How do you keep track of your drafts?

[Jacqui]

Do you write humor, Paul? That last is pretty funny. Judging by your favorite quote, you enjoy it as do I.

I'll add to our topic on backing up (as an IT teacher, I can't stress it enough to my students). Besides my physical storage and back-ups, my server Cox Communications provides 25 gig of free space on their server. That about covers my writing.

Andy--you're the one who read my profile. I was wondering... Thanks for the comment. At times, I feel like a very stupid bee banging into a window over and over. Other times, it works.

[Paul]

Hi Jacqui; I don't write humour per se, though there are (I hope) elements of humoir in everything I write. Life is, after all, funny. When it isn't being tragic or just plain repetitive, that is. However, I don't see myself ever being desribed as the new Tom Sharpe.

I enjoy reading humour, and often find myself giggling hysterically at passages in books. Sometimes, I even suspect the author intended precisely that reaction.

Actually it was me that read your profile. You're welcome. :) I'll have to read your explanation for the DNA based computer virus sometime - sounds intriguing.

[Jacqui]

Yes, it is, and fodder for my novel which I've just sent out to agents. We'll see. Science-based novels are always a tad tricky.

[Paul]

They are, aren't they? The age-old problem: how much do you have to explain, and how much can you take for granted? I think that's why there's so much fantasy around these days - the moajority of fantasy writers don't have enough of a scientific background to be able to explain what's happening, they just call it magic!

I've nearly finished the first draft of a novel which is apparently fantasy, but in fact has a hard-core scientific rationale behind it. I'm even considering footnotes and appendices :)

[[deleted user]]

Jacqui wrote: "Do you write humor, Paul? That last is pretty funny. Judging by your favorite quote, you enjoy it as do I.

I'll add to our topic on backing up (as an IT teacher, I can't stress it enough to my st..."
Hi Jacqui, my failing memory. I honestly can't remember. There's an Andrew on Goodreads too? If it was me, then I'll beat myself up later. If I did say something nice, it was meant.
I just read the rest of posts here. Jacqui, you may enjoy Michael Crichton, Prey. It's rather technical and some people have found it "boring" and "too technical" I loved it. It just goes to show what Paul was talking about. There's no way you can simplify it enough for technically illiterate readers. You can only write to the level you are comfortable with.
Your DNA based comuter virus is very interesting to me. The possibilities are scary.

[Jacqui]

There are many DNA viruses--ebola, small pox, herpes. Their victims are human. We also have DNA computers, which use the computational power of our body's DNA to accomplish programmed goals. There seems to be a natural crossover from a fiction writer's perspective to reconfigure the silicon-based viruses that attack computers to be DNA based and attack traditional computers. I'll have to save the rest for the book!

My goal in my books is to attract students to the fascination of science by making it readable and interesting. So much of the really interesting parts of science require a PhD to understand making these topics--DNA computers, magnetic signatures, etc--available only to a tiny segment of our populace. I'd love to change that.

[P.]

Excellent topic! Just followed Jacqui here to find out how other writers cope with the re-writing process. I find I get many ideas on the go. As a way to track/ update my notes I've begun using 'evernote' app. Still early days yet, but so far so good! I can tag ideas and cross-ref them too. Great thing is, if I record an idea on my phone, the app send copies to my comp, laptop, email and other devices where the app is installed. Saves time and backs up automatically! Cool.