It is the season when news of the winners of the Spring Literary Contest are announced. Every year around this time, I am reminded that there are so many people who dream of becoming writers because they want to tell their stories. However, it seems that many more ‘potential’ writers lack the courage to do so, either because they lack confidence or because they rely on the excuse that they do not have the time or talent.
There are many paths to becoming a writer once you make up your mind. You can contribute your manuscript or proposal to a publishing company. You can start publishing on a platform or write on a blog and wait for a publisher to contact you. However, contests are probably the most preferred method for new writers as they provide a quick way for them to debut if they are selected and they can also expect prize money.
Fortunately, there are so many contests in the world. Many broadcasters, content producers, webtoon and web novel platforms, and publishing companies hold contests. If you haven’t completed your story yet, it’s worth taking a look at the circular story contest. Content companies hold contests for different reasons. This is to discover diverse and creative stories and characters, or to find writers with potential. You can also promote winning products or companies through contests, and actively communicate with consumers during the process.
However, from the company’s perspective, the contest is not always good. Aside from the sadness of the person in charge whose dark circles are increasing due to overtime work as the work to be reviewed piles up, the problem of plagiarism is burdensome. There are already many stories in the world, so it is not easy for the plot or characters to be completely new. However, when the material or characters of a newly planned work have some similarities with works that participated in past contests, plagiarism controversies sometimes arise. That’s why some companies don’t run contests even though they desperately need new ideas. Pixar, a famous animation production company, is famous for developing only the ideas of its internal employees without accepting any external suggestions, let alone contests.
When participating in a contest, there is no need to fear that your idea will be stolen. Contest managers, who have to review hundreds of works in a short period of time to find a story suitable for their business, have no reason or energy to remember works that do not match the direction. Also, some contests focus on discovering new artists with high potential, but in these cases, they do not covet material and projects that have not yet matured because they are concerned with exploring the potential of the writer.
To become a story writer for a movie or drama, you need to prepare a lot. You must create multiple stories and characters full of fun and personality, and develop your work through careful evaluation by mentors and experts. There are many cases where interviews or field trips are required, which are difficult for an individual to attempt. Networking with industry experts such as producers, writers, and directors is also useful. It’s much easier to overcome loneliness if you have fellow writers around you who have the same dream. Entering a contest such as Open, CJ ENM’s program to discover new creators, can help you grow as a writer.
There are so many contests, so if you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a writer, take courage and hit the keyboard. There is no need to try to follow the latest popular works or trends, and there is no reason to hide your individuality to suit the judges’ tastes. Just have fun writing your own story that you have in your heart. Because the world is looking for new stories with their eyes turned on.
Jongmin Lee, Head of CJ ENM IP Development Center
