Section 1.1: A Painful Lesson

Years ago, I found myself in a tumultuous marriage with a woman who thrived on my unhappiness. Escaping that relationship was one of my greatest accomplishments. However, before I could leave, she made it her mission to crush my dreams as a writer. In an act of destruction, she incinerated everything I had written: countless typed pages, floppy disks with backups, and carefully written notes — all reduced to ashes in an instant. I stood there in tears, powerless to intervene, knowing the consequences would be severe if I did.

It took me years to gather the strength to write again after that traumatic event.

Section 1.2: Backup Methods to Consider

To avoid the heartache I experienced, I want to share some backup methods that have proven effective for me.

Utilizing Scrivener for Auto-Backup

Years ago, I adopted Scrivener as my primary writing tool. Its design not only helps me organize articles and research but also backs up my work automatically. Each time I save my document, it creates a backup on my internal and external drives. This seamless process saves time and ensures my work is protected effortlessly.

Embracing Google Docs

While I don't use Google Docs as frequently as I should, it's an excellent option for those without a robust writing setup. You can draft your work in any text editor and then transfer it to Google Docs, which stores everything securely in the cloud. As long as you handle your personal information carefully, it's a reliable option. Additionally, integrating Google Drive with Scrivener provides an extra layer of security.

Here’s a back story on the song "Broken" by David Archuleta. It delves into the emotional depths of the lyrics and the journey behind its creation.

Using a Personal Website as a Backup

Over the years, I have built numerous personal websites. While many are no longer active, I still have access through my hosting service. I always recommend that writers maintain their own websites as effective marketing tools, but they can also serve as a backup for important files. With self-hosting, you can easily upload documents securely, ensuring that only you (or your web designer) can access them.

Emailing Yourself Copies

A simple yet often overlooked method is emailing copies of your work to yourself. Most text files are small enough to send easily, allowing you to archive entire novels through email. As long as you use recognizable file names, you can easily retrieve them later. Given the longevity of services like Yahoo and Gmail, your emails should remain accessible for years.

Investing in a Freewrite Device

A more personal and costly option for me has been the Freewrite device by Astrohaus. This Wi-Fi enabled electronic typewriter offers a distraction-free writing experience and backs up everything I write to an external site. With a single keystroke, I can send my work to an email address or save it directly to Dropbox, Google Docs, or Evernote. Although it’s a luxury purchase at about $500, the productivity boost I've experienced makes it worthwhile.