If you are someone who normally edits a story multiple times, writing a fast and dirty first draft during NaNo is awesome.
If you are someone who loves events because they are events, and you want that Finish Line, abso-frigging-lutely. Do your 50 laps and look for that checkered flag.
BUT! Even if you are doing that, I'm not in favor of fixating on 50K at the expense of who you are as a writer. There is no NaNo police.
I checked. If someone takes it upon themselves to tell you how it's not even NaNo if you don't do 50K, ignore them, btw.
For me, NaNo is what you make it, while writing in November.
NaNo is about setting goals, the follow-through and half-way decent interface to track it.
And to set the right goal for you, based on where you are in your writing development, your specific needs in October-December, and nothing else.
Yes, October-December, because I see NaNo as a 3 months process:
October: called Preptober is when you review your annual work, identify what you need done before the end of the calendar year, set a clear goal and prepare everything you need for a smooth sailing in November.
November: Writing (or editing)
December: Reviewing your progress, wrapping up or deciding on the next steps.
Next time I wanna talk about Preptober stuff and NaNo interface, but for now, I would really wanna you to think what goal just jumps at you RIGHT NOW. The most obvious one. Something you REALLY want to get done. And if you are comfortable with it, share!
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