def METHOD_NAME(self) -> Optional[Path]:
    """Use a continuation file if specified or look for one in the working directory
    Return None if no file can be found.
    If this code is used within a GenerateAndLoad loop, the continuation files will go
    into the working directory specified by the GenerateAndLoad caller.
    """
    old_continuation_file = self.options.get("continuation_file")
    if old_continuation_file:
        old_continuation_file = Path(old_continuation_file)
        if not old_continuation_file.exists():
            raise TaskOptionsError(f"{old_continuation_file} does not exist")
    elif self.working_directory:
        path = self.default_continuation_file_path()
        if path.exists():
            old_continuation_file = path
    return old_continuation_file