Self-Contained?

[Kadaj]

Ok I'm entering RSOM but I'm wondering what it means by self-contained on the entry form

Does it mean:
A. you are limited to three volumes
B. you can't have prequels or sequels
C. the first 15-20 pages must be a complete story
D. other _________________________ (fill in blank)

(PS sorry if this feels like a test)

[Klawzie]

You're entering the RSOM so,

a) you are limited to 20 pages, not 3 volumes.

b) you can have a story that's a part of a bigger one. (Several RSOM winners have become part of Tokyopop's OGM line. - Dogby Walks Alone, Work Bites, and Van Von Hunter, to name three titles that pop to mind immediately.) However, it must be able to stand alone as a story all its own. No "To be continued!" no, "read the webcomic to understand this!" Nothing like that.

c) Yes.

[animevampire99]

Wait so lets say I am doing the beginning of the story and the main character finds out about this journey he must complete. His town is attacked in the beginning and at the end he makes it out of the town. He makes a statement like, I may have made it out, but I still have a long ways to go." Not the exact words but something to that extent. Is that too to be continued?

[PeterAhlstrom]

Yes. Your story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. That sounds like just a beginning. If people attack, and he defeats them and saves the town, that could be a complete story. Not particularly original, but complete.

[animevampire99]

The thing is that that would be way too cliche. Some of the winners of the competition didn't seem to have a definite ending. Maybe I will just make it where he says something like simple like I made it out alive. or something real simple were it seems like that was the main goal of the story its just that I have a good story (it's way more detailed then they town attacked, journey thing lol) and I don't want it to be squashed by that lame ending. He saved the town. end lol
Tell me out of the story I gave what would be the most continue hinting ending you could do. Like in beteween to be continued and the end.

[Klawzie]

How about you come up with another story that can be told in just 20 pages? :3 It's a revolutionary concept, but I assure you it works for many people. XD

[animevampire99]

hmm its a new crazy idea but it may just work lol hehe