Onc2021 Stories

Jacob's life was supposed to go down a straight path. He had a beautiful fiancee, a well-paying job, a cool house, nice cars. Everything was perfect. But then his ex returned. Usually this wouldn't be a problem, he could just tell her to back off. Simple, right? No. Not when his hand could go through her body. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ONCAfrica 2021 first runner up! Featured on the official AmbassadorsNG account here on Wattpad! #20 in paranormal romance-February 2021 ©AOFunke 2021

Ever since Death got trapped in the mortal realm three years ago, nonstop famines, wars, and plagues have ravaged Earth. Shiori, a budding scientist with a love of snakes and a loathing for small talk, doesn't really care. She can deal with the constant pandemics, bombs, and spider/iguana/fruit fly/crocodile plagues, so long as it doesn't involve socializing with strangers -- the thing she hates most in the world. Too bad her new roommate is hot, suave, and super chatty. Even worse, he seems to have decided Shiori is the only one with the power to send Death back to the underworld -- and he'll stop at nothing to make it happen! **First place in The Punk Rock Awards 2022, Paranormal*** **Grand Winner of The Punk Rock Awards 2022**

[ONC Shortlist | ROUND ONE Top 5 Winner | Based on ONC2021 prompt #13] What would you do if you woke up in a fairytale? A young, fourteen year old Ruby-Rose wakes up in a medieval castle unsure how she got there. But soon, with the help of an unexpected chambermaid and a scary dwarf who isn't a dwarf, Ruby discovers the world is none other than that of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Except, this is not exactly the fairytale she's grown up with. Snow White isn't the sweet, innocent Princess but the Evil Queen herself, her seven dwarfs are in fact fearsome knights, and Ruby-Rose isn't your average human. [This is the first, original draft of this story, written for the ONC 2021. Coming SOON, the expanded version as 'Ruby Rose'.] FEATURED IN: Round One Top 5 - ONC 2021 Round Two Qualifier - ONC 2021 @classicauthors - Grimm Retellings and Other Fairytales (March 2021) @retold - Fractured Fairytales (May 2021) @retold - Book of the Month (May 2021) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Eva Acharya, 2021. Cover made using Canva Pro.

[completed] With his finals only six months away and his goal to complete thousand practice papers, remained unaccomplished, the last thing Yohan wanted to come his way was a distraction. A distraction that would make him feel guilty for doing something he was not responsible of and feel sorry for someone, he had not even spoken to in person! When her online class got bothered by constantly incoming messages, Anuthi decided to leave a message in a public WhatsApp group asking them to stop bothering her. And the last thing she wanted from that was to get cyberbullied. At first she did not care much about it! The upcoming exam was depressing her enough and she did not want anything else to worry her at the moment. But once she got to know the person that bullied her, her teenage heart was crushed in to pieces! It was her old crush with whom she lost ties with! Who knew such a nice boy could be that nasty! Feelings kept at bay and her suspicious mind awake, will Anuthi open her heart towards her crush that crushed her? Even if she did would Yohan accept her? Open Novella contest round 1 qualifier! Rankings ~ #8 in onc2021 #25 in firsts #1 in econ #1 in supporter

"Kidnapped by the police" Now that's something we don't hear often. Even much less "to another dimension where Cinderella could be your grandma." And Blaire Williams is fortunate enough to experience both. ~~~~~~~ "You're under arrest." I went still for at least a minute. The voice on the other side of the line coughed awkwardly. "What I meant by that is, if you don't answer the doorbell and open the goddamn door right now, then good luck replacing the latter." --- Open Novella Contest 2021

Every year since the second Open Novella I've kept a writing journal and this is the one for this year.

Whether it's your first time or your sixth 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 did it. 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

If you could live any life imaginable through the means of some coding and digital imaging, wouldn't you at least be intrigued to try it out? What started out as one company's venture into virtual reality and simulation experiencing, governments all around the world corrupted an innocent dream for the future of all humanity. Aurelius Corp. never intended its users to be trapped indefinitely in a loop of simulations, but the human mind always bends to the greed and promises that wealth brings. Skylar Oakley was one among the billions living in poverty who always dreamed of a better life. Aurelius Corp. developed the solution to Skylar's dream - a simple implant, operated by downloading a simulation onto the software to be run at the discretion of the user. However, as politics infiltrated and corrupted this idea for an occasional escape from reality, Aurelius Corp. sold the rights to their technology for unlimited wealth. While distracted by these alternate realities providing a better life for each individual, nobody questioned when everyone was subdued to the simulations indefinitely. After having lived through multiple lifelong dreams, Skylar began to notice some flaws within the system itself. Why were they so happy? Why couldn't they remember a time before the technology? Where was the exit to the program? Why did they want to leave the perfectly programmed life just to go back to the poverty, illness, and hate of reality? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is my ONC 2021 project based on prompt #79: "The Virtual Implant was supposed to be a revolutionary breakthrough; for a time, it was. "

