Emi: Everyone! On behalf of both Skye and myself thank you all so much for your nominations! We were so amazed and delighted to have been nominated for so many categories. You guys are truly truly amazing people! Thank you so much. I'm sure Skye will come on later and say some things but thank you all!
Yeah, I like that you have shown us (twice now) that Gerry isn't 100% sweetness-and-light (since no one is perfect). Last time her conscience and self-respect came through for her; I hope it does so again now!
Amber and Allanah: I've brought Gerry's anger right to the surface with a little rekindling from Stacey's apparent lack of remorse, just so she can lose control of her emotions. The old saying 'revenge is a dish best served cold' is an interesting one because it suggests you should calm down enough to think straight but in Gerry's case the cold dish isn't being eaten and the frustration is making her more angry, so this is more about her fighting with her own self-respect than anything.
Lopriest: OH YESS!! I loved her as Faith in Buffy and although the role was pretty tongue in cheek, I think she could be really scary in a more serious role.
Congrats on the nominations! No wins? But always a great read! You have come so far with this comic and the story continues so flowingly. I don't know what I'm saying.. haha.
I feel sorry for Geraldine. It must be awkward for her, but I don't want to see her resort to revenge- that never works out well.
Wow, SS got so many Nominations! :D That's amazing, well done guys, you totally deserve every one of them.
We're definitely seeing a darker side to Gerry. As usual, Sarah, your character development and dialogue are spot-on. I don't blame Gerry for feeling like she wants to punish Stacey; while it's a shame that Stacey has warped Gerry's usually gentle nature, it is understandable for Gerry to feel that way; I felt savagely pleased when a girl who beat me up once got her comeuppance; Karma's a bitch!
I just hope that whatever happened between Stacey and Gerry doesn't weigh too heavily upon poor Gerry's conscience.
Arici: You've made some great points there but I can't comment on them at this stage as I'd rather you didn't know which way it was going but it'll be interesting to see how you feel about the way this particular scene ends. One of my fantasies is picking actors and actresses who I think would be cool to play the characters roles in a movie. I think Ellen Page would be superb as Gerry and I think Jennifer Aniston would be great as Sarah but I'm not sure about anyone else. Maybe Kate Beckinsale as Stacey mhmmmmm
Steve: Yea, congrats on your nomination, it's great to see readers being included in the mix too now as I always felt you guys were such an integral part of what the Duck is all about. It's the support and comments left by readers that are the only real incentive all our webcomics have as so few actually make any money out of it, so its nice for us who make them to be able to show that appreciation too. Great to see Amber (Little Swan) get a nomination too for most supportive reader, but SS especially has always had it's own small band of regulars who are all precious, so I'm very lucky.
Dragonstea: Yea, see you again had the muscle and stature on your side so maybe when that thick skin came close to being pierced you could make it clear you hah had enough. I was called 'mouse' all through secondary school because I was so quiet and everyone used it, but it was always an affectionate nickname and I got a lot of respect for being good at art as well as brutally honest about my own failings so I never had too much trouble. If anyone seemed to resent me period I avoided them as much as possible.
Everyone is different though and my own father was the worst bully in my life, and not so easy to avoid. I've always done my best to let the past go, but two things still bring those old feelings of resentment to the surface even today. One is denying certain nasty things he did and the other is blaming mum for everything to vindicate his own actions. I guess I've put a lot of myself in Gerry in dealing with Stacey.
Pascual: Yea, some very good points there. I also think someone like Stacey wouldn't take much time out to even try and look at things from gerry's point of view. I kind of think she did bad things as a result of her own anger and felt little empathy for anyone elses suffering. Only in this last chapter does she finally seem to be having a change of perspective.
