AARGH hello internet. I’ve often wondered why I seem driven to bash out tens of thousands (literally) of pages of comics in one vast cohesive multiverse-style sex romp ultra-fiasco that all interlinks, and … other people don’t seem to do that. Do they? I’ve looked into it, and there don’t seem to be many [sex or otherwise] comic creators who make such a volume of it-all-ties-together-like-some-ridiculous-library-of-mayhem work. With a mostly-consistent set of values underpinning everything?! Hrmm.
(Full disclosure: I’m the same human individual responsible since Nemesis … even Liz Truss. Yep, it’s all been me, obviously. Ah that reminds me I really need to do the last Bubble..)
And then I got diagnosed with a [bunch of] certain neurotype[s] which apparently lends itself to zoning-out of boring work, and instead LOCKS IN on groundbreaking randomness, and suddenly it all made sense. I read a thing about Barbara Cartland being ‘maybe’ autistic; Barbara who created 700+ novels. SEVEN HUNDRED FUCKING NOVELS are you kidding me?! Barbara, what the heck are you doing smashing out SEVEN HUNDRED novels?!?!?!! Barbara … a bit of a recluse despite being much-loved by many people. Barbara who died surrounded by cats and HUNDREDS of unpublished extra novels, just lying about the house … … … me.
AAaaaaaAAaaaAAAAARRGHHHHHnnnnnyway, then I wondered why I haven’t created quite so many comics this year. Possibly down to work stress, which does come and go. Possibly down to the fact my ‘specialist interests’ are many and varied (I’ve been enjoying modifying engines recently, to output more horsepower; that’s always a fun way to waste time). Possibly down to my growing understanding of the differences in my brain and the way I process the world; seriously that’s a big thing to get your head around, that. Its taken me years coming to terms with the different ways I process reality vs. how other people do it.
And we get to the point of this quick lil’ check-in: I’m learning to look after myself. For the first time properly. And that includes spending less time on things with people who don’t have my health/interests at heart (I actually ghosted a truly selfish person for the first time in my life a few weeks back! Delightful!). It includes looking after my sensory differences when I go out. It includes having boundaries and saying ‘no’ a hell of a lot more: at work, with friends, even in the mirror sometimes. I’ve even got some help and have cut my alcohol usage down by like 60% so it’s now consistently lower than it has been for *check notes* 20 years. Did you read this far? Then you’re my people. Thank you for making this ride be as enjoyable as it has been; seriously the fans who actually read stuff are why I’ve put so much effort into these things for so long. And will continue to do so, when the time is right.
Talking about next steps; there’s a couple of key comics I’d love to complete (the backyard one-off is a fun romp, and there’s the third Kinfolk that needs doing; not sure about Skybloom, that kinda works ending where it is so I may not complete that one). But I am thinking more about releasing my half-finished comics in a few batches; because there’s concepts sitting on my computer that I pondered but am never going to finish (because they didn’t ‘do it’ for me, or they didn’t tie-in very well or they’d just take too long or the technology moved on or they’re just plain illegal or whatever), but which I think should be released even semi-done, because I know people will enjoy them nonetheless.
And we don’t always need the entire story, do we? Take the fun renders on this page for example: I don’t need to spell it out, don’t need to finish everything. The story’s all there, implied, in the gaps, in the light and dark, in the ripples of the water and the subtlety of expression; the anguish and the joy, the veiled horniness and the slight disgust, the furnishings implying the era … ahhh, great fun.
I refresh your website pretty much every day waiting for another post.
You know what makes you truly different, is that you’re insightful, thoughtful, fucken smart. Added, you create spicy sexiness and horniness into the mix, creatively but always thought provoking. I don’t think that there are many people who are able to weave stories and bring worlds together the way that you do.
I truly believe that people who can, are remarkable and few and far between.
Focusing on what YOU need versus what you feel other people need is SO hard for some of us to do, so ghosting that friend is a major step forward.
It’s funny how some of us probably feel that we are taking the journey with you. Such a pleasure being part of a tiny sliver of your world.
Hear, Hear!
Thanks PhillyVanilly, what a lovely comment. Yeah I suppose I write the kind of crap I want to read! Maybe that helps make it relatable, and if something’s relatable then I guess it necessarily brings people along for the ride 👍
Sindih Anna Jhones
… Pihppoh?
As someone who also recently has had to come (still working on some) to terms with a lot of things recently. I can see myself in a lot of the same processes you’ve been going through. Some are still a challenge as it can be hard to decerne what gives me energy and takes my energy.
