Introverts VS Extroverts
When we think about people who write outlines for books, we think of nerdy people sitting in quiet solitude as organized stuff pours out of their heads. Well, okay. Not always, but that’s what a lot of people tell me they see when we talk about writing an outline. Understand that some of these people are themselves introverts. They’re telling me they can’t write an outline because they’re not the nerdy person who works best in solitude when they are quite literally the nerdy person who writes best in solitude.
There are things on these lists that will work for introverts and extroverts, and sometimes you need to shake it up. When you’ve written over five dozen books, sometimes you need to let it pour out of you and other times you need a brainstorming party. Be open to it. While I do have these lists divided into Introverts and Extroverts, understand that I do all of these. No matter how many times I take the personality tests, I’m always-always-always an introvert, and I still will do all of these depending on… I don’t know. How I’m feeling or the moon or how the fireweed is growing.
These are a good starting point.
Introverts
Quiet Writing Environment:
Especially if the story is coming from the heart or an uncomfortable place inside you, it’s important to find quiet space. An uncomfortable story already puts your nerves on edge, so you need something that will make you feel better. Imagine your outline and your story is water. As your discomfort grows, your water is turning to ice. Ice doesn’t flow very well, but warm water does. So, find ways to warm your water.
Detailed Outlines:
This doesn’t hold true for all introverts, but I will say that most introverts like the structured beats with details. Sometimes, the details you want aren’t the details you need. I can’t tell you how many romance authors who struggle to write plot but want an outline that only focuses on the connection. I get it. A romance novel is about romance, but if that’s the part that comes easily to you, you don’t need me to tell you how to make that happen. You’re going to tell me how to make that happen. You only need me to tell you when to blow up a car. The details you focus on are going to be different, but details matter to introverts.
Journaling:
Capture the conversations. Collect the people you see. Write down the idea inspired by the butthead who cut you off in traffic, or the vexing conversation you had with your teen. Don’t tell yourself you’re going to remember all those great ideas. You will not. Write them down.
Setting Personal Goals:
Introverts tend to be motivated by goals. Define the tunnel you want to go through. Put a light at the end of it, and then follow it through. That’s what you’re doing. Goals are a great way to get you through things you don’t want to do. If you set the goal, and you still don’t want to do it, that’s probably doubt. Instead of yelling at yourself, make the goal smaller and something you can more easily achieve.
Reflective Characters:
Introverts are deep relators, so creating characters you can connect with is imperative. You’re creating a relationship through this book, so make sure it’s someone you don’t despise. If you’re excited to hang out with your characters, then it’ll be easier to carve the time and the energy at the same time in order to write your outline and your novel.
Time for Reflection:
You need time to think. That’s just how your brain works. You need quiet time where you’re staring into space and pretending or thinking or playing over past events and wishing they’d turned out differently. This fuels you. Don’t cram so much into your day that you miss time to do this.
For Extroverts:
Brainstorming Sessions:
Your get your energy from outside sources, so make that a part of your outlining and writing routine. Just because you’re extroverted doesn’t mean you’re not a writer. Your process just involves people. Find ways to write it down. Being a writer still involves writing. However, gather your friends. Make it a game. Have fun!
Oral Storytelling:
I know that I said that being a writer involves writing, but some of my author sessions involved me just listening and interacting with authors as they told me their stories. Now, granted, I have a very loud face, so I didn’t actually have to say much. Knowing which parts of the story garner which reactions helps extroverts choose how to craft their scenes.
Energetic Settings:
Writing in public places! Loud is good, but I have found that even extroverts have a sound decibel level. Figure out which sound levels work best and what kind of noise you work best in. Do you need noise or just a body double? Do you need someone you can ask questions of when they hit you or do you need someone having a conversation behind you? Not all outside energy is the same. Figure out what works best for you.
Structured Breaks:
Writing your book is a solitary focus and solitary anything for extended periods of time hurts you! So take breaks. Write for a bit and then take your headphones off—because your introverted author buddies need you to wear your headphones—and chat it up in order to get your energy going. If your writer buddy is an introvert, understand that your energy flows are opposite. So, while you’re charging up through the conversation, they’re charging up through the writing. Don’t dominate the time. It’s going to be easy for you and introverts struggle to push back.
Dynamic Characters:
This shouldn’t even need to be said, but you can’t create a story without great characters to converse with. You’re creating relationships with these characters, so make sure they’re people you’d love to sit down and talk to. And then do it. Talk to them as you’re writing!
Interactive Writing Tools:
Nothing beats writing as an extrovert than writing with someone else! Make this a non-solitary affair by writing in the document at the same time. This isn’t easy and is sometimes a flaming headache, but find a way! Be in that chapter at the same time writing different parts of the same scene at the same time! You’ll be amazed at how much energy you have. If you’re writing the outline, focus on different beats or arcs. One author wanted to take the character arcs because that was easier for her while I took the plot arcs. We sat down for two hours at a time and wrote as much of the outline as we could. She loved it! I needed a nap after. However, it does work!
Why Approach Matters
When it comes to determining whether or not you’re the kind of person who can outline a book, understanding how your energy flows is key. Without that, you have no idea what type of outline you need or what you need to focus on to help you through the days you lack motivation, or when your muse takes a vacation without you. Outlines help you forecast your energy levels and helps you maintain a temperate writing climate.
Introverts aren’t naturally better authors. Extroverts aren’t naturally better storytellers. However, each type has assets and weaknesses that make outlining a book crucial to making the novel actually happen.
