Biting Back

Amelius on Feb. 10, 2021

Personal notes: Lemme just uh, crawl up out of the depression hole I've been hiding in for a long while and update this thing finally. The state of things has really been hell on my mental state, it's like I got an upgrade in ADHD. Super-mega ADHD. Working on the next sequence of course, been kinda hating doing art lately not just because of the blurry downgraded monitor display situation still being a thing,(though we might take it in somewhere soon we've been informed there's a good place to take it) but additionally, something in my computer (gremlins?) keeps deciding that while I'm drawing, it'd be a great idea to switch my tools to another function and I have to waste my time trying to get it back to drawing again, because it doesn't even want to respond to the shortcut buttons and sometimes even have to restart the whole computer because it stops even detecting the pen. The good news is, figured out what photoshop's problem is– I need to update my plugin Lazy Nezumi drivers, a fantastic program, but new tablet is being fussy about it. Hopefully getting that working again will make texting things pleasant and easy again.

>_< However things like that which obliterate my hyperfocus have been my bane. Been utterly stuck indoors between the cold weather, avoiding the plague, plague-related curfew, insomnia, anxiety like never before and spending a lot of time playing videos game but feeling guilty about not doing work while I'm playing videos game so stopping to work and then dealing with art failure spirals and going back to videos game for the stress relief. I can't even enjoy doing random non-comic art lately, my patience for computer betrayal is at an all-time low.
I've had good days and bad days for art, but time management has never been a strong virtue for me and gets worse the pickier I get about my own art. Good example of what kinda time trap I'm getting stuck in? I started writing this author's note at 2:30 and it's now 5:44. I had to edit that from 5:30. Ahhhhhgh… just get on with it!

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lothar at 1:03PM, March 28, 2021

that vampire girl is pretty

Tamar at 9:17AM, March 20, 2021

Sorry to hear that. I know how rough that cycle can be and how important mental health is. I love your work and enjoy every update, but take care of yourself. If there is anything I could do to help I would gladly help.

dueeast at 7:35PM, March 7, 2021

It's wonderful to see your work continue, Amy. I wish you well with everything! Happy 17th anniversary for Charby!

hariman at 7:29PM, March 1, 2021

I always enjoy these updates, both for the story of the characters and for the art. Take as much time as you need. Your health and sanity will always come first.

Crystalsetsuna at 5:01AM, Feb. 21, 2021

Hey I'm with you on the depression killing the art drive. Used to love coloring and dress design (ha, remember that dress i designed for Mye?) But now...i can't even pull out my laptop. It's frustrating and a cycle which gets worst on each repeat...>.< Those computer issues suck royally though, you got my sympathy on that too. Anyway on the comic..Yiska looks cool as a wolf. And she looks hortible with that ick around her mouth lol. And poor very embarrassed Hex.

MagickLorelai at 4:30AM, Feb. 15, 2021

Battling with bad mental health was hard enough before this last year compounded all of it. Throw the frustrations of a finicky interface in with the very thing it's interfering with being KINDA important, and it's understandable to find yourself loathing the process of making the comic, no matter HOW much you love it. You're doing admirably just by virtue of continuing to put a page out, even if only so often. It may not feel like much, but given the impeding elements at play here, every page is a triumph against nigh-impossible odds. Don't force yourself if it's only making you miserable, but celebrate the fact that you've had the victories you have, too! That all said, I'm happy to see another update-- and DESPITE the trouble you've had, it looks FANTASTIC. I can *feel* the texture on that tentacle. Thankfully, Yiska is perfectly capable of handling herself!

wsablek at 6:14AM, Feb. 12, 2021

*hug*

PaulEberhardt at 3:20AM, Feb. 12, 2021

I've long stopped trying to estimate how much valuable lifetime I've lost battling with my computer and having lost all of my motivation to do anything at all when finally getting it to do what it's supposed to. I don't think I could happily face the results. Don't let these bad days get to you. I know that's more easily said than done, but I hope it gives you some comfort that us readers can relate and that this page turned out really awesome all the same. Btw. because of trying to make it shorter and ending up just making it even longer, it took me quite a while to write this comment, but I'm still grinning all over at Yiska's expression when she realises that lake monster tentacles taste even worse than she thought. I don't just mean her human body language, may I add. I know a dog who makes exactly the same face and posture whenever he notices that what he just ate is disgusting. Since with him it's always "Eat first, examine the smell later!" I know it all too well.

ecchi_kitty at 12:50PM, Feb. 11, 2021

Can only imagine how bad that vine/tentacle must taste. I want to wash out my own mouth in sympathy.

Xade at 9:47PM, Feb. 10, 2021

wewre here, amazing page despite the blur I really love her wolf form and her expressions. Looking great as usual Amy

Onasaki at 8:45PM, Feb. 10, 2021

Don't worry, Amy! We're still here for you! It's a damn shame about all the computer issues though... I've had my fair share lately, too. So I can relate. All that matters is you're safe!