Novellas & New Roast: Tips from an ONC Winner
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Whether it's your first time or your seventh time, writing a novella in 12 weeks isn't easy.
As a 2021 ONC Winner and two-time Honorable Mention (2023/2024), I totally understand. After years of participation and reflection, I have lots of advice to share on how I wrote a winning novella and look forward to writing every year. Inside this guide, you can find everything from insider tips to craft chats to contest commentary.
So grab a cup, get your notebook, and settle in: it's time to start writing!
Copyright © 2022 Elle Chaika
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Bliss
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Mind the Gap | ✔️
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Skye and the City (A Romantic Comedy)
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2025 Boot Camp Mentorship Program
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A Spell Too Sweet [ONC2025]
Some spells need to be broken... before they break you. Laura Quillspell's greatest wish is to win the golden medal at the Harvest Feast dessert competition and finally defeat Ambrose Waycaster. But when the harmless spell she infuses into her chocolates turns into a potent love potion, she gains two unwelcome admirers: her exuberant best friend and Ambrose himself, her infuriating rival, who now looks at her as if she hung the moon. With less than a week left before the festival, Laura must undo her magical mess before she loses the competition, her dignity, and maybe, just maybe, her heart. --------------------------------- 🥇 ONC 2025 Round 1 winner 🏆 ONC 2025 Shortlister --------------------------------- This is my entry for the Open Novella Contest 2025, based on prompt 126: "Because you're you, and I'm me, and we just don't fit." - Idea of You, Book by Robinne Lee The present version is slightly edited and improved from the original that was entered into the contest. This novella is also available on KoalaQuill and (coming soon) on RoyalRoad.Concluída
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The Lease Up
Rescued from a blind date from hell, a career woman's one night stand with her would be savior has unforeseen consequences. **** Up and coming New York apartment manager, Vanessa Torres' life is going perfectly according to her five year plan. Well, everything except in the love department, but that will come later. On cloud nine from her recent promotion, she agrees to go on a blind date arranged by her friend. Little does she know her squeaky clean life is about to turn upside down, following a one night stand with a handsome stranger, who saves her from the disastrous set-up. Reputable, lease up closer, Gabriel Tate, loves to live life by the game of chance, with no long term plans in mind. Blessed with Adonis-like looks and a charming personality he's used to getting what he wants when he wants until one flip of a coin changes his life forever. Their lives become entangled in a heated competition to fulfill rental contracts for their respective employers, not to mention running in the same social circles within the apartment industry. They soon realize change and compromise are necessary not only within their careers but also life and neither expected to find love during the chaotic and dysfunctional rivalry. Open Novella Contest 2023 Prompts: #5 Flip a coin and make a life choice with it. Two choices, one coin, and no turning back. Do you dare? #25 "If he smiled at you, he'll break your heart. If she winked at you, she'll rip you apart. #39 On a blind date with a complete mismatch, you're increasingly uncomfortable , but too polite to leave. Then an attractive stranger comes over and gives you an out. © 2023 LJRaeConcluída
Stolen Heart
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Life cannot treat Alexia Grey any better. She has amazing family and friends and gets perfect scores. She is destined for great things. She has envisioned a life with her boyfriend, for whom she has sacrificed her entry to the state's best university. But fate has other plans. The perfect future she has pictured shatters into pieces one fateful day. Alexia Grey is a happy-go-lucky girl who has been dumped by her high school sweetheart. Things get more unbearable when it becomes the talk of the town. People either give her looks of pity or laugh at her. Left without a choice, she leaves for the city to start afresh. In New York City, she meets the cold and aloof Matteo Knight, whose mysterious vibe draws her towards him. Matteo is an introvert with great ambition. To achieve his lifetime goal of becoming a famous doctor, he refuses to get distracted by anything. As a result, he has grown distant from everyone around him. Enter Alexia Grey who has now become his neighbour. What kind of sparks will fly between a boy who is driven by his desire for success and a girl who wants a fresh start in life? *** [Open Novella Contest 2020] Prompt #61: After being jilted, you move to the city to hide your embarrassment, lick your wounds and start afresh. Started: 8 February 2020 Completed: 4 May 2020
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