Am I a rebel?
We get this question here a lot. The odds are not; there are some rules that people think are rules, but really aren't! So we're going to touch on the most commonly asked ones. The first rule of NaNoWriMo: If you think it's a novel, so do we. Some people like to know if they are or are not rebellious, though, so we'll let you know if you ask. If you'd like to know if something's against the rules or not, ask in the Rules and Regs forum.
Here are the basic rules for winning, as outlined on the How NaNoWriMo Works page.
* Write a 50,000-word (or longer!) novel, between November 1 and November 30.
* Start from scratch. None of your own previously written prose can be included in your NaNoWriMo draft (though outlines, character sketches, and research are all fine, as are citations from other people's works).
* Write a novel. We define a novel as a lengthy work of fiction. If you consider the book you're writing a novel, we consider it a novel too!
* Be the sole author of your novel. Apart from those citations mentioned two bullet-points up.
* Write more than one word repeated 50,000 times.
* Upload your novel for word-count validation to our site between November 25 and November 30.
What does being a rebel mean? Does this mean I can't validate, or use the site, or participate in NaNoWriMo?
Absolutely NOT! You are 100% welcome. In fact, you're so welcome we gave you this very shiny forum, where people won't accuse you of being a cheater or "not doing it right." Some rebels validate, others don't. We don't check, and we don't care! Some people feel that if they're not doing it by the book, they shouldn't validate. Those people will still get shiny green bars of completion once they hit 50k. Others feel they worked hard, and should get their purple winner's bar and winner's certificate.
Neither is wrong! This is a self-challenge. The REAL prize of NaNoWriMo is the accomplishment, and the big shiny new manuscript you have at the end. Everything beyond that is icing on the cake.
I won't be writing crap. I'll probably be editing while I write. Am I a rebel?
Nope. Writing crap is allowed... not required. Chris Baty asks you to give yourself permission to write crap... but you aren't required to write crap to win. Some of us even manage to churn out pretty decent drafts! Those of you who edit... you're not rebelling either. Editing is discouraged, but not forbidden, and only because when you edit, you slow yourself down and may end up bogged down in worrying about whether or not it is perfect. Plenty of people edit, win, and validate!
I'm writing fanfiction. Am I a rebel?
Not even a little. The only rule we have for content is that it must be fiction. Beyond that...
I'm writing a collection of short stories. Am I a rebel?
Probably not. There's no actual rule on this one. We define a novel as "a lengthy work of fiction." However, we the moderators feel that since you find short story collections on the shelves alongside longer works of fiction, if they're related, they count. They need to have some common theme, or linking thread that weaves them together that makes them a single, "lengthy work of fiction." Which leads us to the next:
I'm writing a series of unrelated essays/short stories/vignettes. Am I a rebel?
Probably. Again, there's no official rule on this one, but if you're just combining unrelated work to get the 50k, it's probably not a novel.
I'm writing a memoir/biography/guide to Europe/creative non-fiction. Am I a rebel?
Yes. Nonfiction is outside the bounds of the NaNoWriMo challenge. If it's not fiction, then it doesn't fall within the confines of "a lengthy work of fiction."
I'm continuing last year's NaNO, or another work I've been writing on before November. am I a rebel?
Yes. You have to start from scratch... scratch doesn't mean with nothing (you can plan), but it does mean that you can't start writing before November 1. To win officially, you need to write your novel, or at least the first 50k of it, between November 1 and November 30.
I started this idea, but it never got far. I won't be using the stuff I wrote, but it's the same idea and characters. Am I a rebel?
No. Ideas are fine! When you make biscuits from scratch, you sometimes use a recipe, and you don't make the flour and water out of nothing! As long as you set anything you've written aside, don't refer to it, and don't include any of the original prose... it's fine.
What if I don't finish my novel at 50k? Am I a rebel?
No. 50k is a threshold... not a limit. If you're a vet, you may remember when Chris encouraged you to hit "The End" on November 30, but that's not even recommended anymore. It's a great goal, but if you don't finish, you're not a loser. The goal is to write at least 50k.
