ddwebb
patreon
Returning soon
🕑 Added 2023-07-17 02:14:27 +0000 UTCHi everyone, it's the middle of July and I am reporting in as promised.
Progress has been very good. I feel...honestly, pretty well recovered. I'm fully recuperated from the exhaustion, the stress and emotional breakdowns I was experiencing have faded, and I have my energy and focus back. I've been doing some writing over the last couple of weeks, and it's been going well. So I consider myself recovered enough to resume work, and I'm anxious to do so as soon as possible.
That's the good news.
The less good news is that, having recovered my overall physical and mental health enough to have a relevant context in which to interpret this observation, it has become inescapably clear that OVDT has become a big problem for me, mental health wise. Of the various projects I have been plugging away at, I've tried to work on it as well and have just bounced hard off it. Massive writer's block, immediately spiking stress when I try to focus on it, and general signs of complete burnout related to that project.
Which is...not ideal. I already knew it was a growing problem for me and had planned to put it on official hiatus next time I reached a story milestone, but I really, really would like to finish Book 4 before doing that. Right now, I am a bit uncertain of my ability to hit that point.
So, here's what I am going to do. I will make one last attempt to re-launch OVDT as of what would be the usual Tuesday update, setting aside tomorrow to focus on it and get a chapter done for the Avenist-tier patrons, and resume the usual posting schedule from there. If I am unable to accomplish that goal, or if doing so proves so difficult and mentally taxing that continuing to do it will just send me inevitably into another crisis before I can finish the book, then I will admit defeat and formally shelve OVDT for the time being. I'll then move on to a different project for a while, which I will launch and give details about as soon as I am able to. I've got a couple of things cooking and could potentially get one off the ground within another week or so.
I would hate more than I know how to express leaving OVDT where it is right now, just smack fucking dab in the middle of everything, but I have learned the painful lesson that if I don't acknowledge and work around my mental illness as necessary I will damage my brain, and then there'll be no more stories at all for who knows how long. Also I'll be miserable, which I guess I should try to avoid.
So! I'm officially resuming work! Chapters will begin shortly - hopefully with the resumption of OVDT, and if not, with something else.
Thank you all so very much for being patient with me. I'm sorry about the lack of content. I promise I will do my best to put out something that's well worth your time just as soon as I'm able.
Comments
Joel Tone
I hope you find your way through. I love your writing and look forward to whatever comes, whenever it comes. Health first!
Daemion
Oh, is there perhaps a chance that you'll write more Netherstar chapters? Because that was an interesting beginning...
Rex Schrader
Let me jump on the bandwagon and say that your health should be the top priority. I love your stories, but they're no good to me if you're not around to make them. I wonder to what degree the "early/bonus chapters for Patreon" thing contributes to your stress levels? One consistent theme I've seen from you in your comments on TGAB and OVDT is your stress over delivering those types of chapters. Do you think it would help if you simply removed those as a reward and instead just delivered as you are able to deliver? Speaking for myself, I send you money because I love everything you write and I want to support your ability to do that. I don't do it for the bonus chapters or early access (which is silly anyway, since once you're caught up, you're still waiting). I expect that pretty much anyone who is left on your Patreon by this point is doing it for the same reason - they want you to succeed in writing, not for transitory benefits.
Aaradur
Both your stories so far have been amazing; it'll be a bit sad for OVDT to go on hiatus, but your health is so much more important and im looking forward to your next project as well!
Conrad Wong
Take care of yourself first! While I might be a bit disappointed if OVDT doesn't resume, I still got plenty of entertainment out of the part that does exist, and of course, out of the entire ouevre of TGAB, and there's always hope that the situation will change and you'll figure out how to disarm that block. In the meantime, there's no point running yourself against a wall, I say. Maybe it's time for something completely different?
MrHrulgin
Do what supports your healing. I'm a big fan of your work, brought in by OVDT, but I'm not planning on bailing if you never write another word of it. I'll just look forward to what you write next, as long as you're writing something that speaks to you.
Brent
My honest opinion(as a layman with no real reason to be listened to), is to just put OVDT on hiatus. Unless you end the series then in one way or another it will always be "in the middle." Let it go and come back sometime later when you're feeling more up to it. Sticking with it at this point is just a good way to fall back into negative habits and mindsets. Good luck to you regardless. Take care of yourself.
