17 Creative Writer Interview Questions and Answers

Creative writers are in high demand for content marketing and advertising positions across industries. But before you can land one of these coveted jobs, you’ll need to impress a potential employer with your writing skills and creativity—most likely during a job interview.

While each interview will be unique, there are some common creative writer interview questions you can expect. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working on your own?

This question can help employers determine whether you are a self-motivated employee. They may also want to know if you have any trouble working independently and how you handle it. In your answer, try to show that you enjoy working on your own but also value teamwork.

Example: “I am comfortable working on my own because I find it easier to focus without distractions. However, I also understand the importance of collaboration in creative writing. When I work with others, I like to offer ideas and feedback when appropriate. I think it’s important to be open to other people’s opinions and perspectives so we can all learn from each other.”

What are some of your favorite books, poems, or other pieces of creative writing?

Interviewers may ask this question to get a sense of your writing style and how you interpret other writers’ work. They might also want to know what types of books, poems or other pieces of creative writing you enjoy so they can determine whether your tastes align with the company’s values. When answering this question, try to choose works that are similar in tone or style to those produced by the company.

Example: “I really enjoyed reading ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald when I was in high school. It’s such an interesting story about the American dream and the lengths people will go to achieve it. I also love poetry, especially Emily Dickinson’s work. Her use of imagery is so vivid and beautiful.”

How do you keep your creative juices flowing?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your process for writing. They want to know how you stay motivated and inspired while working on a project. Your answer should include two or three strategies that help you maintain focus and enthusiasm throughout the day.

Example: “I find it helpful to take breaks every few hours when I’m working on a long-term project. This helps me recharge my batteries so I can continue to write with energy and creativity. Another strategy I use is taking time to read other people’s work. Reading other writers’ articles, books or blogs inspires me to create new content of my own. It also gives me ideas for future projects.”

What is your process for editing your work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to ensure quality. Your answer should include a few of the editing processes you use, such as proofreading for grammar and spelling errors and reading for content clarity.

Example: “I always read my work out loud because it helps me catch any awkward phrasing or typos that I might have missed in my initial proofreading. After I’ve read through my work aloud, I’ll go back and make edits based on what I notice while reading. I also like to get feedback from others before submitting my final draft so I can address any concerns they may have about the content.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to be flexible when working on a project.

Employers ask this question to see how you adapt to changes in your work environment. They want to know that you can still be productive even when things don’t go as planned. In your answer, explain a situation where you had to adjust your schedule or expectations on the fly. Explain what steps you took to make sure you were able to complete your project successfully despite the change.

Example: “I once worked on a marketing campaign for a client who wanted to launch their product at a specific time of year. However, they also wanted to have an online presence before then. I was tasked with creating content that would help promote the brand and products while also building up anticipation for the official launch date. We decided to create a social media strategy that would allow us to start engaging with customers early but also build hype for the actual launch.”

If you were given a character and setting, how would you begin to write a story?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach writing and the steps you take to complete a project. Use your answer to highlight your creativity, problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “When I’m given a character and setting, I first try to get an idea of what kind of story I would write for them. For example, if I were given a character who is a detective, I would start by thinking about what kinds of cases they might investigate. Then, I would think about where that case could happen and what elements I could include in the story to make it more interesting. From there, I would begin to outline the plot and create characters.”

What would you do if you were given a deadline but were not feeling inspired?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges in your work. Your answer should show that you are willing to put in extra effort to meet deadlines and complete projects on time.

Example: “If I was given a deadline but wasn’t feeling inspired, I would first take some time to think about what might inspire me. Sometimes it’s just taking a break from writing for a while or doing something else entirely before returning to write again. If inspiration still hasn’t come after a short break, I would ask my manager if we could push back the deadline so I have more time to find inspiration.”

How well do you work with others?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you collaborate with your team. Collaboration is an important skill for creative writers because they often work with other members of a marketing or advertising team to create content that’s effective and engaging. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with others and ask questions when you need more information about a project.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on my own but also enjoy collaborating with others. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of others in order to get feedback and ensure that I’m creating the best possible content. I’ve found that by asking questions early on in the process, I can learn what my teammates are looking for in terms of style and tone so I can write accordingly.”

