the quiz

Which author voice mask are you wearing?

Six questions. Two minutes. Discover what’s keeping your writing from sounding like you.

Question 1 of 6

You’re mid-first-draft and a scene is coming out clunky. What do you actually do?

Pause and rewrite the same paragraph until it sounds like a real book.
Stop drafting. Open a craft book or a workshop replay — clearly you need more skill before you keep going.
Keep going, but cut the weird tangent you were enjoying. Nobody wants that.
Try the scene again in a different style. Then a different one. Maybe one of them is you.

Keyboard tip: use the arrow keys to choose an answer, Tab to reach the buttons.

Question 2 of 6

The draft is DONE. What’s your first revision instinct?

Get it to someone qualified before touching it. Your own read can’t be trusted.
Hunt for overly personal or odd bits. They feel self-indulgent.
Revise toward your comps — make it read more like what’s selling in your genre.
Smooth everything out — fix the rhythm, cut the fragments, make it sound professional.

Keyboard tip: use the arrow keys to choose an answer, Tab to reach the buttons.

Question 3 of 6

A critique partner says, “Something’s off with the voice.” What’s your first thought?

“My writing is just flat. There’s nothing in there to grab.”
“Which voice? I sound like a different writer in every chapter.”
“I knew it. It doesn’t sound like a real author yet.”
“I’m not ready. I need more craft before I’ll be able to know my voice.”

Keyboard tip: use the arrow keys to choose an answer, Tab to reach the buttons.

Question 4 of 6

You just finished reading a novel with an incredible voice. What happens next?

Your next five pages accidentally sound exactly like them.
You study their sentences and try to write yours at that level of polish.
You feel the gap. They earned that voice — years of experience. You’re not there yet.
Quiet despair. You could never sound that interesting.

Keyboard tip: use the arrow keys to choose an answer, Tab to reach the buttons.

Question 5 of 6

Finish the sentence. “My voice isn’t working because…”

…it doesn’t sound like an author.
…I’m not at that level yet. I still need some more training and learning.
…it’s boring. Honestly, it could pass for AI.
…I couldn’t tell you what it actually sounds like. Who can even hear one’s own voice?

Keyboard tip: use the arrow keys to choose an answer, Tab to reach the buttons.

Question 6 of 6

An agent looks up from your pages and asks, “So — describe your voice in one line.” What actually comes out of your mouth?

A pile of hedges. “I mean, it’s kind of… I’m still developing it, sort of.”
“Honestly? Nothing special. Clean, I guess. Normal.”
You freeze and then start naming things you’re not.
Something impressive and literary-sounding. You’re not sure if it’s you, but it sounds right.

Keyboard tip: use the arrow keys to choose an answer, Tab to reach the buttons.

your result

Your Author mask is identified.

You’re about to uncover your voice! Enter your email and hit the confirm button inside — your result opens instantly, along with your full breakdown and your exact next step.

Plus the Books. Biceps. No B.S. newsletter packed with exclusive discounts, free writing tips, scarily-real behind-the-scenes of an author career, and boba of the week! Unsubscribe if I’m boring.

your result

Your Author mask is identified.

You’re about to uncover your voice! Enter your email and hit the confirm button inside — your result opens instantly, along with your full breakdown and your exact next step.

Plus the Books. Biceps. No B.S. newsletter packed with exclusive discounts, free writing tips, scarily-real behind-the-scenes of an author career, and boba of the week! Unsubscribe if I’m boring.

your result

Your Author mask is identified.

You’re about to uncover your voice! Enter your email and hit the confirm button inside — your result opens instantly, along with your full breakdown and your exact next step.

Plus the Books. Biceps. No B.S. newsletter packed with exclusive discounts, free writing tips, scarily-real behind-the-scenes of an author career, and boba of the week! Unsubscribe if I’m boring.

your result

Your Author mask is identified.

You’re about to uncover your voice! Enter your email and hit the confirm button inside — your result opens instantly, along with your full breakdown and your exact next step.

Plus the Books. Biceps. No B.S. newsletter packed with exclusive discounts, free writing tips, scarily-real behind-the-scenes of an author career, and boba of the week! Unsubscribe if I’m boring.

Which author voice mask are you wearing?

Your Author mask is identified.

Your Author mask is identified.

Your Author mask is identified.

Your Author mask is identified.

Sophia Chang