It is a horrible feeling when you cannot find the proper version of a manuscript in the final stages of revision.
My Fair Princess has been a joy to work with… to this point. Last night I received the proof copy in the mail (it looks lovely, by the way!) and noticed that the margins are not quite spacious enough for pleasant reading. So, this morning I went into Word to fix that issue, double-check the copyright and image information, and then upload the new version to CreateSpace.
(0.0)
Hello? What is this? Why is the cover image still listed as Derek Brewster? *dig around in manuscript* Hey! This file doesn’t include the changes….when was this thing last updated… darn, I already saved it so it shows today. *looks at backup on thumb drive* This is the same thing!
(argh!)
So…now I am in a bit of panic, imagining that I will need to retype from the proof copy if the newest version isn’t on my laptop at home either. Who wants to go through the MS and try and recall what they’ve changed? No one that I know of, which means it will entail NEW edits and revisions….
*sniff*
Definitely not the setback I would have preferred… of course, do we ever prefer setbacks? *ahem* I guess this was the MS’s way of keeping my attention away from Searching for Sara… pampered little MS….
I am a writer. I adore the spinning of the unwritten tale – that lesson waiting to be divulged to others. Each day a new story beckons. One last happy ending. My characters have a life outside of my own, and I always learn from their destiny.
I’m glad I’m not the only one this happens to. I decided to do the Protect Manuscript option to keep from doing it again. I’m trying to get it all together . . . One day, maybe!
Shrieking on your behalf!
I used to name each file chronologically. But I’d lose track of which version I was on. Now I date the revisions.back them up on a portable drive and email them to myself. Frequently.
We do what we can and then learn to do more. Great post, Nona. Lovely book cover.
What proof version of my fair princess do I have? I have a couple of corrections.
I think you have the 2nd to last one, but I have only navigated through the first 50 pages. So, if the corrections you have are after that, they will still be appropriate to forward to me.
I have a ‘workspace’ folder that I utilize on my portable drive and my laptop. This way I know exactly what projects I am working on. I also check the last date modified before moving anything. I used to also upload a version to my Google Docs, but have gotten out of the practice. Perhaps I need to revisit this?!