have a desire to get closer to their object of affection.

Even Katniss Everdeen, an overall good person, who usually views herself as "unlikable," befriends others, originally for pragmatic, survival purposes. However, she does start with low social motivation, so that's something in her favor.

And yes, I'm aware that we need other people in this world—I would just like to see someone prove that supposed truth wrong once. And perhaps succeed in their world, if that's not too much to ask for.)

Also, are there any instances of characters who progressively alienate themselves from others, in which that progression is not inherently seen as negative? Like, what about non-corrupt misanthropes? Are there few of those in literature? (Maybe—Eleanor Oliphant from literary fiction counts, but something about that book did not appeal me and I didn't finish it.)

Classics guys sort of "count," but I haven't really seen examples of any comparable protagonists today since many authors and readers write and look for "relatability" in blank slate everyman figures oftentimes.

(I'm not done with Crime and Punishment yet, but Raskolnikov is very tentatively looking like a safe bet for a character who may end up alone and who may not be completely malcontent over such a fate, even if I'm expecting tragedy. I'm that not far along, but I also wouldn't mind it too greatly if he died, I suppose.

And even Sherlock Holmes has Watson as his constant, even if he's notoriously asocial! So he "doesn't count" either.

Carol from Main Street also comes close, but still ultimately desires approval from others.

Maybe no one is truly immune to humanity and I should give up on this notion?)

How many pov characters out there are 1) apathetic toward the masses and 2a) either alienate themselves as the plot progresses or 2b) do not make any friends? (I will allow them making friends and consequently losing them though because that still ends in net zero!)

Indeed, this "gap" in protagonists I've been running into lately, especially with coming-of-age arcs and protagonists whose arc is some form of "getting out of their shell," is: why do we (almost?) never see protagonists who just flat-out don't progress in terms of connecting with fellow humans?

Wouldn't having even a handful of those types be reflective of reality? (We as a society are more disconnected than ever, to be fair, despite constantly having access to one another via technology.)

Or I would completely understand it, if it were narratively impractical to have a plot in which a protagonist makes zero friends. Maybe, it's a near-unwritable form for a story?

So, my question is: does anyone have book recommendations, which present a character whose end goal is not to make friends or forge connections (any other ambitions or motivations are fine) and whose state of being friendless both lasts and is regarded as morally-neutral or as not outright evil? Any genre is fine. High fantasy is preferable. I am stumped.

(I also wouldn't mind recommendations of books in which the protagonist is vilified due to being alone, even if that is not my primary query here.)

[thewarmthofequallyreturnedlove]

[exoticb-utters]

Hello! If it isn’t too much trouble, could I request some headcanons for Hank McCoy aka Beast with a fem!reader who is a bit of an introvert with an eye for detail and a high IQ, kind of like Morgan from High Potential? 🙏 Thanks for taking the time to read this!

yessss ofc! Thank you for the request 🎉✨

“Flufftober” series. 2 🎃 Hank McCoy HC’s X Fem! Reader ‘Fluff’ Word Count: 490

You’d first piqued Hank’s interest when you had first pointed out a small detail he added in some of his latest designs. “Hank is there a reason you use the same screws for every invention? They’re pretty small, it must be hard since you have…well large hands…” He’d look up from his project to you, surprise written on his face. No one had ever paid attention to his screws, but then again you noticed everything. “It is, but I find the smaller screws have a harder time falling out rather the larger ones for some reason.” He answered with that familiar friendly smile, receiving a thoughtful hum from you.

With your mutation being advanced intelligence and cognitive abilities, it wasn’t really something you could do out in the field. So, you’d often be in the lab, helping Hank with whatever he needed help on, which was quite rare since his genius was just a little ways ahead of yours. But, he rather enjoyed your company, it was always helpful for an outside opinion as educated as yours.

Xavier encouraged utilizing your gifts as a teacher, but you were much too shy for that. You loved the kids of course, you were just never…good in front of people.

Maybe it was your gentle beauty that really had him so intrigued from the start, but your insane attention to detail and intelligence had him falling- hard. He’d never felt so seen, so comfortable to be a complete nerd with you.

Both of you were night-owls, working on some experiments and tests late into the night. More often than not, he’d catch you asleep at his desk. Your eyes closed with a pencil in your hand before you could finish writing whatever it was that brilliant mind of yours was thinking.

He’d find himself carrying you to your room bridal style, tucking you under the covers. You had a bad habit of opening your mouth while sleep every now and then, allowing soft snores to escape your lips. He found the sight endearing, pushing loose hairs out of your face. He paused for a moment, commuting every soft feature of your face to memory.

Sometimes, when no one was looking, he’d press a gentle kiss to your forehead. He couldn’t help it.

The fondness he felt for you was like no other, you saw Hank- for who he was, and not a beast. He truly treasured you for it.

And someday he would find the courage to finally ask you out on a date. Maybe some roses somewhere nice and quiet, he knew you could be shy around the others. But he wouldn’t let that stop him from seeeping you off your feet. You deserved to be romanced, treated like the princess you are.

And when he did, you would be ready. Unbeknownst to him, you’ve been waiting. There was no turning back from the love you felt for Hank.

[soulinkpoetry]

Introverts want to be seen, but not by everyone, only by the people they deem capable of understanding them.

-Soulinkpoetry

The rest they keep at an arms length.

.

[silkenteardrops]

some days it feels like i’m speaking a language no one hears.

like being quiet makes me invisible— or worse, mistaken.