Kate Warren

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Excerpt

Myths about NaNoWriMo

11/6/2014

2 Comments

 
I admit it: I get annoyed when people bash NaNoWriMo.  Not because they are bashing it--I generally don't care what other people think anyway--but because 99% of the time they are spreading false information.  Really, people, how hard is it to go to the website and do a little basic research before posting on the subject? Hmm?  Is it too much to ask that you maybe get your facts straight instead of posting based on misunderstandings that you got from other people and didn't bother to check for yourself?

Anyway, I want to take a moment to address some of the more pervasive myths associated with the annual event that most non-writers think of as "November."

Myth 1: You are supposed to write a whole novel, but only 50,000 words, which is not long enough to be a novel.

Truth: Uh, no.  You are supposed to write at least 50,000 words, which is the traditionally defined minimum threshold for a work of fiction to be considered a novel.  You are not prohibited from going over that amount.  You are not required to finish the novel within the 30 day period.  I have one I started during NaNo that is now over 172,000 words, and the first draft isn't even done yet.
Most novels these days are in fact longer than 50,000 words, but that does not make shorter books un-novels somehow.  The market does not change the definition.  And some of the greatest works in the history of literature come in at around or even a bit below 50K.

Myth 2: NaNoWriMo is all about writing crap, it says so on the website!

Truth: Once again, no.  Great use of selective quotation on this one, but no.
2 Comments
Melanie Winrow link
11/9/2014 01:45:27 am

Well said! I couldn't agree with you more. Depending on what happens in the next few days I MIGHT be a late starter (even if I have to set up a new account!) I still love NaNo (and thanks for keeping me on your buddy list) but my current circumstances preclude me doing it right now. I just don't need to add any MORE stress to an already hellish year. I've done it in 56 hours before today so it's never to late to join ... and thanks to NaNo I've finished several books. i think one of htemain points is to get into the habit of writing every day. Once hte first draft is done then it can be edited ...

Speak soon, I hope
Take care and Good Luck with Nano

Reply
Kate Warren
11/13/2014 01:27:34 am

Thanks, Melanie. Were you able to see all 5 myths and their refutations? It was all there when I posted, but today I can only see the first two myths, and the beginning of the refutation of myth 2.

Until I get this figured out, here's a link to a similar post I did last year: http://www.thekatewarren.com/blog/top-5-myths-about-nanowrimo

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