Wednesday, December 5, 2012

IWSG: A Save That Didn't Save

Today is Insecure Writers Support Group Day, the brain child of Alex J Cavanaugh where a whole lot of writers post about their insecurities (or encouragement), once a month, and get support from fellow participants.
 

Ever been kicked in the gut? Not really, physically kicked, of course, but sure hurts like a physical kick. Ever worked all day for nothing?
Yesterday was my write at the library day. I had planned to do the edits suggested by my TWRP editor. I arrived at nine with lunch in hand, planning to spend the day and make headway, if not complete the process.

Simply put, I was making slow, tedious progress, giving a lot of brain power to my revisions and feeling pretty good about them. It’s my custom to save every few minutes, just a habit I’ve developed over the years. Unfortunately, my so-called saves didn’t do their job. I have nothing of my edits. Not one well-thought-out, improved word. I’m so ticked. But worse, I feel defeated and I hate feeling that way.
A few weeks ago, I had computer problems. It's possible there's still a glitch. How do I find it?
Have any of you experienced a save that didn’t save? What causes it? Why? How can I avoid it?


7 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

I haven't had that problem but can imagine out irritating and frustrating it could be. I did once make changes in a manuscript at work, then end up copying the version from home over the new one, thus losing all the edits. I generally save all changes to two different files, one on the harddrive, one on a data stick.

Unknown said...

Computer glitches have robbed me of work I tried to save, though not a whole day's worth. I'm sorry to hear it, Jess, and I know how painful the experience is. Why does it happen? You'll have to ask a PC expert. Start saving your files to a jump drive. It's tedious but will avoid loss. At the end of the day, save the file to a web email acct.

Jessica Ferguson said...

I've figured out what happene--I think. I've jumped back and forth between my husband's laptop and mine because of all the problems on mine. I wonder if Windows 7 and my Vista are incompatible. I don't know -- maybe. I'm really paranoid now.

Lynn said...

Oh gosh, how aggravating. I have no idea how that happens. I am going to school to learn some things about html and all that stuff - and if I come across anything useful, I'll be sure to let you know! Try again though, the next edits might be even better.

Maddy said...

Unfortunately I have no idea either. My computer drives me bonkers, although now I use Scrivener that helps to not lose the material. I was interested in your PG 13 work / group.

As for defeatism, it's hard to fight, but it never looks quite so bad the next day.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Lynn - I hit the edits yesterday though I have to say... my heart wasn't in it. :) I have a hate/love relationship with my laptop.

Maddy - the PG-13 group? The one we're talking about on the AHA loop? doesn't look like it's gonna fly. The reason I wanted to be part of the PG13 group is because I don't want to promote erotica. I don't know anything about Triberr or I'd jump in there and start a tribe but it would be the blind leading the blind. :/

Unknown said...

I've definitely had saved work not save when using MSW. I've felt great about getting a good revision accomplished but come back to it the next day to find the new parts are NOT THERE! Eek! It usually happens when I've made many, many changes to a chapter. I get around this now by always saving (copying & pasting the chapter) to an online site before I close the document.

I'm so sorry your work was lost. :(