Basic Writing Knowledge Test
Test if you have what it takes to be a writer or a good spouse or friend to a writer. To go easy on you, the test is multiple choice. Sometimes, just one answer is correct, but other times, two or more answers will be correct. Choose ALL the right answers.
- 1.
The hardest part about writing is...?
- A.
The research, plotting, writing, rewriting, editing, and all the other tedious paperwork.
- B.
Dealing with all the marriage proposals from adoring fans.
- C.
Deciding on what to spend your royalties.
- D.
It probably depends on the writer and the story.
Correct Answer
D. It probably depends on the writer and the story.Explanation
It depends, of course! Some writers hate research, plotting, and editing. And while I had two marriage proposals (both from the same reader), spending my royalties has never been a problem for me :-)Rate this question:
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- 2.
Keeping a spreadsheet with your writing progress is...?
- A.
More boring than watching grass grow.
- B.
Incredibly sexy.
- C.
Totally crazy.
- D.
What's a spreadsheet?
Correct Answer
B. Incredibly sexy.Explanation
It's smoking hot! Was there ever any doubt?Rate this question:
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- 3.
A beta reader is...?
- A.
Something a good writer doesn't need because she'll work with a copy editor before publication.
- B.
Worth her weight in chocolate.
- C.
A human spellchecker.
Correct Answer
B. Worth her weight in chocolate.Explanation
She's worth every ounce of her weight in chocolate. And that's the good, Swiss chocolate!Rate this question:
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- 4.
The term "L-Book"...
- A.
Stands for "listening book."
- B.
Is an homage to "The L-Word" -- only with better writing.
- C.
Means "lesbian book."
Correct Answer
A. Stands for "listening book."Explanation
In this case, it stands for "listening" book (mp3).Rate this question:
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- 5.
The subjunctive mood...
- A.
Is created by lighting a candle and wearing a sexy thong before you sit down to write.
- B.
Is created when all that damn grammar is giving the writer a headache.
- C.
Is created to express wishes, commands, and statements that are contrary to fact.
- D.
Is created with "were," not "was," even if the pronoun is "he" or "she."
Correct Answer(s)
C. Is created to express wishes, commands, and statements that are contrary to fact.
D. Is created with "were," not "was," even if the pronoun is "he" or "she."Explanation
C and D are correct, but option B (the grammar headache) isn't totally wrong for most writers either.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The golden rule of writing is...?
- A.
Show, don't tell.
- B.
Never judge a book by its cover.
- C.
Ever romance must have a happy end.
- D.
Put in a sex scene at least every five chapters.
- E.
Your beta reader is always right.
Correct Answer
A. Show, don't tell.Explanation
"Show, don't tell" means instead of writing "Ally was an old woman," you write: "Ally moved slowly across the room, her hunched form supported by a polished wooden cane gripped in a gnarled, swollen-jointed hand."Rate this question:
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- 7.
What books do or should writers use almost daily?
- A.
The Bible (or other holy books, depending on the writer's religion).
- B.
The Chicago Manual of Style.
- C.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary.
- D.
Her checkbook.
- E.
A cookbook.
Correct Answer(s)
B. The Chicago Manual of Style.
C. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary.Explanation
B and C are what I use most often. There's something said for "cookbook," too, but we both know that writers would rather spend their time writing than cooking.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What does an author need to consider when she names a character?
- A.
It's best not to have the first name end in "s"
- B.
It's best not to have the last name end in "s"
- C.
It's best not to have two characters have first names starting with the same letter.
- D.
It's best to pair a short first name with a longer last name and vice versa.
- E.
It's best not to name characters after your ex-girlfriends.
Correct Answer(s)
A. It's best not to have the first name end in "s"
B. It's best not to have the last name end in "s"
C. It's best not to have two characters have first names starting with the same letter.
D. It's best to pair a short first name with a longer last name and vice versa.
E. It's best not to name characters after your ex-girlfriends.Explanation
Yes, that's right. A writer has to consider ALL of these things. If you ever need to name your baby, ask a writer for help. She knows all the do's and don'ts.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The Three-Act Structure means...?
- A.
That every story needs a beginning, a middle, and an end.
- B.
That each romance novel needs to have at least three sexual acts.
- C.
That every chapter should have at least three scenes.
Correct Answer
A. That every story needs a beginning, a middle, and an end.Explanation
A is correct. Even Aristoteles knew that!Rate this question:
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- 10.
Name the correct order of authorial steps:
- A.
Story idea, research, plotting, writing, rewriting, editing/proofreading, creating the cover, working with a copy editor, cashing in the paycheck.
- B.
Using last book's paycheck to buy research books, writing, editing, rewriting.
- C.
Story idea, finding a harem of beta readers, writing, copy editing, submitting your work to the publisher, creating the cover, cashing in the paycheck.
Correct Answer
A. Story idea, research, plotting, writing, rewriting, editing/proofreading, creating the cover, working with a copy editor, cashing in the paycheck.Explanation
"A" is correct for me, but it all depends on the writer and the publisher.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Head hopping means...?
- A.
Unattributed dialogue that leaves the reader confused as to who said what.
- B.
Shifting the point of view in mid-scene.
- C.
Creating reader identification with the characters by having the character be kicked in the head during an action scene.
Correct Answer
B. Shifting the point of view in mid-scene.Explanation
It means "hopping" from head to head (one point of view to the next) within one scene.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What title of one of her novels or short stories would Jae like to change if she had the chance?
- A.
Backwards to Oregon
- B.
Conflict of Interest
- C.
Next of Kin
- D.
Change of Pace
- E.
The Art of Pretending
Correct Answer
A. Backwards to OregonExplanation
The reason: Now that she's more familiar with style guides, she knows that it should be "Backward," not "Backwards." While not wrong, "backwards" is more British English than American English. Oops.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What is the most common source of confusion for German writers who write in English?
- A.
Proverbs
- B.
Prepositions
- C.
The issues Americans have with orange juice and pizza toppings
- D.
Hyphens and dashes
Correct Answer
B. PrepositionsExplanation
While I still think Americans have issues with orange juice and pizza toppings, the prepositions can give German writers gigantic headaches.Rate this question:
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- 14.
A dangling modifier is...?
- A.
Something that only happens in romances with an NC-17 rating.
- B.
A phrase that doesn't modify any word in the sentence.
- C.
A minor character that doesn't fit in with the other characters.
- D.
A plotting mistake where storylines aren't properly resolved and the reader is left hanging.
Correct Answer
B. A phrase that doesn't modify any word in the sentence.Explanation
Most often, they modify the WRONG word in the sentence, e.g., Baked, fried, or mashed, you can make potatoes a part of every meal.Rate this question:
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- 15.
How many writers does it take to change a lightbulb?
- A.
Just one. Writers are solitary creatures anyway.
- B.
One writer, but she can only do it with the help of at least one beta reader, two plot advisors, a copy editor, and a couple of test readers.
- C.
What do you mean "change the lightbulb"? A true writer doesn't stop her writing for things like that. She continues writing just by the light of her laptop screen.
- D.
Two if they're writers of romance novels. And then they'll write happily ever after.
- E.
That depends on the number of plot obstacles.
Correct Answer
C. What do you mean "change the lightbulb"? A true writer doesn't stop her writing for things like that. She continues writing just by the light of her laptop screen.Explanation
All the answers are partially right, but I like C best.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Apr 20, 2009Quiz Created by
Jae_s1978
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