Baby Got Back(up)

5 years ago my house in Keswick, VA was robbed and my laptop was stolen. Years worth of work on that computer, and I hadn’t backed up for 6 months, so I lost everything I’d done in a half a year. I was devastated. It’s bad enough to have someone go through your home and mess with your things, but to know that so much hard work is gone, well, that’s just about unbearable. Yeah, insurance eventually replaced the laptop, but no one could ever replace what was on the old computer. That was gone for good.

5 years later, and the replacement computer’s hard drive is bad. Thankfully, I learned from my mistake back then, and I back up at least once a month, usually once a week, on an external drive. So I haven’t lost any work.

I read that Hemingway’s first wife Hadley packed up all his manuscripts, every page he had written, and took them with her on a trip to meet him in Switzerland. The case containing all of that work was stolen off the train before she even got out of Paris. He had no copies of any of it, and had to start everything over, all of his short stories and novel beginnings.

Hemingway turned out fine, but don’t you take chances with the product of hours of sweating over a keyboard. Back up your work, and back it up often. I hope you’ll never need that back up, but if you do, you’ll be glad you took the time. I know I am.

Happy Birthday WriterHouse!

On May 21^st, WriterHouse, a community for writers in Charlottesville, VA, celebrates its four year anniversary. As many of you know, I was one of the seven founding members. On May 21^st, 2008, there were just the seven of us. Just seven writers who wanted to share the community we had found in our critique group. Since then, WriterHouse has grown to nearly 200 members and taught hundreds of students in classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and songwriting. There’ve been seminars on getting your work published and writing humor and writing memoir and promoting your work. Classes for advanced writers and beginners and everyone in between. If you can imagine a class or seminar, we’ve probably offered it.

From the website: “The mission of WriterHouse is to promote the creation and appreciation of literature and to encourage the development of writers of all levels by providing affordable, secure workspace and meeting space, high quality writing instruction, and literary events for the public.

How it began…

WriterHouse began over a table littered with coffee cups and manuscripts. Our writer’s group had been meeting together once a week for over three years in a Charlottesville coffee shop to share our work. Although we were different ages and from different walks of life, we shared a passion for writing.

While writing is a solitary activity, we as writers thrive in community — in the sharing of ideas and questions and in cultivating a space for the craft. For us this happens for two hours every Thursday.

What if we could help other writers find a space and a writing community? The idea of a house emerged, a space dedicated to the craft of writing. And from that could come writing classes, programs, readings — a writing community.

So in the spring of 2008 — we launched WriterHouse. We hope here, you’ll find a home.”

I talk to anyone who will listen about the value of community to writers. All you have to do to understand what I’m preaching about is to go to a WriterHouse event or class. There you will meet passionate, dedicated artists who support each other and give each other encouragement. Who commiserate over disappointments, and celebrate each other’s successes. I’ve seen countless writers grow and blossom there. Many members have had their first publications since taking a class at WriterHouse. Many have held their very first readings there in front of members and friends. There are kids who might not have found a safe place to share their writing if it weren’t for the classes at WH. And adults who might have continued to hide their stories or their poems in journals, convinced no one would want to hear what they had to say.

It’s hard for me to list all the ways WriterHouse has had an impact on my life as a writer. I’ve met incredible authors I might not have otherwise met, gotten to know many talented men and women who share a passion for this thing we call art, and above all, have felt a part of each and every success story WriterHouse has played a part in.

I am honored and proud to be a part of WriterHouse’s history, and will continue to be a part of its future, no matter where I live. To the incredible and tireless co-founders Rachel Unkefer, Elizabeth McCullough, Catherine Crittenden, Hope Mills, Burnley Hayes, and Hilary Steinitz, thank you for letting me be a part of such an amazing dream. To the board members who continue to believe in the dream and carry on the mission, thank you. And to the members and organizations who support us, thank you for helping to make the dream of a true writers’ community a reality.

If you live in the Charlottesville area, support WriterHouse by becoming a member, taking a class, or attending events for the public. Check the WriterHouse website for upcoming classes (the next session starts June 11 – info will be posted soon) and events. Even if you don’t live in the area, please consider making a donation. Help keep the dream alive and help nurture the future voices of literature.

Links for Word Nerds

There are so many great sites and blogs out there for readers and for writers. But the time it takes to find them can be much better used reading or writing, so I’ve put together a list to save you some of that precious time and to introduce you to some of my favorites. Enjoy – but don’t spend all of your time on the internet – there are books to be read and written.

For readers:

Book Riot – a website about all things book. “Book Riot is dedicated to the idea that writing about books and reading should be just as diverse as books and readers are.” They are book geeks to the max. Sometimes serious, sometimes funny, you’ll always find something interesting.

The Book Lady’s Blog – smart and fun blog about books. “The Book Lady’s Blog features reviews of literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and some memoirs. You’ll also find recaps of author events and my take on publishing industry news and issues… Literary fiction is my first love, and I’m a reader who reads for writing and language more than story. Lately, I’ve been discovering a new appreciation of genre fiction, and I’ll read just about anything a trusted bookseller puts in my hands.”

Friday Reads – a website, twitter account, and Facebook page for readers to share what they are reading. “Because we believe that reading makes the world a better place, every Friday, thousands of people post what they’re reading to celebrate and encourage reading.” I’ve been introduced to lots of great new books through Friday Reads.

Between the Covers – another great blog about books by book lovers. “We are a group of life-long voracious readers who always have a book… or three… on hand. Our interests are many and varied, so we’re sure to always find something we like.”

For writers:

Perpetual Folly – Perhaps best known for his annual ranking of literary magazines based on Pushcart wins and noms, Cliff Garstang’s blog is also full of info about the business and the craft of writing.

Ask Allison – “The place to post questions and find answers on all of your too-afraid-to-ask concerns, hesitancies and worries about breaking into the publishing field. Have a question? Email me or post in the comment box.”

Erika Dreyfus – one of the sites I found through cvillewords (see below) “Are you a writer? Then you MUST subscribe to this newsletter: Welcome to Practicing Writing! Here you’ll find updates on writing and publishing opportunities (especially handy between issues of our popular monthly newsletter). You’ll discover ONLY opportunities that charge no fees, and ONLY publications/contests that will pay for your writing. The blog also shares writing-related news, resources, and quotations; book reviews; and occasional updates regarding this practicing writer’s own work.”

For both:

Charlottesville Words – Elizabeth McCullough – Not just for those in Charlottesville, this smart blog has links to some of the best the web has to offer for readers and writers. “Welcome to Charlottesville Words, a blog for readers and writers in the greater Charlottesville area. My name is Elizabeth, and I moved to Charlottesville a couple of years ago with my husband and kids. I love to read, I’m working on becoming a better writer, and I’m thrilled to be living in a community with so many bookstores, writing groups, exciting authors, and serious readers.”