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What is introverted fiction?

​Author Corinne Dyvis first began using the #ownvoices hashtag on Twitter in 2015. She used it to indicate an author from a marginalized population writing a story with a protagonist from that same group.  For example, a person of color might write a protagonist of color to provide this perspective. The #ownvoices hashtag is no longer being used, but there is still a strong movement to encourage writers to write protagonists that share their identities.

Introverted fiction aspires to join this movement, albeit cautiously. With so many different opinions out there about introverts, it would be understandable for people to claim to be writing introvert stories when they are actually extraverts writing with extravert protagonists. But this movement has great potential to encourage publishers to publish introvert voices, and also to encourage the reading public to be more open to genuinely introvert perspectives.  
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In that case, how do we know if someone is writing introverted fiction?
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There doesn't seem to be agreement between psychologists, popular writers, and the public at large about what an introvert is. My take on introversion is based on my personal experience, and may not match what others identify as an "introvert." Even so, I think I'm probably describing a distinctive group of people here, whether we want to call them introverts, Highly Sensitive Persons, empaths, or something else. Here are some considerations we might think about in creating protagonists that are "introverted" in the way I'm describing it:
  • Introverted protagonists clearly show their dominant introverted tendencies in the narration. For example, one kind of introvert will be constantly preoccupied with morality, values, and doing the right thing. Another type will come to flashes of insight after long periods of contemplation.
  • Introverted protagonists solve problems in introverted ways. For instance, they are less likely to fight their way through obstacles, to use political intrigue, or to do physical feats of valor. Instead, expect to see an introverted protagonist using the powers of listening, logic, research, remembering, or personal moral conviction to overcome challenges.
  • There’s probably a strong focus on internal conflict. While there will probably also be dramatic external conflicts in many stories, like battles, mysteries, or revolutions, the focus of the story will be on the character’s internal growth, moral dilemmas, coming to self-understanding, or facing some awful truth that changes how the character sees themselves and the universe. Introverted characters won’t want to make the plot happen without first coming to grips with who they are and their place in the world.
  • A feeling of alienation and awkwardness. Expect introverted protagonists to be different from the mainstream: more mystical, more contemplative, more broody, more alone, more quiet, more bookish. They will avoid most high-stimulation environments, will feel out of place in most social settings, and will be very conflict-averse. They aren’t the kinds of characters who will come right up to an enemy and challenge them to a duel, or who would give a smooth speech with political overtones on a televised stage.
  • Probably a certain degree of passivity. The classic antihero is a great place to start here: introvert heroes don’t want to be heroes, don’t want to make the plot happen, and certainly don’t want to move out of the familiar to the scary unknown. Sure, they will daydream and write and think and challenge the status quo in their heads, but it will take a lot for them to go from reading in their rooms to leading a revolution. And even if they are leading a revolution, they will probably just be swept up and not know what’s going on.
What are some examples of introvert protagonists?

Here are a few possibilities that I would suggest looking into:
  • Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings)
  • Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)
  • Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
  • Abed Nadir (Community)
  • Fanny Price (Mansfield Park)
  • Hari Seldon (Foundation)
  • Madoka Kaname (Madoka Magica)
  • Any protagonist in H.P. Lovecraft’s fiction
  • Samwell Tarly (A Song of Ice and Fire)
  • Klaus Baudelaire (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
  • Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

I could provide some other guesses, but I want to be careful not to give false positives.  For example, I believe that Kaybree Andresdatter Staalvoss from my Kaybree versus the Angels series is an introvert.  However, I recognize that I wasn’t aware of the extravert/introvert difference when I wrote the books between 2011 and 2015.  She has some qualities of introverts, such as a preoccupation with morality, a feeling of alienation, being conflict averse, seeking her identity, and solving problems through moral reflection and introspection.  However, she also solves problems by transforming into a magical girl and fighting supernatural creatures with punches, kicks, swords, and lightning bolts.  In contrast, I deliberately wrote Aurora from my forthcoming ​Aurora Lightwalker series as an introvert, so I can claim she is an introverted protagonist with much more confidence.
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