Losing part of a story

Post by **Zaia** » 2004-11-07 09:59pm

What do you do when you're writing a story and you lose part (or all) of it? Either you completely forget where you were taking your characters, or you literally lose what you've written. Do you try to recreate what you had, or do you change your storyline to start fresh?

I had almost a full chapter and the skeleton of my first (and only) story on my old PC, which corrupted my files and crashed the computer entirely, so what I had is permanently gone. This happened a while ago, and since then I keep going back to the story (which I love) to finish it, but I can't! I can hear the distant echo of the words I had originally, and they are better than the stuff I have now... Very frustrating.

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2004-11-07 10:14pm

If you really can't do this story right a second time, then it would seem that your only option, sadly, is to scrap it and begin a new story.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2004-11-07 11:11pm

Actually I try and write what snippets come into my ona napkin or something.

Gah...I've had this happen before and it sucks....just sucks so very very hard.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-11-07 11:33pm

I tend to go back and start again.

Lindar · Post by **Lindar** » 2004-11-08 12:11pm

*hugs* Give it time...I had that happen...and I'm still working on the story, it's missing pieces, but if you really love it, which you seem to, then give it time. Time heals many things after all. And eventually, you may figure it all out again.

<3 Ya *huggle*

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-11-08 12:14pm

I cannot tell you how many times our Word conks out on me here in the office when I have Starcrossed or some other story minimized in a window and I lose hours of writing. It's not like I can call IT "See, there's this story I've been writing in the office that I need recovered. Billable? Uh...well..."

So yes I know the pain of seeing pages of work simply vanish. The weird thing is that I find very often that when I have to start all over the story is better than what I had originally written.

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2004-11-08 12:21pm

I find that simply when I lose track of my place when I'm writing, if I dont come back to it for a while due to workload I've completely lost the plot of where I wanted to go in the chapter. Basically I think the end result is that I'm going to have to sit back down with my notebook and original chapter plan and have to rewrite it from where I stopped.

It is very annoying when the story and the catalyst for continuation just sit there grinning smugly at you, just out of reach.

Post by **Zaia** » 2004-11-08 02:40pm

Stravo wrote:The weird thing is that I find very often that when I have to start all over the story is better than what I had originally written.

That's probably because you're vastly more talented than I.

Lindar · Post by **Lindar** » 2004-11-08 02:44pm

Zaia wrote:
Stravo wrote:The weird thing is that I find very often that when I have to start all over the story is better than what I had originally written.
That's probably because you're vastly more talented than I.

*scolds* Now Zaia! That's no way to talk! I know for a fact that you have talent!*points* I've seen it first hand! *well... sorta*

Post by **Zaia** » 2004-11-08 02:46pm

I didn't say that I didn't have talent. I merely pointed out that Strav has lots more than I do. *pats lovely Lindar on the head* But thanks for the pep talk (of sorts).

Lindar · Post by **Lindar** » 2004-11-08 06:25pm

If you want a real pep talk Catch me Zaia... They're better when i can actually get my thoughts through the flood gate of...restriction...*huggle*

Please do write though...am waiting as you well know...

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2004-11-08 07:14pm

I hate when that just happens with a long post let alone a portion of a story or even the whole thing. Unless you have a photographic memory I don't think you'll get the old thing out of you again exactly as it was. The good thing is though, what the story was, the soul of it, is still in you. Start again. The big bits that you really had to think about and really want in there you'll remember, everything else will come as it comes. The story will not be the same but that isn't always a bad thing.

Post by **RogueIce** » 2004-11-09 06:11pm

Zaia wrote:
Stravo wrote:The weird thing is that I find very often that when I have to start all over the story is better than what I had originally written.
That's probably because you're vastly more talented than I.

It's all about optimism. They say rewrites are good for stories and such; just think of this as a forced rewrite.

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2004-11-10 12:22am

Losing part of a story I can deal with. I can usually remember it and recreate it somewhat, so long as I still have my notes and any pertinent maps.

What really gets me is when I lose the map for a story I'm writing. It's like losing the actual landmass of whatever place it is. I put hours into those things and use them as visual reminders of various plot points, background, and so on. I really don't want to try to recreate all of that.

Post by **Kuja** » 2004-11-10 11:03am

It's frustrating as all hell, especially since I never lose anything until I'm at least five pages into it *half-laugh, half-snarl*. Just gotta pick up the threads of where you were and start weaving them together again.

But there's no rule saying you can't bitch a little before you do.

Post by **Zaia** » 2004-11-10 11:56am

Kuja wrote:It's frustrating as all hell, especially since I never lose anything until I'm at least five pages into it *half-laugh, half-snarl*. Just gotta pick up the threads of where you were and start weaving them together again.

But there's no rule saying you can't bitch a little before you do.

*thwaps you*

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2004-11-10 12:19pm

Stravo wrote:...I have Starcrossed or some other story minimized in a window and I lose hours of writing.

I always "save as" and at least once every five minutes press ALT-F-S.

It saves a lot of trouble, particularly if you are a student and losing hours of writing doesn't just mean pissing off some of your fans

Brian

SeveredDivine · Post by **SeveredDivine** » 2004-11-24 10:17pm

I guess this is why I like to write on paper, rather then on the computer because I know I will still have it and the paper won't crash on me, ha! I have a tendency to save what I am working on the computer a lot rather then just writing pages and not saving. My one teacher also said you should print out what you have also, rather then just saving also, thus you will at least always have a hard copy of it at hand.