Stan ([info]crotalus_atrox) wrote in [info]otherpeoplesbiz,
2011-11-08 08:02:00
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Updates on comic status and the like.

Hello, busybodies!

God, how awesome are you guys? Seriously, seriously awesome. That is the answer to a question you thought was rhetorical, but no. There is an answer, and if I could give you a non-awkward hug right this second, I would. Thank you guys for the responses, for the ideas, and for the general support. I'm still trying to catch up on replies, and I'm sorry if I haven't gotten to you yet.

In the spirit of being a little more open than I have been, I'll go ahead and admit that I'm going through a pretty big depression and it's… well, it's getting harder and harder to cope with things. Feeling isolated doesn't help. And for a while, having OPB hanging over me didn't help, either.

What did/does help is having you guys be so wonderfully supportive of me during this time; it's really lifted a big worry off my back. For the record, I am so sorry that I can't continue OPB in comic form. I know that it really sucks when you invest your time in something and find out it won't be going on – like a show you like getting canceled midseason. I am going to do everything I can to give you guys some closure.

In the comments of the last post, a few of you had a really great idea. "Hey," you said, "isn't it just going to stress you out more to have to convert the scripts into something readable? Why don't you just summarize it all, post that, and be done?"

Which, you know, dang. That is a great idea. So that's what I'll be doing, I think. I'll probably post them both here in post form and on the main site in .doc downloadable form, and if you want me to elaborate on a scene, ask away and I can post explanations or bits of dialogue.

I'll get working on those. Let's see how long it takes me to finish up the first issue, and fingers crossed, maybe we'll get these exposition dumps finished up before the year ends. :)

Thank you guys again.

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  • 27 comments

[info]kobanya

November 8 2011, 13:23:18 UTC 6 months ago

I'm happy that we'll still get to see how OPB was gonna end, and that you're not stressing too much about it. (I hope)

Don't be too hard on yourself; my sis is going through the same thing, so I sorta know what that's like. If all else fails, veg out for a while; I doubt any of us will start hounding you for the summaries. :D

[info]sextown

November 8 2011, 13:29:49 UTC 6 months ago

Ahh, darn.

Oh, I get the depression thing. Been on Lovan since I was a teen. I'm wanting closure but part of me is hoping that you'd hold out and you'd feel the excitement we all feel about experiencing the comic. I hope that something will change and you'll feel relaxed sgain and draw it for me. It's like music...I don't know how to explain it.

I think, somehow, I'm trying to express sadness but happiness at the same tome. Ambivalence. I'm bad at this so do what you need to do.

[info]evilcarp

November 8 2011, 15:56:26 UTC 6 months ago

I'm struggling with depression too. There's a therapy that I've been reading about called solutions-based therapy (or something like that). You don't even need a therapist to try it out. It's started helping me a bit.

You ask yourself, "If there was some miracle, and tomorrow everything in my life was perfect, what would the first small sign of that be when I wake up in the morning? The first thing I notice about things being different."

For me, the first thing I'd notice is that I wasn't tired when I woke up, and I wouldn't keep hitting the snooze button.

Then you ask yourself, when was the last time you experienced that?

And for me, it was when I was getting up early to walk to work, instead of taking the bus.

And then you do the small thing that would be the sign of your miracle, and you know you can do it, because you did it before. It's just one small thing to focus on. And having that one small thing has definitely been helping me get out of bed every morning.

[info]usa_p

November 9 2011, 03:06:46 UTC 6 months ago

This is a very interesting approach. My first small sign would be the same as yours. I am always so tired and in order to get up I have three alarms with snoozes all going off at slightly different prime number intervals (Keeps me from figuring out how much longer I can sleep since I can't do that kind of math in the morning. Brain not function.) I think I will try going to bed 30-45 minutes earlier starting tonight and make the effort to keep doing it.

[info]mysterious_dr_x

6 months ago

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[info]sara_the_lazy

November 8 2011, 16:26:58 UTC 6 months ago

Sorry to hear about your depression... it's rough, I know from experience (lifetime of it plus then moving somewhere where I knew absolutely no one). I do hope that you can start feeling less isolated and lifted out soon.

Ooh, summary form sounds good! That's what the artist of Arcana did when she couldn't continue the comic, and it was pretty satisfying.

Best wishes with everything!

[info]para_cynic

November 8 2011, 17:04:27 UTC 6 months ago

So sorry to hear about your depression.