I'll admit I thought a mud wrestling scene would be good too! lol
Aeja: I think you are pretty much like me. I've never been comfortable with physically hitting back as I've never felt stong enough to make it hurt. I swung one punch at a neighbours bullying child years ago and missed completely, and when he deliberately tripped me up coming home from school one day it was my older brother who went and sorted him out. But it's good to see from the other posts that all those who did hit back got a good result so it proves it does work if you have the muscle. I was luckily one of the ones that always had a couple of friends like Cath though and if anyone upset me or called me names they scared them off. :)
Questions I'm often wondering are: 'Has SS lost it's appeal after running for so long?' and 'Do I focus too much on one individual character at the expense of the others?'
It's at this time of the year that your voting answers most of those questions and really makes me feel like it's been worth the effort.I was really thrilled to see Nick/Nikki voted best supporting character because I'd actually considered dropping her early on when a couple of readers complained about the way I portrayed her.
The judges can only pick one winner in each group and that's never a decision I would feel comfortable making as all the nominated comics are winners in the voters eyes, and for me this is the moment that really means the most, so thankyou to everyone who voted for us this year.
I don't believe in people changing, so I doubt Stacey is working so hard to "make it up" to Gerry. I think she's still the same b**ch as she used to be and simply thinks she's so much better than Gerry. That way it's doesn't matter what Gerry makes her do, it's a matter of status. Stacey will always feel superior no matter how low Gerry wants to make her feel.
I understand Gerry is angry, but it won't do her any good if she tries to humiliate Stacey, because she's just gonna go and throw it right back in her face - without doing anything.
A thousand congratulations on your nominations! Keeping my fingers crossed some director comes across this and makes it into a movie... I'd totally go and see it.
I agree with Tommym. Stacy probably wants to do all that she can to make amends. She's just too embarrassed about the past to bring it up in conversation. I do hope Gerry didn't do anything too bad... I always hoped they would become friends... I was never bullied much at school, everyone was too afraid of me. But I heard horrible things talked behind my back (they hit the mark on one thing at least; I am a lesbian. They just made it sound like a bad thing) and the only friends I had were the kids who were being bullied. I guess/hope I managed to give them a mesure of protection by hanging out with them...
Dear Sky,
Anger management...Seems Gerry is losing it more than Stacey. Maybe Stacey is doing everything Gerry says as a way to "make amends"In fact Stacey may be enjoying the work! Not good for Gerry if Gerry aims to "break her" In the end someone will give up. tommym
I got bullied in school a lot. Eventually I just punched them in the face or picked them up and slammed them against the lockers. That stopped em real quick. lol
I'm dreading the revelations on the next page, because I'm afraid I see where this went. What Sarah, and Gerry's Mother need to memorize is, "NO good deed goes Unpunished." Also thanks to all that nominated me as funniest user I was really surprised.
I used to be bullied until my muscle caught up with my impressive height. The thing is that I developed a thick skin, and Gerry seems to have failed to do that.
I will admit that I was never bullied at any point of my life (first time a guy tried I just punched him in the face... part of every kid's formation should be know how to throw a good hook) but I yhink that most bullies do try to ignore the fact of what they've done, either because they just shrug it as "kids stuff" or they're genuinely ashamed of it and don't want to deal with it...
That's my opinion at least...
Now, please... MUD WRESTLING!!!
PS: Congrats on all your nominations!!!
i perfectly understand how Gerry feels... the ones who bullied me back at school also acted as if nothing ever happened... but I knew they remembered and I can't help but to want to rub it on their faces whenever I have the chance
Little Swan at 10:07AM, Oct. 7, 2011
Yeah, I like that you have shown us (twice now) that Gerry isn't 100% sweetness-and-light (since no one is perfect). Last time her conscience and self-respect came through for her; I hope it does so again now!
skyangel at 3:10AM, Oct. 7, 2011
Amber and Allanah: I've brought Gerry's anger right to the surface with a little rekindling from Stacey's apparent lack of remorse, just so she can lose control of her emotions. The old saying 'revenge is a dish best served cold' is an interesting one because it suggests you should calm down enough to think straight but in Gerry's case the cold dish isn't being eaten and the frustration is making her more angry, so this is more about her fighting with her own self-respect than anything.