I have a special interest in games, board games, pc games, roleplay (which is a more recent one), are types of things that gives me energy, but also takes some, as I can go into a rabbit hole and lose track of time.
What takes away my energy are social interactions but there is also a fine line here, as I need to social interaction to function as human-being. What took me time to figure out, is I am better one-on-one or smaller groups, rather that stuck in a crowded room. Which led me to quit my job.
Takes Energy:
Once a week I participate at a semi-private arranged board-game café with other people. A decently small crowd and the people who shows up varies and we bring our own games from home to play. The people there are more to the simple games, and are not keen on learning anything new, so it can be a little boring at times.
However, the games are only a means to and end, as the goal for me is to socialize and expand my social network.
Gives me energy:
Befriended a guy there. Who I now, meet up with privately to play the more advanced and time consuming games we don’t get to do at the café (which fits my rabbit hole perfectly). We make a day out of it and I’ll be making whatever food we need, along the way, (as long as we’ve discussed it the day prior or else it stresses me out). I am no picky eater and have an interest in making food as well. We also meet up once a week to go for a walk and just talk.
Ah that’s really cool to be so clear on what gives and what takes energy, and to manage the harmony with such clarity. Always something I’m learning; to be better at those balances that keep me in good fettle. Your routine sounds great, lovely to hear
What Philly & Shades said is so true. Take care of you. Its a difficult thing to do and sometimes even more difficult to accept it needs doing. Like Philly I refresh either daily or every other day. And I along with Im sure 1000’s of others will do the same, because we dont just want to read your stories, we want to know how your doing and enjoy your insights into life.
Yeah it’s kinda cool the site is humming along on 500-700+ views every day, even when I haven’t blogged for over a month; hundreds of people still checking in
Thanks for the update, was getting a bit worried. Definitely take care of you. It’s a really hard skill for many of us to learn. I’m still in the remedial class on that one ;P
The safety talk on aeroplanes contains a very basic, valuable and transferable piece of wisdom: if the masks drop from above, put your own mask on first! i.e. looking out for yourself needs to be priority #1 if you hope to survive long enough to help anyone else.
I love anything you care to share – be it super horny comics or hilarious mind-expanding blogs (with boobies) – so me encouraging you to take time for yourself and your own mental maintenance is actually me being selfish, in a way.
You are, without a doubt, the very best thing that ever happened to ‘adult sexy-fun-time entertainment’ and
I wish you a long*, happy and healthy life.
* only if the other two criteria are met.
I`m just glad to find a sign of life from you. Like many others i check this page regularly and yes, i got a bit worried about you too.
It´s great to hear that you`re doing better and manage to do what so many others can`t…. change your life in a way that makes you feel better.
It might sound silly, but as I read in the other comments too: We care about you. And we don`t want you to be stressed. We´d love to see something new from you, because…. Boobies,Sex, lovely characters and, maybe the best thing in your work, another angle to look at the world.
Be gentle with yourself, enjoy your life and keep working on yourself.
All ,the best wishes
Thanks Chris 🙂
When thinking on you I’m reminded of Valerie’s letter from V for Vendetta (movie). You bring intelligent joy coated fun to the world. As someone who has 3 diagnosed comorbidities (ADHD, ASD, and Cylothymia), diagnosed late in life 37, now older who is not sure if I will ever deal with ‘normal’, nor if I really want to. I’m still learning more about myself and forgiving myself for all the harshwords I’ve pointed to me, before I was diagnosed. While this is a journey, I have slowly learnt to let me be me. Normal is a setting on the dryer. I’m on your site daily always looking to hear/read more from your brain.
Glad to know you’re taking care of yourself. We people, we’re all weird, and sometimes it’s good to know how to work with our own weirdness as well as others. I am grateful to have benefitted from your particular brand of obsession.
100% would be interested in semi-finished ideas.
I’m so glad you’re still here… I’ve missed you & have a lot of reading to catch up on.
& autism? Show me a person today that doesn’t somehow qualify… We’re all daffy in some way.
I have Aspergers & a half dozen other ‘afflictions’ that I just call life… I managed,& it was my body that gave out on me while my brain still runs in overdrive…
Just be you. We love your characters and strories, & through them, we love you too. 🙂
Will
You’ve helped a lot of us in more ways than you can imagine. About time you helped yourself, and your positivity about it is inspiring.