If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

[info]kamitsuki

November 8 2011, 19:31:28 UTC 6 months ago

I'm sorry you're feeling isolated, Sandra. It reminds me of a time when I moved from Miami, FL to Boston, MA for college. I thought it'd be easier, but like you I'm stuck with the "make some friends!" approach on a place where I have no family and don't know anybody from school. To top it off, it was a big school, so you barely had any stability in classroom composition. It was a revolving door of classmates.

I hope that at some point, even if it isn't in that place, your reach a point which you can call "home".

[info]midnightdash

November 8 2011, 22:18:57 UTC 6 months ago

Hey, sorry to hear about your depression, and sorry to hear about OPB. Ultimately, the comic was something you did for yourself, and if it's not working for you, then you've definitely taken the right step in putting an end to it. I'm just glad that you're generous enough to share the rest of the story with us.

It's true that if you ever plan out something in the beginning from start to finish, it's really easy to lose enthusiasm for it midway, especially when real life gets a bit stressful and it starts to feel like a chore rather than something to really get creative about. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but I'm sure you learned a lot from this project and you'll still take away a lot from it, finished or not.

Anyway, rambling aside, I wish you the best! Looking forward to the final summary.

[info]delirieuse

November 8 2011, 23:28:19 UTC 6 months ago

Sorry you're feeling stressed & depressed. <3

Look forward to seeing the summary.

[info]initialdescent

November 8 2011, 23:51:14 UTC 6 months ago

I've been there, and believe it or not, it gets better. Hang in there.

I appreciate that you're going to give us an ending for OPB, but don't let it become something else to stress over. We get it when/if we get it. YOU are the most important element in this equation. I know it sounds selfish, but you need to put yourself first sometimes. When you are feeling better, THEN you can worry about other people. And don't worry. We'll be waiting. :-)

[info]enkanowen

November 9 2011, 01:38:19 UTC 6 months ago

I'm glad you made a decision that is best for you. Never feel like you owe us anything, we're just happy to enjoy your creative spirit which you let us experience with your awesome art and stories :D

*hugs*

[info]littleblackfox

November 9 2011, 08:39:45 UTC 6 months ago

I can sympathise with depression (and the part that sucks the most for me is the niggling thought in the back of your head that you're wasting everyones time and should just get over it, despite everything you know about seratonin levels).

Speaking as a fan of Pushing Daisies (oh gods how I miss you, pushing daisies) & Firefly, having the things I love cancelled is not a new experience. These things happen. Don't worry about the comic, put it to one side for now and just look after yourself. Do stuff that makes you happy.

Hugs. Many hugs. Initially awkward, but ultimately bone crunching and slightly chiropractic.

[info]perryplatypus

November 9 2011, 21:18:31 UTC 6 months ago

Another depressed reader, here. I know it's something difficult to deal with, especially alone. Thank you so much for taking the time to give us closure at all. I hope that doesn't take too much out of you, either.

[info]bunnikat

November 10 2011, 06:58:07 UTC 6 months ago

Hey, definitely do whatever causes you the least stress and don't feel bad! And a summary is probably the easiest for us the readers to follow anyways so bonus!

I hope you feel better though :)

[info]bluephoenix44

November 10 2011, 16:17:38 UTC 6 months ago

Sounds like a plan!! I'm looking forward to it! And I am totally sending you the biggest hug ever, no matter how awkward it is. I know depression is a really shitty thing, and I hope you're doing everything you need to to get better! We love and support you!

[info]cursesonyourmom

November 11 2011, 03:06:35 UTC 6 months ago

i kind of want to make you food and bring it over to cheer you up but I'm fairly sure
a) it would be weird for someone you've never met to suddenly bring you food and
b) you most likely live quite a ways away.

I could give you a quick and easy recipe for a comfort food dish?

[info]snacky

November 11 2011, 15:56:24 UTC 6 months ago

Hello! Just wandered in to check on the status of the comic, and I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time.

Do what is best for you - summaries sound a lot less stressful than converting scripts, but if even that is stressful, just do what you can.

I hope things start improving for you. Moving and job stress and depression is a touch combo. Take care of yourself, the best you can.

[info]Guille Jauregui

November 13 2011, 00:13:40 UTC 6 months ago

I recently saw these few last post, as usually I just check the site before the LiveJ thing, and I have to say, I'm really sad that this is going to end so suddenly (Arrested Development flashback, to say the least), but I do understand your reasons, and I know how it is to have an idea and not being able to put in on paper for whatever reason. I hope you get back on yo feet soon (at some point we all must get back on out feet and walk on), and I thank you because BmB, FH, and OPB have been the only webcomics I have ever read, I guess because they were the only ones I actually enjoyed. I do have some chagrins, like the fact that I'll have to picture in my head the facial expressions of Fox and Collin when they finally meet like you said they would (awkward much???), or when Morris finally realizes he's in love with Mercedes (because he IS), and so on and so forth. I hope you make a few comics of very important parts of the story, so as to give us little treats from time to time :)Well, that's all, and I hope I made sense, because I'm not good at writing long comments in english.

