[CONTEST OVER] JNC Original Light Novel Contest
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@admin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
one of the more error free stories so far also has by far the worst plot.
My absolute worse fear right now, haha. As Angelus said, thank god I haven't submitted yet, lol.
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I'm actually kind of amazed that so many people have such high word counts. I was struggling to write before but January has been kind to me and I'm at 25k so far and should make the 35k minimum in time.
But with some people having word counts close to 100k (or over before editing) I'm starting to doubt if my story is really as well thought out as I initially believed (in terms of being a complete story, I mean). 35k really isn't a lot in the long run (I read somewhere it's around 70 pages), so if I have to add some padding somewhere to reach the minimum I start wondering if it was really a full-story at all.
Well, I have hope that it will at least be interesting enough for the judges. I'm not arrogant enough to think I'll win (though it would be nice!) but I do hope to make it to the stage where samples are posted for audience feedback.
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@QuixoticHorizon said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
But with some people having word counts close to 100k (or over before editing) I'm starting to doubt if my story is really as well thought out as I initially believed (in terms of being a complete story, I mean). 35k really isn't a lot in the long run (I read somewhere it's around 70 pages), so if I have to add some padding somewhere to reach the minimum I start wondering if it was really a full-story at all.
I dunno, this is my first time writing longform fiction and I've decided that shit's weird.
I try to size my chapters around 2,300 minimum to 5,000 words maximum, I'm currently working on my second to last chapter (not chronological, I skipped some chapters in the third quartile of the book to make sure that my climax was written well before the deadline) and I was deeply concerned for the longest time about being able to add enough content to make it a satisfyingly sized chapter. I was going to stuff all sorts of anecdotes and other little things to pad it out, but now that I've written it out I'm at 2596 words and probably only two thirds of the way done so far.
I've come to realize that I'm terrible at estimating these things, and sometimes stuff that seems like they should be over real quickly just write themselves and suddenly you have to end up splitting your chapter into two.
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@QuixoticHorizon said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
I'm actually kind of amazed that so many people have such high word counts. I was struggling to write before but January has been kind to me and I'm at 25k so far and should make the 35k minimum in time.
But with some people having word counts close to 100k (or over before editing) I'm starting to doubt if my story is really as well thought out as I initially believed (in terms of being a complete story, I mean). 35k really isn't a lot in the long run (I read somewhere it's around 70 pages), so if I have to add some padding somewhere to reach the minimum I start wondering if it was really a full-story at all.
Well, I have hope that it will at least be interesting enough for the judges. I'm not arrogant enough to think I'll win (though it would be nice!) but I do hope to make it to the stage where samples are posted for audience feedback.
Well, “Animal Farm” didn’t break 30K words—so if you are really about word counts, relax—you’ve already beaten George Orwell—how hard could the rest of us be?
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@jazzyjeoff That's very true. I'm sure I just need more self-confidence in myself and trust in how I write.
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@QuixoticHorizon Hi there. I wouldn’t worry about word count. Stories take as many or as few words as they need.
So long as you are engaging and easy to read, that is the important thing.
One of mine came in 82,500 words because I wanted to ensure I met the complete story component. I actually know exactly where I would break it into two parts if that is easier to publish (and what I’d call the second half rather than the more boring part 2) :)
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@admin For those whose stories are chosen to be published, will we be allowed to make any changes before then? If mine is chosen, I would like the opportunity to write an afterword and a short story for premium bonus content if possible.
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To my surprise, I've actually managed to fix up and polish one of my manuscripts to a point where don't feel outright ashamed of its quality. As long as I haven't accidentally messed up anything on my final editing pass, everything is ready for submission.
Except for one thing. I can't think of a good pen name. 😰
Do I just use 'WaterDweller'? Somehow that doesn't really feel fitting for an author of a work that combines fantasy, adventure, romance and yuri. But then, a pen name wouldn't really come into play unless I make it past the initial stages, so whatever I choose might be all moot anyway...
