I’ve been doing a bit of cleaning here recently and I found a recovery disc for one of my 2 old Compaq laptops. I didn’t think much about it at the time beyond how nice it would have been to remember I had it when the laptop died. Then last night it came back to me. I settled in with a very rusty start on one of my stories and I lamented the loss of the playlist for this story. That’s when I remember the recovery disc.
See I put all my music on a portable hard drive years ago, but iTunes the program has always sat on my laptop. When I installed iTunes on my current laptop I didn’t think for a moment that I would lose the playlists when I did this. If I had realized then that plugging in my iPod to the new iTunes would wipe them off I would have recreated them first. I know better for next time. Some of the playlists I’ve been able to recreate to some degree but not completely.
I gambled this morning and pulled out the laptop and the recovery disc and set about to restart the laptop and after a few tries, I got it back. It started up and gave me my desktop. I was able to open iTunes and there they were. I cannot begin to describe the sheer joy that came over me as I realized I could have them back. Not to mention just how happy The Younger Miss Bennets are, let’s just say there is much dancing and singing.
But something else happened. I should have known this, but didn’t. I world build through music. Only music. Well, I have photos of my heroes and some side characters but everything and I do mean everything else comes from the music. My stories and the drive to write came back to me today in a rush. It all makes such sense now, but I never made the connection before today.
So, in addition to backing up story files, I will from now on keep a record of my playlists.
That is such great news. I am glad that your fall cleaning has led to much clarity.
To know what works and to unlock the mind is an amazing gift. When I get stuck or need to clear my mind I knit.
Comment by Laura Hassler — September 14, 2011 @ 7:36 pm
Wonderful! I too find myself very inspired by music, but I tend to forget about it. Thanks for the reminder!
Comment by kimberlyfoley — September 15, 2011 @ 2:10 pm
Wow, that’s so lucky. I completely understand too. I depend on music too. In fact, I often get my story ideas from songs. Happy writing (and dancing, and singing)! 🙂
Comment by Melina — September 18, 2011 @ 5:08 pm