Argh!

MelodyO · Sep 2, 2008

Months ago I wrote the climax to my WIP because it was so clear in my mind. I scribbled it into a notebook, and came across it from time to time, ever so pleased to see it. Well, now I'm almost done my first draft. I'm ready for the scene.

I can't find it.

I have, like, a dozen notebooks on the go, and none of them seem to have it. What the frak did I do with it? I'm pretty much resigned to rewriting it, but it was done and it was good. Wah! ::sobs into your shoulder::

Sunshine13 · Sep 2, 2008

Oh pooh! I HATE stuff like that. I've written amazing parts to something, and my foot accidentally kicks the power button on my PC (back when I used a desktop) BEFORE I saved. GONE FOREVER.

I know your pain. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you find it! In the mean time, force yourself to write SOMETHING. Sometimes even when you think it was the best you could do you end up doing better.

a_sharp · Sep 2, 2008

Does misery want company? If so, it's happened to me too, and it's gone for good because it was on a (hush!) diskette! (Remember those?)

Just try to put yourself in a similar mind set and then go with what comes up.

Or maybe just adopt the attitude that this one will be better because now you're a "completed" writer.

Hey, just trying here, okay?

Chasing the Horizon · Sep 2, 2008

That sucks. I do all my novel writing on laptop computers (no power outage/kicked cord can outwit me) and backup the files, but I used to write poetry in notebooks. I had this poem that I wrote about Hurricane Katrina while I was in post-Katrina New Orleans a few years ago. VERY unfortunately, the notebook didn't seem to make it back to PA with me (I have absolutely no idea what happened to it, but I had a good bit to drink down on burbon street a few times, so who knows). That poem is something I can't write again (I can never reproduce poetry, particularly when the original was written in the parking lot of what was once a shopping mall before Katrina). *sigh* I HATE notebooks. Even poetry goes straight onto the computer now. So yes, I feel your pain for the missing notebook.

kct webber · Sep 2, 2008

Write it again? Maybe it'll even be better this time. If not, I hope you find it. Did you look behind the couch?

J C Coy · Sep 3, 2008

I hate it when that happens! But maybe it will be even better the second time around.

CaroGirl · Sep 3, 2008

You'll find it after you rewrite it. The sooner you rewrite it, the sooner you'll find the notebook that has the original. Get back to us about which version you think is better.

Losing work and having to redo it always sucks.

Phaeal · Sep 3, 2008

Yeah, this kind of thing drives me nuts. But I've always managed to rewrite the lost bit, and a couple of times I later found the original and realized I'd improved on it.

It's in your head. You can get it out again, all the richer for the writing you've done leading up to the climax.

Clarec · Sep 3, 2008

The only way you'll find the notebook is to re-write the ending. One of those mysterious facts of life! I've had to re-write bits before and it's so boring partly because you know you've done it and partly because you know it won't be the same. However, it may be better, so good luck!

Clare

tehuti88 · Sep 3, 2008

I'm very sorry to hear about that.

I hope you can write the new version even better than the first, at least! It's okay to sulk for a bit though, I know I would.

I know all about misplacing things, too. >_<

AmusingMuse · Sep 3, 2008

Wipes soggy shoulder and ponders moment. I bet it's the book you put somewhere safe so that you would find it right away when needed?

So I will add you to the CRS club? (Can't remember sh.... club), I'm the president and proud of it!

From now on, I would limit books to two: The 'Daily Scribbles & Incoherent Thoughts' book; and the 'Directions To Use When Looking For Daily Scribble Book's Location' or DTUWLFDSBL book... hmmm, but then looks like you'll need a 'DLWT' (deciphering long winded titles book) or settle for a SOL book that lists all the lost DS&IT's.

You're right... ARRRRRRRGH!

MelodyO · Sep 3, 2008

Ha! You think you're pretty funny, don't you? I have a notebook for the family room, bedside table, bathtub, car, purse, and about six other ones in case I need to write down some urgent genius thought and those notebooks aren't available. Maybe I should stop buying notebooks, huh? :tongue

AmusingMuse said:
Wipes soggy shoulder and ponders moment. I bet it's the book you put somewhere safe so that you would find it right away when needed?

So I will add you to the CRS club? (Can't remember sh.... club), I'm the president and proud of it!

From now on, I would limit books to two: The 'Daily Scribbles & Incoherent Thoughts' book; and the 'Directions To Use When Looking For Daily Scribble Book's Location' or DTUWLFDSBL book... hmmm, but then looks like you'll need a 'DLWT' (deciphering long winded titles book) or settle for a SOL book that lists all the lost DS&IT's.