Monique and James have just moved to the county, to a house on the border of a wood, a dark wood, filled with magic and mystery. ****** When a mysterious door the size of an apple appears in the back of the garage, 10-year-old Monique and James have to investigate. After freeing a trapped fairy, the small magical creature tries to recruit the kids for a mission to save the dark wood and the fairy folk who live there. Monique jumps at the chance, but James is reticent. What could a couple of kids possibly do to save magical beings? If fairy magic can't save them, how could a couple of city kids? Regardless of his apprehension, James finds himself following his bold step-sister into the wood, the dark wood where magic is real and murderous beasts lurk. #OpenNovellaContest2021 Longlist

** COMPLETE ** Gordon Twist gets a surprise note from a man who dies in front of him. No warning or explanation given. Who was this man? Who did he think Gordon was? And what does this note mean? Gordon is stuck in a nightmare. People want to protect him, but is that for his own good or theirs? This story was originally written for the Open Novella Contest 2021. It made it through to the Long List, which I was quite pleased with.

[Shortlist | Ambassadors Pick] Alicia DuMont is telling the truth. Unless you count lies of omission, which she decidedly does not. Twenty-four and finally standing on her own two feet as a hairstylist, she is surprised when she and her friends receive an invitation to the prince's Coming-of-Age Masked Ball. Knowing they are right out of the running for marriage to the prince won't stop them from having a little fun, though! Prince Alejandro has a truth he can't share: his country is weaker than it seems. At nearly twenty-one, his dream of marrying for love is tied up in somehow falling for a down-to-earth woman who can strengthen the monarchy. Hoping his Coming-of-Age Ball will throw such a girl into his path, he's determined to make the most of it. And when he meets the mysterious Alicia, he is immediately drawn to her. When Alicia and Alejandro decide to begin a relationship, royal conventions throw them straight into an engagement. They may be the epitome of poise and grace in public, but behind the scenes questions of Alicia's suitability mix with the threat of national unrest. Every day their connection grows deeper, but if they can't find a way to quiet the growing discontent, they risk losing not only their relationship but also their country. *** This story was written for the ONC 2021 based on prompt #87.

Welcome to the world of black and white martial arts epics of medieval Jawadwipa! Despite being the daughter of a white martial arts "pendekar", Wening was dead set on ditching the so-called 'noble path' for its darker counterpart. Her father decided to stick with those pretentious principles and now he was dead. Disguising herself as a young man, Wening roamed the land to find the perfect teacher of the black "silat" martial arts. Until one day, by a curious twist of fate, she stumbled upon Kelana Klawu, the mysterious "pendekar silat" whose deadly reputation preceded himself. *** Throwing herself to the ground, Wening groveled so low she practically kissed the dirt. "O' Venerable Guru, The Mighty Terror and Harbinger of Doom, please accept this humble one as your disciple!" Kneading his temple, Kelana Klawu groaned. "For a hundred times, I'm not your guru and I don't- can't- won't take any disciple," he sighed exasperatedly. "In fact, I'm looking for a teacher myself. A white martial arts guru." "WHAT?" Wening snapped her head up. "B-but... WHY?" "Believe me, you don't want me to be your teacher." "I don't?" "You're doing this because you heard I used to be an heir of a famous black martial arts school," Kelana Klawu said with a surprising patience, "but the truth is... I think I was probably adopted." *** [ONC 2021] Prompt #44 - Adventure/Action/Historical Fiction "When a raid on an enemy encampment goes awry, a child is taken in and raised by those they were brought up to believe were vile and monstrous." - ROUND 2 QUALIFIER - ROUND 1 Ambassadors Picks List

What should have been a simple task for a trio of ghost hunters quickly becomes something for which the term 'Worst Case Scenario' is the mother of all understatement.

"Its this way or the highway", he extended his hand from a hay truck he had climbed on. I contemplated on grabbing his hand and waiting on the highway for the next bus. "I don't have all the time of this world miss!", the driver shot back. "You heard him right?", he was grinning from ear to ear. "This is that last time, I swear!", I held his hand and he pulled me up into his embrace. The truck started moving but my heart had stopped beating for a moment. *** Meet Rhea, a simple Indian girl who has completed her education from a prominent college and is now working in a MNC. She is a obedient student and daughter all her life. Her role models a are her parents and she always want her life to be like them. She is the perfect daughter in law material in every parents eyes. Nachiket on other hand is a guy who swings on both sides of the scale. He is a bisexual and he has known it for a long time. He is a very free spirited person who loved to travel. He is also a rebel when things aren't his on side. He got along well with his parents as they always supported him in his dreams. He is a kind of person whom every parent would say: who will marry this guy? Rhea's and Nachiket's life get tangled unexpected ways. While they sort out their tangled life, Vihaan, enters their life to make things more complicated. ~~~ I hope you guys enjoy this story of a simple Indian girl looking for direction.

