Friday, March 11, 2011

Friendly Reminder: Back Up Your Book!

File:Under the ORU Praying Hands sculpture.jpg

I'm posting late today because of the tragedies in Japan and Hawaii we've been watching all morning. I also had a little trouble with my technology today. My cell phone couldn't get through to my sister in Hawaii (she is in-land and fine, I've now heard from my mom) and my internet crashed for a while. The crises elsewhere dwarf this, but it was a good reminder to me that while I'm working on finishing up my fifth novel and shooting for publication, catastrophe is always only a silk string of fate away.

It is a call to be prepared and mindful, even about our writing goals. So this is your friendly nudge: back up your book! Do one of these simple things today. Right now.


  • Use an online back-up service
  • Save your work to a flash drive
  • Send an email to yourself with your full manuscript or whatever you've got thus far


My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the 8.9 earthquake in Japan and the subsequent tsunamis and fires. May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

6 comments:

Samantha Sotto said...

You don't see this advice included in posts about writing tips - but it should be. Thanks for the reminder :)

J.L. Campbell said...

My thoughts are prayers are with those countries that have suffered natural disasters in recent times. The devastation is hard to even think about. Can't imagine what it's like for those directly affected.

Good reminder. I've lost so much material and somehow I still don't back up my stuff often enough. I should set a specific time each week to back up my projects.

Michelle McLean said...

Amen.

And very good reminder :) I always email copies of my books to myself :) I have a whole gmail account specifically for that purpose LOL

Saba said...

Good to hear that your family is doing well. My heart and prayers are going out for all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

I do the third tip.... send my manuscript to my email. I started doing it about five years ago when I lost a really cute children's story I wrote.

Kristine Asselin said...

Great reminder. I just backed up my novel to my flash drive for the first time in over a year.

Thank you!

Unknown said...

I'm glad everyone is okay, I too had to deal with a few hours of not getting a hold of my sister and her family in Hawaii, I was a wreck. I'm glad that they're okay now though!