ONC Tips & Tricks for New Participants | Episode 0: Introduction

Welcome to The WriMo Blog where I share my monthly writing goals, project progress, and more! It’s that time of year again—it is time for the Open Novella Contest—hereafter referred to as ONC! If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know that I LOVE this contest! I have been participating since 2022, and this will be my fourth year entering.

I don’t want to bog you down with the sob story, so here’s the short version: 2021 was a very bad year—not just for my writing but also with real-life struggles. The ONC had already been on my radar, but 2022 was when I finally decided to join. At that point, my confidence in writing was already shattered. However, the ONC’s goal of 20,000 words felt achievable—a much more approachable target than the traditional 50k challenge I’d failed the year prior.

Fast forward to now, and I can confidently say the ONC has been a game-changer for me. It gave me structure, a manageable goal, and—most importantly—a supportive community. With this in mind, I want to help other writers grow their skills, discover the joy of storytelling, and beat Impostor Syndrome with a metaphorical bat.

In 2023, I shared a shorter version of this series with tips and tricks for ONC participants. While it was well-received, it was quite minimal. This updated series for 2025 expands on those ideas, incorporates another year of experience as a participant, and aims to be your ultimate guide to the contest.

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Disclaimers:

1. Affiliation:

   • This blog and its author are not affiliated with the official Open Novella Contest (ONC), Wattpad, its Ambassadors, or Moderators. I am not receiving any sponsorship or support from Wattpad or any associated individuals.

2. Community Sponsorship:

   • This blog series is made possible by the generous contributions from supporters through my Tip Jars. In a way, it’s “sponsored” by all of you amazing people who continue to support my writing journey. Thank you for making this series a reality!

3. Exclusive Early Access:

   • Buy Me a Coffee: You can become a Writing Month member through my Buy Me a Coffee page. Members gain early access to this series and updates on my personal ONC progress before they go public. Membership starts at just $3 per month and includes access to all exclusive content. Cancel anytime—no strings attached.

   • Ko-fi: Alternatively, you can support me through Ko-fi for $5 per month. This includes the same early access benefits as Buy Me a Coffee, with additional bonuses like shop discounts and exclusive perks.

4. Separate ONC Progress Updates:

   • While I will share my personal ONC progress with members, these updates are separate from the tips and tricks blog series. This keeps the series focused on actionable advice for participants.

5. Content Accessibility:

   • All posts in this series will remain accessible through a dedicated post index, allowing you to revisit specific episodes anytime.

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Photo by Dan Counsell on Unsplash

Why Join the Contest?

My top reason? You’ll have a completed story by the end! The milestone stickers and advancing through the rounds are just bonuses, but let’s be honest—they do wonders for your confidence.

Joining any writing contest is an incredible opportunity for growth, both as a writer and within a community. The ONC, in particular, offers a unique chance to:

• Improve your skills through consistent writing goals.

• Expand your audience and connect with fellow writers.

• Make lifelong friends and cheer each other on.

• Earn bragging rights for tackling and completing a major challenge.

I know not everyone is thrilled with Wattpad these days, and that’s okay! If you’re interested in the challenge but hesitant to join the official contest, stay tuned—I have something fun planned for writers like you. Keep an eye on this space for more details soon!

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What’s Next?

In the coming weeks, this blog series will break down everything you need to know to thrive during ONC 2025. From choosing the perfect prompt to polishing your submission—I’ll be sharing actionable tips, relatable anecdotes, and plenty of encouragement.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning participant, I hope this series helps you feel prepared and inspired to tackle the challenge. For me, the ONC has always been more than a contest—it’s been a source of motivation, community, and a way to rekindle my love for writing.

Let’s make ONC 2025 the best one yet!

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Are you planning to participate in ONC2025? Have you participated in past years or will this be your first time? Are you interested in the challenge aspect or the overall contest? Comment below!