Friday, October 8, 2010

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO BEING PUBLISHED QUIZ

I've created a quiz for unpublished writers.  The answers can be used as a guide to illuminate areas of being published you haven't touched on.  In this competitive world, it takes more than creative writing to get published. Try it. You may be surprised at the results;

How Close Are You To Being Published?

 by
Sandra Davidson

Circle one answer - that fits you best - for each question

1. Which of these statements best describes your writing habits?
    a.  I write when the muse hits me
    b.  I write when I'm not upset, stressed out, or too busy
    c. I write no matter what else is going on in my life

2.  Do you:
    a.  work on one story until it's finished
    b.  work on more than one manuscript at a time
    c.  have a hard time finishing anything

3.  Why do you write?
     a.  I want to see my name in print   
     b.  I have to
     c. it's enjoyable

4.  Do you conduct your writing life as if it were:
     a.   a hobby            
     b.  a business       
     c.   an art

5. When plotting your story do you like to:
     a.  play it safe and stay well within the boundaries of your genre
     b.  take a chance and write a story that pushes the boundaries of your genre
     c.  have no idea what the boundaries of the genre are

6.  When you're ready to submit your story to a publisher do you:
     a. send your manuscript to a publisher that prints stories similar to yours
     b. send it to a publisher who accepts full manuscripts so you'll have a better shot at getting it read
     c. don't worry about publishers. If it's good, it will find a home

7.   In formatting your manuscript do you
     a. have a inch or more margins all around and number each page         
     b. have a header with manuscript title and author's name and double space lines        
     c. all of the above

8.  When you've finished your manuscript and mailed it off, do you:
      a.  start a new one right away
      b.  relax and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, you've earned it
      c.  wait to find out if the first book sells before writing another

9.  Do you belong to a local writer's group?
      a.  no       
      b. yes       
      c. not anymore

10.  Do you belong to a small critique group of 6 or less members?
      a. yes    
      b. no       
      c. not anymore

11.  Do you belong to a national or statewide writer's organization such as Romance Writers of  America,  Mystery Writers of America, etc.
       a. no     
       b. yes      
       c. not anymore

12.  How many writer's publications do you subscribe to or read?( RWR, Writer's Digest,  etc.)
        a. none     
        b. one      
        c. more than one

13.  How many conferences have you attended the past year?
       a. I don't need to go, I know how to write       
       b. one or more
       c.  I would love to go to one but I'm too timid to go without a friend

14.  Do you  participate in any of the online writer’s sites?
       a. no, I don't have the time or inclination 
       b.  yes, I take advantage of the opportunities and advantages of the internet
       c.  I   don't own a computer

15.  How many writing contests have you entered the past year?
       a. none      
       b. one     
       c. several

16.  How many manuscripts have you submitted to an agent or publisher in the past year?
       a. none          
       b. one           
       c. more than one

17.  Have you ever had anything published? (articles, short stories, etc)
       a. yes          
       b. no          
       c. not for the past five years

18.  Have you ever gotten any encouraging comments on your rejection slips?
       a. yes      
       b. no        
       c. what rejection slips? I've never submitted a manuscript.

19.  Why did you decide to write  in whatever genre you are writing in?
       a. I thought it would be easier to get published in this genre
       b.  I  have a story that I want to write in this genre.
       c.  I thought I'd make more money writing in this genre

20.  When mailing a manuscript do you:
      a. address it to Dear Editor
      b.  address it to the particular editor who handles your kind of story
      c. double check to make sure the editor you send it to is still working at the company

21.  After speaking to an editor or agent at a conference do you:
       a. wait before sending your manuscript to them so you won't appear pushy
       b. send it out immediately with a letter reminding them of your meeting
       c. you've never talked to an agent or editor

22.  After several form letter rejections do you:
       a. seek input from informed sources    
       b.  keep sending it out       
       c.  give up

23.  When choosing a novel to read, do you:
       a. read only books by well known writers
       b. read books by well known authors, but new authors too
       c. don't have time to read, you're too busy writing




Answers and Explanations

1.    c   If you want to be a successful writer you have to write no matter. It's as simple as that.

