Like many quiz writers, I am always pleased to receive the 2,000 points for each new quiz that goes online. (And I have been here long enough to remember when no points were given for quiz writing.)

However: While the vast majority of new quizzes have 10 questions, like other people, I sometimes write 20-question quizzes.

It seems a little bit mean that for all the extra work we put into these, we get no greater credit than for a comparatively less complex and time-consuming 10-question mix quiz.

Perhaps time for an higher level of points to reward the extra effort?

Some categories (like Movies) prefer ten-question quizzes, so to give extra rewards for longer quizzes would be to encourage something we'd rather not see. Writing two ten question quizzes on a subject would entail the same amount of work, and result in four thousand points received.

I would also point out that authors also receive 2000 points for the relatively less time consuming Match style quizzes, so things even out, really.

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Spanishliz (Editor in Movies, Geography, Brain Teasers and Crosswords)

"I would also point out that authors also receive 2000 points for the relatively less time consuming Match style quizzes, so things even out, really."

That is exactly my point, liz. Furthermore, the temptation to spend less time on a quiz may ultimately devalue and reduce the number of "four answer" quizzes - the bedrock of this site since its inception.

I get it that 10 questions is enough for most subjects, and that a series of quizzes on the same subject (such as my own misheard lyrics quizzes) can earn 2,000 points per quiz.

However (I love that word) sometimes one quiz of 20 questions is better than two of 10 - again I would point to something of my own - Blockbuster quizzes. (That sees get me researching questions in all 20 FT categories and is a mammoth time consumer compared to any one-category quiz.)

One of the beauties of FT is the strength of quiz writing: in my view, changing the points structure for quizzes can help ensure that we do not weaken our site.

Having seen many 20 question quiz attempts with at least five "filler" questions, I don't agree that 'longer' means 'better'.

If we want to talk time consuming, perhaps it would be photo quizzes that deserve more points? What about crosswords?

My point is that rewarding quantity is more likely to harm quality than to help it.

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Spanishliz (Editor in Movies, Geography, Brain Teasers and Crosswords)

Yeah, what about crosswords? That's my pet peeve! We don't get anything for authoring them.

It seems that players prefer 10 question quizzes lately, so a 20 question quiz may get into more depth on some subjects but players may not be enthusiastic about playing it.

Then too, there's the difficulty level in writing a quiz. There are some some categories that I can make a quiz for just as fast as I can type because I'm particularly interested in them and/or lived through what I'm writing about. When it comes to getting outside my comfort zone it can a much longer process (like Video Games, which I don't play much because I'm not good at them. I've left Zelda waiting for Link many times). But there are no additional points because it took me 3 days or a week to put the quiz together.

2,000 points and the Author's Kitchen ingredients seem to be fair rewards for writing a quiz. If only that would be extended to crosswords.

I had not realised that crossword compilers do not get points. Crosswords are a different skill set. Finding questions and answers, I imagine, is less difficult than fitting them all together into a grid. (And I am not diminishing that skill since I have never tried it.)

I know what liz is saying that longer does not necessarily mean better.

However (it's that word again) when a theme is sound, 20 questions do work. (Otherwise why would people be allowed to write them?)

I have just written 17 questions of a 20-question quiz. Perhaps I will break it into two 10s and get 4,000 points instead of 2,000. It would, of course, look pretty ludicrous since it is on a fixed theme. (And there are no "fillers".)

I think we should award points to crossword compilers - and the tally for writing a coherent 20 question quiz that stands on its own feet should be increased to 3,000.

As I said before, some categories (e.g. Movies) do not allow 20 question quizzes per the guidelines. Such a quiz would be sent back to be split into two.

Who would be the judge of which 20 question quizzes get the extra points and which do not? Having extra points only for some would really stir things up, I'm afraid.

In the end, it is your choice whether to write one longer quiz or two shorter ones (and double your points). Personally, I write quizzes for the challenge and enjoyment of writing them and care little or nothing about what points I receive. I believe there are others who feel the same way.

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Spanishliz (Editor in Movies, Geography, Brain Teasers and Crosswords)

Agreed on the first point, but disagree on the second. The last thing we want to see is people writing longer quizzes just for the points. There are many other incentives for quiz-writing on the site (TRIC points, author kitchen ingredients, etc.). As has been noted, many categories have restrictions on longer quizzes. We find that most people play them less and rate them lower, and the majority of authors submitting them to the queues are ones who need significantly more help getting the work online.

It took us a long time to give any points at all for quiz writing, as we were worried that it would encourage submissions written just for the points. And to some extent, especially at the beginning, that is indeed what happened.

In the arts, which I think quizwriting is, or can be, payment is not necessarily linked to the size of the final product. "Battlefield Earth" is not a better book, nor a bigger bestseller, than "The Catcher in the Rye". It's just longer.

It's interesting that you say that, Liz. I don't find them any quicker to write, although I can see how they might be easier to play. Am I the only person who spends as long, or longer, writing match quizzes as multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank?

Edited to correct a typo.

I'll sound hypocritical, but I agree that crossword writers should get points too, maybe even more points. At least to me, that is much harder to do.

That said, you could take away the points, and I'd still write quizzes. The enjoyment of seeing them go online is enough for me.

I agree. I don't write for the points. But it is nice to get ingredients. I guess I just love to cook!