[CONTEST OVER] JNC Original Light Novel Contest
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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.
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@Damon-Cavalchini said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@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.
Well said. It's been over a decade and a half since I last wrote seriously (thanks depression), and this really pushed me. Even if I don't get past the first round I am happy because I reached the three most important personal milestones:
- I went for it
- I finished it
- I'm happy with it
Regardless of whether I progress or not, I may keep on writing again. That for me is reward enough (though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervously anticipating the end of March!)
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@QuixoticHorizon said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
Well said. It's been over a decade and a half since I last wrote seriously (thanks depression), and this really pushed me. Even if I don't get past the first round I am happy because I reached the three most important personal milestones:
I went for it
I finished it
I'm happy with itRegardless of whether I progress or not, I may keep on writing again. That for me is reward enough (though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervously anticipating the end of March!)
Boy, do I hear you. I also stopped writing for years due to depression, and working on this light novel really helped me both physically and mentally. That's why I'm going to continue writing no matter what happens. I really poured my all into this story, and it's by far the best thing I've ever written.
On another note, is anyone else interested in forming some kind of writing group, so we can encourage each other, proofread and give feedback?
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@Alfaerin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
On another note, is anyone else interested in forming some kind of writing group, so we can encourage each other, proofread and give feedback?
I love this idea!!
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@Lily-Garden said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@Alfaerin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
On another note, is anyone else interested in forming some kind of writing group, so we can encourage each other, proofread and give feedback?
I love this idea!!
Me too. I stopped writing for much more boring reasons than others (life, work, family, mortgage, a desire to sleep and so on).
But also a lack of a network who were interested in what I write.
Just being able to say I finished and submitted is a big won and I’d love to chat/work that writes the kinds of things I like to read.
Most of the writing groups where I live are more ‘literary’ or have a very western approach to works (fantasy must be big and fat).
A group will keep me honest in way that my stuffed lizard does not.
If nothing else, that may be the legacy of the competition for me.
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@Damon-Cavalchini said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
(fantasy must be big and fat).
Interesting point. From what I've been looking at recently, although publishers generally seem to regard 60k words as the minimum for a novel, if it's fantasy then the minimum leaps to 100k "because of all the world-building that's needed". And that's the size of book where the production costs apparently start to go way up, which makes publishers more wary of taking it on.
On the other hand, JNC as a specific LN publisher, seems happy with fantasy works in the 50-60k range (or even 35k+, going by the competition rules), which is great.
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@Angelus I agree. Which is why a writing community that doesn’t just dismiss stuff as an overbloated novella would be great.
Plus light novels have their own rhythms and flows.
It is a pity isn’t the end of March yet (though that would mean I’ve basically missed several deadlines at work, so may it is good that it isn’t).
One of the weirdest things for me doing the competition this time was not have any readers I could call on.
Fingers crossed they run it again and we have a support group from the wonderful people in this thread already built.
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In the end I was very happy with what I wrote, even if there might still be some grammar mistakes or weird words used here and there. My story barely fits the word limit with 99984 words, but a limit like this actually made it more fun for me.
I thought I would at least submitt two works, but in the end I had so much fun working on this one alone that I completely scratched that plan.
Also I would be interested in what kind of novels you guys send in.
Since I did not want to write a story happening in a place with a culture I only knew from hearsay, I stuck to fantasy, even though the "fantasy" part is already gone -
Well, I submitted two stories. One That was basically finished when I learned about the contest, but the one reader took weeks to read it, and the other was a longer story I have been working on for over two years, which just finished a few days before the deadline.
I'm happy with how both turned out, and even if neither wins, I know what to do with both next.What I find really heartening to read is that many here managed to work their way a bit out of a depression just because of this contest. I would say that even if no one wins, THAT was really worth it.
I wish all contestants the best of luck!
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For me, there were two issues I had to overcome to participate in the contest.
First and foremost was the fact that I had yet to produce anything of sufficient length. My favourite kind of story to write (though not necessarily to read), is the kind that explores just a single idea or premise. When there's an idea that really strikes my fancy, and I have enough free time, I can "easily" crank out a novella in a week. (That doesn't happen often, though. Too exhausting.) But a novella does not a (light) novel make.
In the end, my solution to the first issue was tied up with the second issue I had to overcome: revision.
Revising my stories is something I've always dreaded, because I know that I'll end up being confronted with all my flaws as a storyteller. And if it hadn't been for the submission deadline looming, I would've never gotten around to actually giving it a go. But once I actually got started following the reminder of the deadline during last announcement stream, I ended up working on it obsessively over that weekend.
And so, both my issues were solved by revising my longest novella, and extending it to safely meet the minimum length requirement in the process.
