Basic Writing Knowledge Test

15 Questions | By Jae_s1978 | Updated: Mar 21, 2022 | Attempts: 219

Questions

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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.

Questions and 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.
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?
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.