Writers are notoriously known to
be introverts. It makes sense. Who else would choose to hole themselves up
alone in a room for hours on end immersed in one’s own thoughts and imaginings?
When the other kids are yelling for you to come out and play, you shut the
blinds and pretend you’re not there. When given a choice between going to a
party and staying home, home wins out every time. When you do go to the party, you wind up talking to the cat. Sound familiar?
This is me, for sure.
Some people think introverts
make better writers, because they are more aware of their surroundings, more at
home in their heads. But writing is only half of a writers’ job. The other half
is shameless self-promotion in the form of readings, presentations, and author
events, all of which require taking your introverted little self out in public. What could be more alien or abhorrent
to a true introvert than talking in front of the masses? Public speaking scares
most people, but for an introvert, it’s a version of absolute hell.
There are solutions though, and
no, it’s not imagining the audience naked. For me, it’s slipping on an alter
ego, one that can withstand the rigors of crowds and confusion; one that is not
the least bit bashful or shy.
Let me introduce you to ~Mollie Hunt Cat Writer~ (or MHCW for
short). MHCW is part Wonder Woman, part
Audrey Hepburn, part Hillary Clinton, and part my mother. She is talkative, friendly,
self-assured, assertive, and a little bit loud. She is thick-skinned and cannot
be offended or hurt. She is part cat. These are her super-powers.
The template for this alter-me
was first invented when I did antique and collectible sales, so I guess she’s
part hawker* as well. I needed her because, on my own, no one would notice me
let alone buy my wares. I’d had some acting experience which I used to
develop a persona that worked for the
situation. Now I carry that into my writer’s life, not to sell stuff but to
sell myself.
The world is a scary place.
People may not like me. I may mess up and forget words. Things may screw up
that are out of my control. I may spill coffee down the front of my dress. But
whatever happens, MHCW can deal with it. I have to believe in her, because otherwise I
would never leave my house.
If you want to see how it works,
just come watch me speak at the International Cat Writers Association Conference in Houston. (Yikes!) I’m
giving a presentation called “Changing the World Through Fiction: 7 (plus 1)
techniques to effectively promote your point of view.”
*For more on hawking, check out my blogpost, Hawking Your Wares, from November 19th, 2017.
Check out more blogposts by Mollie Hunt
at:
Happy reading!
I'm one of those introverts who learned to function in an extroverted world, too. Although, public speaking has never bothered me. Maybe I put on an alter-ego when I spoke publically and didn't know it. :-) Let us know how your presentation turns out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kaye. I will.
ReplyDeleteYou are my inspiration. I haven't figured out how to put on a "writing" persona like I do in my day job. I'm an introvert but in my day job (IT customer support) I'm confident and well-spoken. Being the "subject matter expert" in my organization gives me the confidence to tackle any issue/meeting/conversation.
ReplyDeleteI also secretly dream of becoming a member of the Cat Writers Association someday...
I would be happy to sponsor you.
DeleteReally?!? 0_0 What would that involve?
Delete