[CONTEST OVER] JNC Original Light Novel Contest
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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.
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Now that I'm done and the contest is basically at its end, I'm more willing to share the general premise of the two stories I submitted.
By Honor Bound - Consent. That is what separates volunteers versus victims in the great system of inter-dimensional summoning. In all too many instances, those so summoned are given no choice about whether to assist their new world with whatever crisis de jure threatens it. Even worse, many such summonees are barely more than adolescents, wholly lacking in the training, experience, and indeed maturity needed to handle their newfound responsibilities without suffering significant mental anguish. No proper polity can tolerate such treatment of its citizens and retain its right to govern, and the Sol Imperium is no exception.
Captain Konrad Schwarz of the Imperial Gendarmerie is a seasoned veteran, with over half a decade of experience under his belt. He is also a Pathfinder, a specialized officer of the law trained to be deployed whenever the Imperium intercepts a summoning that would otherwise kidnap one of its unwary citizens. Instead of unprepared civilians being thrust into danger, a Pathfinder brings to bear the fullness of the Imperium's magical and technological prowess to complete their primary objectives. First, determine if the summoning authority is engaged in voluntary recruitment or forced impressment. Second, determine if there were any past victims and what fate befell them. Third, determine if the threat the summoning world faces could leak back through to the Imperium itself. And once these three tasks are complete, Konrad must make a choice, whether the new world he finds himself in is worthy of the Imperium's aid, or deserving of the ultimate sanction for the wrongs committed against those that came before.
Lost & Found - Mackenzie is no particular stranger to loss. First, she lost her life to a literal knife in the back, but she found herself given a second chance with a new life in a new world. Next, she lost her ostensible family, when her parents sold her into indentured servitude, but found her first true friend amongst the other forced servants. Then, that sole companionship was lost when the monster of a noble that owned them both took her friend's life, but Mackenzie at least found vengeance when she burned the man into ashes.
Having lost so much, Mackenzie did not expect to find anything else she would want or care for. Instead, she was the one that was found. By those that treated her as friend, as family, even as love. And just as Mackenzie finally started finding a chance to use her past knowledge in biology and chemistry to better things for her family and friends, and perhaps even her new world, a new threat that reeks of that same otherworldly knowledge emerges. Mackenzie is no stranger to loss, but she has already lost too much. This time, she refuses to lose anyone else.
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Alright, I went ahead and made a thread on the Other Discussion forum for discussing writing. If we end up needing to find another venue to organize, we can do that at a later time. Hope to see everyone there!
https://forums.j-novel.club/topic/7788/jnc-writing-support-group
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@zwabbit, just forget the competition and take my money :)
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I went ahead and submitted my novel, it came out to 88,659 words in the end. Please look forward to Awakening of the Amaranth Shade: They Built a Theme Park Atop the Ruins of My Fallen Kingdom?! I’ll Protect the Promise as I Seek the Truth Behind the Collapse! if it passes the second round of judging!
Also, I didn't see it shared here, but JNC posted on their twitter a means of verifying your submission if you feel paranoid:
At the moment there is no confirmation email upon submission, but if you wish to check you can email us directly at contact@j-novel.club with the email address used for the submission!
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Thanks so much for this! They were very quick to send out the confirmation (thanks J-Novel!).
It was so stupid how geeked out I was when I got the confirmation! 🤪