I'm writing a script. Am I a rebel?
Yes. BUT, if you wait until April, you can join The Office of Letters and Light's other challenge, Script Frenzy and write a 100 page script in 30 days.
I'm writing a video game/drawing a graphic novel/poetry/music. Am I a rebel?
Yes. while these are incredible art forms in and of themselves, we focus on novels. Graphic novels are novels, but we don't have a way to validate them... it has to be text.
I'm writing my novel in journal form/as a fictional guide/in verse/insert other strange form here. Am I a rebel?
Is it fiction? Then no! We don't care what the format's like. If it's a lengthy work of fiction, we don't even care if you write it on stone tablets in unrhymed verse... it still counts.
I don't have a computer, and I'm handwriting my novel. Am I a rebel?
No. In fact, we even have a special clause for you handcrampers out there to validate. Check it out the Luddite Clause.
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, because you guys always come up with something to suriprise us. But feel free to ask your "am I a rebel" questions in this thread. We'll try to answer!
A brief word about Rebel etiquette:
OLL chose to call this section Outside the Box & this forum NaNo Rebels for very good reasons. It's for people all over the world who would like to join with other crazy/wonderful/terrifying writers to write 50K in the 30 days of November--but who will be doing it on their own terms. Marching to the beat of a different drummer. Having it their way. We could go on, but you get the picture, right?
We did NOT call it The Cheaters Corner, or The Fraud Forum, or the Wannabe Hangout, or... well, we could go on, but, again, you get the picture, right?
The good reason? First of all, we wanted to make this an inclusive event--but we chose the words we used because words are powerful. Using words with provocative, inflammatory connotations is negative. Please keep this in mind & respect the spirit of NaNoWriMo & the folks who use this forum when posting to this forum
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Heather Dudley
Forums Moderator
Liquid Story Binder, on sale for 50% off during November!
A Dragon Writes
21,753 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2009 - 14 59
Well I'm solidly in the "Yes" category. :)
Guys I think we need a theme song!!
Mostly because "he's a rebel, and he'll never ever be any good" keeps running through my head every time I hit this section of the forums, and that seems anti the spirit of the rebellion.
----------I blog! look out, world.
0 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 10 50
Hey all!
----------I'm def a rebel this year, I'm writing a guide to modern mythology, for those of us who really believe the magic in fairy tales and fantasy novels.
Work like its all you, pray like its all God
39,667 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 12 47
I am creating a lenghty work of fiction this November... in CARTOONS! :-D
So yes... rebel without a doubt! ;-)
(Did I mention that I LOVE this forum yet? I LOVE this forum!! XXX)
----------Tijdelijk lage verzendkosten boekje!!
22,058 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2009 - 19 29
And don't forget there's a special Rebel badge!
----------Pax,
(Blue/green version compliments of cherrycola)
Barb
0 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 00 16
Yes! I am a rebel! :)
----------Writers will happen in the best of families. -- Rita Mae Brown
40,869 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 13 49
MEEEEEEEE!
I have already written 3 chapters of the work I will be working on and it's second in a trilogy... not stopping between now and then... but there will definitely be at least 50,000 words to go (thinking it will be 90K and I'd like to FINISH it).
That said, my rebel roots run deep and I feel rather pleased to officially qualify as one.
----------www.waterytart23.blogspot.com
NaNo Newbie: Thought I was going to rebel, but as it turns out... I've got a fresh idea...
DENIABILITY: The mother of all conspiracies...
36,497 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 14 41
Woo hoo -- I'm a rebel too!
37,254 / 50,000
Oct 22, 2009 - 19 42
Special rebel badge!? Woo-hoo!
Yeah, I'm picking back up a story I started writing a year ago (not on NaNoWriMo), of which I only finished the first two chapters. I am waiting to pick the writing back up on 11/1, so the creative reboot will all fall within traditional bounds, but. Won't be counting those first 5000 words left over from before. :D
52 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 09 48
What about someone who decides to follow all the other rules but sets a lower word count goal? Is that a rebel or just someone who participated but didn't make it (even if they didn't even have the intention to try)?
