I mean, my agent, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, recently became a twitterbug. And a whole bunch of her clients, (my agent-sisters and brothers) were also on there, as well as tons of other people in the publishing business, chatting back and forth about - well who knows what they were chatting about? I certainly didn't. And I felt a bit left out of the club. You know, like when everybody gets an invitation to the coolest party in town and I didn't receive one?
But the introvert, creative side of me, the part that doesn't like parties and meeting new people, the part that prefers my own company and really needs lots of quality alone time in order to WRITE, thought nah, I'm not gonna join Twitter. Who needs more noise and irritation in their life? Not me. And then I read this book.
Twitterville not only gives a fascinating glimpse at how Twitter all started in the first place, and how individuals and companies have embraced it, but the author makes the case that it is basically just individuals talking across the universe, and perhaps this real-time communication can bring us all closer together and further our understanding of each other. Heady stuff, yes?
And so I was inspired to join Twitter. Yes, I did. Three days ago. Look me up on there if you want, and we can chat. @LinBenson It's fun!!
Another book that I read recently, called Introvert Power, Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength, by Laurie Helgoe, Ph.D. actually gave me the courage to go ahead and try something like Twitter.
Introvert Power is a wonderful book. As I devoured the pages, I thought, the author is talking to me. She is describing me. Yes, somebody finally gets it!
I've always been a bit shy around new people, and this book explains how society tends to tag us introverts as strange or backward - if we don't push ourselves to make friends, go to meetings and parties, have a fully rounded social life. But there are so many of us out there (over 50%) that do enjoy our own company. This book allowed me to embrace that part of myself, and realize it's who I am and actually be proud of it. It was a very empowering book for me to read and I highly recommend it.
Because I learned that being an introvert probably allows my creativity to shine. And that being an Introvert and being able to enjoy Twitter are not mutually exclusive.
Aren't books wonderful?
7 comments:
Enjoyed your take on being an introvert. I definitely do not want to do Twitter (not enough time, not enough to say) but do want to read the book, "Introvert Power." Thanks for mentioning it.
A fellow introvert.
I'm an introvert, too, but somehow consider computer-related activities to be non-introverted! Nice article, Linda. Very enjoyable.
Gosh, there's lots of us out there, isn't there? We should have a party, but no one would show up! LOL Hope the book inspires some of you, too.
And yes, social networking on the computer is right up our alley. Because, like Brad Paisley so aptly sang it, we're "so much cooler online." ;-)
I've also had a hard time getting into twitter but have never completely given up. I'll keep trying.
I love to twitter! Keep an eye out for these hash tags to tweet with other writers, agents, and editors:
#kidlitchat
#YAlitchat
Twitter gave me a personal connection with a literary agent. He spent 30 minutes on skype with me because of my twitter contact. I'm not good a saying much on Twitter, but it's fun to lurk around and listen....
I should probably go pick up a copy of the Introvert book. Oh wait, that's what I have Lisa for (to push me to be social, not to pick it up for me--I wish!)
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