* Highest ranking: #1 Vampire #1 Dracula #1 BoyxBoy #2 Cinderella * Abused terribly since he was a boy, Kylo dreams of freedom. When his wicked stepsisters get invited to the handsome Lord Vincent's masquerade ball, the women believe they are going as potential brides. Forbidden to go by his evil stepmother, Kylo sneaks to the elegant manor to get a look at the mysterious lord. When he's captured for trespassing, Kylo fears a whipping yet the lord takes mercy upon him and invites him to the ball as his guest. As the night progresses, Kylo finds himself falling for the bewitching lord. Upon the stroke of midnight, Kylo flees from the ball, losing one of his gloves in his haste. When the lord searches the homes wanting to return the glove, he finds Kylo badly beaten. Realizing he is being abused, Lord Vincent returns that night to rescue the young man. Soon Kylo is pulled into a world of darkness, blood, and vampires. A sequel is available: The Angel And The Vampire. https://www.wattpad.com/story/288753789-the-angel-and-the-vampire-the-sequel-to-angel This is my second entry for the Open Novella Contest 2021. My prompt is number 32: "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe This is a Cinderella meets Dracula tale. Warning for typical Christine darkness, abuse, death, vampire stuff, sex, bad words, and other mature themes.

Ricardo Torres has spent most of his twenties chasing the bohemian lifestyle, right down to the paintbrush that seems permanently attached to his hand. In his quest to capture the damage wrought to his beloved Lake Fúquene on a canvas, Rico once again finds himself lakeside. However, he soon discovers that the lake has been hiding a secret beneath its waves. With the water all but gone, a stolen Botero sculpture emerges from the cracking, muddy lakebed. Shortly after the police are called, Detective Sonia Mendoza arrives on the scene, eager to warm up this cold case. But as soon as Ricardo and Sonia are back at the police station in Bogotá, they learn that the lake was hiding one more secret. Now this unlikely pair must team up to solve a mystery neither of them anticipated. [[[ONC 2021 Longlister]]] [Based on Prompt #5]

Entry for the Open Novella Contest 2021 All love stories come to an end and so must Logan and Cassie's. However, as they plan to take the big and hard final step towards annulling their sixteen-year-long marriage, life gets in the way to make things even harder and takes them on a strange and unexpected adventure. "The greatest thing about being kidnapped with your estranged lover is that you're forced to face all the issues you've tried the hardest to run from." Prompt 71 "This is our last dance, my dear," They say, to which you reply, "Then make it the best dance, my love." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Completed; 2/05/21 Word count; 30,000

[Entry for the 2021 Open Novella Contest with prompts 1 and 20!] "Truth is, there are no innocent people in this world. Never has been, never will be." Jude was born on the day when Alucinatio, the Star of Blood, lit up the night sky. Following the prophecy of the star, he was raised to become the great saviour of the sorcerer kingdom Mendax. And Jude became exactly that, honing his magical powers and challenging the reign of the Empire of Dorobo like a mere walk in the park. Despite having this popularity and praise, though, the empty Jude still desires something more than fighting the same enemies and saving the same people every damned time. And then everything changes after meeting Prema, a young lady of the Hantri tribe. Upon getting to know her, Jude becomes conflicted; Prema is nothing like the savages in the stories he's been told. In fact, Jude starts losing the ability to hold on to his beliefs. Should he trust his friends and family? Should he listen to his enemies? Through magical scuffles and internal struggles, Jude strives to figure out who he's truly meant to be, who the "good guys" of this world are. With rising tension between civilizations, however, such a task is way harder than it sounds. But then he learns the truth. The truth about the kingdom, the empire, and the tribe. The truth about magic in this nation. The truth about people.

It was like fate tying two pieces together, an unhappy beginning, an even less happy ending, and a few brief moments of happiness in between. As a child, Akari Lovell always heard stories of a spirit guardian that lived at the peak of Mt. Sintane. She always assumed it was nothing but a myth, a fairytale used to spark wonder in a young mind; but with nothing left to lose and nowhere to go, she attempts to climb the peak only to be caught off guard by a raging snowstorm. This is truly our last dance then, isn't it, my love?" Her sapphire eyes were bright with tears that threatened to spill. When she awakes, Akari is surprised to find herself in a warm cottage, with a small translucent blue rabbit offering her a warm drink and someone who introduces herself as Mahina. I pulled her closer, unable to do anything else. "If it is, then make it shine brighter than any other." Both have their secrets, but nothing can stay hidden beneath the light of the moon for long, especially when you're falling in love with your dance partner.