Must Writers Be Social Creatures?

[Phil the Drill]

I'd imagine if most of us are writers, some of us aren't the most social people in the world. Sure, we may have friends and such, but the reason I got into writing was to create my own worlds and explore them. I think my initial thoughts were I'd get published, becoming rich, and just sit in my giant house all day writing books.

I think the days of Emily Dickinson and Ralph Waldo Emerson are over. It's a mixed bag. You can't be too social and risk overexposing yourself, but if you don't promote yourself (especially self-published guys) then no one will even know you've written something.

What are everyone's thoughts? Can you be a hermit and still become a successful writer without branching out to promote and network? Or must you be even more social that writers of the past because sometimes people buy books from people just because "they like them?"

For example, if you went to a book signing and an author was rude to you, but you really loved his work, would you buy another book from him?

[Saigonnus]

I think it is possible; not every famous writer does meet and greet sessions or book signings. I think at the least if you connect with people online through social media or blogs, it would be sufficient for a following of some kind or other.

[beckyefp]

I think rudeness could drive off a large number of fans. Personally, I would probably still read the books if I liked them enough, but from then on, I'd search for some hint as to why the author was such a jerk. I've thought about the need to be more social quite a lot recently. The importance of being social seems to be increasing significantly with the rise of self-publishing. The change scares me because I've always been such an introvert. It's really easy to become so absorbed in my work that I neglect my relationships. It doesn't help that I don't particularly want my friends and family to read my writing because I fear it might offend them or they might assume that I share the same morals as my protagonists. Luckily, there are many more offensive titles than that of recluse.

[Feo Takahari]

If you're going to write about people, you need to understand people. Talking to people would seem to be the easiest way to accomplish that. (Then again, a historical fiction writer needn't talk to ancient Romans to write believable ancient Romans--there's some room for extrapolation, and I'm not sure how wide that room is.)

[Steerpike]

I'd read the books if the author was a jerk, assuming I really like them. I'm not reading them for the author's glowing personality. Conversely, if the author was the nicest person ever and the books sucked I wouldn't read them.

[T.Allen.Smith]

Outside of the "rudeness to fans" factor, I don't think this has any real bearing.

I'm fairly extroverted & social but writing itself is a solitary affair for the most part.

Could it help to be social? Maybe, considering sales will be a part of a writer's future once published. Is it necessary though? I don't believe so. I would rather read an amazing story written by an author I never would meet than read any so-so book from the really nice person I met at a signing.

[Phil the Drill]

I found Chuck Wendig's blog Terribleminds from a link someone posted and have since bought 3 of his books simply because I liked his sense of humor and assumed it carried over to his books. I was right. So I think being accessible to fans in some way definitely helps. It doesn't have to be in person, but online seems to be enough.

The writing part of writing is solitary. I don't know many writers who have been successful unless they just shut out their "real life" for a couple of hours a day to write. But once you're finished writing, you have to find people to read the books. I think most, if not all people, who self-publish need to be masterful marketers. Otherwise no one will even know your book exists.

As far as the "rude" factor, I would probably wouldn't read something from an author I considered a jerk. I don't want to give money to him. There are plenty of awesome writers out there in the world that I'd rather give my money to. I think terribly rude writers are few and far between though.

[Benjamin Clayborne]

What are everyone's thoughts? Can you be a hermit and still become a successful writer without branching out to promote and network?

The probability of doing so is nonzero but tiny. For all practical purposes: no, not really.

For example, if you went to a book signing and an author was rude to you, but you really loved his work, would you buy another book from him?

That's hard for me to answer because I'd probably never go to a book signing.

[Caged Maiden]

I think that the social aspect of everything comes into play when you want it to. For instance, someone who is more social might appeal to readers who want an author who is reachable, personable and friendly, whereas other readers don't give a rat's behind what an author does in their personal life.

For me personally, I am very social and love to interact with people. That alone aids me in my work, because so much of what I do is character interaction, vs. someone who is technically brilliant and creates on a more solitary level a story with rich details and world-building. I think that both have appeal and while I am a big fan of networking, I don't think everyone would find it necessary or even desirable to put themselves in the public spotlight.

[Jess A]

My fiction writing is a largely individual affair. I am currently on holidays and I have spent days plotting and writing and world building. Days I never otherwise get. I am generally quite introspective. I can sit and live in my world for hours, whether it involves my novel or just...my brain. I don't need to or want to share and I treasure privacy.

However, research is not always something I do alone. I research whilst I travel. I talk to people, I get interviews with people about things (because I learn well that way), I ask questions on Mythic. Other research is done whilst locked away with my books and my computer and my handwritten notes. Even if I like to be alone quite a bit, human beings fascinate me. I would make a terrible writer and journalist if they didn't!

Do I think social skills are important? Yes! As Steerpike says, a person's rudeness should not deter you from the quality of the novel. I agree - but as Phil says, I would be put off by bad attitudes and I would probably try to write it off as a bad day on the author's part. Learning how to be diplomatic, polite (etc) is essential for promotion. If I was rude to my customers or to the people I interviewed, I would quickly get a bad name. Our business would lose reputation and my journo contacts would stop answering my calls!