Research-Focused vs. Intuitive Writer: A Writer’s Test

Instructions

Answer each question with True or False based on your natural writing tendencies. Be honest about how you actually write, not how you think you should write. Points are calculated based on Research-Focused tendencies—some questions award points for “True” answers, while others award points for “False” answers. Each question is worth 2 points.

Research or Instinct

Instructions
Answer each question with True or False based on your natural writing tendencies. Be honest about how you actually write, not how you think you should write. Points are calculated based on Research-Focused tendencies—some questions award points for "True" answers, while others award points for "False" answers. Each question is worth 2 points.

1 / 20

I prefer to write first and verify facts later rather than researching extensively beforehand.

True

False

2 / 20

I create detailed reference documents about subjects I'm writing about before starting my draft.

True

False

3 / 20

I trust my instincts to fill in gaps in my knowledge while writing.

True

False

4 / 20

I schedule interviews or consult experts before writing about unfamiliar subjects.

True

False

5 / 20

I find that over-researching can stifle my creativity.

True

False

6 / 20

I keep detailed notes with citations for facts I include in my writing.

True

False

7 / 20

I'm comfortable writing scenes in settings I've never personally visited.

True

False

8 / 20

I spend more time researching than actually writing for most projects.

True

False

9 / 20

I often use placeholders in my draft for details I'll research later.

True

False

10 / 20

I enjoy the research process as much as or more than the writing itself.

True

False

11 / 20

I believe authenticity in writing comes more from emotional truth than factual accuracy.

True

False

12 / 20

I cross-reference multiple sources before including information in my writing.

True

False

13 / 20

I write best when I'm in a flow state, unconcerned with verifying every detail.

True

False

14 / 20

I create specialized glossaries or terminology lists when writing about technical subjects.

True

False

15 / 20

I find that my first instinct about a character or situation is usually right.

True

False

16 / 20

I fact-check my completed drafts multiple times before considering them finished.

True

False

17 / 20

I prefer to write about subjects I already know well so I can rely on my existing knowledge.

True

False

18 / 20

I collect visual references (photos, maps, diagrams) before writing descriptive passages.

True

False

19 / 20

I believe that too much research can make writing feel stiff or academic.

True

False

20 / 20

I'm often concerned about getting factual or historical details wrong in my writing.

True

False

Your score is

The average score is 23%

Scoring

0-15 points (0-37.5%): Confirmed Intuitive Writer
You’re a true intuitive writer! You trust your creative instincts and prefer to let your imagination lead the way. Research feels like a distraction from the real work of writing, and you’d rather capture the emotional truth of a scene than get bogged down in factual details. You often use placeholders or make educated guesses about information you can verify later. Your strength lies in maintaining creative flow and producing authentic, emotionally resonant work that isn’t constrained by excessive fact-checking. While you may need to verify details during revision, your intuitive approach keeps your writing fresh and spontaneous.

16-25 points (40-62.5%): Balanced Researcher-Intuitive
You take a balanced approach, recognizing the value of both research and intuition. You likely do some preliminary research to establish a foundation of knowledge but don’t let it overwhelm your creative process. You know when to look up a crucial detail and when to trust your instincts. This flexible approach allows you to write with both authenticity and accuracy, adapting your level of research based on the project’s needs. You’re comfortable using placeholders when necessary but also enjoy the discovery process that research provides.

26-40 points (65-100%): Confirmed Research-Focused Writer
You’re definitely a research-focused writer! You feel most confident and productive when you have a solid foundation of knowledge before writing. You enjoy the research phase and find that thorough preparation enriches your writing with authentic details and nuance. Your methodical approach to gathering information helps you create credible settings, believable characters, and accurate scenarios. While you’re capable of using your imagination when needed, you generally prefer to verify facts and consult multiple sources rather than relying on assumptions. Your commitment to accuracy shines through in your well-informed, authoritative writing.

Understanding Your Results

Neither approach is inherently better—successful authors can be found in both camps and everywhere in between. What matters is finding the process that works best for you, which may even vary between projects.

Benefits of Research-Focused Writing:

Creates authentic, credible worlds and scenarios
Prevents factual errors that might pull readers out of the story
Can inspire new plot directions or character details
Particularly useful for historical, technical, or specialized subject matter

Benefits of Intuitive Writing:

Maintains creative flow without interruption
Often results in more emotionally authentic writing
Can be more time-efficient in the drafting stage
Allows for greater flexibility and spontaneity

Tips for Research-Focused Writers:

Set clear boundaries on research time to avoid “research rabbit holes”
Remember that not every detail needs to be perfectly accurate
Consider scheduling separate research and writing sessions
Don’t let perfectionism prevent you from actually writing

Tips for Intuitive Writers:

Use placeholders (like [CHECK THIS LATER]) to maintain flow when unsure about facts
Schedule dedicated fact-checking time during the revision process
Consider consulting sensitivity readers for unfamiliar cultural content
Build a reliable reference library for commonly needed information

Remember that many writers evolve in their approach over time, and you can borrow techniques from both styles depending on the needs of your current project. The goal is to find a process that makes writing both enjoyable and productive for you.

Humorous Interpretations

0-15 points: The “I’ll Google It Later” Improviser
Congratulations! You’re the literary equivalent of someone who confidently gives directions in a city they’ve visited once. Your search history is filled with panic-Googling like “can humans actually survive that?” after you’ve already written the scene. You’ve invented at least three fictional species of trees that botanists would find concerning. Your historical characters casually use technology from three different centuries, and your protagonists frequently visit places that sound suspiciously like cities you’ve seen in movies but never researched. Your beta readers have learned to say “interesting creative choice” instead of “that’s definitely not how submarines work.”

16-25 points: The “Just Enough Facts” Pragmatist
Well, aren’t you balanced! You’re like someone who reads the Wikipedia introduction and feels qualified to give a TED Talk. Your browser has exactly 17 tabs open—enough to feel informed but not so many that your computer crashes. You know the major landmarks of Paris but might accidentally place them on opposite sides of the Seine. Your historical characters use period-appropriate slang, which you learned from exactly one podcast episode. When readers point out inaccuracies, you confidently call it “creative license” rather than “I forgot to check that part.” Your research notes consist of cocktail napkins with hastily scribbled facts and at least one folder named “Stuff to Look Up Eventually.”

26-40 points: The “Actually, That’s Incorrect” Scholar
Oh my! You’ve never met a primary source you didn’t want to cite in your acknowledgments. You have strong opinions about the proper way to organize research notes and have definitely created a color-coded system that would impress librarians. Your friends worry about you when they see your office wall covered in timeline Post-its and maps that look suspiciously like you’re planning a historical heist. You’ve read seventeen books to write one scene about bread-making in medieval France. Your browser history is full of searches like “authentic 18th-century curse words” and “how long does it take blood to coagulate in winter conditions?” You regularly correct historical dramas aloud while watching TV, much to everyone’s delight (not really). When someone compliments your “imagination,” you respond with a fifteen-minute explanation of your research methodology.

Author
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Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) is the founder of EveryWriter and a 25-year veteran of the publishing industry. With degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology, and Education, Richard has dedicated two decades to teaching writing and literature while championing emerging voices through EveryWriter's platform. His work focuses on making literary analysis accessible to readers at all levels while preserving the rich heritage of American literature. Connect with Richard on Twitter Bluesky Facebook or explore opportunities to share your own work on ourSubmissions page. For monthly insights on writing and publishing, subscribe to our Newsletter.