The first long work I ever wrote (a screenplay) took place on these waters. It was the fate of the computer Gods that I lost everything I'd ever written between a five year period, including the backup to the backup, so I have no physical proof that the dozen drafts of this story ever existed.
Still, I think of the characters often. My memory has erased a lot of extraneous plot. What I have left inside me is only a set of two homes, side by side on this harbor. Inside one: two friends who come from very different backgrounds. Inside the other: two sisters who do not leave.
When I saw these twin trees, the stillness of these unbreakable waters, I thought of this quartet of characters, how they wait for me.
Oh, I'm cringing...I know that feeling of losing everything. But it is funny how what you're left with is the real soul of the story. I know of authors who throw away their first drafts as a matter of course!
ReplyDeleteI like the two trees image. That's heartbreaking to lose all that data (the backup to the backup!)
ReplyDeleteOh how awful to lose you work...to really lose a piece of you, because that is what your writing really is...
ReplyDelete...the photos are lovely though =)
How awful that you lost everything! I hope you get to recreate that story again someday.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. EVERYTHING! That really stinks :(
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how characters stay with us. Right now I can't get rid of one that's begging to be written... haha
I can't believe you lost all of your work. I would be devastated. I tend to keep one hard copy of everything.(sorry trees)
ReplyDeleteI love the tree shot. It's beautiful!
I have a feeling that quartet will someday find its way back to you . . .
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with Faith, you have the story's soul. You'll write it again and it will be beautiful (and possibly effortless).
ReplyDelete