skyangel at 3:01AM, Oct. 7, 2011
Lopriest: OH YESS!! I loved her as Faith in Buffy and although the role was pretty tongue in cheek, I think she could be really scary in a more serious role.
allanah at 8:06PM, Oct. 6, 2011
Congrats on the nominations! No wins? But always a great read! You have come so far with this comic and the story continues so flowingly. I don't know what I'm saying.. haha. I feel sorry for Geraldine. It must be awkward for her, but I don't want to see her resort to revenge- that never works out well.
Little Swan at 2:06PM, Oct. 2, 2011
Wow, SS got so many Nominations! :D That's amazing, well done guys, you totally deserve every one of them. We're definitely seeing a darker side to Gerry. As usual, Sarah, your character development and dialogue are spot-on. I don't blame Gerry for feeling like she wants to punish Stacey; while it's a shame that Stacey has warped Gerry's usually gentle nature, it is understandable for Gerry to feel that way; I felt savagely pleased when a girl who beat me up once got her comeuppance; Karma's a bitch! I just hope that whatever happened between Stacey and Gerry doesn't weigh too heavily upon poor Gerry's conscience.
Lopriest at 2:04PM, Oct. 2, 2011
Eliza Dushku as Stacey :D
skyangel at 5:25AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Arici: You've made some great points there but I can't comment on them at this stage as I'd rather you didn't know which way it was going but it'll be interesting to see how you feel about the way this particular scene ends. One of my fantasies is picking actors and actresses who I think would be cool to play the characters roles in a movie. I think Ellen Page would be superb as Gerry and I think Jennifer Aniston would be great as Sarah but I'm not sure about anyone else. Maybe Kate Beckinsale as Stacey mhmmmmm
skyangel at 5:08AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Cath: You're one of the best ;). I covered most of what you said in my reponse to Aeja I think.
skyangel at 5:06AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Steve: Yea, congrats on your nomination, it's great to see readers being included in the mix too now as I always felt you guys were such an integral part of what the Duck is all about. It's the support and comments left by readers that are the only real incentive all our webcomics have as so few actually make any money out of it, so its nice for us who make them to be able to show that appreciation too. Great to see Amber (Little Swan) get a nomination too for most supportive reader, but SS especially has always had it's own small band of regulars who are all precious, so I'm very lucky.
skyangel at 4:50AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Dragonstea: Yea, see you again had the muscle and stature on your side so maybe when that thick skin came close to being pierced you could make it clear you hah had enough. I was called 'mouse' all through secondary school because I was so quiet and everyone used it, but it was always an affectionate nickname and I got a lot of respect for being good at art as well as brutally honest about my own failings so I never had too much trouble. If anyone seemed to resent me period I avoided them as much as possible. Everyone is different though and my own father was the worst bully in my life, and not so easy to avoid. I've always done my best to let the past go, but two things still bring those old feelings of resentment to the surface even today. One is denying certain nasty things he did and the other is blaming mum for everything to vindicate his own actions. I guess I've put a lot of myself in Gerry in dealing with Stacey.