You're right... ARRRRRRRGH!

Telstar · Sep 4, 2008

Dont let too much time passes, rewrite it now that is warm. The longer you let it pass, the least you will remember of the original.

MelodyO · Sep 4, 2008

Telstar said:
Dont let too much time passes, rewrite it now that is warm. The longer you let it pass, the least you will remember of the original.

I wrote it months and months ago. It's cold, Telstar! 7-11 sells that chapter next to the Slurpees, it's so cold. Of course I remember what happens, but as to all the details and dialogue? Not so much. Woe.

RJK · Sep 4, 2008

The fates are telling you, it wasn't meant to be. Sit down with your BIC and write the ending. The old one may turn up later, but not until you are happy with the new ending. Then, you're going to have to decide what to do.

MelodyO · Sep 4, 2008

RJK said:
The fates are telling you, it wasn't meant to be. Sit down with your BIC and write the ending. The old one may turn up later, but not until you are happy with the new ending. Then, you're going to have to decide what to do.

Those wacky fates. Is it bad that I want to smack the fates right upside the head? Ha ha, just kidding, fates! Please don't smite me anymore!

I have maybe 5 - 8 thousand words left to write in my first draft, and do you think I can get past that scene? I keep stalling, hoping the notebook will show up. I think I need a KIB (kick in bum) before I can get my BIC.

Feathers · Sep 4, 2008

Oooh...I'm so sorry for you. I know that feeling of getting it right, so right, and knowing that once you've gotten it right you'll never be able to again.

But you know what, I would take a few moments to calm down, and then I would just write it over, because you'll probably change things anyway when you get to editing. I hope that's some consolation; it always helps me a little.

Good luck
-Feathers

vrabinec · Sep 4, 2008

While I understand the agony, it's happened to me before, and later I found the note and compared it to my re-written version and the difference was so miniscule that I wondered why I had fretted over it in the first place. The only thing I can lose permanently is a turn of a phrase or name I liked, but a complete scene, once written, is usually pretty much etched into my...in my...uh, something.

MelodyO · Sep 4, 2008

vrabinec said:
While I understand the agony, it's happened to me before, and later I found the note and compared it to my re-written version and the difference was so miniscule that I wondered why I had fretted over it in the first place. The only thing I can lose permanently is a turn of a phrase or name I liked, but a complete scene, once written, is usually pretty much etched into my...in my...uh, something.

I suspect you're right. But...but...what if I had the most perfect turn of phrase in the history of the written word, and now it's lost forever?!? Hee, I actually am feeling a lot better since I posted. Thank you so much for helping me put it in perspective.

vrabinec · Sep 4, 2008

MelodyO said:
I suspect you're right. But...but...what if I had the most perfect turn of phrase in the history of the written word, and now it's lost forever?!? .

Impossible. I wrote the most perfect turn of a phrase five minutes ago.

Telstar · Sep 5, 2008

MelodyO said:
I wrote it months and months ago. It's cold, Telstar! 7-11 sells that chapter next to the Slurpees, it's so cold. Of course I remember what happens, but as to all the details and dialogue? Not so much. Woe.

Owww

Well, write. Write whatever your mind tells you. The new ending may be better than old one.

MelodyO · Sep 15, 2008

Hey, here's an update on my tragic lost scene tale. I left that scene until the very, very last chapter to write before I finished my WIP, but I still couldn't find the lost notebook. This weekend I finally broke down and wrote the scene again...and then found the notebook not two hours later. Hee. I read it with great anticipation, needless to say, and it turned out to be two scrawled paragraphs of half-assed sludge. Double hee.

In conclusion, the people of AW are geniuses.

PS I found the notebook in my kid's closet. WHAT.

a_sharp · Sep 15, 2008

MelodyO said:
Hey, here's an update on my tragic lost scene tale. I left that scene until the very, very last chapter to write before I finished my WIP, but I still couldn't find the lost notebook. This weekend I finally broke down and wrote the scene again...and then found the notebook not two hours later. Hee. I read it with great anticipation, needless to say, and it turned out to be two scrawled paragraphs of half-assed sludge. Double hee.

In conclusion, the people of AW are geniuses.

PS I found the notebook in my kid's closet. WHAT.

Hey, Melody, I love that story! Made me LOL. Bravo for letting us all know you're as human as the rest of us. Yeah, we've been there: "Why did I think this was so precious?"

So, you're a better writer for it.

Telstar · Sep 15, 2008

See? The new one was much better than the old one on the notebook

Argh!

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