Hey guys, I can't even remember the last time I uploaded a work-in-progress before. I don't want to make a habit of it, but I wanted to upload something as it's just been far too long. Perhaps you will find some interest in seeing this as a WIP before the final version goes up some point later - hopefully not too much later.
I went to see a specialist about my left hand injury and was recommended surgery to attempt to repair the nerve damage. By the time this strip goes up, I will hopefully have gone through it already (same day) but it will take me a while to really get back into the swing of things, I think. Work has chosen to become fairly stressful at the same time as this hullabaloo.
I've been really mad at myself, for a long time now, about the lack of progress I've had on my personal projects and lack of engagement with the community here. I hate change, so whenever something big happens, I tend to sit on my hands and wait until the storm blows over, and then take forever to get back into the saddle. A lot of random things happened in 2021 that really threw me off my groove in big ways, and this finger injury has been just another thing in a series of events that just... keep happening.
I'm starting to realise that things are just going to keep happening, and if I keep just sitting around and waiting for things to blow over so I can form a new routine again, I'm probably never going to get anything done. Last year was one of the most unproductive years I've had for SF and I kind of hate that.
So I promise you all, dear readers, that I will do my best to recover as soon as possible, and will get back into this as soon as I can. >-<* I'll update here with another A/N after the surgery, where I hopefully will have a better idea about how things will be. Thanks so much for your kind understanding ;v;* Happy New Year~!
Hey everyone! :3 Thank you all so much for your kind comments. I will absolutely get back to every single one in time.
Early this week I went for rehab/physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and today I went to get the stitches from my finger removed. The doctor said it's healing pretty nicely, so that's good news! I need to keep the splint on for another few weeks, and after that I'm hoping it'll be fairly smooth sailing. Thank you again for your kind words of support and well wishes for recovery ;v;* It can apparently take months to even a year for feeling to come back after nerve damage if ever at all, so we'll see!
I've started a daily part-time job that is currently slightly overwhelming, but I think it'll get easier as time goes on. I've been working very slowly on SF comics; despite the injury being on my non-dominant hand, I have discovered the hard way that damaging my left pinky has actually made a lot of the shortcuts I am used to untenable. It makes everything slow-going and honestly a bit tiring. But I am working on pages, and I would like to build up a buffer again. The Lunar New Year holiday is coming up, and I'm thinking I'll update again either on the first or second week of February.
Sorry for all these stuttering stops; please believe me when I tell you that I really have no intention of giving SF up, even with all these random life curveballs. Thank you once again for being so kind, and for your incredible patience and understanding over this recovery process. ;3;* You guys are the bestest.
Is it “Syles”, or “Styles”? (Just trying to be helpful.)
I want you to know that I have missed your updates, but have never wanted you to push yourself beyond your comfort level. I am sorry you are having so many issues pile-up on you and I especially hope your hand surgery goes well. You seem a very nice person, and you deserve nice things in your life. Sadly, we live in an imperfect world and people do not always get what they deserve. …
On the other hand, I don’t ‘deserve’ Serpamia Flare, but I get it anyway … so it can balance out. ^_^
First, I'm glad you decided to get a professional to look at your injury. In the long run, I think that will be much better.
Then, although you might be upset with your lack of performance, bear in mind, some of it is beyond your control. I'd say, don't lament that which you can't do anything about, and try to control things that you can. Take your time, make a plan and just try to get as close to a result as you can.
Yes, a WIP is actually nice to see sometimes. It gives an idea of your process, and also shows you're human, and additionally shows your sense of responsibility. Remember, you don't really owe us anything, you do us a kindness by allowing us to see and enjoy your work. (also, that stir-fry looks good!)
Hadn't noticed it was a WIP till you mentioned it. I thought it was more like a "change of style" (which... could happend?)
2021 was a weird year, even by 2020's covid standards, so don't take it too hard on yourself. Maybe SF doesn't have to be a "routine", but something more of a "I draw when I have some time and I post when is ready" kind of thing? schedules are nice, but not having content _because_ of a schedule is not that nice
I remember you mentioning your hand issue, but getting surgery!? Hang it there!
Don't feel bad about the comic and lack of updates. Health comes before all, and honestly, you're constantly communicating with your audience about things, so everyone knows and should understand what is up.
