Okay, I've been working on a short story, and three times now my computer appears not to have saved the latest version. AAARRGH! It's kind of a soul-sucking experience. The thought of going back and trying to make all those little changes, the thought of all that time and energy spent trying to find the exact right word gone to waste! I remember most of what I wrote, I _think_, but right now, i don't have the heart to go back and do it.
GRRRRRR...!!!
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
You have the same model computer I do. But I think *(#)*(*)&(*) is a registered trade mark and I would use it with caution.
I think everybody knows what it is like to lose some work, and feel reluctant about doing it all over again.
On the otherhand, I have read that some authors tear up their first drafts and start from scratch, knowing they will write the story clearer the second time as they have a fuller concept of the story itself, now that it is finished. Also they won't get hung up trying to correct some of their earlier, clumsy phraseing.
I don't espouse this method myself, but I hope it is helpful to point out that some people do this all the time.
Masochists probably.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Lol, yeah, I thought of that. But at least they're doing it voluntarily.
Or maybe I _am_ looking at this the wrong way. Maybe my computer knows how to write better than I do and this is its subtle way of telling me what I had was crap, and that I need to start over.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Commiserations, annepin. I can certainly understand losing heart about writing this story yet again. Maybe if you take some time away from it, and see if it demands to be written again.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I agree with Kathleen. Everytime I step far enough away from a story to write at least one new one, when I come back, I come at a different angle and only make it better.
Posted by WouldBe (Member # 5682) on :
Anne, are you sure you're opening files from the same place your computer decided to save them? I don't know what word processor you're using, but most have a 'recently opened' feature. That should show where they were saved. You could use the file browser search to look for them; you might get lucky and find a temp file.
Sorry if that is too basic; I don't know what your computer experience is. If your computer has a slot for flash cards, you could just leave one in and use it as a backup-drive for current projects. (Or use a USB flash drive to the same effect.)
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
When you've got something in a reasonably complete version---print it out. Then you've got something that can't be lost in the bowels of your computer---though it might disappear in the clutter of your office.
(Me, I do that---then write out the next version based on that printout. I like to consider every sentence when I'm revising, and retyping them helps me do that.)
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Thanks for the advice. WouldBe, I'm pretty proficient with computers (I was using Word on Mac Leopard) but I'm still convinced there's a certain amount of mojo involved. I appreciate your insight, though. This issue is further complicated because I actually emailed myself the file when I left work yesterday so I could continue to work on it at home. I did "save as" and gave it a new title, but I did it so unconsciously I can't retrace my exact steps at this point. Anyway, when I get back to the office I will check to see if the right file is there (crosses fingers!) Hm... maybe it's because I was being naughty and writing fiction at work...
Posted by WouldBe (Member # 5682) on :
quote:Hm... maybe it's because I was being naughty and writing fiction at work...
Oooh, a clear case of a Karmic-file-deletion. You need to get a Windows PC, Anne. They don't have Karma.
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
Annepin I, too am on leopard.
You may not have tried this: if you open the file viewer for your disk (just double click on the disk icon), then look in the nav pane on the left; under 'search for', choose either, today, yesterday or the 'past week' as appropriate and you may find it.
This tracks modified files and will allow you to browse the changed files on your system.
Spotlight may do this as well, but if all else fails install Google desktop and index your computer, you will find it then.
Leslie
Oh and I would chalk this up to a gruesome kind of virtual graft vs host disease where the Evil Microsoft Spawn attacks the Pure and Innocent Mac. ;-)
Posted by Rhaythe (Member # 7857) on :
I love my leather paper journal. Never needs a virus check. Never needs to defragment. Never crashes.
Okay, so making duplicates for back-up purposes isn't as easy. I'll grant you that one.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Let me guess, you have windows Vista. I had XP before and never had a problem. Vista has left me wanting to punch a hole in my screen.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Which isn't at all healthy for screeny-substances.
I mean one punch and poof... Well, actually its more of a crash and an electrical shorting sound that cannot, by the English language be spelt. Or at least not while effectively bringing the shocking sensation to life for readers, as it were.
I think that this is something that should be addressed, really. I mean: would you spell it Pffft! Or zaaap! I imagine it sounds more like the former but feels much more like the later. Then again, I think zaaap! has been made into a cliche don't you?
Does anybody have any suggestions on its proper spelling. Or better yet, any suggestions for a cure for this strange mood I find myself in... Haveing been consequently, pffft zapped, by punching my vista run monitor?
The author takes no responsibilty for this posting, or for anything else for that matter. Any subsequent, confusion, pain, loss of mental aptitude, or diarrhea, is totally your own problem.
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited October 26, 2008).]
Posted by Rhaythe (Member # 7857) on :
quote:Let me guess, you have windows Vista. I had XP before and never had a problem. Vista has left me wanting to punch a hole in my screen.
Mmm, Linux... Posted by Inkwell (Member # 1944) on :
quote:Posted by Patrick James: Does anybody have any suggestions on its proper spelling.
Grrshiizzzkkkrunch would be my suggestion.
Inkwell ------------------ "The difference between a writer and someone who says they want to write is merely the width of a postage stamp." -Anonymous
[This message has been edited by Inkwell (edited October 27, 2008).]
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
That suggestion borders on brilliance. Reading it, I almost had a relapse, as I relived the event. Pardon me, I have to comb my hair back down.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
quote:Mmm, Linux...
Yay for free-thinking basement programmers who give us everything we want for free... forget that it's glitchy, frustrating, and incompatible with most in-demand software ... it's free!
[This message has been edited by Zero (edited October 28, 2008).]
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
quote:I love my leather paper journal. Never needs a virus check. Never needs to defragment. Never crashes. Okay, so making duplicates for back-up purposes isn't as easy. I'll grant you that one.
I know what you mean. Don't you sometimes feel like the computer, with its infinite backups for very little space, spread over redundant harddrives, thumbdrives, and cd's... doesn't it feel just a bit too ... magical to be real. Like at any moment the hardware/software combination will implode and we'll realize all along that it was too good to be true.
This subtle but maddening fringe paranoia makes me uncomfortable until I have a physical printed out copy of my manuscripts. Forget that it can be stolen or burned... it feels tangible and unbreakable.
Posted by Rhaythe (Member # 7857) on :
quote:forget that it's glitchy, frustrating, and incompatible with most in-demand software
Guess it depends on what works for you. I've never had a problem since RedHat 6.
quote:Like at any moment the hardware/software combination will implode and we'll realize all along that it was too good to be true.
I don't feel like it's "mine" until it's in hard copy. I'm not saying I don't use the computer, as I do. But the hardbound leather journal feels more real, and feels like it's more of an accomplishment.
I'm pretty good about backing up my work on the computer. But yeah, I have the habit of printing out hard copies as soon as I get to a good stopping point just in the fear that, like you said, someone waves a magic wand and technology goes away.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
My husband forwarded the "GM versus Microsoft" thing that's going around email, and I thought it would be fun to share.
Rather than posting it (because it may be copyrighted), I've provided a link to one of the places on the web that has it, so y'all can just go read it.
I thought it was great, and SO on topic.
Posted by dreadlord (Member # 2913) on :
wheres part two? that is hillarious!
take that, Microsoft! go apple!
Posted by LAJD (Member # 8070) on :
OMG, I think I read that a couple of years ago, but the was pre-vista. This is side splitting now!
