Ch8 Pg08
Added 2018-10-30 17:57:29 +0000 UTCphew
Hey, guys! Give me a second to get real with you:
I've been... I've been stretched, like, really thin lately. Like, you know the expression "burning the candle at both ends"? If you took a candle, a really long candle, and cut out the wax in the middle of it so the center of the wick was exposed, and then lit ALL THREE wicks, that's how I've been feeling emotionally lately.
Finishing Book 1 and starting Book 2 has been a very stressful transitional period - I've had to look back over all my old work and allowed prepping for Book 1 to fall by the wayside in favor of keeping Book 2 updates coming consistently, while also getting used to a new member of the crew (a flatter) and the system adjustments required for that, as well as training this new person up to a point so that they can understand all of my nitty gritty crazy nitpicky preferences, while also working full time at a job that I still find somewhat intimidating by its reputation only, and dealing with Imposter Syndrome the entire time.
I'm embarrassed to admit all of this, because... like, I had that huge, 2 month long hiatus in between books, for half of which I was in between jobs and literally had nothing to do BUT work on this. Like, how can I already be tired? How could I say I need time to rest when I was literally JUST doing that? We're not even 10 pages into the start of Book 2. How can I not have these things figured out when I've been doing this for 5 years already?
I've just been having a tough time.
But, like, today I've just been thinking about how the only reason I/we've only gotten this far along in the story is by admitting where we need to take our breaks. I'm always scared to admit when I'm feeling too tired or burned out to consistently bring you guys this comic, but every time I do, y'all consistently lift us up and tell us how great we are. You'd think, after all this time, I'd learn to give you enough credit for at least that.
There's this part of me that expects a different reaction from you guys, even now - and it feels somewhat superficial to make a prediction that you'll react only positively, but that's all you guys have ever done in the past, so I'm going to take the risk and admit it: I really need to take a minute to catch my breath.
I'm really sorry. Is that okay? I've got so many things going on - and I think from now on I want to let you guys know what those things are. I've been kind of secretive about the projects I've worked on for Warner Bros., but there's literally no reason for me to be. Maybe I can just tell you about what I'm doing, and what's been affecting my ability to update consistently here on Patreon for you. Maybe that'll take some of the stigma away.
ANYWAY, sorry. This isn't the most cohesive post from me you've gotten - but I figure some transparency on my part can't really hurt anything. We all struggle, right?
ALL THIS TO SAY - I think we'll be taking a break for the next week or two, depending on how much I'm able to shake loose some of these unnecessary feelings of inadequacy, but here is today's update so that you all aren't left in the lurch by this sudden announcement.
I'd also like to start sharing more of my dayjob with you, NDA's permitting. Is that something you'd be interested in?
Comments
Take your time! And of course I'd love to hear more about your day job or any other bits of the process of making the comic you'd wish to share. No obligations to, though, obviously. <3
Erica L
2018-10-31 14:39:58 +0000 UTCYou know, one of my bosses said something weird recently. He told me, "It's okay to admit you're tired and to portion your work. You're in this for the long haul, this is a marathon. All those people who try to do everything at once with no rest, they'll eventually burn out and/or even decide they need a career change. It's those who say 'I can't do this right now, it's too much' who are the clever ones - because they figured out that it's a marathon, not a sprint." It would be bold (and inaccurate) to say that I'm following his advice to the letter, but I think it's very good adviec. Take all the time in the world; rest up. We aren't going anywhere.
Stein
2018-10-31 11:38:20 +0000 UTCAh, imposter syndrome. It took a few decades but I think, after all this time, I got it beat. Almost. Kinda. [YES PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME!! Your health is important, mental and otherwise; enlightened self interest alone would demand it, if not simple human decency. But maybe that's just me.]
Yohannon
2018-10-31 04:29:38 +0000 UTCtHat bookstore is ike the Tardis
Lady of Monsters
2018-10-31 04:02:46 +0000 UTCTake your time and rest, we will still be here when you come back 😊
Skywings14
2018-10-31 02:46:07 +0000 UTCTake a break, take your time. We can always go back and marvel over the crazy ridiculous bookshop page. :)
Owen Smith
2018-10-31 02:38:57 +0000 UTCEven God rested.
