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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Anne say you have to get over, or you will not go far in your writing?

2. When will you know your characters, according to Anne?

3. What is the basic formula for drama?

4. What is Ethan Canin's idea of the most valuable thing about writing?

5. What is the way to hold a reader's attention?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Anne was writing food reviews, how did allowing herself to write bad first drafts help her?

2. When Anne's students tell her they do not know where to start, she tells them to start with their childhood. How is this helpful?

3. What does Anne suggest doing with the feeling of paranoia?

4. In college, Anne found a community in which she might fit in. Why did she felt a sense of community in college?

5. How does Anne say perfectionism affects writing?

6. At some point you may need to design a set for your characters that you know nothing about. What avenues does Anne suggest taking to gain the knowledge you need?

7. Plot is the main part of your story. How does the plot best grow organically, according to Anne?

8. How does Anne warn against writing towards a climax or destination?

9. How does Anne suggest we can free ourselves from perfectionism?

10. How did having a mother and father who read, and a father who was a writer, affect Anne's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Anne, radio station KFKD is the single greatest obstacle to a writer being able to hear their broccoli. Compare and contrast what plays out of the two speakers. Why do you think they are opposing thoughts?

Essay Topic 2

How is listening to our small inner voice, our intuition, helpful to a writer? Why have some of us lost access to our broccoli? What is a good metaphor to use for your own broccoli?

Essay Topic 3

Anne is encouraged to read all types of writing, such as plays and poetry, as well as all the good books she can get her hands on. How can reading all types of writing expand your material as a writer?

(see the answer keys)

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