----------2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008: NaNoWriMo winner
2009: editing Patterns and Turmoil (2006), writing Picknick i Björns Trädgård
"Writiing is the most fun anyone can have by themselves." - Terry Pratchett
24,003 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 11 16
Noora,
Not writing 50K in 30 days during November doesn't make you a Rebel.
Lots of folks don't make the word count. They write, have fun, use the forums, etc....they just don't make the word count & so don't receive the nifty "certificate" & don't "go purple". Some tried but couldn't--some just wrote how much they could & enjoyed the experience anyway. It's up to each person to decide these things.
----------~Mer
ML-Modesto Region, CA
Co-moderator: NaNo Rebels thread
"Put 'em up! Put 'em uuuup!!"
36,324 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 19 09
Cause: Getting to 50,000.
Effect of said cause: Feeling pretty awesome come December 1.
Mine's pretty much creative non-fiction about life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, spirituality, Jane Eyre, KFC, and Wheel of Fortune. In some particular order.
Happy writing, everybody! Rebels unite!
--Mike
----------"Don't think about what you're writing. The writing should tell you what you're thinking."
36,425 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2009 - 20 29
Definitely a rebel, and have been for the past couple of years. I first participated in 2007 and started my novel from scratch then, but each year I use NaNo to kick myself and add another 50k to it. Same story/novel, new 50k. I see NaNo more as a personal wordcount goal, because if I become a full time author like I've always dreamed of, I'm going to have crazier deadlines than just 50k in a month. Hopefully I'll finish this draft this year and then move on to the next one. Either way, I'll be pumping out 50k words!
52 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 01 14
That's not quite how I see it - the intention of 50k is the heart of NaNoWriMo to me. I know most participants don't even come close, but at least they shared the dream at one point. Maybe it is because I've won seven times, but I wouldn't feel comfortable about calling myself a participant if I didn't even intend to try reaching the 50k. It doesn't matter if I make it, it's the intention that counts. But maybe that's just me :-)
----------2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008: NaNoWriMo winner
2009: editing Patterns and Turmoil (2006), writing Picknick i Björns Trädgård
"Writiing is the most fun anyone can have by themselves." - Terry Pratchett
0 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 09 08
This year I'm planing on walking The Camino, 550 miles across Spain. I want to write about this trip and my inner journey or whatever comes out of it. Is not fiction but I need NaNoWriMo to keep on, I need the 50K words challenge to comeback home with something written. I'm joining this year as a memoir writer. What do you think guys????
----------MERCEDES
15,566 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 10 13
This year, I am a rebel. How fitting for me.
Thank you for having a special forum and badge for us rebels!
20,262 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 00 02
Me too! I'm a Reb
I'm a NaNo Nwebie too.
Started a novel at the begining of this year, to date am just short of 40K words. Going to work on this in november to give it a kick along.
Will start the offical word count whereever I am at 12am on November 1.
For the record it is a Sci-fi/Fantasy Hash with melodramatic leanings.
Cheers
Cat
39,667 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 11 52
I tend to agree Noora, if you set yourself a different goal that is less than 50K, but you do feel you win if you make that goal, than that makes you a bit of a rebel. Not just someone that didn't make the 50K, because you didn't set out for the 50K! :-) That's may just be how I see it though.
----------Tijdelijk lage verzendkosten boekje!!
15,162 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 18 31
I am a rebel! I participated last year and wasn't sure if I was going to this year, even though I liked the experience a lot. And then I attended a writers retreat and was inspired for a new writing project that I hadn't thought of before. We were talking about humor in writing and how people find other people's misfortunes funny. Well, I know there's a lot to laugh at with all my klutziness. So hooray for writing, even if it's not a fictional novel! I'm grabbing a rebel badge for my signature & my blog! :P
----------Debra
Blog- http://debrapantspublicdiary.blogspot.com/
32,755 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 02 35
Hi -
I'm a REBEL this year, wirting a project of 50,000 words + involving thoughts on love, living and cancer.
