Writers, I was close to finishing a chapter for a book I’m collaborating on, My writing was flowing and flowing.
I saved my work on the desktop of my laptop, but I didn’t back up my writing. I know, I know. I was too cocky and confident that my Word document would open the next day.
The next day, I clicked on the Word document and nothing. A message popped up, something about the ‘short cut’ being moved and can’t open. What the hell is this? What do you mean the short cut has been moved and can’t open? It’s not a short cut — it’s a Word document.
I frantically clicked and clicked and nothing happened. My mind raced, and I performed a search on my computer, nothing.
The only thing I can think of is somehow my PC tuneup wiped out the document, but even that’s a stretch.
I was overcome with grief. I sat in my chair and stared at my laptop’s screen. I wanted to cry. I wanted to shout (shock, denial, and pain). Sorrow turned into anger. I was mad at myself. I know better. I bought an external hard drive to backup my work. But maybe my document was still on my computer. Maybe, just maybe I could get it back. I promised to always backup my writing (guilt, anger, and bargaining)
Nooooooo! The chapter I put time and effort into was gone. I still don’t know how my document became a short cut. I know I saved it as a Word document; I opened it numerous times. Before I knew it, my head was on my desk, my fingers pulling at my hair (depression, reflection, and loneliness).
I lifted my head and took a deep breath. I knew I had to start over (the upward turn). It was time to open a new Word Document and recreate the chapter (reconstruction and working through). The chapter was ‘fresh’ in my mind. It wouldn’t be too difficult to rewrite. My fingers flew across the keyboard (acceptance and hope). A few hours passed, and I rewrote 95% of the chapter. Anxiety slipped away like a thief in the night.
After going through the stages of grief, I ate a Milky Way candy bar. It’s been a long time since I had that heavenly caramel filled candy. It was mouthwatering good!
Writers use the Following Three ‘Writing’ Saving Backup Techniques
SOS Online Backup (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Writers, you know how much work you put into your writing. You spend hours outlining and researching a topic. You conduct interview after interview. Finally, you begin writing.
Writers … Please backup your work! Below are three ‘writing saving’ techniques that will save you grief from losing your work.
External hard drive
External hard drives come in all formats such as desktop, portable, and mini. Prices range from $25 to over $200. I purchased the ADATA 500GB, 2.5″ Portable HDD Superior SH02 from New Egg for approximately $81.99. It hasn’t let me down.
New Egg has a wide variety of external hard drives. If you don’ see one you like, search Amazon or drive to Best Buy or some other electronics store and purchase one today.
Online backup service
One of the top 10 online backup services is MyPCBackup. They offer 100% automated backups, unlimited storage, 24/7 customer support, and much more. You can access your files anywhere (no file restrictions). Should you need to restore your files, it’s as easy as 1.2.3.
USB Flash Drives
A ‘jump drive’ or USB flash drive can save you grief as well. Prices for an 8GB range from $6.00 and up. A 16GB ranges from $12.00 and up. You can even purchase a 32GB USB for $18.00 and up; a 64 GB from $41.00 and up; and a 128 GB from $149.00 and up.
Email your writing
Writers, you could always email yourself your writing. This may seem farfetched, but you’d have copies of your writing in your inbox. With a click of a button, you could open your documents and save them on your desktop, folder, online backup service, or external hard drive.
Writers don’t lose your writing. Backup today!
Use two backup strategies such as an online backup service provider and external hard drive. Or, use an external hard drive and save your writing on your desktop or laptop (or in a folder).
It’s important to have at least two copies of your writing, especially when you’re a freelance writer. It’s never fun to call a client and say to them, “Um, those five articles you hired me to write. I saved them on my laptop, but I can’t locate the files.” Your client will probably think, “This sounds like the dog ate my homework excuse.”
Always backup your writing. Otherwise, you’ll end up eating a Milky Way too. Or worse, a pint of Ben & Jerry’s “Chocolate Therapy” ice cream.
What programs do you use to backup your writing? Share.
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