I want to keep my writings private?

Question

I recently have been interested in writing, whether it be poetry, song lyrics, or just anything, even drawings. The thing is though I don't want any of my family members finding them because I would like to keep them private. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hiding anything -- especially on computers and the internet -- depends on the savviness and determination of the searcher.

Electronically, you have a few options. If your family is not very computer savvy, you could simply create a hidden folder on your computer drive. To do so, right-click the folder in Windows Explorer and choose properties. There will be an option to hide it. Next, go to Tools > Folder Options > View. Check the option that allows you to not show hidden folders.

Another option would be to post them on the internet and then clear the evidence out of your history folder. Or not even bother -- you don't have to sign your name to them on the internet, and if confronted you could simply say that it was a site you were interested in and you don't know much about it (don't post anything that could identify you).

Physically hiding your stuff, though, depends on the nosiness of your family. My family was very respectful of privacy: we never went in each other's rooms without asking. Ever. But a lot of families aren't like that. You might want to put them somewhere no one would -want- to look. With the other stuff that you probably already have hidden. I'll leave that to your own imagination.

Answer 2

If you want it to be hidden, do not save it to your hard drive, and do not print it out on paper. Instead, save it to a USB Flash Drive that you can carry with you everywhere you go. Do not expect to be able to delete a file from prying eyes. All the delete function does is overwrite the first character of the filename with a question mark causing the listing function to ignore it, but the undelete function looks for question marks and all you have to do is give it a first character again, and it's back. Unless it has been written over by another file, in which case there are many programs that will resurrect most if not all of what is left. If you already have deleted files like that, get a copy of Norton Utilities, and undelete them, then perform a wipefile function, which will write 0's to each bit and overwrite the file with all zeros which will make it gone.

Answer 3

ED says it all...
but also think about sharing some of it. Obviously this is very difficult for some people, I never showed anyone anything I wrote until I was 33 years old, but it was so rewarding I wish I'd found a "writer soul mate" a lot earlier. Once you're over that initial horror of sharing your writing, it becomes so much easier and your writing will benefit.
I'm not suggesting you show your family tho', I'm still not at that level LOL!

Answer 4

Certainly all valid answers, but I'll just add my two cents.

I have considered this on occasion, not that you might fear it yet, but...

I have Boxes and discs Full of my combined works, and haven't shared or published Everything I've ever written. The issue might be however, that you'd like it saved to eventually be found in case something happens to you.

How sad might it be to write and compile years worth of work, only to have it taken to a dumpster, perhaps unread, if you were to die. Someone certainly should eventually be able to read your work.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

Well is you are using a computer and the internet, you can hide them totally, if you want to keep them safe from family the only way is to hand write them and use a hiding place or keep it in your head.

Answer 6

I have created a myspace private profile, and kept private (diary option) the respective entries.
I have also started under a pen-name to post my poems to a site, poemhunter.