Thanks, NANO, for letting us REBELS use your system to push along intersting work.
Good luck to all!
Brushes from Brighton
(Any buddies out there?)
4,834 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 03 42
I think I count as a rebel, since I'll be writing about fiction instead of fiction :) How one small word can make a difference.
As for a theme song, I'm stuck in my head with Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
32,661 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 04 56
I'm writing two shorter books, so I'm a NaNoWriMo Rebel. Yay for Rebels!
(and yay for Dragonchilde for creating this area for us :-))
Debbie
----------NaNoWriMo comic **EVERY DAY** plus other writer comics: http://www.inkygirl.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/inkyelbows
Like my comics? Then pls donate: https://store.lettersandlight.org/
0 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 05 31
I'm not sure if I count. While I'm doing 500 drabbles of unrelated fan fiction, it is still fiction.
85,213 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 07 26
Start now and you'll be good to go.
----------“I love acting. It is so much more real than life.”
-Oscar Wilde
32,571 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 09 36
Thank you Heather, and OLL, for making space for all writers. It has always been my hope that this wonderful organization, to whom I donate every year (GET THOSE HALOS, PEOPLE!), find a way to be inclusive, and encourage everyone to write.
Especially creative non-fiction, which is my genre, since it is so similar to fiction, and indeed, is often confused with fiction.
Enough picking nits. Onward, to the writing and the counting! (Well, in a few days!)
----------;-D
Serena Mira Asta
Visit my blog! Forces Of Nature
Never place a period where God has placed a comma.
- Gracie Allen, 20th century American comedian
0 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 11 32
Yes! I'm totally taking a badge for my signature. Thanks for creating a space for all the outsiders to hang out together.
I'm a rebel by writing a graphic novel (though I call it comics because it's more serial than continuous). Actually... I might be more rebellious by writing into a project that already exists. Although I have no plot or sketches or even ideas for the pages I will write next month, the setting and characters are already fully fleshed out in previous comics.
But that's okay, I'm a happy rebel who doesn't care if she 'wins', just that she gets some serious work done. :)
----------my comics: http://latercomics.com
my twitter: http://twitter.com/darciefly
36,722 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 19 41
Oh my goodness! LOVE this forum!! Replied to a topic elsewhere but am so happy to find a forum just for us!
My project will be lengthy answers to journaling and autobiographical questions, which will become part of my "Life Story Project".
I've jotted down some topics to work off of, and am excited to get started!
I am soooo looking for and claiming the rebel badge!!!
NJHeart2Heart Dawn
----------NJHeart2Heart Dawn
REBEL WITH A CLAUSE
23,773 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 20 32
Yep, I'm a rebel this year! I'll be adding 50k onto a story I started on a couple months ago. I'm very excited to be using it for NaNo, since I just haven't been able to find time to write more into it here of late. (Of course, I won't be adding the previously written material into the wordcount! I'm not that bad. ;] ) Even if the rules say I'm cheating, I'll still feel like a winner if I can make 50k... and have a lot of fun, too!
0 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 20 56
I wanna be a Rebel! I wrote a novel-y thing last year and finished and it was exciting and fun, but I really want to use this more for art than writing. I'm planning to draw something every day for the month of November. I know it can't be validated but it will be a big accomplishment for me.
15,174 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 21 07
I'm definitely a rebel this year!
My book is a researched non-fiction book -- I plan to use the NaNoWriMo more like a NaBo(ok) WriMo -- to get me to write 50K worth of first draft.
I'm delighted to hear that I'm official, but not -- a Rebel! Yay for a rebellion within the rules, mostly.
E. Amber Drake
"A Coif of Camberyk"
PS - Hi AliskyeR!
17,019 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2009 - 21 21
Hi guys, I'm a rebel this year too.
I will definitely be joining the race to 50,000 words, but I can't give up on my WIP, so Rebel it is. 8-)
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