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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » The Writing Life » Page 80

The Writing Life

The Extroverted Writer

By Steve Laubeon February 6, 2017
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Since we looked at the introverted writer last week it is only appropriate that we address the extroverted writer.

Before we go further it is important to understand the intrinsic weakness of any label. People are much more complex then introvert or extrovert. At the same time such labels can help us understand each other’s inclinations and limitations.

Extroverted can mean many things. Outgoing. Socializing. Gregarious. Friendly. Hearty. Exuberant. Effervescent. Bubbly. Life-of-the-Party. We’ve all met or observed the extrovert. There are probably a few in your workplace, school, church, or family.

When it comes to the writer the general thought is the writing experience is isolated and insular, If so, then how does an extrovert thrive?

A few observations I’ve made working with authors who could be called extroverted. First a couple challenges they face.

Focus

Focus can be a problem for any writer. However, if they gather energy from being around other people or from interaction in social media, then distractions are a daily diet. One writer admitted that they can’t write while alone. They have to go to a place where there are people around, like a coffee shop.

The Idea Machine

Another drawback is becoming bored with the project at-hand or under contract. The danger is chasing the next new shiny idea. They can become an idea machine. This might work okay if the writer can finish all their ideas. But whether the market can absorb twelve new books from them in one year is another issue entirely.

Realize this is a challenge for any highly creative person, introvert or extrovert.

Competitive Spirit

A little competition can be a good thing. It can motivate you to work harder and strive to excel. But if it starts to become  envy or anger or even frustration it is not a good thing. I’ve seen the green envy monster devour people. It doesn’t just happen to extroverts, but if one becomes accustomed to being in the spotlight and suddenly the attention goes elsewhere it can be a problem.

Let’s look at some positive things.

A People Person

The fearless freedom to talk to people is a great thing for the extrovert. Will Rogers said, “A stranger is a friend I haven’t met yet.” Interviewing for research can be fun. One writer used to take a recorder wherever he went. He’d hear someone tell a story and knew it would be a great anecdote in an article or a scene in a book. He would record the interview, get permission for its use, and then file it for later.

Energy

It is a generalization, but it seems like the extrovert has boundless energy, like Tigger in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. That doesn’t mean they are “bouncy” all the time. In fact I’ve met “reserved extroverts.” Their energy is coiled but constant, like a nuclear plant.

Different But the Same

Are you a magnet for conversation or an observer of conversation? Are you outgoing or quiet? No matter how you label each other or yourself, in the end you are a writer. You are a writer who is uniquely you. Find what works for you and dig in. You are in the business of changing the world with your words.

Your Turn:

What other aspects of being extroverted can be added?

(By the way, a tip-of-the-hat to agent Amanda Luedeke’s book The Extroverted Writer: An Author’s Guide to Marketing and Building a Platform.)

 

 

 

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Category: Career, The Writing LifeTag: Career, The Writing Life

How to Balance a Busy Writing Schedule and a Busy Life

By Guest Bloggeron February 1, 2017
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One of the things many writers struggle with is time management. I’ve heard so many writers cry out, frustrated that they just can’t find the focus or time to write like they want. I knew if there was one person who could share wisdom and tips on this topic, it was the author of today’s guest blog, Tricia Goyer. This woman is amazing! I’ve known her since her children were little, and it’s been a …

Read moreHow to Balance a Busy Writing Schedule and a Busy Life
Category: Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: The Writing Life

A Book Loved By Everyone Hasn’t Been Written

By Dan Balowon January 31, 2017
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There is no such thing as a book everyone likes and this problem is only magnified if it covers religion, politics, sports or anything else where people are deeply divided. If you think you are going to write a book, which unites all Christian believers worldwide, you better take a deep breath and realize no matter what you write, you will have detractors. While the Bible is the Holy …

Read moreA Book Loved By Everyone Hasn’t Been Written
Category: Book Review, Reviews, The Publishing Life, The Writing LifeTag: Faith, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

The Introverted Writer

By Steve Laubeon January 30, 2017
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Here is a question from Trisha: I consider myself a deeply introverted person. I write because I can express myself on paper so much better than in conversational settings. When it comes to getting published, how do you think the personality of the author is weighed in respect to publishers and agents considering an author for publication? In other words, does a more bubbly personality get …

Read moreThe Introverted Writer
Category: Career, Social Media, The Writing LifeTag: Career, Introvert, The Writing Life

Comparisons: A Losing Proposition

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 26, 2017
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Do not compare one person with another: it is a hateful thing to do. – St. Teresa of Avila I think this is one of the hardest of St. Teresa’s 69 maxims. After all, we make comparisons between others every day. Some are not healthy, such as, “Who is my favorite in-law?” Does it matter? Should you form an opinion to justify treating one person better than another? Or worse, use an unfavorable …

Read moreComparisons: A Losing Proposition
Category: Career, Christian, The Writing LifeTag: Career, The Writing Life

Media Changes and The Writer

By Dan Balowon January 17, 2017
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The other day, a copy of the new Yellow Pages and phone directory was delivered to our house.  As I picked it up off the front step, I was reminded it has been years since I even looked at one. The recycling container has it now. I suppose I will regret tossing it if I lose internet access for a long time, or if I need to level a wobbly table, but the fact a Yellow Pages edition is still produced …

Read moreMedia Changes and The Writer
Category: Book Business, Marketing, Social Media, Technology, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life, TrendsTag: Book Business, Technology, The Publishing Life

Should an Author Query by Phone?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 12, 2017
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Recently I was asked by an author (not a client) if I could spend “ten minutes” talking on the phone about a book before I see the submission. I prefer to see the work first. Some questions may enter the author’s mind in response to that. Here are my answers. What’s the matter, are you too “busy” or snobby to talk to authors? No, I am not. In fact, I believe most people find time to do what they …

Read moreShould an Author Query by Phone?
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitch, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: Agents, book proposals, pitch

Guaranteed Time-Saving Tips for Social Media

By Dan Balowon January 10, 2017
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Written with tongue firmly planted in cheek… Managing your social media is a meaningless treadmill of work with no real purpose. While it seems to be one of the most efficient and effective ways to promote books and authors, really, who needs it? Sure, every publisher wants authors with strong social media numbers and self-published authors find it critical to their success, but other than …

Read moreGuaranteed Time-Saving Tips for Social Media
Category: Career, Marketing, Platform, Social Media, The Writing LifeTag: Marketing, Platform, Social Media

2016: A Year in Review

By Steve Laubeon January 2, 2017
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It is time to take a look at our past year and reflect on all the things that have happened. It is a recitation of good things and not so good things. But all were under the sovereignty of God and as such we give all glory to Him. (If you’d like to look at previous annual reports they can be found here: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009.) The Agency Continues to Have Success We (the four of us) …

Read more2016: A Year in Review
Category: Agency, Book Business, Personal, Publishing News, The Publishing Life, The Writing LifeTag: Book Business, Year in Review

2017 Christian Writers Market Guide Now Online!

By Steve Laubeon December 26, 2016
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The 2017 edition of The Christian Writers Market Guide is officially available in print and ebook (paperback $22.99, ebook $9.99). Check your favorite bookstore or online retailer for a copy. Make sure you have a copy of this book in your arsenal! We are also very excited to announce that all the content of the guide is now available online via a subscription service (click here to see for …

Read more2017 Christian Writers Market Guide Now Online!
Category: Book of the Month, Book Proposals, Career, Christian Writers Institute, Get Published, Technology, The Writing LifeTag: Christian Writers Market Guide, Get Published
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