2.   a   There's usually a good reason why writer's jump from story to story or don't finish any manuscripts at all. There's something wrong with the plot.

3.   b   If you have a strong, compelling desire to write, you have what it takes to get through the long, hard struggle.

4.  b   If  you're not conducting your writing life like a business, you're not serious enough about your writing.  Face it. Publishing is a large competitive business. To succeed you must have the savvy, the know how that will give you an edge. Being a creative writer isn't enough.

5.   a   Right now, the publishing industry is very conservative. Play it safe to heighten your chance of getting published.

6.   a   It will take you much longer to get published if you don't gear your story to a particular publisher, a particular line. Do your homework before you start writing, and make sure you know the word count the publisher is  looking for.

7. f.  all of the above. You must format your manuscript properly. Do all five, and don't forget to check   for typos.

8.   a    Don't stop now. You're on a roll. Take a deep breath then start a new novel right away. It'll help get you through the long dreary weeks and months of waiting. Also, editors and agents want to know you have more than one book in you. Added benefit, you'll have another book circulating before you know it.

9.  b     Having the support of other writers helps you through the hard times and also stimulates you to write better.

10  a     In small, intimate critique groups where you become familiar with each other's work, you can really dig in and help each other. It's been shown that writers who belong to critique groups get published in half the usual time.

11  b    Shows you think of yourself as a professional.

12  c    The more you read, the more you learn. Good writers never stop learning.

13.  b  No excuses. If you didn't go to a conference last year, you missed an opportunity to network with other authors, lost out on a chance to meet with an editor who might be
 interested in your work, or find an agent.

14  b  Going on the internet and participating in the various writer sites  is as beneficial as going  to a writer’s conference. You'll be inundated with information, how to's, the latest market  news, networking with published authors, etc. 

15.  c    The feedback is invaluable. And if you luck out and win you'll be pursued by  editors

16.  c   This one is all too obvious, right? But if you haven't been submitting you've got to
 ask yourself why? Are you afraid of rejection? Part of being a successful author is being courageous enough to handle the down side of writing.

17. a   If you've been published anywhere, whether in short story form, or non fiction, or even newspaper articles, then you've got what it takes. Especially, if you were paid for it.

18. a   This is a good sign that you're close. Busy editors don't bother writing encouraging words unless they see promise in your work.

19. b   Writers have many reasons for writing in a certain genre, but only one reason counts. Passion for the story that must be told.

20.  c   Editors expect you to know their name. You'll look amateurish if you get their name wrong. They also move to different publishing houses frequently, so double check. Make sure the editor is still there before you submit.

21. b   Editors meet hundreds of writers at conferences. Send your manuscript while she still remembers who you are. Make sure you mention your meeting in your cover letter.

22.  a   Join a critique group or get a published author to read your work. You need input to discover what you're doing wrong. Because... if you've gotten nothing but form rejection letters after several submissions, you are doing something wrong.

23. b    It's fine to read your favorite authors, but please read the newly published authors too.  That's the way you find out what a particular publishing house is currently looking for. Also, new authors have to be good to compete with established authors. You could learn from them.

SCORING
Score 4 points for each correct answer.

88 to 100      Is your telephone ringing? You better answer. It could be a publisher, that's how close you are.

66 to 87        You've been working hard and it shows. Hang in there, it will happen soon.

41 to 65        Climb out of that ivory tower and face the hard, cold reality of publishing. You've been making an effort, but you've got more work to do.

25 to 40         Pray your uncle buys a publishing company, because unless you get motivated, or you're incredibly talented, or lucky, it ain't going to happen.

0 to 24          Have you though of taking up macrame?

Take an extra 3 points if you have an agent
Take an extra 2 points if you've won or  been a finalist in a writing contest
Take an extra 2 points if you're manuscript has been accepted by an e-publisher
Take 1 extra points if you've written down your writing goals for the next five years.

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