Edit: I managed to submit it. Now, to resist the temptation to go back and read through the final manuscript, since I'd no doubt immediately start spotting tonnes of glaring errors and plot holes that weren't previously visible to me. 😅
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@Alfaerin any winners will almost certainly undergo a significant amount of editing and reworking before publication.
It would be a case by case basis but if the author wants to flesh things out or add new material, etc, that's all up for discussion with us before publication. -
@admin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@Alfaerin any winners will almost certainly undergo a significant amount of editing and reworking before publication.
I'm actually rather curious about how things will work in terms of the type of English used. I write in British English because it is what I grew up with and am used to, so some words have different spellings (colour being the most obvious one). Will the writer's choice be preserved or will it all have to be altered to US English?
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@QuixoticHorizon I use British English as well (being Australian) but I will happily change to whatever the publisher’s style guide says. Colour versus color doesn’t really worry me so long as it is consistent and the story still shines.
I’m more worried about whether the plot/story is good enough (which I have started to doubt since the moment I submitted) than whether it is textually perfect because, as mentioned above, the story is almost certainly going to be edited.
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@QuixoticHorizon said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
Will the writer's choice be preserved or will it all have to be altered to US English?
Interesting point. My story is set in the 19th century so I wasn't going to take the risk of someone else "translating" it from British English and adding 20th/21st century American buzzphrases in the process so I wrote it in US English to start with.
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@QuixoticHorizon for our translations we use American English (unless we make an exception for certain series), but if it's an original work I see no reason to force an author to use American English. It might make us harder to find an editor skilled in British English though...
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@admin Would that negatively affect the entry?
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@admin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@Alfaerin any winners will almost certainly undergo a significant amount of editing and reworking before publication.
It would be a case by case basis but if the author wants to flesh things out or add new material, etc, that's all up for discussion with us before publication.I know you guys are all anxious about it and that obviously includes me, but remember that they are looking for interesting stories and a good storyteller that they can publish. The quote above clearly shows that they expect a lot to change in our books if they are elected to be published, so it doesn't need to be perfect.
I would say don't worry too much and write to your heart's content and enjoy the ride. In the end it won't really matter if it is British or American English or if it is a short or long story. I certainly had a lot of fun writing my entry and I am definitely continuing whether they choose me or not. And that comes from someone who used to hate writing and reading when I was young. I may even start the second volume today. -
@GhostMechanic said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
I certainly had a lot of fun writing my entry and I am definitely continuing whether they choose me or not. And that comes from someone who used to hate writing and reading when I was young. I may even start the second volume today.
Yeah, I'm planning to continue mine as well regardless of the contest outcome, because it's been so good for my mental and physical health. Not to mention, my beta readers are really eager to see what happens next. I have the basic plots for the first five volumes planned, and I've already started writing the second one.
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@Alfaerin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
Yeah, I'm planning to continue mine as well regardless of the contest outcome...
I was just sitting there this evening wondering what I was going to do with myself afterward. So yes, volume 2 is beckoning.
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@Angelus - Me too. I started jotting some scenes down for the second book after I submitted. Initially it felt like I was jumping the gun but I have the outline for three books in the series (and maybe more editors, gods and readers willing) if things go well.
While they are linked, each story can be read as a standalone so it can’t hurt to have more ready to go.
My take is to write and leave the rest to fate. Even I don’t go anywhere in this round, I will have another book done for next time.
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I started my second book, too—and I haven’t even turned in book 1–but that is a good thing. I was able to rewrite some small details in book 1 that will make book 2 flow better. (Still hoping someone will proofread my final version—probably will throw in the towel on Thursday and just send it).
And I’ve almost finished my book cover! I might post it here without the title, since the works are supposed to be anonymous (assuming the mods are okay with it).
I know that winning works are supposed to get their own artwork—but it’s good to have a backup plan 😏—besides, it’s fun. Too bad, AI is making that skill sort of obsolete—I’ve gotten better at it. It’s not an anime type cover—though I might try to make a version that my Saint Princess Mia would approve of. -
Since there is apparently no confirmation of receiving entries, should it be okay to include name, pen-name and contact information in the document being uploaded? The non-confirmation of receipt of entries has me worried (paranoid).