skyangel at 4:19AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Pascual: Yea, some very good points there. I also think someone like Stacey wouldn't take much time out to even try and look at things from gerry's point of view. I kind of think she did bad things as a result of her own anger and felt little empathy for anyone elses suffering. Only in this last chapter does she finally seem to be having a change of perspective. I'll admit I thought a mud wrestling scene would be good too! lol
skyangel at 4:12AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Aeja: I think you are pretty much like me. I've never been comfortable with physically hitting back as I've never felt stong enough to make it hurt. I swung one punch at a neighbours bullying child years ago and missed completely, and when he deliberately tripped me up coming home from school one day it was my older brother who went and sorted him out. But it's good to see from the other posts that all those who did hit back got a good result so it proves it does work if you have the muscle. I was luckily one of the ones that always had a couple of friends like Cath though and if anyone upset me or called me names they scared them off. :)
skyangel at 4:04AM, Oct. 2, 2011
Questions I'm often wondering are: 'Has SS lost it's appeal after running for so long?' and 'Do I focus too much on one individual character at the expense of the others?' It's at this time of the year that your voting answers most of those questions and really makes me feel like it's been worth the effort.I was really thrilled to see Nick/Nikki voted best supporting character because I'd actually considered dropping her early on when a couple of readers complained about the way I portrayed her. The judges can only pick one winner in each group and that's never a decision I would feel comfortable making as all the nominated comics are winners in the voters eyes, and for me this is the moment that really means the most, so thankyou to everyone who voted for us this year.
arici at 3:15AM, Oct. 2, 2011
I don't believe in people changing, so I doubt Stacey is working so hard to "make it up" to Gerry. I think she's still the same b**ch as she used to be and simply thinks she's so much better than Gerry. That way it's doesn't matter what Gerry makes her do, it's a matter of status. Stacey will always feel superior no matter how low Gerry wants to make her feel. I understand Gerry is angry, but it won't do her any good if she tries to humiliate Stacey, because she's just gonna go and throw it right back in her face - without doing anything. A thousand congratulations on your nominations! Keeping my fingers crossed some director comes across this and makes it into a movie... I'd totally go and see it.
Cath at 12:30AM, Oct. 2, 2011
I agree with Tommym. Stacy probably wants to do all that she can to make amends. She's just too embarrassed about the past to bring it up in conversation. I do hope Gerry didn't do anything too bad... I always hoped they would become friends... I was never bullied much at school, everyone was too afraid of me. But I heard horrible things talked behind my back (they hit the mark on one thing at least; I am a lesbian. They just made it sound like a bad thing) and the only friends I had were the kids who were being bullied. I guess/hope I managed to give them a mesure of protection by hanging out with them...
tommym at 4:54PM, Oct. 1, 2011
Dear Sky, Anger management...Seems Gerry is losing it more than Stacey. Maybe Stacey is doing everything Gerry says as a way to "make amends"In fact Stacey may be enjoying the work! Not good for Gerry if Gerry aims to "break her" In the end someone will give up. tommym
Lopriest at 12:59PM, Oct. 1, 2011
At this rate, they'll both end up in anger management classes before long... Awesome nominations, congratulations.
kingtidus390 at 12:27PM, Oct. 1, 2011
I got bullied in school a lot. Eventually I just punched them in the face or picked them up and slammed them against the lockers. That stopped em real quick. lol
dragonrider at 11:09AM, Oct. 1, 2011
I'm dreading the revelations on the next page, because I'm afraid I see where this went. What Sarah, and Gerry's Mother need to memorize is, "NO good deed goes Unpunished." Also thanks to all that nominated me as funniest user I was really surprised.
dragonestea at 9:18AM, Oct. 1, 2011
I used to be bullied until my muscle caught up with my impressive height. The thing is that I developed a thick skin, and Gerry seems to have failed to do that.
Dark Pascual at 8:18AM, Oct. 1, 2011
I will admit that I was never bullied at any point of my life (first time a guy tried I just punched him in the face... part of every kid's formation should be know how to throw a good hook) but I yhink that most bullies do try to ignore the fact of what they've done, either because they just shrug it as "kids stuff" or they're genuinely ashamed of it and don't want to deal with it... That's my opinion at least... Now, please... MUD WRESTLING!!! PS: Congrats on all your nominations!!!
AeJaLove at 5:58AM, Oct. 1, 2011
i perfectly understand how Gerry feels... the ones who bullied me back at school also acted as if nothing ever happened... but I knew they remembered and I can't help but to want to rub it on their faces whenever I have the chance