Subject: What Tips Would You Give?
Posted by: kyleisalive
Date: Aug 10 11
What tips would you guys give newer authors just attempting quiz-writing for the first time? How about players who haven't tried authoring but have had an urge to try in the past?
Posted by: kyleisalive
Date: Aug 10 11
What tips would you guys give newer authors just attempting quiz-writing for the first time? How about players who haven't tried authoring but have had an urge to try in the past?
50 replies. On page 1 of 3 pages. 1 2 3
eburge 
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Start with a topic you're comfortable with, and you know a reasonable amount about. Reply #1. Aug 10 11, 6:45 PM |
salami_swami
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Read ALL the guidelines, as well as the specific subcategory guidelines for your topic. Not to mention, categorize your quiz in the deepest subcategory as possible. The subcategories are there for a reason. ;-) Reply #2. Aug 10 11, 6:50 PM |
George95
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Don't write a quiz for the sake of writing a quiz. Make sure it is in a category in which you are comfortable and knowledgeable in. Don't submit a quiz if you don't got no good grammar, nor if it is speled rite. Listen to the editor's advice, if rejected. Reply #3. Aug 10 11, 6:58 PM |
stuthehistoryguy
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Concentrate on the guidelines FIRST. The vast majority of any quiz's quality is in being solid--readable, grammatically correct, and factually right. If you take care of the basic fundamentals first, the more creative stuff will come. Reply #4. Aug 10 11, 7:33 PM |
daymare
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If uncertain of something, ask questions. The editors I've contacted have always been willing to help and/or offer suggestions. :) Reply #5. Aug 10 11, 8:06 PM |
looney_tunes
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In addition to what has been said above, take as many of the top-rated quizzes as you can in the category or subcategory where you think your quiz will go. Get an idea of what works well. It will also help you avoid repeating questions that have been asked many times before. Plan to write several sentences of interesting information, not just opinions or comments, for each question. If you can't think of anything to say, it probably isn't a good question. After submission, try not to twitch as you wait for an editor's response. this may be the hardest thing of all! Reply #6. Aug 10 11, 9:38 PM |
pollucci19
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Don't take a correction slip to heart ... they're a means of education, not rejection. Reply #7. Aug 10 11, 10:18 PM |
jmorrow
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Don't feel daunted by the guidelines and requirements on the site. They may take some getting used to, but it does get easier over time, and the editors are all here to help. If newer authors are ever in need of any guidance, they should feel free to post in the Quiz Authoring Q&A section of the forums, or right here in the Quiz Author Lounge. There are plenty of experienced authors in the forums and chat boards who are more than happy to help. :-) Reply #8. Aug 10 11, 11:27 PM |
Snowman
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Check your work thoroughly--if you think it's perfect then read it through once more just to be certain. Try and wait for a while between completing the quiz and doing the final read-through. The more time you can wait, the better the chance of changing your mindset from the writer to the proof-reader and avoiding making the same mistakes in both roles. I would also recommend reading it aloud if it's not too embarrassing to do so. You'd be amazed how often something that looks fine written down, sounds wrong when read aloud. It also helps overcome those blind spots, such as missing words, that are easily overlooked on an internal read-through. Reply #9. Aug 11 11, 12:15 AM |
| Snowman
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Also, remember that writing a quiz takes time. There is no need to rush. We all understand the impatience of wanting your quiz online NOW! However, it is always better to spend that little bit of extra time to make it as good as it can be. Reply #10. Aug 11 11, 12:20 AM |
rossian
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I think the hardest lesson I had to learn was not to take corrections personally. Reading the guidelines is essential but they don't always give you a 'feel' for what works in a category or even what the editors are looking out for. Work with your editor who will guide you in the right direction until the quiz is as good as it can be. Reply #11. Aug 11 11, 5:16 AM |
malik24
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As with anything... just give it a go. See what happens. Take your time, there's no rush. Chopping and changing your quiz several times before submission is no bad thing - if it ends up feeling good to you, others will probably like it as well. Reply #12. Aug 11 11, 5:43 AM |
Daaanieeel
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EDIT EDIT EDIT! Don't just look for spelling errors and stuff, look for ways to improve your quiz. Reply #13. Aug 11 11, 7:16 AM |
Oidioid32123
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Don't think of the editors as bullies. They are there to help. Reply #14. Aug 11 11, 8:36 AM |
| salami_swami
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And, of course, don't be discouraged when you see other author's have excellently rated quizzes. Sometimes you might feel like "oh, I can never be that good, might as well not even try". Well, that's not true. Every quiz is good, no matter what it is rated. And those with the highest rated quizzes are authors who have been writing for a long time, and they know what "clicks" with other players. Also, you never know; your quiz could do just as well. I never expected to get a thumb, much less TWO thumbs. ;-) Reply #15. Aug 11 11, 8:44 AM |
EmmaF2008
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So, you have checked all the guidelines, played plenty of quizzes in the category you are submitting to and gone over your fledgling quiz with a fine tooth comb for spelling and grammar errors. You submit your quiz and patiently wait to hear the good news...but then disaster strikes! You have gotten a note back informing you that your baby has not been accepted! Oh no! This is where my number one tip comes in. Persevere. Take a big deep breath and read every word of the editor's instructions. Then read them again. A third read wouldn't go astray. Do NOT take it as rejection, use it as a learning experience. Once you understand where you've gone wrong, fix it and resubmit it. If you have more errors (but do try not to!), fix them. Work with your editor to get it right. The very dramatic little scenario above was what happened to me when I wrote my first quiz. I was so sure I'd been careful and 'nailed' it. :p The reality is that quiz writing is a learning curve and you might not really understand some of the guidelines until you've made the mistake yourself. First time out, the learning curve is steep but you can NOT beat the feeling of satisfaction when you see your quiz online or better again, hearing from players that they have enjoyed it. So, stick with it! Sorry for the long rambly post... :D Reply #16. Aug 11 11, 1:20 PM |
reeshy
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It's also a good idea to have someone else proofread it before submission, if possible. You tend to skim over your own mistakes! When I'm proofreading, I like to view it on the Preview screen, just so it's a different screen from where I wrote it in. I also like to run my browser's spell check to pick up a few typos. Apart from editing, the best tip is to enjoy it. Write what you're comfortable with and don't worry about things like Editor's Choice and creativity of the quizzes too much. Creative quizzes are fun, but those that are just "plain" questions and answers are still very well written quizzes. :) Remember that you'll learn by experience as you go on. Reply #17. Aug 11 11, 2:48 PM |
guitargoddess
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Definitely get a spell check for your browser if you don't compose your quizzes offline! A few errors are no big deal to clean up, but it's a bit annoying when they're all ones that would have been caught in spell check! Reply #18. Aug 11 11, 6:05 PM |
Cymruambyth
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1: Read the guidelines for the category. 2: Write on a subject you know well. 3: Write your first few quizzes offline. 4: Have someone else proof read your quiz because Reeshy's right, we never catch all our own typos, errors in spelling, etc. 5: Submit and be prepared to wait until your editor gets in touch to ket you know that you need to make some adjustments, or your quiz is on line. 6: Good luck! Reply #19. Aug 11 11, 7:09 PM |
JanIQ
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All these advices are very important. One other advice: try and be a bit creative. Creative questions are harder to write, but most of them are better appreciated. Reply #20. Aug 14 11, 11:21 AM |
50 replies. On page 1 of 3 pages. 1 2 3
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