“Perhaps one reason we are fascinated by cats is because such a small animal can contain so much independence, dignity, and freedom of spirit. Unlike the dog, the cat’s personality is never bet on a human’s. He demands acceptance on his own terms. ~ Lloyd Alexander

Personality tests are all the rage. They can be both highly beneficial or woefully restrictive depending on how we interpret them. I’m sure that statement gives you plenty of insight into my personality. I don’t like being put into a box, which ironically is a quality that is mentioned in my test results. Every test I have ever taken scores high on the “E” factor. I am an ENFP according to Myers Briggs. I am an Enneagram 4 with a 3 wing. I am actually a dog lover and have never really been a fan of cats. But, I have to say that my views are changing about these seemingly entitlement-oriented creatures. Believe it or not, I have a new found respect for cats since coming to terms with being a writer. We can flesh that out by looking at Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s fifth quality that highly creative people have in common:

5. Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted.

Most writers are more introverted. We often spend time alone in our thoughts; surveying an appealing idea from different angles; enraptured with new found inspiration until we write out our discovery. We relish in the realm of ideas and possibilities – often preferring this imaginative world over having to relate to people in which we can’t share our other domain for sake of misunderstanding or ridicule. Most people simply do not understand the fantastical universe that writers continually create in their minds. This is true for me, except for one thing – I am highly extroverted. I live somewhere in the middle of loving the creative process that only happens when I am alone and wanting to go laugh my socks off with my friends. Hello! I am a dog lover. Do you know why? Because they are loyal. They are so enthralled with their owners. They only want to make you happy and they do that with those big round doe eyes that melt your heart. They are completely into you and unashamedly extroverted when it comes to needing your attention.

But then, there are cats. I have finally decided that cats have the same temperament as the writers of the world. Cats are completely happy pursuing their own interests. But, they are not without the need of sharing their world with you. A cat can spend an entire day hunting down its prey in a field. It spies a mouse and stalks it ever so slowly until it lulls its victim into a false sense of security. It then pounces, taking its prey between its teeth in triumph knowing that it has served its very purpose on the earth. And what does the cat want to do with its trophy? – bring it to you to show it off. Except, there is usually a problem: when you open the door and see the bloody mouse that has been left on your doorstep, instead of understanding that the cat was simply doing the thing in which he was created to do, you are repulsed. What was that cat thinking?! Why would I need this on my porch?! Get it out of here!

Hey writer – you know those kinds of responses are going to happen to you as well, right? You have been alone in your thoughts as inspiration stirred your heart. You completely see the value in what you are working on and know that there is purpose in the project. You are utterly given over to the set of ideals that is driving you forward in your endeavor – until you leave it on the porch for others to see. You fully expected people to understand that you simply fulfilled your purpose, and yet, you get unexpected push back like nobody’s business.

In all seriousness, this is an important question that every creative must answer. Am I willing to share my gift with the world even though the sting of rejection is likely high? And, can I handle the effects of rejection when they come? If you can yes to these things – welcome to the adventurous world of writing!