nanowrimo_lj | Breakdown of the October Rules for 2008 (Reply)

Yes, we're there. And early in fact because we've been busier this September than we have ever been before. And I always love having fresh ~~meat~~ talent around. It makes the season fun each year.

So, tonight I'm going to start off with the RULES OF THE COMMUNITY FOR OCTOBER. And this post gets a date stamp of November 1st so that it stays at the top for the entire season.

Come November, there will be a new set, and it will replace this post at the top of the community.

And I apologize, but this post gets no cut (Rule posts never do). And it's long. But that's how it rolls here...

So... Rule #1...

NO TALKING ABOUT THE NANO WEBSITE

There seems to be a bit of misunderstanding about this rule. Yes, it means not talking about the status of the website on whether it is up or down or hacked or whatever. But it's also leaving posts about "Have you seen this thread?", "how do you work this aspect".... etc and so forth. This also falls into including e-mails that you get from being a member on the website.

Basically - if it has to do with the website at all... take it elsewhere.

Reason for this rule: A. We're not affiliated with the site. B. There are multiple communities for nano, and people love cross posting, so I'm not worried that your concerns won't be dealt with. C. it saves over 100-200+ posts a month from your FL.

Rule #2...

INTRODUCTIONS ARE DONE IN THE DAILY INTRO POSTS

I will put up a post every day. In that post, you will do your whole "Hi, I'm Jessica and I'm a NaNoholic" type deal. They are not to be done individual any longer. You all saw how SEPTEMBER was? Now take a wild guess how October will be without this.

Also - no trying to sneak an intro in with a question. They are separate things. Just ask the straight questions and not have a 4 paragraph preamble on who you are, where are you from, and what the kitten's name means.

This benefits you because it will keep people from skimming past your post, and want to actually reply. And you want people to reply, right? :)

Rule #3...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Golden rule, people. Treat others as how you want to be treated. Mods... *looks around* oh wait, it's just me... ok, I'M in charge...and I will be three things:

1. Straightforward
2. Firm
3. Fun

I can be your best friend, or you will hate me. And I won't apologize for my rulings because I will only rule on something that has been already started as a rule. I will also clarify things and explain them, not outright be pissy. However, I will also respond back with the same treatment as I'm given. My default is nice with an edge of blunt honesty, and that's what I ask all of my friends to be like with me.

This community is meant to be fun, and while I know everyone has their own rights to their own opinions, this is not a place for soapboxing your views on others. Ever member in this community is a friend, and if you can't say anything nice to another member, don't say anything at all.

And if you feel that you can not be a member of a structured community with rules that are enforced for only 2 out of 12 months, then I wish you best on finding another sandbox. But I'm the Queen of this Loony Bin.

And disrespect me? That's the only instant-ban offense. And I am not kidding.

Rule #4...

NO SPAM

As of now, there is no individual posts for pimping. And I'm not talking about hookers...

All mentions of "join this community" or "come visit this site" etc and so forth will be put into a seasonal consolidated post that will go up this weekend and will have a link HERE (obviously when it's up). Come December, this rule is removed until the following October.

That said - regional communities CAN be pimped in the regional friending thread as the regions go up.

Rule #5...

CONCERNING OTHER CONSOLIDATED THREADS...

If there is a post type that is consolidated, that type does not get individual posts. In October, there will be multiple ones. Only the mod will post these, and everyone else does their answers in replies.

This is the list, and tags for them will be in the sidebar of the community:

Daily:

Intros
Writer Prompts
Word Counts (November)
Excerpts (November)

Weekly:

Plot Help - yes. See this post for reason why.

Seasonly:

Friending Post
Pimp Post

And Rule #6...

I reserve the right to change the rules as the current season's community demands it. Being adding a new type of consolidate post, cutting off a certain type, etc. Sometimes I will vote (like I did last year with the plot helps) and sometimes I will make an executive decision. But again, I'm the Queen of the Loony Bin, and there is no committee.

I'm opening the post up for questions, but not comments. Questions I will answer as soon as I am able, comments will be screened or removed depending on their nature.

And as always, I really hope you are able to enjoy this community and use it to enhance your NaNo season. But I am also aware that some people are not comfortable with the structure here. NaNo is about having fun first and foremost. If you do not feel that you will have fun in this type of environment, you are more than welcome to join others and find a community that fits your needs. I won't be insulted, nor will I feel guilt. But I will wish you well, and good luck on your Nano.

It's almost October, folks. Let's get the party started already!