Back up your files and write down those ideas

We are reminded time and time again to back up our computer files. How many times do we forget? I forgot once and lost two chapters of a manuscript I was working on. It took my husband hours to retrieve it and I still lost several paragraphs that I had to rewrite. Now, I save and back up my writing every time I write something. I probably go to the extreme because I have one main copy and two back-ups, one of which I carry with me everywhere I go. Yes, I am paranoid that something will happen at home and want to make sure I have a copy elsewhere. So, here is your friendly reminder to back up your work now.

My other advice is to write your ideas down immediately. I have a bounded book of blank pages, a writer's journal of sorts, that I keep by the bed. This is for those ideas that I get when I'm in bed watching television, trying to go to sleep, or that pop into my head in the middle of the night.

A few weeks ago, I came up with an idea for the manuscript that I want to work on during NaNoWriMo. I wrote that idea down in that journal. Last night, I was in bed on the verge of falling asleep when I came up with the back cover blurb for that manuscript, along with a working title, and names of characters. I was awake enough to think to myself that I needed to turn the light on and get that information down in the journal. But, I was sleepy enough to tell myself that I would remember it in the morning. Not only did I not remember it this morning, I didn't remember about it until just a few minutes ago and guess what, I don't remember the blurb, the working title, or the character names.

Hopefully, tonight when I lay down to go to sleep, those ideas will pop back into my head again. My advice is no matter how sleepy you are, write those ideas down now or regret it later.

Carol

Update

Since I was home alone most of yesterday afternoon, I was able to work on my WIP. I'm proud to say I got 7 pages written yesterday!

Carol

NaNoWriMo

If you don't know, NaNoWriMo stand for National Novel Writing Month and that month would be each November. The goal is to write at 50,000 words in the month on a novel and I have participated in NaNoWriMo since 2004. In order to make it to the 50,000 word mark, you should write at 1,666+ words a day. You wouldn't think that sounds like many, but with working full time, it's hard to get it in.

My personal goal each November is to use NaNoWriMo to give me a jump start on a new manuscript. I have never made it to the 50,000 word mark in the month, but I have been able to complete two manuscripts that I started. My novel, "Love, Lies & Deceit" was my NaNo novel from 2004 and it was published in 2009. My current manuscript, which should be finished by the end of this month was my NaNo novel from 2006. I'm hoping to start pitching it around to publishers next month.

I didn't think I would participate this year because I had not come up with an idea for a new book. However, ideas seem to come up when you least expect them. Last week, I was watching television when an idea just popped in my head. When you get an idea like that, you must write it down immediately, which is what I did. It was a good thing too, because an hour later, I had forgotten much of the idea.

Now, that I have an idea so far in advance, I can start working on characters, location, plot, and an outline. All that pre-work is allowable in NaNoWriMo. As long as you don't actually start writing, you can do all the advanced work that you want. It really helps to have so much of that done by November, so then all you have to concentrate on is writing.

Carol

A new cell phone for me

It's time I upgraded my cell phone. It's not that I am on it all the time, because I'm not, but my phone is falling apart. I think I've dropped it one too many times. It's a flip-phone and the hinge is barely hanging on. When I open it, I have to snap the top part back into place every time.

So, the search is on to pick what kind of new phone I want to get. I want one where I can manage my social network sites when not at home and also can check my email during the day, both work and personal mail. My family also likes to text message and I want a QWERTY keyboard to make answering much easier and faster. I've always wanted a Blackberry, but am considering an iPhone, too. Then, there's a Samsung that I kind of like and it would be much cheaper on the monthly bill, a very important point.

No matter which I choose, I'm sure afterward, I will wish I had chosen the other. It's only human nature. Of course, I want a reliable phone more than anything, after all who wants to miss that all important call from the publisher that wants to publish my next book.

I'll report back, if I ever make a decision.

Carol

Research Links

What the doctor said would last for 24-48 hours actually lasted 10 days. But, I'm better now and ready to get back to regular posting.

Links of the Week

This week I have several links that may be of interest to writers. I hope you can use them in your research. If not, well they're interesting to check out anyway.

Fun Tourist Attractions

List of Occupations

Resources for Mystery Writers

Good luck,
Carol