How to maintain the authenticity of stories in the face of jury expectations?

Participating in a writing competition means embarking on an adventure that is both personal and public. For young authors, it’s often a first step toward literary recognition. But this path raises a crucial question: how can you remain true to your inner voice while meeting a jury’s expectations? In a competition like the

https://prixclara.fr , which promotes literature written by teenagers, it can be tempting to adapt your style or subject matter to what you think is “expected.” However, it is oftenauthenticitythat makes the difference. Here are some ideas for thinking about this delicate balance. A Jury’s Expectations: Framework or Straitjacket?

A literary jury is not a rigid entity. It is composed of sensitive readers, attentive to numerous criteria:

the quality of the writing: clarity, richness of vocabulary, rhythm

• the coherence of the story: structure, progression, controlled ending originality: angle, perspective, subject addressed
• But there are also implicit tendencies. Some themes are more frequent than others: ecology,
• questions of identity, family dramas… This can create pressure, often unconscious, to write “in tune with the times.”

The result: we can start telling a story not because it moves us, but because we believe it will please. This is where the risk offormattingbegins. Authenticity as the driving force of literary emotionYet, what truly moves a jury is rarely a story that meets expectations. It’s a sincere text, carried by the right emotion, a unique voice. Several winners of the Prix Clara testify to this: they did not write to seduce, but to express something personal, sometimes difficult, often true. It is this vulnerability, this literary honesty , which gives strength to the story.A fragile, imperfect, but sincere story often has more impact than a technically perfect but distant text. Authenticity then becomes a real asset.

How can you preserve your voice without excluding yourself from the framework? Being yourself doesn’t mean ignoring all the rules. Rather, it’s about finding a balance between free expression and the demands of the narrative genre. Here are some guidelines:Choose a topic that moves you,

not an “intelligent” one intended to impress.

Don’t write to prove that you’re mature. Sincerity is much more convincing than complicated turns of phrase.Accept your uniqueness.

Your world has value, even if it’s different. Experiment:free structure, first-person narration, personal journaling, poetic form… dare! The key is to respect the basics: a beginning, a development, an end, and overall coherence. The rest is up to you.The jury, an ally rather than an obstacle

It’s easy to imagine a jury as a harsh censor. In reality, most juries—especially the Prix Clara juries—are open to a diversity of forms, subjects, and voices.

Their role is to

detect the intensity of a story,

• not to tick off a list of fixed criteria. They are often moved by what breaks the mold, what shakes things up, what sometimes disturbs… but with precision.Every year, atypical, raw, and sometimes daring texts are published. This proves one thing:
• being yourself isn’t a risk, it’s a blessing. Writing truthfully means writing powerfully.
• Writing for a competition is a demanding adventure. But instead of trying to please, it’s often more powerful to try tosay something essential. Emotion, sincerity, and a personal perspective are literary strengths, not weaknesses. The jury isn’t looking for a role model. They’re looking for a voice.
• Yours.