"This month, I’d like to look at the writing personality from an entirely different perspective . . ."
—Lenard-Cook
|
Last month, we learned why writers must be both right- and left-brained (hint: language resides in the left brain). This month, I’d like to look at the writing personality from an entirely different perspective, The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This column is far too brief to explore all four aspects of the MBTI. Instead, I’m going to focus on its first component: Are you an E or an I?
“E” stands for extraversion. According to the Myers-Briggs Foundation (www.myersbriggs.org), extroverts get their energy from interaction with others. They prefer working in groups and can best solve problems by discussing them with others. “I” represents introversion. Introverts live mostly inside their own heads, thinking through problems on their own, and, when they can, happily ignore the world around them.
Now, perhaps ten years ago, I heard a marvelous talk by the writer David Morrell (www.davidmorrell.net). Morrell began by asking how many of the writers in the room considered themselves introverts, and then how many were extroverts. The room appeared to be divided roughly fifty-fifty between the two—until Morrell went on. “If you’re an extrovert,” he asserted, “you can’t be a writer.”
The extroverts gasped so loudly the introverts shrunk in their seats. Undaunted, Morrell continued. In order to sit down at a desk day after day and create believable imaginary worlds, he said, you’ve got to prefer your own company. Then he asked another question. “How many of you are going to go home from this conference and call your best friend to tell him or her all about it?” Again, half the hands in the room were raised. “And how many are looking forward to putting on their sweats, retreating to their favorite chair, and staring at the wall for an hour or two?”
|
"Extroverts must use others as sounding boards while introverts prefer to review everything themselves."
—Lenard-Cook
|
This question addresses another aspect of the E/I equation: Extroverts must use others as sounding boards while introverts prefer to review everything themselves. Intriguingly, it turns out that “creatives” can turn on their inner E when necessary: That’s what Morrell was doing when he stood on that podium, and it’s what I do when I teach, lead workshops, speak, or attend booksignings. I’ve even come up with an easy mind-trick (mind-tricks being a tool in the introvert’s toolbox) to do so: I flip a switch and become my extroverted friend Joanie. |
". . . it’s not quite so easy for an E to turn into an I and glue that butt to the chair. "
—Lenard-Cook
|
But apparently, it’s not quite so easy for an E to turn into an I and glue that butt to the chair. For one thing, E’s would rather be relating their stories verbally than taking the time to type them (extroverts love those programs that turn their spoken words into type). For another, they need to check each possible scenario for their story with others: “Does this work for you? Or would it be better if…?” (I’m not disparaging the workshop process. But it has no place in the early creative stages I’m referring to here.)
I’m with David Morrell: In order to be a writer, you’ve got to be an I. What do you think? Join the conversation on Authorlink’s Facebook page. |
Dissonance, a Novel
by Lisa Lenard-Cook
Buy This Book via Amazon.com
|
PEN-short-listed author Lisa Lenard-Cook’s most recent book is The Mind of Your Story: Discover What Drives Your Fiction (Writer’s Digest), which originated in her columns for Authorlink. With Lynn C. Miller, she’s co-founder of ABQ Writers Co-op (abqwriterscoop.com), a creative community for New Mexico writers, and co-editor of the literary magazine Bosque. She’s on the faculty of the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference and the Board of Narrative Art Center in Santa Fe. Website: lisalenardcook.com
|
