Strange question, I know, but I've been thinking about it a lot as I begin my new novel. I've written, eighty-five pages. There's a lot of ground left to plow, and all that work ahead is intimidating.

It always is.

I so much prefer working on second and third drafts of my work. Adding new scenes, whole new chapters, or rearranging the sequence of events feels preferable to working with a blank page. Even if I have to scrap sections that took me hours to write or re-imagine the plot altogether, I'm at ease with it because I know where I'm going. With the first draft, I'm never sure.

So, faced with acres of blank space, I got to thinking about those moments that arise in a novel where the action requires that I craft a certain kind of scene or use a particular technique in order to tell my story. And that reminded me that there are certain things I am not comfortable doing.

I wondered if other writers share this unease with certain techniques, styles, or types of writing. They occur, of course, in both fiction and non-fiction writing.

I've come up with two quizzes. One for fiction writers and one for nonfiction writers. Since I used to design and write training programs for a living, I've taken both.

To answer, just place a checkmark next to the response that makes the most sense to you. Answer "Indifferent" if you don't feel one way or the other about the element.


Fiction Elements                                                            Like              Indifferent     Dislike or Dread   Love scenes
Sex scenes
Violent scenes
Dialogue w Characters
Interior dialogue
Description
Back story
Narrative
Time shifts
POV Shifts
Depicting emotions




Nonfiction Elements                                                             Like              Indifferent     Dislike or Dread
Technical Writing
Proposals
Biographical Data
Publicity/Advertising Copy
Directions/how-tos
Autobiography/Resume
Specifications
Tests/quizzes/surveys
Explanations
Newsletters
Presentations/Speeches


I've probably left out some things. If I have let me know.

Next week, I'll tell you how I came out on this quiz!