Rules, Regulations, and Other Minutiae

Every year, people ask the same question: Does what I'm writing count as a novel?

For the purposes of our specific, 30-day challenge, NaNoWriMo defines a novel as a "lengthy work of fiction." The short answer to your question is, if you think you're writing a novel, then so do we. As NaNoWriMo is a self challenge, only you, in the end, can decide if you're really writing a novel or not. After all, you only get out of the challenge what you put in!

Still not sure? Ask, and we shall answer!

From Dictionary.com -

NOVEL - "a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes."

FICTION -
1. the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form.
2. works of this class, as novels or short stories: detective fiction.
3. something feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story: We've all heard the fiction of her being in delicate health.
4. the act of feigning, inventing, or imagining.
5. an imaginary thing or event, postulated for the purposes of argument or explanation.
6. Law. an allegation that a fact exists that is known not to exist, made by authority of law to bring a case within the operation of a rule of law.

If you want to write something that falls outside the scope of NaNoWriMo, that's just fine, it would probably just be more honest of you not to validate at the end... after all, if you didn't stick with our few rules, then you really didn't "win" the challenge. We do ask that if you use our resources, that you consider making a donation... after all, we're entirely dependent upon your generosity to keep this thing running every year! Every little bit helps!

Everything you type into your file you call "novel" in November counts. This means:

Includable

Title
Epilogues
Prologues
Dedications
Introductions
Forewords
Afterwords
Epigraphs
Prefaces
Author's Notes
Endnotes
Footnotes
Appendices
Glossaries
Chapter titles
The actual prose

Things you probably shouldn't count:

Headers
Footers
Page Numbers
In-line notes that aren't a part of your final work

Things you can't count

Anything that isn't a word... graphics, charts, graphs, markup. Text only
Anything written by you outside of November
Blurbs
About the Author

If you are quoting other works (such as lyrics, poems, movies, plays, books, etc.) you MAY count them towards your final word count goal. (Whether or not the items are copyright and you're allowed to publish your book with such excerpts is an entirely different matter.) Opinions differ on whether or not this is ethical, so in the end, only count what you absolutely feel you have to.

I don't see why the author's name wouldn't count, but I'm leaving that up to you. It's important to note that this is not a "write 50k" challenge... it's a "write a novel" challenge. If it's not something that you would consider a part of a novel, then it's best to leave it out. After all, in the end, your real prize is your novel... and if you don't have a real novel, then you won't feel very accomplished at all!

(If you want to know anything and everything about the technical aspects of word counting, your excerpt posting and your profile page, check the Tech Help forum.

I would really enjoy doind this, but november is a really busy time for me during school.So is it possible to do it in any other month and still wiin?

I am sure there is a far better place to post this, but I cannot seem to find it.

I was wondering if the NaNoWriMo store ever closed. I purchased a winner's shirt and am so incredibly happy with it, I promised myself that if I finish my novel in the next month, I will get another something to treat myself. I couldn't find anything on the store closing after a certain date, but I wanted to make sure, just in case. =P

What if you had something happen to you in real life, and you want to write about it as your nano (I know this wouldn't count), but what if only half of it was true? Like my plan for it is I have the intro (not true) then alternate every other chapter between true and not true, would it count?

The FAQ section states

I wish I had known that before creating an account; I would have been a lot more careful in choosing a nickname to go with my email address.

Has anyone been granted the privilege of having his/her account deleted within a year so that he/she can use the same email address?

I'm just wondering.

this year i won so i didn't have any writing projects to do. i went to writersdigest.com and looked into promts because they're usually short and just give me something to do for the hour, well one of the prompts gave me a story idea and now i have the entire plot down and i'm in the middle of writing chapter one so i was wondering: how do you start another book info thing on here? can you have two books on here or can i just delete all the info for the book that i already won for and then just fill it in with the info of my new story?

For next year, am I allowed to join and participate in both the YWP and the regular NaNoWriMo? I'm within the age group for both, and I was able to do my 50,000 for November, but it would be nice to have all people my age to talk to and conspire with on the forums...

Anyway, there's my question. Have at it. Thanks.

-Kim(ko1o)

Dumb question. Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but...

Where do I find my author profile number?

I've looked for the answer to this, but I haven't found anything yet. Does publishing with CreateSpace count as using up the rights that publishers and editors want to get their hands on or could I still publish it?