Comments on: Awesome Introversion Shyness Machine!

By: Someone You’re Not (Or Perhaps Almost Just) « Dennis Cass Wants You To Be More Awesome

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:03:33 +0000

[...] to psuedosu for this question in the comments to the post about making something out of your shyness. Here are my thoughts on alter [...]

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:26:30 +0000

Authenticity. It carries more weight than anything else when making connections, and vulnerability is the key to unlocking it. The mutual discomfort that results from the desperate attempt to play an ill-fitting role is a profound hindrance to producing any constructive communication. If you are an introvert, be an introvert. Own it. Be it. Admit it. Let your “weakness” be your strength. Your work is good enough to speak for itself, non? Let it be your voice.

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:47:52 +0000

Because we are forced to adapt, sometimes it’s too easy to think you’ve got to keep adapting before you’ll get anywhere, especially when the overall culture demands to know, in 30 seconds, why you are fabulous. Which seems to give advantage (mostly) to the outsize personality. Thanks for writing about this site.

By: denniscass

denniscass — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:24:55 +0000

Great suggestion, pseudosu! Creating an “author self” is a fine topic. I’m on it.

By: pseudosu

pseudosu — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:45:34 +0000

Just to toss another idea on the pile — What about taking the idea of trying to become someone you’re not and gaming that?
Like sort of considering your “author self” a character you’re playing. Kind of like “Lemony Snicket. You could let your audience in on the joke if you took it far enough. Alter-egoishly.

Of course this approach would be ridiculous if you were promoting serious literary work, and you’d have to be able to pull it off.

By: JES

JES — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:39:11 +0000

P.S. Thanks for providing your take on the IBR!

By: JES

JES — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:38:30 +0000

I’m no joiner. But even I confess that the idea of enlisting in an army of introverts carries (for me) a lot more appeal than marching alone up to an editor and agent, smiling, sticking out my hand, and angling for a contract.

Remember on the old site, the thought exercise (or whatever it was) about how to sneak into a popular club, because doing so would be the only way to achieve Goal X (whatever it was)? Thinking about that flat-out gave me the willies.

By: Lars

Lars — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:41:00 +0000

The rules for acceptable, normal or expected behavior in any context are inherently flawed because they are typically defined by extroverts, for extroverts. (If any introverts were consulted about these rules, I’m sure they were reluctant to voice an opinion.)

I don’t know a thing about book marketing, but trying to become something you’re not seems foolish. What’s the best-case scenario? Looking like a phony?