What’s Your Writer Archetype?

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Quiz Questions

1.
For whom do you write?
- A.
  
  I’m not sure yet.
- B.
  
  Whoever pays me.
- C.
  
  Myself
- D.
  
  My readers.
- E.
  
  My muse.
2.
How prolific are you?
- A.
  
  I write a lot, but I haven’t published at all yet, but I will as soon as I’m ready.
- B.
  
  Highly. I write as often as my employer requires me to.
- C.
  
  As prolific as I want to be. I write when I have a story to tell.
- D.
  
  I tend to write a lot, because I’m excited about my ideas.
- E.
  
  Not particularly prolific. I often focus on one project for a very long time.
3.
How do your ideas show up?
- A.
  
  However they do, they are most importantly another thing to learn about.
- B.
  
  However they do, the ideas I work on most are those that are assigned to me.
- C.
  
  My ideas come to me as I move through life, they are closely tied to my actual experiences.
- D.
  
  In a constant barrage, from all sides.
- E.
  
  One at a time.
4.
How important is earning a living as a writer to you?
- A.
  
  It’s important, but the whole concept is overwhelming.
- B.
  
  Highly important. (Even the most important thing.)
- C.
  
  Important. If I could earn a living as a storyteller, that would be so amazing.
- D.
  
  Important. If I could earn a living connecting with my tribe, that would be so amazing.
- E.
  
  The last thing on my list of what’s important about being a writer.
5.
Why do you write?
- A.
  
  It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and I love being immersed in the culture of writers.
- B.
  
  Because I love creative work.
- C.
  
  For healing.
- D.
  
  To teach.
- E.
  
  For the art of it.
6.
6. Which book do you wish you’d written?
- A.
  
  The last book I read is almost always my new favorite. I wish I’d written them all!
- B.
  
  I’d love to ghostwrite a novel for my favorite celebrity.
- C.
  
  Lolita or a memoir.
- D.
  
  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone or a highly-impacting creative non-fiction book.
- E.
  
  Any National Book Award winner.
7.
How much detail do you put into your writing?
- A.
  
  I haven’t written much yet, but I’m drawn to one of the answers below.
- B.
  
  As much as is expected by my editor.
- C.
  
  Tons of detail--most of it very personal.
- D.
  
  Some, but I’m more interested in clearly sharing ideas.
- E.
  
  All of the detail--this is my happy place.
8.
How much of yourself do you put into your writing?
- A.
  
  I’m not sure yet. I haven’t started writing.
- B.
  
  None at all.
- C.
  
  My writing is almost always about myself. It is possible that people who know me are uncomfortable reading my work.
- D.
  
  I have to remind myself to put myself in my stories. Sometimes people say my writing is too dry or academic.
- E.
  
  It depends on the story--sometimes a lot, sometimes none at all--but my writing is always in my voice. People often say they would know my work anywhere.
9.
Which of these is your biggest strength?
- A.
  
  Research.
- B.
  
  Switching gears between topics.
- C.
  
  Storytelling.
- D.
  
  Sharing ideas.
- E.
  
  The artistic craft of writing.
10.
Which of these is your biggest weakness?
- A.
  
  Insecurity.
- B.
  
  My writing is sometimes generic or boring.
- C.
  
  Audience building.
- D.
  
  Finishing what I start.
- E.
  
  Perfectionism.
11.
My favorite thing about being a writer is . . .
- A.
  
  Being part of a writing community.
- B.
  
  Earning a living doing something I love.
- C.
  
  Processing my life via my art.
- D.
  
  Building a tribe around my niche.
- E.
  
  Creating something beautiful.
12.
I feel like I’m successful when . . .
- A.
  
  I start a project.
- B.
  
  I have a contract.
- C.
  
  People are talking about my story.
- D.
  
  When someone has learned something from me.
- E.
  
  My muse and inner editor are both satisfied.

Quiz Outcomes

1.

You Are a Hesitater

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A hesitater is someone who has one foot on the gas and the other on the break. You are a learner. You are a perfectionist. You want to get everything just right, and that keeps you from getting started. You struggle to get started with a new project, but are an excellent student and open to new ideas. No one is just a Hesitater. When you take your foot off the break, you’ll slip into one of the other archetypes, even though you will always be a Hesitater, too.Take a look at your secondary archetype for more insight into your writing style.If you're a Hesitater, know that you're always going to have to combat your natural tendency to find reasons not to write. Your perfectionism will get in the way. You need a system to help you get over the hump between not-writing and writing. Tiny goals and a writing accountability partner - another writer who will hold you to your goals - are a good start.Click the button below to get the support you need to actually get your work out into the world.
2.

You Are a Skipper

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A Skipper is a writer whose happy place is having an assignment. Skippers often are journalists or work for publications. You might struggle with coming up with ideas for what to write, when you don't have an assignment.You are usually very good with discipline and finishing what you start, as long as you have a solid deadline. It’s difficult for you to find motivation, if you’re not clear on how you’ll be paid for your work. If you're a Skipper, then you can stop feeling guilty for not wanting to do work that you're not paid for. Lean into your business skills and build a writing career that pays the bills. You need a system to help you find those jobs and treat your work like the business that it is. Self-imposed deadlines will help.Click the link below to learn how to make a living with your writing.
3.

You Are a Spiller

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A Spiller is a confessional writer. As an inward-facing writers, you excel at storytelling. Your writing often is very cathartic and healing - for you and your reader. You tend to niche easily, writing deeply on the same handful of topics. You sometimes struggle with remembering to invite your readers into your work. You are exceptionally good at being authentic and vulnerable.If you're a Spiller, then you can stop trying to write listicles and how-to posts. They aren't your thing. Your authenticity is your shining light. You need a system for remembering to invite your reader into your work. Start by creating an avatar for your ideal reader - an invented reader who you're writing for.Click the link below to learn how to turn your incredible storytelling skills into a writing career.
4.

You Are a Teacher

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A Teacher is a writer who, not surprisingly, writes to teach. You are inundated by ideas - your own and other people's. You are an outward-facing writer who would most likely not do your work if you didn't have readers. You are great with starts, but struggle to finish.If you're a Teacher, then you can stop trying to write highly personal essays that don't feel natural to you. That's not your strong suit. You are an idea person and sharing those ideas is where you blossom as a writer. You need a system for capturing those ideas and sticking with one long enough to finish it. Try keeping an idea notebook and rewarding yourself for finishing one project by allowing yourself to explore another.Click the link below to learn how to grow your audience so you can make a career out of sharing your ideas.
5.

You Are an Artist

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Artists are writers who have a top-level goal of creating beautiful work. Nothing matters more to you.You tend to have a single idea at a time and work on it with single-mindedness until it's complete. You tend to be good with having a smaller number of readers, as long as those readers appreciate your art. You struggle with writer's block more often than other writers, but are absolutely dedicated to learning your craft.If you're an Artist, then you can stop feeling like you have to be anything else. You have goals that go beyond how many copies you sell or readers you have. You are really good at sticking with an interesting idea until it's finished, with such single-mindedness that it can seem like you'll never have another one again. You need a system for combating writer's block. Start with a teeny, tiny goal. Write for ten minutes a day, even when your muse isn't cooperating.Click the link below to join an incredible community and get the suppor you need while you learn your craft.

What’s Your Writer Archetype?

Teacher, Spiller, Artist, Hesitator, or Skipper? Your archetype is the key to your success as a writer.It only takes a few minutes to find our yours.

Quiz Questions

Quiz Outcomes