Do you have any experience working with a team of other writers?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you collaborate with others and your ability to work as part of a team. Your answer should highlight your teamwork skills, communication abilities and willingness to support other writers in your department.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked alongside two other creative writers who were both very talented. We each had our own projects that we worked on independently, but when one writer was busy or needed help with their project, we would offer assistance. This helped us all meet deadlines and complete our assignments more efficiently. When working together, we also discussed ideas for new campaigns and ways to improve our current ones.”

When reading other people’s work, what is your process for providing constructive feedback?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach the editing process and your ability to provide constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you provided feedback on someone else’s work and what changes you suggested that helped improve the piece.

Example: “When reading other people’s work, I try to read with an open mind and look for ways to make the content more engaging or interesting. If there are grammatical errors, I will note them but focus more on helping the writer find ways to improve their writing style or voice. For instance, at my last job, I was working with a writer who had trouble finding the right tone for her article. After giving some suggestions, she found one that worked well and ended up getting published in a national magazine.

We want to encourage creativity within our company. How would you use a creative freedom day to generate ideas?

Creative freedom days are a common practice in the advertising industry. They allow employees to use their creativity and develop new ideas for clients or campaigns. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how creative freedom days work and what they’re used for. Use your answer to explain that you know about these types of events and how they can benefit an organization.

Example: “I’ve heard about creative freedom days, and I think they’re a great way to encourage creativity within an organization. During my last job, we had one every quarter where everyone could pitch ideas for our client’s campaign. It was a fun day because it allowed us to get out of our normal routine and try something different. We ended up with some really unique ideas that helped our client.”

Describe your experience with using technology to create and publish writing.

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with technology and how you use it in your work. They might also want to know if you have any special skills or certifications that make you a good fit for the role. When preparing your answer, think about what types of technology you’ve used in your previous roles and highlight any specific skills or tools you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using technology to create and publish my writing. In my last position, I worked on a team of writers who were all responsible for publishing our content through WordPress. I learned how to use the platform to write and edit articles, as well as upload them to the website. I also regularly used Google Docs to collaborate with other writers on ideas and drafts.”

What makes you stand out as a creative writer?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and talents. They want to know what makes you a valuable asset to their company. Before your interview, think of two or three things that make you stand out as a creative writer. These can be specific projects you’ve worked on or personal traits that help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I believe my ability to write compelling content is one of my greatest strengths. I also have an eye for detail when it comes to grammar and spelling. This helps me catch mistakes before they become major issues. Another strength of mine is my creativity. I am always thinking of new ideas and ways to improve existing ones.”

Which writing genres do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and whether you’re a good fit for their company. If they ask this, it’s likely because they need someone with specific writing skills. Try to answer honestly about what genres you’ve worked in before and how much experience you have with them.

Example: “I’ve had the most experience working as a copywriter. I also have some experience with blogging and social media content creation. However, I’m eager to learn more about other types of writing like web content and SEO.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of creative writing?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities as a writer. It also helps them understand what you value in your own work and how you might prioritize projects or assignments. Your answer should reflect your personal writing style, but it can also give insight into your overall goals for the role.

Example: “I think that creativity is the most important aspect of creative writing. I believe that writers need to be able to come up with unique ideas and write about them in an engaging way. If someone isn’t creative, they may struggle to find interesting things to say. They may also have trouble finding ways to make their content more appealing to readers. For me, being creative is essential to my success as a writer.”

How often do you publish your work?

This question can help interviewers understand your writing process and how often you publish content. You can answer this question by describing the frequency of your publishing schedule, including any specific details about what you published and when.

Example: “I usually publish one article per week on my blog. I also write for a few different publications that publish my work every month. In addition to these regular publications, I occasionally publish guest articles in other online publications.”

There is a trend in your chosen writing genre that you don’t agree with. How do you address it in your work?

This question can help an interviewer understand your writing style and how you approach trends in the industry. Use this opportunity to show that you are a critical thinker who is willing to challenge popular opinions or practices.

Example: “I don’t agree with the current trend of using emojis in creative writing. I think it takes away from the overall message of the piece, and it makes it difficult for readers to interpret what the writer was trying to say. In my work, I try to avoid using emojis unless they are absolutely necessary. For example, if I am describing a character’s facial expression, then I will use emojis to describe their emotions. Otherwise, I prefer to keep my work free of emojis.”