Trust me when I say the last year was terrible for a lot of us, but hopefully 2022 will be better, right?
Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes you really do have to put your personal passions on the backburner while you deal with more pressing things. We'll still be here no matter what.
I enjoy the little detail showing where all the food came from. You get a nice mix of extrapolating what Nemi's life is like based on how she gets her food and what typical cuisine in the area might be like based on what ingredients are easily available.
<Huuuugs>
No worries Rufi, I and I'm sure others too, completely understand. Things are hard, sometimes too hard to keep going, so we leave stuff out till we deal with things, but then things just pile up.. it can be a drag. A good advice I've heard, just do a little bit, even a bit, however much is okay for you then the progress is made, even if not fast but it goes. And then when it's done, it's happy time ^^
I hope you can deal with all your things, and I hope your hand is better now. Sending you lots of love, little sis ^^
Secret tip: I hit the left control with the palm of my hand. Habit from my early days. Might not work for you. Probably doesn't work on a lapop. Possibly worth a try. I do use the keyboard in stand-down mode.
Might also try to remap shortcuts. Plain keys might be possible. Using alt with your thumb migh be easier. Does your favourite program allow you to have different sets of shortcuts? As in, create a second set and when you want to go back you just swap 'em out? Otherwise there might be a way to swap alt and control for the time being. Though on windows it'll take a third-party program, of course.
Oh, and I would advice to take a couple minutes each day to just sit up straight, empty your head, meditate (good idea in any case) and visualise your pinky healing. It's a small thing but it can use all the help you can give it.
I want you to know that I have missed your updates, but have never wanted you to push yourself beyond your comfort level. I am sorry you are having so many issues pile-up on you and I especially hope your hand surgery goes well. You seem a very nice person, and you deserve nice things in your life. Sadly, we live in an imperfect world and people do not always get what they deserve. …
On the other hand, I don’t ‘deserve’ Serpamia Flare, but I get it anyway … so it can balance out. ^_^
Then, although you might be upset with your lack of performance, bear in mind, some of it is beyond your control. I'd say, don't lament that which you can't do anything about, and try to control things that you can. Take your time, make a plan and just try to get as close to a result as you can.
Yes, a WIP is actually nice to see sometimes. It gives an idea of your process, and also shows you're human, and additionally shows your sense of responsibility. Remember, you don't really owe us anything, you do us a kindness by allowing us to see and enjoy your work. (also, that stir-fry looks good!)
Take care! :D
2021 was a weird year, even by 2020's covid standards, so don't take it too hard on yourself. Maybe SF doesn't have to be a "routine", but something more of a "I draw when I have some time and I post when is ready" kind of thing? schedules are nice, but not having content _because_ of a schedule is not that nice
I remember you mentioning your hand issue, but getting surgery!? Hang it there!
Don't feel bad about the comic and lack of updates. Health comes before all, and honestly, you're constantly communicating with your audience about things, so everyone knows and should understand what is up.
Trust me when I say the last year was terrible for a lot of us, but hopefully 2022 will be better, right?
I enjoy the little detail showing where all the food came from. You get a nice mix of extrapolating what Nemi's life is like based on how she gets her food and what typical cuisine in the area might be like based on what ingredients are easily available.
No worries Rufi, I and I'm sure others too, completely understand. Things are hard, sometimes too hard to keep going, so we leave stuff out till we deal with things, but then things just pile up.. it can be a drag. A good advice I've heard, just do a little bit, even a bit, however much is okay for you then the progress is made, even if not fast but it goes. And then when it's done, it's happy time ^^
I hope you can deal with all your things, and I hope your hand is better now. Sending you lots of love, little sis ^^
I still got my suspicions (see previous posts), but in spite of them I still think he's a decent guy.
I do agree, though, he seems like an upstanding guy.
Might also try to remap shortcuts. Plain keys might be possible. Using alt with your thumb migh be easier. Does your favourite program allow you to have different sets of shortcuts? As in, create a second set and when you want to go back you just swap 'em out? Otherwise there might be a way to swap alt and control for the time being. Though on windows it'll take a third-party program, of course.
Oh, and I would advice to take a couple minutes each day to just sit up straight, empty your head, meditate (good idea in any case) and visualise your pinky healing. It's a small thing but it can use all the help you can give it.