Peace.

[info]notoriouscbm

November 13 2011, 02:38:25 UTC 6 months ago

You're awesome no matter what.

Hey Sandra,

I held off commenting on the other posts but I wanted to let you know that I started reading BMB 8 years ago and then read FH all through college and have been enjoying OPB. It's been a pleasure to inhabit your creative world - the only reason I kept my livejournal was for your fun, inspired comments regarding the new comics. I think it's a testament to your skills as an artist and a storyteller that there are all of these people showing you support. We are all your fans and the silent (or not so silent?) audience for your comics. As others have said, you have to do what's right for you. I hope that you find some balance in your life right now and I hope you find some comfort knowing that there are a lot of people whose lives you have made better/happier/sillier with your talents. (Seriously, I love that Colin and Fox had a demon in their fridge that eventually became their friend and a male nurse... amazing. No one else could think of that or execute it to perfection like you did. Just one example of why you're awesome.)

Hugs from a fan in NYC.

[info]valenstyne

November 13 2011, 08:40:10 UTC 6 months ago

I'm so sorry to hear you're having a bad time. :( I'm just going to agree with what everyone else has said--do whatever is best for you. I love your comics, but if you can't continue OPB that's totally understandable. I hope you feel better ASAP! *sends hugs*

[info]glass_houses

November 13 2011, 23:53:13 UTC 6 months ago

I'm sorry you're going through this. Having been dealing with major depression/anxiety/bipolar for over 10 years (I'm 26), I admit it's very hard to come to terms with it and working through it is a lengthy, frustrating process.

I admit, I never read OPB after FH (don't know why), but I did read BMB and FH and I'll probably read what's up of OPB sometime. You have lots of people rooting for you and I think we all at least somewhat understand what you're going through.

[info]rocky5mew

November 14 2011, 18:38:39 UTC 6 months ago

As a lady with anxiety and depression issues herself, I definitely give you a pat on the back. Just thinking about the tense-ness of your situation with the comic makes me want to crawl through and give you a creepy internet hug. Ugh, I can just picture that anxiety of those little deadlines that a person creates for themselves!!! "Omg, I HAVE to do this or... or... my chest will explode, or something"

You still rock. Looking forward to the summery, but no stress! take your time! We all love you and will read it when it comes around :3

[info]teacup_carousel

November 15 2011, 12:03:05 UTC 6 months ago

Pfft man, as long as I get me some twisted Leon closure I am good to go. So you go on girl, take your good sweet time doing some mooshing.

Also - depression being aggravated by loneliness part. Have you ever considered doing a meet up with some of your readers in your new city? It certainly seems to me that you have enough followers and supporters here that aren't completely bat shit who might be willing to show you around your new home. Who knows? Maybe you'll actually be able to find some form of kinship with one of them that doesn't involve awkward staring matches or faulty promises to get get together and exchange recipes on roast beef.

[info]ashe_frost

November 16 2011, 03:08:32 UTC 6 months ago

I'm sorry to hear things aren't going well for you at the moment, but thank you for taking the time to summarize what you had planned.

Don't rush to give yourself a deadline. We can wait until you're in the mood. =)

I hope things start looking up for you soon.

[info]mimimurlough

November 16 2011, 14:54:54 UTC 6 months ago

Don't feel the need to rush it. I've only caught up the last few years but holy crap, BmB, FH and OPB - look at what you've accomplished so far! If anyone deserves a break or a retirement from the web comic routine it would be you. You're an awesome, creative and kind person, and I hope that you'll get through this and feel awesome as well. Wishing you all the the best!

[info]ninjapsammead

November 23 2011, 13:51:35 UTC 5 months ago

Again, just adding my voice to those who are telling you to do what's best for you- depression is horrible and you surviving is not only YOUR number one priority but ours too- don't get me wrong, super excited for any project you choose to undertake, but I'd rather just re-read BMB and FH for the rest of your life and know that you're doing well and being happy than have you stress yourself out more over a webcomic out of a sense of obligation.

I'm sending good energy your way. I hope things get better and better.
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