Anyone an author or computer geek

[Liz Crouthers]

I really want to know if someone who has written something knows how to keep yourself inspired. For the computer geek how do you open a floppy disk so that you can use it on an exsisting document withought erasing the old. example I have a copy of Borden files I want on a few pages on my book but I don't understand how to copy the disk files in my book withought losing data or retypeing










:littleangel:

[Allen]

I really want to know if someone who has written something knows how to keep yourself inspired. For the computer geek how do you open a floppy disk so that you can use it on an exsisting document withought erasing the old. example I have a copy of Borden files I want on a few pages on my book but I don't understand how to copy the disk files in my book withought losing data or retypeing






:littleangel:

I'm always writing something. I write poetry, short stories, and I've been trying to write a book for quite some time now. (Not Lizzie related.) So about the inspiration thing, it comes in spurts for me. I will write like mad for awhile, then nothing. I guess I get what is called writers block. What works for me is to go back and read over what I have already written, and that will give me ideas on what to write next. Doing the research into the facts actually gives me inspiration also. Was this or that item available then, had this or that happened yet? I try all different methods to give myself the needed inspiration. I have even tried using "mood music" I've written out backgrounds about my characters, and I have written detailed character sheets for the main characters. My main goal is to stay true to my characters, so I wrote out exactly what kind of personalities I wanted them to have even down to their little quirks. But it all comes down to how interested you are in your own material, I guess.

[doug65oh]

Okay, here's the simplest answer I know of to your question Liz. For each editing session - assign it a number or letter, added at the end of the filename (ie. Draft1-10May05.doc) or something shorter. That should keep you from losing previously-saved information. The succeding filename using this example might be Draft1a-10May05.doc, or something like that.

(Copy the information from the disk...don't "Cut" it. That will permit you to use floppy disc information without losing it.)

[Kat]

I find that deadlines do it for me.
Maybe you can create deadlines for yourself.
If you are writing fiction, do what Stephen King does. He has set times to write and a quota -- say, 8 pages a day, between 7 a.m. and suppertime- like a job.
If you are writing at odd times, tho, you can still create a deadline and an acceptable quota.

I think the point is to write.
If it starts out crap, just keep writing. The gems will show up, maybe hidden in the rough stuff. You go back later and strip out the deadwood.
You might as well write this way, as you are going to be editing yourself several times down the road anyway.
(I don't mean you specifically- I mean anyone).

[Liz Crouthers]

aww thanks

[Wordweaver]

I really want to know if someone who has written something knows how to keep yourself inspired.

Yeah, I've written something. I'm a professional writer. Five published books of my own work (under various names), plus stories, articles, and God knows how much ghostwritten stuff for other people. When I have a 9-5 job, like now, I get paid to write: marketing copy, written procedures, end-user documentation, and white papers.

I have to be able to write on demand--at least, if I want to eat and pay the rent. Inspiration is a luxury. What you need is discipline and a few tricks that work for you. The music, the caffeine, the rituals of preparation. Sitting there in front of the keyboard the same time every day, whether you feel like it or not. Pounding out words no matter how you feel.

I couldn't quite figure out what your other query meant, so I can't even begin to answer that. I hope this is helpful.

Lynn