I encourage every writer reading this to save their writing, no matter what.
Let me give you an example: In 2015, I wrote an outline for a script (I consider myself a novelist, but this idea screamed for the big screen). I had everything down on a Microsoft Word document, from beginning to end--not just for that one script, but a collection of vague ideas surrounding the mythology and potential sequels.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t start it. Something was missing. It baffled me, to have everything so clearly defined, and yet to lack an integral piece of the story. For days I wrestled with this, staring at the blank screen--until finally, in a feat of rage, I deleted the document.
Fast forward a year later. I’ve moved on. I’ve completed many other projects since then. I’d completely forgotten about that one lousy script idea, until, sure enough, sudden inspiration dawned on me. I understood where I’d gone wrong. I rushed home, opened my laptop, only to remember I’d deleted the plot outline. It was gone. Worse, I could only remember bits and pieces--flashes of scenes that seemed too random when scrutinized so closely.
I never recovered my notes. The script, to this day, remains dead because I’d failed to maintain information. This is why I encourage all of you to cling to your writing, no matter how awful it might seem in the moment.
