How to Get Started (A Quiz)
Writer’s block, imposter syndrome, lack of time. There are a lot of reasons people don’t start writing even though they really want to. There are also a lot of ways to get started. Take this quiz, and I’ll tell you the best way to get started based on your answers.
You are in class when the principal announces that monsters now run the school and zombies are replacing the teachers. You assume this is a joke until a large and quite smelly zombie walks into your classroom. Would you…
A. Stare at the green zombie. Its hair is totally different than what you pictured. Then you notice its eyes. They are so bright!
B. Run out of the room screaming, not stopping to look back. Keep screaming until you wake up from this nightmare.
C. Immediately start planning the best way to survive. First step, paste a huge smile on your face and sit up straight.
D. Grab your best friend and make a pact that you will both survive no matter what!
You’ve just had a terrible day. A kickball hit you in the face at recess, ants took over your lunchbox, and your teacher gave everyone double homework. All you want to do is go to sleep and start a new day. But when you wake up, things feel eerily similar to yesterday. You try to ignore the feeling of déjà vu until a kickball hits you in the face at recess. Do you…
A. Carefully look around for anything new or different. Spotting the differences may help you figure out what is going on.
B. Find a quiet space in the library to take a nap. Surely, when you wake up, things will be back to normal.
C. Quickly Google how to get out of a timeloop.
D. Run to find your best friend and try not to freak out when she tells you the same thing she told you yesterday.
On your 13th birthday, your parents tell you about the hidden magical world. Everyone takes a test on their 13th birthday to discover what type of magic they possess. When you take your test, it is revealed that….
A. You can bring your drawings to life. You’re grateful that you drew a ladybug during your test, but can’t wait to go home and draw a phoenix. You already know what you’ll name it.
B. You can predict the future and are being sent to work as an apprentice at Oracle Castle. At first, this was shocking, but then you see the unicorn that is arriving in ten minutes to fly you to Oracle Castle. You hurry to your room to pack.
C. Your code-breaking skills are now shockingly good. The test takers ran out of challenges to give you and are urging you to enroll in the Academy immediately.
D. You are the rare magician with multiple powers. People have been whispering about the Chosen One ever since your test results were made public. Everyone thinks you are the one who will finally defeat the Alchemist. You aren’t sure if it’s possible, but there’s one way to find out. You board the ship that will take you to the forgotten isle where the Alchemist reigns.
Your parents tell you that the whole family is moving to Paris. Tomorrow. What is the first thing you do?
A. Start daydreaming about taking your paper and colored pencils to the park. You’ll sketch cute dogs and count how many people are carrying a loaf of bread. You can’t wait!
B. Assume you are being pranked. Check the room for cameras and calmly announce that you don’t believe them.
C. Download the Duolingo app. There’s no way those snobby French people are going to laugh at your accent.
D. Start planning a spring break visit with your friends. They’ll fly to Paris to meet you, and then you’ll take the high-speed train to London, Barcelona, and Milan.
Your parents are forcing you to help in the garden. While you are digging a hole, you find a steel box. When you take off the lid, you find cash. A lot of it. What’s the first thing you buy?
A. A new gaming computer. You even splurge and add custom artwork to the cover.
B. An ice cream from the truck that just drove down your street. Might as well start spending it. You’re rich!
C. Nothing. You schedule a meeting with a financial planner to make sure the money is properly invested, and you are getting the highest return possible.
D. A vacation with your parents. Last year, you had to skip your summer trip. You are so excited to make new memories together!
If you mostly picked A: You should start your book by sketching your main character and one side character (friend, villian, mentor etc.). Then think about the world your story will take place in. Draw a map (as simple or as detailed as you would like). Each day that you work on your book, fill in a progress tracker. Here are two examples. You can easily make your own, too!
If you mostly picked B: You should get in the habit of continuous writing without stopping to correct anything. There is a fun website called Write or Else. If you stop typing before your time limit is up, your writing will be deleted. This is a great way to help people who spend too much time thinking about a character’s name or whether the town should be invisible or not. Just write anything until the timer goes off. When the timer is done, you can copy and paste your writing into a Google Doc. Keep whatever parts you like.
If you mostly picked C: Start by outlining your novel. There are lots of ways of doing this. The Save the Cat books are a good place to start. If you can’t find one of those books at the library, you can Google “Save the Cat outline” and you will find lots of free versions. You can make the outline as detailed or as basic as you like. Writers are typically either a “plotter” or a “pantser.” Some people prefer to write by the seat of their pants, following where the story takes them. They are happy to tackle any plot holes in revision. Other people can’t write without knowing what should happen next. Those people typically have an outline to guide each chapter. Here is a simple outline to get you started.
If you mostly picked D: You work best with someone to collaborate with. Find a friend or two to brainstorm story ideas. I personally find bouncing ideas off a friend to be super helpful! One fun way to get started in a group is to each pick a favorite song or favorite artist. Listen to the lyrics together and discuss how the song could be turned into a whole story. I think most Taylor Swift songs could be turned into an entire book. I Know Places and Wonderland are two good ones to start with.