by Kass Fogle @KassFogle

What do Jane Eyre, Mr. Darcy, Edward Cullen, and Bilbo Baggins have in common? They are a few of the most memorable introverted characters we’ve loved. 

What makes them memorable? How about Jane’s strong constitution drawn from deep, personal experiences? Or Edward’s brooding nature that taunts his adversary? And will you find a more contrasting character than Bilbo Biggins, who wants nothing more than to retreat to the solitude of his home after his brave adventures?  

Introverts offer depth of character and are case studies for inner struggles. Well-written introverts can turn shallow angst into desperate yearning that will leave your readers swooning by Chapter Two. 

Introverts think and feel with deep conviction, and allow outside influence when a person or issue is important to them. Their acute self-awareness gives them confidence to defend their line-in- the- sand on vital issues.  They need time alone to think, brainstorm, research, process and recharge. 

So, how can we develop an introverted character that will stay with the reader far after they turn the last page?

Here are ten tips on bringing your introverted characters to life:

1. Make them quiet, not shy. Introverts enjoy observing. They’re watching body language, tone of voice, and the reactions of others, cataloging them and tucking them away for future use. If they have nothing valuable to say, they will keep their thoughts to themselves. On the flip side, if they feel convicted about a topic, they will join the conversation with confidence, pulling from the catalogue of information.
2. Give them a retreat, not a cave. Introverts need a special place to retreat. Give them a place where they can find sanctuary from the overwhelming. A barn loft, the creek, a sandlot dugout, or a condemned theatre are a few examples. Remember, they’re introverts who need to escape for some peace to get through the day, not bears who isolate themselves from the world for weeks on end. 
3. Let them create. Introverts express themselves creatively. Give them a journal, a bucket of dry-erase paint for their bedroom wall, coloring books, or a canvas. Or plaster their mirrors with sticky notes, give them a new hobby like finger knitting, or glass blowing.   
4. Create them as an expert in their field. Introverts love research and analytics and should appear as expert in one thing than a jack-of-all trades. 
5. Pay attention to their learning style. While they’re good listeners, many introverts learn best through reading. They’ll seek sources online, in magazines they’ve horded or at the local bookstore/coffee shop. They are less likely to phone a friend or ask a question in a group setting to help them solve problems.
6. Make them the underdog. Because they keep to themselves, they are often underestimated.
7. Write them as sarcastic, cynical and argumentative. Sharp tongues are a defense mechanism. If put on the spot to respond before they’ve carefully crafted a response, introverts amuse themselves with a trite response.
8. Show the chaos of their mind. Introverts, particularly introverted thinkers, tend to overthink and spend vast amounts of time organizing and reorganizing thoughts until everything is perfectly in its place. Think of the world’s most complex slide puzzle and this will give you a peek into many introverts’ minds. 
9. Let them be socially awkward. Introverts do indeed like people, but this doesn’t stop them from being socially awkward in new social situations. Let your introverted characters feel claustrophobic in social gatherings and react negatively to small talk. Let them describe complex weather systems in response to someone asking, “How about that weather?”
10. Research. Not all introverts project each of these traits. Do the research and create your own ISTJ, INFP, or ISFJ. Introverted Thinkers (Katniss) approach problems from a much different perspective than Introverted Feelers (Edward). 

There is no one perfect way to write your introvert’s personality, but I hope these tips trigger ideas for creative, fun characters your readers will come to cherish long after they place it in their “read and loved” pile.

Kass Fogle is an award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster at The Introverted Believer. She is introvert to her core with a side dish of social anxiety. A formidable mind-mapper, and list maker, when she’s not journaling, baking, or writing at the local coffee shop, she’s busy making memories with her two children and extroverted husband.