Write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.
That's a really simple rule to follow, right? Well, according to all the people who flood the rules forums with "exceptions" and are itching to start early and/or continue an existing project, this rule is kryptonite to the "spirit of Nano" that they're trying to harness for themselves. And I think that's exactly the problem with all the people wanting to bend and break the rules. They've come into Nanowrimo thinking that all it is consists of the enthusiastic community that gets built up in October and November and that everything else should be a free-for-all.
My take on it? There is no Nano police. You can do whatever you want. But--and this is a huge BUT--if you are not following the very simple rule at the beginning of this post, you are not following the challenge that is the whole point of Nanowrimo. Nanowrimo is not about writing well. It is not about the craft of writing. It isn't about editing. It is definitely NOT about the forums, support groups, or reveling in self-indulgent whining about being an artiste. It is not about writing outside the specified time frame because it doesn't conform to your schedule. Heck, Nano doesn't conform to anyone's schedule yet thousands manage to finish last year. It's about getting that novel DONE in ONE MONTH. Everything else is completely besides the point.
Yes, perhaps my opinion about what Nanowrimo really is about is cruel and not a little cold. But Nanowrimo is all about a simple challenge--you either do it or you don't. If you want to continue an existing work, start early, or write an opera instead of a novel, hey, more power to you. But it is disingenuous to claim you're doing Nano and ask to be an exception when you're not addressing the challenge at all.
I agree with you 100%. NaNoWriMo is about writing 50,000 in November. It's a simple rule, yet people insist on making it more complicated with a lot of needless problems. For me, working on it early is robbing ones self of the pride one feels when finishing the 50,000 words. It's a rush and the only real reward is the self-esteem and pride in the accomplishment.
But, hey, if they want to rob themselves, it's their loss.
Yes, the only reward is the accomplishment of meeting the challenge. Although in my case, I feel more a sense of relief that the whole thing is over than anything else...
I know, i have to say, I don't get it. Why join if you are not going to follow the rules, that is part of the fun. You have 11 other months to write whatever you want, whenever you want and how fast or slow you want, so why do it for nano? i don't get it.
I've been juggling all these ideas and characters in my head for the last eleven months, since the last nanowrimo. They are not going to have any presents open before that metaphorical christmas morning, no matter how much they whine. But then, I hate all those christmas decorations before halloween, too. It's cheating, and it most cheats the cheater.
