Random Thoughts

Panic in Authorland

Nearly had a melt down today. Went to open my current WIP only to discover that the file was corrupted and wouldn't open. I went to my back up file on the computer only to get the message "file not found". 365 pages. Lost. 132,000 words. Gone.





Not to be deterred, I went online and spent an hour downloading patches and security patches and anything I could think of that might help. Finally, one of them opened the file and I was able to save my baby.





*whew*





Now, granted, I have most of the manuscript here on WDC. Most. Not the most recent, incomplete chapter or the edits I've done or my thoughts on what might be coming. I've always relied on a single backup for my work with nary a problem. One on the computer and one on a memory stick. I've learned over the years that one just isn't enough. Today, even two wasn't enough so now it's four. One on the computer, one on WDC (private, my inner ramblings would scare you), one on each of two memory sticks.





Now, I just have to remember to save to each of them on a regular basis.





Well, the horror factor is now edited in ( I couldn't seem to move ahead until I did and now it's flowing again) and I'm nearing the first big part of the climax of the story. I have a small computer schtick and then a fight. Got a couple of pithy things to toss in for dialogue and then this chapter will be done. Then it's Walt's turn. Probably not as long a chapter. It's more up close and personal kind of thing and then two chapters of denouement and a wedding to plan. I'm hoping I can pull it off with a my grandson's birthday coming up, inventory at work looming and about a million projects I need to finish in the near future. Not to mention Wilding Heart is coming out soon. You can check it out and even read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/QQBuNE





Now, back to stopping world domination...