[CONTEST OVER] JNC Original Light Novel Contest
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Right, so the synopsis - I'm really glad I was able to start it today and not tomorrow!
I understand all the Freytag’s Pyramid stuff so I can easily write a 500 word synopsis, but important parts of it just wouldn't make any sense as the synopsis reader would lack the necessary background information. I can include that, of course, but it pushes the word count way beyond what it should be for a synopsis. On the other hand, I can't keep on saying "because reasons" all over the place, so any suggestions?
After reading something captivating, book lovers simply need to talk about it with someone.
—Tearmoon Empire -
@Angelus I cut a ton of context out of my synopsis, I figure they'll gain it back as soon as I read they read the prologue but I had to boil the setting down to its essentials to get it to flow, too hard to carry it otherwise.
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@Angelus a synopsis is like an elevator pitch; if you only have a minute or two to describe your story to someone, what would you say to them
They don’t need all the context, just the bare bones will do, maybe with a little flourish that clues them into the tone of the story
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@Angelus It was mentioned earlier in the topic that we can write the synopsis in whatever way we think will appeal to the judges most. I didn't want to put major spoilers in mine and ruin the story, so I wrote it more like an Amazon blurb instead of a true synopsis.
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@Hylebos, I simply deleted the things that didn't seem to make sense! OK, some significant points have gone now, but at least what's left introduces the overarching plot and the main characters and it reads well. It's still at 850 words, but I'm confident I can get it down to around 600 words tomorrow.
@Lily-Garden, @Alfaerin, a blurb is a blurb, a pitch is a pitch and a synopsis is a synopsis, they are all very different things which is why they have different names :) I've found it frustrating right from the start how vague the competition rules are, and this is no exception.
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@Angelus said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@Lily-Garden, @Alfaerin, a blurb is a blurb, a pitch is a pitch and a synopsis is a synopsis, they are all very different things which is why they have different names :) I've found it frustrating right from the start how vague the competition rules are, and this is no exception.
They may differ in length, style, and purpose, but all three words involve condensing a written work down to its key points. You may find the amount of flexibility frustrating, but it's in J-Novel's best interests to give writers as much creative freedom as they reasonably can.
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@Angelus I know what you mean. I cut my detailed synopsis back for both books back to around the 500-600 word mark.
They wound up being a hybrid of blurb, pitch and detailed synopsis. Effectively setting up the premise, introducing the characters and giving a overview of the plot (there’s a mystery, someone is kidnapped, our heroes have a kind of school reunion and it all culminates in them being locked in a room with a bomb).
It was more thematic than linear but important thing (in my mind anyway) was to show I had a defined ending. Our heroes survive (spoiler) and the villains are caught and brought to justice. Well, except one who escapes because, well, potential sequel.
Fingers crossed this is what they wanted. I almost went with a blurb style but that would have left too much unanswered about whether there was a completed plot or not.
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I'm too lazy to scroll upwards but if i may ask, is there going to be a similar contest someday in the future? (Also me coping if they will be extending the deadline)
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@atashisamasora If this contest is reasonably successful then it's likely, is what they've said before.
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@atashisamasora Definitely not extending deadline unless the website explodes in the final day.
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Just wondering, but is there a confirmation via mail if the work is submitted?
If yes, I did not receive one.(and I swear, writing a synopsis was the worst part for me)
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@Ade There's no confirmation via e-mail, just the confirmation after you submit the work. Plenty of people have asked about this, so if and when another contest is held I imagine JNC will add one.
On another note, is anyone else writing short stories to accompany their light novels? I have two planned and started writing one, but boy did it turn out much heavier than I originally intended.
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@Alfaerin I have a short story planned, but don't intend to start writing it until there's at least some sign that my submission even stands a chance. 😅
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@admin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@atashisamasora Definitely not extending deadline unless the website explodes in the final day.
I had planned on submitting last Thursday but ended up spending the past four days rereading it over and over and over. But after reading your “unless the website explodes” thing had me sufficiently panicked that I sent the damn thing off just now!
Cheers!
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@Alfaerin, I already have 3 other volumes planned for my novel, but I've also been thinking about a 5th volume that could be a short story collection with a common thread running through them.
@jazzyjeoff, for you own sanity, if you haven't already stopped rereading your story, stop right now otherwise you may regret it if you find something you wished you'd done differently :)
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It’s funny, I quit this a little while when I decided that there was absolutely no way I could hit the original 50K word minimum—but then they dropped it to 35K and I went back to work. My final word-count broke 47K!
But stopping and restarting was for the best, it helped me sharpen my focus and my story has a much better ending as a result. -
Finished and submitted today. I'm very happy with the end result, even if I know there are things I could have done better. It's a nice, cohesive story with a beginning, middle, and end, but still leaves room for expansion with future volumes if I am so lucky as to get that far.
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@QuixoticHorizon Ultimately I think that's what I will end up with. Checking my manuscript for errors right now and I've got a little over twenty four hours left. Good Luck to everyone!
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Twas the eve of the deadline
And all through the forum
People were chatting with a sense of decorum
One voice could be heard over the lot:
“Good luck everyone,
Can’t wait to read what you’ve got!!”😉 👏🎉 -
@Lily-Garden and everyone really. Fingers crossed for you all. Even if we don’t progress (though I’m sure many of you will), you still have a completed work.
That is something a lot of people can’t say.
While my experience is all in short stories and not novels, there are lots of reasons stories don’t go forward that have nothing to do with the quality of the work. In some cases it may just not fit what they are looking for
Celebrate your writing and submissions. That’s the best first step you can make.
Really looking forward to seeing what does and doesn’t make the mark.
