Since I work on a computer, I must save my work. I used to always add the words ‘latest version’ to the end of whatever the name of the work is that I was saving. And, of course, the date was always available to see which of several versions was the last one that I worked on and that was usually the one that I wanted.

That’s what I did and I was really proud of myself for being so smart.

Then I got really smart.

Now I simply, ruthlessly delete everything so there’s only one version — the latest one — and then I make a copy of that version that’s clearly labeled ‘copy.’ I mean, who cares about slight changes if the final story is decent?

It works better than anything else I’ve tried.