Hi,
Totally new to Talkback and Writers Online, so apologises if this point has been already been answered somewhere, but I'm a budding (hopefully soon to be blooming) writer, and I'm looking to enter a competion for the first time.
It is the Dark Tales competition, and the Word Count states 1,500 - 1,700 word limit.
Is this limit the maximum amount of words - i.e. any script shouldn't exceed approx' 1500 to 1700 words, or must you write exactly between 1500 and 1700 words?
Thus, if I had a script of 1350 words, would this suffice, or would I need at add a few hundred to comply?
Apologises for the seemingly silly question, but I couldn't find any answers on the site, and hoped someone who is a bit more informed on entering competitions will be able to cast some light on someone who is fumbling about in the dark, and can't even find the match!
Also, any other tips or advice anyone can provide on entering competitions would be much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
Comments
If it's under the minimum most competitions would not let it progress because you've failed to follow the rules- you've also wasted your entry fee.
Padding shows up, instead look for anything you could expand within the existing text.
The best piece of advice is read the rules and make sure you follow them, then before you submit it, check again and ensure you've not missed any.
If you target the right readers, I'm sure there are plenty who enjoy gritty stories.
You might want to be a bit wary of self publishing this novel when you are trying to place a novel in the same genre with publishers. Having an 'extreme' one already out there may colour their view of your next one, which you say is less extreme.