Oh Dear
My computer exploded. Died in most spectacular way. With a hideous screetching death rattle. If you’re a writer, artist, or really anyone who relies on your computer for work, you’ll be experiencing a sinking feeling just reading this and thinking about it.
I’ll spare you the description of the hideous week I had, the headaches, the sleepless nights, the stress. Of course it had to happen a week before a book was due! It wouldn’t be a true catastrophe if it happened at a time when nothing was at stake, right?
So, a few things that are important for you to know:
- If you wrote me an email last week, and I haven’t responded, you should send it again. I lost (forever) two days worth of emails that can’t be recovered. I’d rather hear from you twice than not at all, so please don’t hesitate to drop me a note.
- The release of Azuri Fae has been delayed by a week. I had originally hoped to be getting it out to reviewers this week, but the final edits couldn’t be completed last week, since I wasn’t sure until yesterday exactly how much I’d lost. I lost two days worth of edits, a week of time, and ten years off my life in stress. It will absolutely be ready before the end of this month, and likely sooner. If you want to be notified on the release date, sign up for my newsletter.
- Back your work up EVERY day. I backed mine up Sunday night, but forgot Monday night. Tuesday just after dinner, my hard drive gave up the ghost. I feel so lucky that I didn’t lose more. When I’m writing or working on an art project, I back up my work nightly. I don’t know why I forgot Monday. I use Acronis for backups. Although it wasn’t the one-click, ten minute recovery I’d fantasized about, it DID save my bacon, and I got everything important back (minus the days after the last backup, of course.)
I have more to tell you about… for example, last week an article I wrote well before the disaster appeared on Lindsay Below’s blog, in which I wrote about the specific issues involved in creating a series. You can also get an early preview of the cover for Book 3 in the Caledonia Fae series. I haven’t shown that cover anywhere else yet (was waiting for the release of Azuri Fae first), but if you sneak over there, you can see the cover art for Enemy of the Fae.
Also, my friend Jessica Bell released her debut novel, String Bridge. I had planned a post for her release date, but alas, I was coping with the Internet via my iPod Touch that day! But do go check it out!
I’ve also completed another cover art project, but I’ll save that announcement for another day. Right now, it’s time to dig in and put the stresses of last week behind me while I edit (once again) Azuri Fae for the last time and prepare it for final formatting.
Thanks for your patience while I’ve been on radio silence. Do get in touch if we’ve missed a connection recently! I’m still feeling a bit discombobulated after my computer disaster, so I might need a nudge!
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Oh my India – you have my FULL Empathy..speaking from experience.
I have had a hard drive melt on me before and lose 85% of everything that was on the computer.
It must be a week for computers. At the moment, for the first time ever I have filled up the memory
on my computer so now need to buy and install more memory.
Since my hard-drive crisis, I have 2 backups. I have a time capsule that backs up everything every 30 minutes automatically.
I also back up all WIP changes to a private dropbox folder. Agree..backup is VITAL!
Good luck with the release of your new book.
Hopefully there are no more crisis moments with your computer
- Kim
[ Follow me on Twitter: AuthorKimKoning ]
Oh goodness! I have used Dropbox before to share files, but I never thought about using it for backup storage! What a great idea… I’ll have to put a second backup there of my most important files (namely, my books!)
Great idea.
[ Follow me on Twitter: IndiaDrummond ]
Sorry to hear about such a horrible experience, India. When things like that happen, I always have a nagging feeling that I won’t catch all the edits I made the first time. While it doesn’t happen often, you need insurance for these disasters. About six months ago, I started using the free service, Dropbox that uploads all items in a folder you designate to a server. You never have to remember to backup as files are uploaded everytime you use the save function. You don’t even notice that it’s working in the background. If you work on a computer and a laptop, copies on both machines stay synchronized with the last uploaded cloud version. Highly recommended!
[ Follow me on Twitter: gary_author ]
Oh my gosh. I can only imagine how awful this must have been for you! Glad you’ve got every up and running again! You poor poor thing
…
[ Follow me on Twitter: jessica.carmen.bellgmail.com ]
I’m sorry! I’m paranoid about computer crashes and yes, back up and print out all of my vital stuff.
Oh no! I can only imagine the distress you felt when you realised. I do back my work up most of the time, but like you there are nights I may forget.
I hope you soon get back on track and I’m glad it wasn’t worse.
[ Follow me on Twitter: rebeccajbradley ]
Oh, baby pal…
[ Follow me on Twitter: talliroland ]
…ah HA! You’ve been paying attention, have you? vewwy funny.
[ Follow me on Twitter: girlfrenkate ]
My tummy took a lurching dip while reading the first paragraph of this post. Although things have ben delayed, pushed back or what not, I’m glad you’re able to make the turn around back to productivity.
[ Follow me on Twitter: neostateofmind ]
What a heartbreaking tale! It is a great reminder to backup all the time as a matter of fact I think I will back up today myself.
Eeeek, India! So sorry about what happened to your computer! Sending you my hugs!
[ Follow me on Twitter: conversationswithlenyahoo.co.uk ]