Chapter 1: Meet Ruby Noir

Ruby Noir 😈 is an intriguing individual whose writing captivates many. But how well do we really understand her? This quiz provides a unique opportunity to dive deeper into her world. I've been following her journey for quite a while, from her impactful stories about trauma to her invaluable pet advice when my husband and I welcomed our kitten, Huey. Now, I'm excited to witness her quest for lasting love.

If you haven't explored her personal essays yet, I encourage you to join in and then take a moment to answer the following questions. Let's put my knowledge to the test!

1. My true name isn't Ruby Noir. What inspired this name?
   1. It's inspired by my hair color.
   2. My brother concocted it.
   3. It relates to my birthstone and the French term for night.
   4. It was completely arbitrary.
2. In my posts, I refer to myself as the…
   1. Madam of Misery
   2. Mistress of Murk
   3. Madam of Madness
   4. Mistress of Mayhem
3. True or False — My writing style closely mirrors how I converse. Reading my work feels like listening to me speak.
4. True or False — When assigning fake names to real people in my narratives, I retain the first initial of their actual names.
5. I frequently write about three significant traumatic experiences from my life. One involved a form of dance that I was skilled at but despised, leading to it feeling torturous. Which dance was it?
   1. Tap
   2. Ballet
   3. Gymnastics
   4. Ballroom
6. True or False — All the Ruby images are digitally manipulated versions of myself, yet they each reflect aspects of my true identity (the Ruby images are featured pictures).
7. My recent writings explore the complexities of loving two men—one I reside with in Manhattan and another I met on Medium, which ended, yet I can't seem to let go. What names do I use for these two individuals?
   1. Pete and Robert
   2. Parker and Ryder
   3. Paul and Ryker
   4. Payton and Rowan
8. There's a label that I frequently receive based on my writing that I dislike because it isn't accurate. What is this term that I actively dispute?
   1. Strong
   2. Brave
   3. Recovered
   4. Woke
9. The reason my trauma narratives often repeat is:
   1. It's therapeutic, and I need to keep expressing it.
   2. I omit certain details, causing my writer’s mind to feel incomplete, leading to constant reattempts.
   3. It uplifts my spirit.
   4. I want others to recognize they're not alone.
10. True or False — I once produced numerous articles on pet advice but ceased when I was informed I could no longer work as a vet tech, which made me feel fraudulent.
11. The phrase I often use to characterize my existence is:

1. Born to Suffer
2. Born to Die
3. Born to Break
4. Born to Bleed

12. My prompts often stem from a random thought, yet I typically intertwine the three subjects I studied in both undergraduate and graduate school. What are those subjects?

1. Philosophy, Psychology, Criminology
2. Creative Writing, Biology, Linguistics
3. Science, Psychology, Zoology
4. Criminology, Biology, Zoology

13. I conclude nearly all of my Manhattan stories with the same two words. What are they?

1. We'll see…
2. Who knows…
3. It continues…
4. Stay tuned…

14. Two phrases appeared in EVERY introductory note I wrote for my prompts to the point where I joked about needing a hoodie with them. One was "Nothing that I do is accidental nor ever quite as it seems." What was the other?

1. The only rule is there are no rules.
2. Whining at me will get you mocked and blocked.
3. Playtime in my sandbox will leave you feeling dirty.
4. Don't try to decipher my mind — it's perilous in there.

15. True or False — I often make intentional grammar choices that are incorrect, irritate Grammarly, and if editors change them, I revert them back.
16. What I’m most recognized for on Medium is writing that is extremely…

1. Blunt and Antagonistic
2. Funny and Satirical
3. Raw and Painful
4. Dry and Sarcastic

17. Why did I decide to change my name on Medium? (Select all applicable answers)

1. To write candidly about my mother without her discovering it.
2. Some colleagues found my writings when I used my real name, making it uncomfortable to discuss my traumas at work.
3. The persona of Ruby empowers me to share my story more openly as I can hide behind her.
4. Ruby embodies qualities I lack, which is evident in her images.

18. True or False — I create the Ruby images myself.
19. What is the title of the book I'm currently writing (which prompted my transition from daily prompts to weekly and then monthly themes)?

1. Memoir of a Childhood Lost
2. Memoir of the Unwilling Prima
3. Memoir of the Unwanted
4. Memoir of a Life Never Lived

20. This question pertains more to me, but I frequently write about it. How many times have I experienced death in my life?

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four

So, how do you think you performed? Very well! 😊 However, a few questions left me puzzled. I didn’t conduct any research.

For Ruby's original quiz without answers, please refer to her profile and explore this incredible publication.

I’d like to acknowledge the participants and supporters of my diverse challenges who allow me to tag them. Please show their stories some love! If you wish to be added or removed from this list, simply ask in the comments or send me a note. I regularly update this, and I apologize if I’ve overlooked your request. If that’s the case, please give me a gentle reminder.

Ruby Noir, Randy Pulley, The Sturg, Harry Hogg, Susie Winfield, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Trisha Faye, Paula Shablo, Brandon Ellrich, Ravyne Hawke, Karen Hoffman, Vincent Pisano, Michael Rhodes, Bruce Coulter, Rachella Angel Page, Lisa Guard, Dixie Dodd, Adrian CDTPPW, Leigh-Anne Dennison, Barry Robinson, Jerry Dwyer, Jennifer Dunne, Lynn L. Alexander, Julia A. Keirns, Emma Vincent, Frances A. Chiu, John Welford, Misty Rae, John Hansen, Zaq Cass, John Hua Technology ☕️