July 1st, 2019
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It's July! So it's time for me to update you on what's going on with the comic, and with me.
The conclusion I've come to, as the spooky friend up there has mentioned, is that I'm gonna need to put Runewriters on indefinite hiatus. I wanna check in at the start of each year and let you guys know if anything's changed or if we're still in chill mode, but other than that, I'll probably be quiet over here.
There's a couple reasons -- the smaller reason is that my current comicking method isn't sustainable, and I need to find a method to produce work I'm happy with that won't wreck my hand in the process! The larger reason is that I'm really creatively burnt out on Runewriters.
It's tough to describe. It's still a story I'm attached to and really want to tell, but sitting down and thinking about it at all is... exhausting. I do need to set it aside completely, without pushing myself to figure out when I can Get Back Into It.
In the meantime, as some of you may have heard, I've gotten a job! I'm now an artist for Tattered Weave -- I've started making some of their tiny clothes and other art assets that haven't been released yet. It's really exciting! I was always worried about getting an art job like this, afraid I wouldn't have time to work on my stories anymore. But right now, while I can't work on my story, it's a really great opportunity to keep creating and solving creative problems without putting pressure on myself to Produce and Monetise Personal Content.
Will Runewriters come back?
I hope so! ...I know that this isn't a question I can answer with certainty -- losing touch with your own story while on hiatus is a tale as old as time, and RW is a big story I can't just crank out. I know how scary an announcement like this is. I don't wanna push through burnout and produce a bad comic, but it's still a story I really hope to tell. I can't plan or predict how things will go -- I do want to finish it as soon as I'm able! But at this point, we'll have to wait and see. I can only promise to keep you guys posted as much as possible!
I'm still deciding what to do about the store. I think I'll probably put up book four sometime this week and leave it open for a month or two and then close it until I'm up and doing stuff again? I'll keep you guys posted!!
If you just wanna keep up with my art, I'm still on tumblr and twitter, and my patreon is switching over to be sketchblog posts and livestreams for folks who just wanna see the stuff I do for fun while I'm taking a break!
Thanks to everyone who's been so kind through all this. This is scary, and I know it's definitely not what y'all were hoping for, but I know it's what I need to do! Thank you all for being so supportive and understanding while I figure this stuff out. <3
I'm sending lots of support your way!! Taking care of yourself is most important. <3
posted at 11:22am on July 1st, 2019
I've always said that I'll be here to read this story whenever you're ready to tell it. This is still true and will probably always be true! This story and your work in general, and the amount of thought and sincerity you put into it, has always been really inspiring to me. I hope you'll be able to finish it someday, but after waiting a long time, I find that I don't really mind waiting some more. It's all good. Take your time. :) Find a process that works for you.
And congrats on the TW job! I think it's awesome you'll be able to contribute officially to another project you're obviously pretty invested in anyway. :P
posted at 2:03pm on July 1st, 2019
I will miss your comic, but echo what Kiri said: I'll be here to read the story whenever you are up for telling it. Taking care of yourself physically, financially, and creatively are all so very important. Best of luck with your new job, that looks like a fun project to work on!
posted at 3:38pm on July 1st, 2019
Best of luck - I am grateful for a story as much as anyone but it better not come at the cost of the soul, flesh, etc. of the storyteller.
posted at 8:23pm on July 1st, 2019
I wish you all the best! RW has been a fantastic story and I love your imagination behind it. If it's a choice between a long break or the end of that imagination I think everyone can Agree to a long vacation. ;) Suggestion though. if and when you come back it might help your juices to flow if you invite a guest artist once in a while for a filler spot. kinda keep it light for you and give a chance to gain other influences and art ideas. Alot of my favorite web comics seem to do this semi-regularly and it seems to work for them. as well as spread readers around. Just remember we fans appreciate all your time and effort and will all be rooting for you in your new career!
posted at 12:31am on July 2nd, 2019
Thanks for the update, and hooray for the cool job. Taking time to recharge your creative batteries and focus on other things for a while (however long that may prove to be) is a good idea.
posted at 7:11am on July 2nd, 2019
Creative burn-out is really understandable, as is just being busy. Take care of yourself, and we'll keep the... RSS feed... subscribed... Okay not that that takes any particular effort...
posted at 10:29am on July 2nd, 2019
sad about the hiatus, but don't worry about it, I'm in the discord even if I don't interact much (read at all), and I'll probably still be checking back here every Tuesday out of habit more than anything, though I do look forward to the eventual return.
not sure tattered weave is my thing, but I wish you luck with it!
posted at 6:11pm on July 2nd, 2019
just got back into this comic, and I'm a little sad to hear this, but I totally understand that you need to do what's best for you, and you can't force yourself to tell a story when you're having a hard time. I wish you all the best, and I hope you can come back when you feel ready. :)
posted at 4:44pm on July 4th, 2019
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writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you!
Take care!!
posted at 9:03pm on July 29th, 2019
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posted at 11:41pm on August 2nd, 2019
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posted at 8:29am on August 7th, 2019
Of course I'm sad to hear that there is essentially a stop being called on the comic, but you must look after yourself. Good luck with the new job and everything!
PS Any chance that there still might be the odd extra side story from time to time, much like the voting incentives? (just a suggestion from an avid fan :) )
posted at 3:02am on August 13th, 2019
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posted at 11:31am on August 13th, 2019
You could always try taking the route several others have done, and that is to mostly give up the comic format and just turn it into a sort of written story. Sure it wont have the same flair, but it will allow you to still tell the story without being burnt out on drawing. And for anything major that needs the visuals, you could have the occasional drawn comic to really get the point across.
posted at 4:32am on November 11th, 2019
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posted at 7:11am on November 11th, 2019
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posted at 1:59pm on November 11th, 2019
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posted at 1:49pm on November 12th, 2019
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posted at 7:03pm on November 12th, 2019
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posted at 7:20pm on November 12th, 2019
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posted at 5:35pm on November 13th, 2019
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posted at 12:05am on November 14th, 2019
Comment by Rothkal
While its disapointing that the Hiatus is indefinite, you come first. Take care of yourself out there. We'll be here if you need us.
posted at 7:39am on July 1st, 2019