Tips for Writing for Special Issues

     These coveted issues receive some of the highest volumes of submissions. Coming up with something unique, something guaranteed to get you published, is more difficult than ever, as everyone pulls out the stops.

     Like many of my fellow Neopians, I spend months racking my brains to figure out what the best article, the best story, the best comic would be…

     And I failed. Suddenly nothing seemed good enough. So I took to the Neoboards, my go-to world of Neo-information.

     “What do you like to see?!” I asked them desperately, palms sweating, hoping that some lightning bolt of inspiration would shoot down from the sky and zap a genius idea into my brain.

     “Do you even care about the special issues?!” I queried, panicked that no one actually read the submissions, that no one appreciated the huge amount of effort put into every story.

     And one further, dangerous, scary question…

     “Do you even read the Neopian Times?”

     Flitting anxiously from board to board, asking my questions, I realised something. Every board had its own NT-related quirks, and each focussed on something different. Here I will summarise the findings from each board.

     Help Chat

     The first board I went to for help was, well, the Help Chat. Mostly, people didn’t read the whole NT, but only the Editorial. This makes sense, as the Editorial is where people queue up with their questions, waiting for TNT members to clarify, explain, and fix, exactly the same remit as the Help Board!

     Only 50% of the help-chatters said they cared about the special issues, which surprised me. One person said that they think the special issues only matter to people who are contributing to the NT, because they get better rewards. However, some said that issues with special themes, not necessarily the “big number” issues, were more interesting and enjoyable to read, especially for the comics. In fact, across all the Neopians I surveyed, the comics seemed the most popular section (aside from the ever-popular Editorial).

     In special issues, the Help Chat were particularly interested in seeing stories, with interesting themes and engaging writing, or clear, informative articles. So between the Editorial and articles, the Help Chat, perhaps unsurprisingly, wanted information.

     NC Trading

     The NC board expressed similar thoughts to the Help Chat – they read the Editorials, and sometimes the comics, but none of them cared about the special issues. The NC chat seemed the most lukewarm about the Neopian Times in general. However, they did like seeing special-issue content to do with items: one user said they wanted to see wearable issues surrounding certain pets addressed, or at least discussed. Another suggested they liked reading obscure facts about items or places in Neopia, and that this type of content seemed a bit of a lost art.

     Pet Trading

     On the PC board, most people said that they only read the Editorials, mainly due to rules being clarified there that weren’t available elsewhere on the site. However, there were a few Neopians who read the NT thoroughly every week, and some even wrote regularly for it too! Amongst a depressing dearth of NT-love, this was a light in the darkness. These PCers seemed more enthusiastic about the special issues, as they typically have more in them to read.

     They seemed most into the stories, which makes sense given their propensity for designing characters for their pets. It is surprising there isn’t more story-love on the PC. In special issues, they liked to see just generally a greater amount of well-written content. One user expressed extreme boredom with all of the special issue-related content that appears in the special issues (sorry!). Although their point is easy to see, it’s kind of fun to come up with something a little bit different, and having a number (or avatar!) to base an article, story, or comic around immediately gives you a little bit of inspiration.

     The Art Board

     And on to the Art Chat… these Neopians seemed the most excited about the NT, which isn’t particularly surprising due to their unbridled enthusiasm for art, comics, and stories, which the NT offers in abundance. Only a couple of Art Chatters said they didn’t really read the NT. On the whole, this board seemed most enthusiastic about the special issues as well, both for the fun of it, and for that special avatar.

     For special issues, Art Chatters wanted comics. Comics, comics, and more comics! They liked how comics got that little bit more creative in the special issues, presumably as everyone tries to pull out the stops. Again, some people expressed impatience with all of the issue-referencing within the strips.

     Tips for Writing for Special Issues

     Having figured out which boards liked the NT, and which were a bit “meh” on the whole idea, I drew together a list of ideal content for these special issues, from Neopians’ point of view. So if you’re thinking about writing for a special issue, consider these ideas!

     A Longer Editorial

     Ok, so I’m starting off by something that Neopians themselves can’t really influence much, as it’s all down to the lovely editors to decide on what’s in the Editorial and what isn’t. But with all the Editorial love from the Help and Pound Chat boards, there’d be a great call for special issues to have a super-special Editorial! More questions (and answers), more bug fixes, and more fun! So if you want the special issues to be extra special, send in those editorial questions!

     Item-Related Articles

     The NC Chat loves items, it seems, and who can blame them? Pretty dresses, evocative backgrounds, and sparkling markings – it’s every Neopian’s dream. This is what we begged for for years, the ability to dress our pets up. So if you fancy doing something a little bit special, write an article about a specific set of items. Some examples could include an article about the best contacts for your pet, or items you might wear to SDCC. This is a great opportunity for themed issues too! Send in Editorial questions about wearable placement, requests, and encouragement. Inspired by that utility fish? Write a story surrounding it!

     Comics, Comics, and More Comics

     The special issues usually have many more comics than a regular issue, so now’s the chance to flex your creative skills and show the world your talent! Have a great comic idea but can’t draw? Confident artist, but can’t think of anything funny? That’s fine! Remember, collaborations are possible. Just make a topic on an appropriate board (let’s face it, probably the Art Chat, who are comic-mad), and hey presto! Team up with your friends or get to know new people by collaborating with strangers – however you want to do it, make your comic stand out from the crowd. I’ve done this very successfully in the past, and it’s a lot of fun, and a chance to make new friends!

     Special Short Stories

     Stories are one of the more popular NT items, so why not take the opportunity to try it out? If there was ever a place for new, innovative stories, these special issues are it. The best thing about short stories is that they’re short – so you don’t need a big, long idea. One little spark of inspiration is all that’s required. If you’re a Pound Chatter, why not write a story about one of your pet characters? Are you an Art Chatter? Let your sketches come to life in words. NCers – how did the items in that perfect customisation come to belong to your pet? There are so many potential ideas. Can’t write, but have a great idea? Once again, collaboration is your friend!

     Things NOT Related to the Special Issue

     One of the biggest and most surprising things to come out of my research is the impatience with special-issue-related material. Try and think of something that little bit special, without having to resort to the same special number idea… ahem… well. Maybe not.

     All in all, there’s lots and lots to do for those Special Issues, and that shiny avatar. I discovered some great ideas while quizzing Neopians throughout the Neoboards for what they wanted, and I’ve shared those here. Which brings me to hidden option six (sorry folks, it’s already taken)… write an article about what to write!

     I hope that you find this list useful. When you’re sitting, like I was, curled up on your sofa on a chilly winter’s day, wondering what in Neopia to do, remember: anything you like.

     Find your inspiration, and you can do it!