Bummer. Your pain and frustration, the time lost, the need to just. stop. thinking about it... are very clear. You hear from time to time about this kind of destruction to someone's writing, or painting, or other art in progress, and you're right I think, this is the response that usually has to be.

I wonder how common it really is? I mean - they love writing and making movies (usually bad) about artists who suffer insanity or illnesses, struggle with poverty or are caught in war. Can't think offhand if I've seen anything ever on frequency of this type of loss/disaster, and the impact.

(Reminds self to ask artist sister who seems to know Everything about Art.)

(Reminds self to go get that DigiQuest backup drive, even on the expensive credit card, lest own laptop data be suddenly lost. Too dreadful to contemplate.)