Welcome back to The WriMo Blog and my ONC Tips & Tricks series! You’ve spent weeks writing your novella—now it’s time to polish your draft and prepare for submission. But editing doesn’t have to be a lonely process! In this episode, we’ll cover self-editing techniques, submission readiness, and the importance of engaging with the ONC community to support and be supported by fellow writers.
Editing for Impact
A strong novella isn’t just about getting the words down—it’s about refining them. Here’s how to approach the editing process effectively:
Take a Break Before Editing:
Step away from your chapter(s) for a few hours before diving into revisions. This distance will help you see your work with fresh eyes.
Focus on Big Picture Edits First:
Look for plot holes, pacing issues, and character consistency before worrying about grammar and sentence structure.
Does your story follow a logical progression?
Are your characters’ motivations clear and compelling?
Read Your Draft Aloud:
Reading your story out loud can help you catch awkward phrasing, unnatural dialogue, and repetitive sentence structures.
Use Editing Tools:
Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or Hemingway Editor can help flag grammar issues and improve readability.
Incorporate Feedback Wisely:
If you have beta readers or critique partners, consider their suggestions carefully. Not all feedback needs to be implemented, but recurring comments indicate areas for improvement.
Please note: Once you mark your entry as "Complete" on Wattpad, for the ONC, further editing is not allowed. Make sure your novella is as polished as possible before the final deadline!
Preparing for Submission Like a Pro
The ONC has multiple deadlines to keep you on track. Make sure you meet each milestone:
📌 First Deadline: Submit at least 2,000 words by the end of Week 4 (February 28/29 depending on the Leap Year).
📌 Second Deadline: Reach 8,000 words by the end of Week 8 (March 31st).
📌 Final Deadline: Submit your completed 20,000-word novella by the final submission date of Week 12 (April 30th). Note: You can go beyond this word count, but you cannot surpass 40,000 words in your entire novella.
Before you hit that submit button, make sure your novella is polished and meets ONC guidelines. Here’s a checklist:
✅ Proofread for typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting issues. This isn't just for the Ambassadors; Wattpad readers like a clean experience. This also gives you practice for when submitting to official contest channels or even publication queries!
✅ Check Word Count—ensure you’ve met the word count requirement for the deadline you're submitting to. As mentioned above, there are three deadlines, each with a specified word count requirement. Use the word count within the Wattpad interface as that is the number that is counted, not the counter from your document. Some formatting differences can slightly alter word count, so always double-check on Wattpad before submission.
✅ Format Your Story Properly—follow Wattpad’s submission guidelines. You can also add graphics and make the reading experience fun! I do this in all of my contest entries. Like scene breaks and chapter-title banners. I also like to add a banner at the end of each chapter, noting the chapter's overall word count. NOTE: Graphics in Wattpad tend to be calculated as additional words. So for every graphic you upload into the actual story page, subtract 10 words from your total.
✅ Write a Strong Synopsis—your story summary should hook readers. This can be difficult, but I like to write my summaries right after I've selected my prompt. And yes, it can change as you are writing your novella but don’t stress about making it perfect in the early stages—just focus on capturing the essence of your story.
✅ Ensure Your Cover and Title Are On Point—a good first impression matters. The phrase "Judging a book by its cover" still rings true. The cover and title is the first thing a reader (and the ONC Ambassadors!) see!
✅ Submit before the Deadline! Don’t leave it to the last minute! I ALWAYS aim to have my word count requirements before the actual deadline. The moment that submission form is open, provided I've met the word count goal, I submit!
Making the Most of the ONC Community
Engaging with the ONC community can make your contest experience even more rewarding. Here’s how to get involved:
Find Beta Readers:
Connecting with fellow participants can help you get valuable feedback before submitting your final draft.
Join Discussions and Writing Groups:
Participate in ONC-related forums, Discord servers, or Wattpad clubs. Engaging with others can boost motivation and inspire new ideas. Psst! I happen to have a community Discord and a TrackBear Leaderboard specifically for #20kin12wEH -If you're interested in joining, shoot me a message and I will send you an invite link!
Support Other Writers:
Reading and commenting on other ONC entries fosters a supportive community. Encouraging others can also lead to valuable connections and feedback on your own work.
Supporting Fellow Writers
The ONC is more than just a contest—it’s an opportunity to grow as a writer and uplift others in the process. Here’s how to contribute to a positive writing environment:
Give Constructive Feedback:
When reviewing another writer’s work, focus on specific strengths and areas for improvement. Instead of saying, “This is confusing,” try, “I wasn’t sure what the character’s motivation was in this scene—maybe clarifying their goal would help.”
Be Open to Receiving Feedback:
Remember, critiques are about improving your work, not attacking it. Approach feedback with an open mind and a willingness to grow.
Celebrate Wins Together:
Whether it’s hitting a word count milestone or finishing a draft, acknowledge the hard work of your fellow writers and cheer them on!
Editing and submission are crucial steps in the ONC journey, but they don’t have to be daunting. By refining your draft, preparing it properly for submission, and engaging with the writing community, you set yourself up for success.
If you’re participating in the ONC, or maybe doing your own version of the challenge, why not join my TrackBear Leaderboard and Discord discussion? Let’s connect, share our progress, and cheer each other on!
Stay tuned for the next episode! Until then, happy writing!
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