I not only keep a file of any large chunk of manuscript I may cut, I even keep sentences and paragraphs that don't make the final cut. I have a junk file like that for every book I've written. Although I've never done anything with those files, I need them there as I write just to know I didn't throw any creativity away. Just knowing it's there--even if it's never referred to again--plays a calming role in me as a writer.
In my early days as a writer, computer software wasn't very sophisticated. I once wrote a tight chapter in one day. I knew it was good. I knew that although I would do some massaging of words when I revisited it the nest day, I knew I was going to like what I saw. My wife was taking me out to dinner to celebrate having such a productive day. I shut off the computer, only then to realize that I had not saved that file. This was before it automatically saved what you had. I was literally sick that night; no appetite. I came home from dinner, got back on my computer, started with a blank screen and did my best to recapture from memory what I had written. I SAVED that file several times throughout that writing and when I finally finished the chapter hit "save," the sun was just peeking over the horizon. That never happened to me again. Bottom line, I don't nuke anything I've written, regardless if it never ends up with a cover around it. You just never know.
I not only keep a file of any large chunk of manuscript I may cut, I even keep sentences and paragraphs that don't make the final cut. I have a junk file like that for every book I've written. Although I've never done anything with those files, I need them there as I write just to know I didn't throw any creativity away. Just knowing it's there--even if it's never referred to again--plays a calming role in me as a writer.
In my early days as a writer, computer software wasn't very sophisticated. I once wrote a tight chapter in one day. I knew it was good. I knew that although I would do some massaging of words when I revisited it the nest day, I knew I was going to like what I saw. My wife was taking me out to dinner to celebrate having such a productive day. I shut off the computer, only then to realize that I had not saved that file. This was before it automatically saved what you had. I was literally sick that night; no appetite. I came home from dinner, got back on my computer, started with a blank screen and did my best to recapture from memory what I had written. I SAVED that file several times throughout that writing and when I finally finished the chapter hit "save," the sun was just peeking over the horizon. That never happened to me again. Bottom line, I don't nuke anything I've written, regardless if it never ends up with a cover around it. You just never know.
I totally get that. When I hear of writers who just completely delete something I get filled with anxiety. Great insight into your process.