I was writing a book and my notebook and everything in it was stolen out of my car. What Now?

Question

I haven't written a word since it was stolen back in Dec. Its like they stole more then my story- my will to write it again :(( Also could they try and pass it off as their own? How would I be able to stop them? Thieves should still have their hands cut off!!!

Answer 1

This happened to me back in the 9th grade and I never did finish that particular story. Looking back on it, I'm happy it happened because it was a pretty sad excuse for a story. I know it won't see print because it was that bad.

The best solution is start writing the story from scratch again. It will be better and stronger because you know your characters better now and where you want to go.

Car thieves are a real problem. The way I protect my books is I type stuff into my computer as soon as I can and I only use a paper notebook when traveling. Since I generally just fling that on to the back seat, no one is interested in taking it. Keeping it in a shopping bag will also not scream valuable. Briefcases and anything that looks like a laptop case WILL get stolen these days if they are visible. I got rid of the hatchback and bought a sedan when I started carrying valuable things with me. Trunk locks and it hides stuff from sight.

Oh, the way to keep your car from getting stolen on a long trip is DON'T wash it. Have junk in it. Car thieves will assume it's not well maintained either. They'll take the clean car next to it.

Answer 2

First- did they get anything else? at least enough so that a police report could be filed? If it was a hand written notebook, the police might not consider that a "worthy item" but make sure it's in the report. Itemize the story in an outline and seal it together with the police report. Chances are, petty theives are only wanting to make a fast buck, and your handwritten manuscript isn't worth the effort to steal.

If it was a notebook computer stolen, then you do have enough to file a police report, but likely- again- a petty theif isn't going to have the brain power to do anything with the manuscript. He'll wipe the drive, and get the money out of it that he can get.

However, if it was personal... Could someone you know take your manuscript out of spite, jealousy, or revenge? If you give up, they "win". Don't lay down and take it... use your computer- make back ups of the work frequently and if one copy mysteriously disappears, pull out a backup and keep working.

Writing is one of those areas where nobody thinks the pursuit is 'worthy' of the time involved unless you have a six figure income to show for it. You friends or family may roll their eyes, they may make derogatory remarks about wasted time, they may heap chores on you around the house because they are sure you are just wasting your time. Guess what? Keep doing it! It can be a point of fierce conflict but if you get a few hours writing time each day, you are still doing well.

Answer 3

Yikes, I'm sorry. That's one of my greatest fears.

I suppose a thief could try and pass it off as their own, and there wouldn't be much you could do to stop them, unless you've filed a detailed police report. But even then, you couldn't do much unless the story was actually published.

I would suggest you sit down and write out how the robbery made you feel. Be very descriptive and don't hold anything back. Then maybe once you've gotten it all out, you can either start writing your original story again (revision always helps anyway!) or begin working on something else. Don't let this thief steal your love of writing! That's something that shouldn't be able to be taken away.

Also, in the future, make copies. Lots of copies. Back up everything with digital files and then back those up as well (meaning use a flash drive or burn files onto a CDRW, use your yahoo briefcase, etc.). And I carry a big canvas bag that holds a lot of pens and my writing notebook with me wherever I go - that way I have my work on my person in case I have an idea AND I know where it is at all times.

Answer 4

Wow! So very sorry to hear that. I would freak.
That's why I always keep a paper copy of my work (I've been working on a novel for more than a year - as far as I'm concerned what I've put in it is worth more than the whole computer).
As far as passing it off, I wouldn't worry too much about it - think of the work it represents to polish something like that for an editor. Thieves who are too lazy to let go of the crack pipe long enough to look for a job won't be doing that kind of work anytime soon.
Most of the work for a story is in your head though. I know it sounds disheartening, but you probably retain more than you think - you might take the pen again and start scribbling it up (I'm sure most of your plot, if not the exact wording, is still intact up there.)
I would also try to scout all local pawn shops and talk to the management and explain your situation. Chances are somebody will try to sell it.
Finally, you may want to put an add at your local radio station or newspaper, explaining what this is worth to you and that you'd be glad just to have the information back, if even on a disk, no questions asked. It's a long shot, but it's worth a try.

As a fellow aspiring author, I really feel for you. Deeply sorry to hear that.
Best of luck to you. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Yes, they could try and pass it off as their own....theres really no way of stopping them if it didn't already have a copywrite. I guess if it was published and was a hit then you could maybe find a lawyer but it's not likely that you;d be recognized and even then all the glory would be gone.

I can understand how you feel like they stole more than a notebook or a story. You pour something from yourself into things like that...it's like art. To be honest it's like raping your inner soul...they stole a piece of you too..i see what you mean. I'm really sorry...people are creeps.

Answer 6

(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) that is awful!
I once lost a chapter in the hot syncing of my palm pilot and computer and cried...but to loose it all ACK!
I suggest to have a good cry...get it all out of your system, and then write again. BUT this time don't do it in a note book. I wrote a whole book on my palm pilot using that little key board. You can get a palm these days for around $100. The docs to go program is great and better yet, because it would get hot synced to a computer it would be backed up. If you have access to a computer, and can get into a writing group or a critique group from yahoo groups, your work is copyrighted and you will be protected.
As for the thieves, well, it's pretty stupid to rip someone off, and I doubt they would put the effort into trying to get your work published. I am so sorry this happened to you, and I wish you every success from here on out.

Answer 7

I would be more bummed about the car. Anyway, you have a choice. You can be bummed for a long time, you can rewrite the story, or go on a hike to clear your mind and write a different story. Maybe a story about a guy who steals a car belonging to an archeologist and starts to have bad luck ever since. Just an idea. :)

Answer 8

i agree stop complaining about it or you'll never do anything. it seems like everyone now thinks that someone is going to steal their work. in your particular situation whoever stole your stuff probably didn't even read it and if they did they probably didn't care. what are the odds that someone who smashes into a car know the first thing of what to do with the contents of a book.
if your book was nay good than its still all in your head and worth rewriting. if it wasn't so great then good riddance and start on something new.

Answer 9

Something similar happened to me. When I was younger I was writing a story and had it all in one folder. My mom went through my room and "cleaned." She threw it all away. Ever since I haven't been able to write anything of that length again.

Answer 10

It happened to a friend of mine, [though she lost it], and couldn't find it.. sorry, maybe with a little hope, I'd try and look for it, but it's gonna be difficult. If you ever do write again, try and keep a lot, A LOT! of copies of it..