NaNoWriMo’s Stance on AI – and AI’s Stance on NaNoWriMo

A friend alerted me to changes at NaNoWriMo that are are, to be un-delicate, causing a complete and utter shitstorm among the writing community on X, and I’m sure plenty of other places, too. I’ve read NaNoWriMo’s Position on Artificial Intelligence statement, and honestly, it’s left a bad taste in my mouth.

As I pondered whether or not I wanted to remain involved with the yearly November challenge – a big decision since I’ve been part of the community for eleven years – I had a quirky thought. I’ve heard NaNoWriMo’s stance. I’ve heard many of the writer’s opinions in social media. I’m in the process of forming my own opinion. But there’s one voice that is missing from the situation – AI itself. I decided to have a brief conversation with ChatGPT. Full disclosure: I use ChatGPT to convert recipe measurements, and occasionally ask general questions when I can’t find a needed fact via Google. I never have and never will allow AI to assist me at any stage of my writing.

Here’s my conversation, which I am simply presenting without my opinion. You’re encouraged to form your own opinion and take whatever action you feel is appropriate, as will I.

Me: Does NaNoWriMo still require participants in the November 50,000 word writing challenge to upload their completed projects for verification?

ChatGPT: No, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) no longer requires participants to upload their entire manuscript for verification. In recent years, NaNoWriMo has changed its word count verification process to be more privacy-conscious. Participants now have the option to either upload their manuscript for a word count check or use a built-in word count validator on the NaNoWriMo website, which allows them to copy and paste a portion of their text to verify that they’ve reached the 50,000-word goal. This change was made to protect participants’ privacy and make the process easier and more secure.

Me: Are you aware of their new stance on AI assisted writing?

ChatGPT: Yes, NaNoWriMo has recently updated its stance on AI-assisted writing. As of 2023, NaNoWriMo explicitly states that while participants are welcome to use AI tools for idea generation or brainstorming, they do not consider works generated primarily by AI to be in the spirit of the challenge. NaNoWriMo encourages writers to focus on creating original content and emphasizes the importance of the human creative process in novel writing.

Their guidelines highlight that the primary goal of NaNoWriMo is to encourage participants to engage in the writing process themselves, rather than relying heavily on AI-generated content. This approach aligns with the community’s emphasis on creativity, personal growth, and the experience of writing a novel within a month.

Me: Do you have an opinion on that?

ChatGPT: I think NaNoWriMo’s stance on AI-assisted writing makes sense, given the event’s core values and goals. NaNoWriMo is fundamentally about the personal challenge and experience of writing a novel within a month, which includes overcoming creative blocks, developing one’s voice, and engaging in the often messy but rewarding process of storytelling. By focusing on human creativity and effort, NaNoWriMo encourages participants to push their own boundaries and develop as writers.

AI tools can certainly be useful for brainstorming, overcoming writer’s block, or generating ideas, but if used too heavily, they could diminish the personal growth aspect of the challenge. Writing a novel is not just about the final word count; it’s about the journey of creating something uniquely yours.

NaNoWriMo’s guidelines reflect a desire to maintain that spirit of originality and personal achievement. Ultimately, the approach seems to balance the benefits of modern technology with the event’s traditional emphasis on human creativity, ensuring that participants still have the opportunity to develop their own writing skills and voice.

Me: I wasn’t sure what you would say, since you are AI.

ChatGPT: I can understand why you might be curious about my perspective on AI-related topics, especially since I’m an AI myself. My goal is to provide thoughtful, balanced insights that align with the context and values of the situation. While AI can be a valuable tool, especially for brainstorming or overcoming creative blocks, I recognize the unique value of human creativity and the personal growth that comes from tackling challenges like NaNoWriMo. It’s all about finding the right balance and using technology to enhance, rather than replace, our creative experiences.