And I'm honestly thrilled that I managed to do it. But I'm not sure it's something I'm in a hurry to repeat. I suspect life as an author is not something I'm cut out for. 😅
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Light novel submitted! It's pretty hefty at 99996 words but it JUST squeaks under the word limit. I wrote a sort-of genre-blended lovecraftian-mystery novel, myself, since I love mysteries and love lovecraftian stuff. I'm pretty proud of it, so I'm hoping for the best! I'm excited to see what everyone put in. Good luck to everyone!! (Just save some of that luck for me, too.)
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@Zepfur “Lovecraftian” is that like love with witchcraft? —and congrats!
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@jazzyjeoff said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@Zepfur “Lovecraftian” is that like love with witchcraft? —and congrats!
Lovecraftian refers to works that resemble or reference the work of 20th century American author H. P. Lovecraft, influential figure in creation of the cosmic horror subgenre. If you’ve ever heard of Cthulhu, he is the guy who created Cthulhu
“There’s always a story. It’s all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything’s got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky
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@Lily-Garden said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
@Alfaerin said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
On another note, is anyone else interested in forming some kind of writing group, so we can encourage each other, proofread and give feedback?
I love this idea!!
I think it is a good idea. I'd like to participate as a reader who can give feedback. I haven't had time to write.
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Me: crunches for the last week to get out the 40K word minimum I thought was required
Me: goes to upload last night, internet craps out Oh goddamn it.
Me: uses mobile internet to upload, sees minimum word requirement was only 35K words Oh for the love of...Lost & Found ended up taking much, much longer to finish than I would have liked, mainly because it took a while before the narrative coalesced together in a way that felt coherent and natural without feeling like I was rushing through both plot and character development. I still ended up rushing the early bits of the narrative, and had I had more time, I could have easily added another 10K words of early plot development (and definitely will if I win and JNC is willing to let me). As things stand, it's arguably only in the last 20K or so that the writing really hits its stride. Ah well, life happens.
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@Lily-Garden said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
Cthulhu
Well, if I am not getting smarter, I am getting dumber. And now I am a little less dumb! Thanks @Lily-Garden!
Edit: Oh wow! So that's where swamp thing was
stoleninspired from! -
@Ade said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
I thought I would at least submitt two works, but in the end I had so much fun working on this one alone that I completely scratched that plan.
Also I would be interested in what kind of novels you guys send in.
Since I did not want to write a story happening in a place with a culture I only knew from hearsay, I stuck to fantasy, even though the "fantasy" part is already goneI also thought about writing a second, shorter light novel, but couldn't come up with an idea I liked as well as the first one. My LN is also a fantasy story, which is my favorite genre to write. It's part fantasy exploration, part political intrigue, and part rom-com--basically, the kind of thing I would want to read myself.
@LunaNightshade said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
What I find really heartening to read is that many here managed to work their way a bit out of a depression just because of this contest. I would say that even if no one wins, THAT was really worth it.
Aww, thank you! That's kind of you to say ^_^
@WaterDweller said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
First and foremost was the fact that I had yet to produce anything of sufficient length. My favourite kind of story to write (though not necessarily to read), is the kind that explores just a single idea or premise.
Ahaha, I usually have the opposite problem. The last fanfic I was working on was 500+ pages, and still needs another hundred and fifty pages or so to wrap up everything. My biggest challenge was coming up with a story I could end in less than 100k words. The final draft ended up being ~93k words, and turned out really well.
@strangeattractor said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:
I think it is a good idea. I'd like to participate as a reader who can give feedback. I haven't had time to write.
Sure thing! Both writers and readers are welcome to join in :) I'm not too sure yet where exactly we should organize though, unless we just make topics on the "Other Discussion" forum here. Does anyone have any other/better suggestions?
Edit: Forgot to respond to this:
@WaterDweller said in [SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!] JNC Original Light Novel Contest:Revising my stories is something I've always dreaded, because I know that I'll end up being confronted with all my flaws as a storyteller.
It's easy to be your own toughest critic, but don't let that stop you from taking pride in what you did right. Instead of being frustrated that you're not as skilled as you wish you were, celebrate these flaws as an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. As I said in an earlier post on this topic, no one is born a greater writer. It's something you become by writing a LOT. No matter how flawed you feel your work is, I guarantee you that anything you put passion into will be worth reading.
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That's it, I'm done and it's submitted. All I have to do now is not look at it again because I've been finding a plot hole an hour today.
What to do next, though? Continue writing straight away or take a break? I have 4 more volumes of the novel I've submitted at various stages of planning, plus a (very) short story that I'm sure I could make into a short-ish novel. That one has turned into a sci-fi archeological mystery isekai horror story - I do like playing "will it blend" with genres. And then there's my ahem rather more adult output, the less said about that the better, I think.
Anyway, I'm certainly taking this evening off, so much wine and probably brandy too will no doubt be consumed. Cheers, everyone, and the best of luck.