2018-10-31 01:24:40 +0000 UTCNo worries, Meg! Do what you need to do for you, and I promise we'll still love you unconditionally!
Jack Newbill
2018-10-31 01:12:34 +0000 UTCNo worries Meg, don't burn or stress yourself out over the comic. If you need a break take it, we will be here when you get back
maninblack
2018-10-31 00:50:00 +0000 UTCDon't worry. Easier said, than done, I know, but you are not alone in feeling this way about your job and other duties. I do admire you for handling it so well, which includes saying when a break is needed. It's the right thing to do :)
Axoto
2018-10-30 21:59:19 +0000 UTCNo worries. Let us know when you are back on line.
Sturzkampf
2018-10-30 20:55:31 +0000 UTCI recently went through a burnout phase and it sucked, so do whatever you need to keep yourself stable and refreshed and avoiding burnout. Your well-being is number one priority! Everything else comes after.
2018-10-30 19:59:47 +0000 UTCi understand how hard it is to admit you're having a tough time. I admire your courage and want you to know that i'm not annoyed about waiting on updates. take care of yourself and do what you gotta do :)
2018-10-30 19:51:04 +0000 UTCIf you need help from your friendly neighborhood Isa, you know how to find meeeee.
Isa and Meg, the Namesake Team,
2018-10-30 19:13:51 +0000 UTChey hey it's fine! your health is more important than our entertainment, don't worry about it! take as much time as you need.
Elouan
2018-10-30 18:41:15 +0000 UTCIt's okay, it is so okay to need to rest, to take care of your health on every level. I hope talking about your other projects (hearing about whatever you're working on is always awesome) is able to help take some of the stress off in some way. You're an amazing artist and storyteller, but you're a person first. Do what *you* need to, whatever that is. That's always okay.
2018-10-30 18:28:10 +0000 UTCMyeah, I've got a thing to say to that. <a href="https://orig00.deviantart.net/a0c1/f/2018/303/2/5/comic4_by_zaverre-dcqqn3g.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://orig00.deviantart.net/a0c1/f/2018/303/2/5/comic4_by_zaverre-dcqqn3g.png</a> Take a breather, human person. We can't have any DotL if you burn yourself out. It's ok to take time off if that's what you feel you need. Go sit in nature during the time you would've otherwise put on DotL or something. It's fine.
M. Gunnarsson
2018-10-30 18:27:39 +0000 UTCYou are doing great hun :) You should be proud of your hard work and achievements. When you're tired, you're tired and it's ok. Look after yourself
Black Ice Gryphon
2018-10-30 18:23:15 +0000 UTCWe DO all struggle, and stress is a pervasive and persistent demon that isn't just banished by a rest. Stress lies in wait. Stress LURKS. It doesn't just get washed away, and then it's gone. It's more like a wound that remains tender and easily aggravated for a while. I have walked back in the door at my own stressful job after a glorious week away, and been Done-with-a-capital-D and ready to burst into tears again within an hour, so I absolutely get it. And that's just ONE job. You're juggling full-time and also a very time-consuming side job that uses some of the same creativity juice (I imagine?) as your day job. That requires a lot of spoons! I'm not capable of being short-winded apparently, but all of that is to say: PLEASE take your break guilt-free. <3 And when you are ready my vote is, yes, please, Tales of The Day Job! Also: F***ing Impostor Syndrome. I hear you.
2018-10-30 18:18:09 +0000 UTCLyra: "Please tell you shoplifted that, instead of paying money."
Royce Day
2018-10-30 18:05:38 +0000 UTCNo need to apologize, Meg. DotL is supposed to be fun for you as well as us, not a source of stress. Take it easy.
Royce Day
2018-10-30 18:03:37 +0000 UTCArgh stop apologizing! You never need to be sorry for maintaining your health and sanity. Take as long a break as you need.
Robert
2018-10-30 17:59:55 +0000 UTC
