The NaNoWriMo project: collective creativity from the perspective of disorganization

Abstract

NaNoWriMo (an acronym for National Novel Writing Month) is a project that requires authors from all over the world to write a 50,000-word novel (approx. 175 pages), during the month of November. Participants must formalize their registration on the project’s website and progressively add the words they have written, which are tracked by a counter. However, NaNoWriMo takes place between online and offline spaces, as the project encourages fan meetings on official forums where they are encouraged to participate in collective writing sessions. As well as advancing and sharing in the development of the novel, fans create challenges and games that are incorporated into the plot. In a way, the exchange of information, mutual help, etc., that takes places during these meetings revives the idea of traditional literary gatherings while also incorporating the dimension of play and fun. As such, the most important aspect of the process is participation rather than the completion of the novel. In order to understand the defining characteristics of NaNoWriMo and to be able to frame it within the characteristics of ‘disorganization’ (Lash 2005), a series of participant observations were conducted during NaNoWriMo meetings and events in Madrid and Mexico City. The objective was to comprehend how this worldwide movement permits the study of questions of cultural criticism such as the concept of authorship, collective creativity or the impact of new technologies in the field of writing.