Non-Committal November Update
Hello you tawdry jackals.
So. I’m not going to accept your kind patronage for December. There’s too much to do that I’ve left undone. The audiobook of The Fifth Science has all been recorded in a studio, but I need to do the editing myself and it’s going to be quite a fucker. The paperback is almost ready too, but again: it needs sorting and everything has to be assembled digitally after that. There are 101 other things to sort when it comes to writing and what not also. So I hope you don’t mind me being absent for the holy month. I might make a little something, I'm not sure. I promise some experimental stuff is coming in January anyway, to put it lightly.
Anyway.
A while ago I found myself in the Birmingham (Alabama) Museum of Art. It was really good. The exhibits were very varied and well thought out.
But the treat – for me – was upstairs. It was a golden statue of a Hindu deity whose name I don’t remember. It had lots of arms, and a face not unlike the Buddha. And I thought, Shit, imagine if that was a god of the future, not the past. I couldn’t get that idea out of my head for the entire trip. It stayed with me for ages.
So if you’re curious about where this month’s video came from, that’s where. Sometimes something keeps eating at you, turns up in thoughts it shouldn’t be in, nags you in your dreams. I knew if I didn’t make this that the thing wouldn’t go away. I hope you liked it anyway.
This making stuff job is a weird one. I don’t know why you’re watching and I don’t know what you want more of. Without being rude, these days I usually don’t think too much about what you want, because every time I tried that I ended up putting out rubbish. Instead, if an idea turns up and it’s a bit unusual but I can tell there’s something there, I just go ahead and trust you’ll come with me on it. That leap of faith never stops being scary.
One thing I don’t have to worry about though is that I’ll put out something too weird and the YouTube algorithm won’t allow me to make rent that month. And that’s because of you lot and your kindness. I wouldn’t have made this month’s video if I was worrying about advertising revenue, not in a million fucking years. So as always, please know that I’m just so enormously grateful to you, and your frankly misguided decision to support my stuff. It means the world, it really does.
I’m aware I need to fix the Patreon tier system too. That one’s on the list this month; promise.
Hm. What else. Well, there was that nasty story about the missionary getting killed by the isolated tribe. There’s the Brexit deal. And my cat is getting ever-fatter. Picture below.
I hope you’re all right in any case – doing whatever it is you’re up to.
The audiobook will be done in December. I’ll gladly get it out there to you lot for free.
Once again, thanks for being so lovely. It means the world.
Ex.
Comments (28)
I'm soothed and tickled by your unique style, take time to refresh and please accept our contributions as we want to support you. Just reading these comments is strangely cathartic and helps to free me from my perturbations.
How ARE you doing with Brexit, really? I mean, I feel palpable pity from foreigners when I tell them I'm American...I feel the unasked question is, so how are you all doing with Trump? Unfortunately for the conversation, I'm not allowed an opinion on that topic, given my unnamed occupation. 😑
I dare you to stop the patronage because you take some time off. I double dare you... Art does not flow in direct ways. Do as you please, I have been watching your videos long enough without being a patron! Also I didn't even know you're currently making the audio book (joined last month), and that really REALLY made my evening now!
Ex is it possible to pre order the paper back as id love to have a physical copy asap and im afraid they might instantly sell out
Thanks for the cat pic! Keep on keeping on man
To be honest, I think that we don‘t really know what we want from your videos either.. haha.. so as long as it comes from you. I‘m pretty sure we will like whatever you put out - so don‘t worry about us. xoxo
I'll give you my dollar somewhere else if I'm able this month if you don't go through with this month. We are all here because we love your content. I fucking LOVED that video you made about the future god. That was an incredible story that seriously came out of nowhere and is definitely responsible for my increasing desire to buy your books. Please take the money I have pledged to one of my favorite voices. I pledge my money to projects that I believe should have more funding, not because I am expecting content created for me. If there is anyone that actually expects content each month because they tossed you a few bucks on their own will without contract, then come forward and tell me I'm wrong because I doubt anyone here has that feeling towards your and your content.
Ex, you're not a dancing monkey. Produce what you want at the rate you want and accept our gods damn money whether you promise something in a month or not.
I think it is pretty common consensus that you should still go through with the payment. We want to see you do well, and if this is the best way we can achieve that, then go for it. You make some really good stuff, and we all appreciate it (why else would we be here).
Please accept my money! I'm paying for Freya's health and wellness, not you, gibberish smiling turtle. Please be a good cat slave and ask her what she thinks next time!
btw, this is by far the most positive Patreon comment section I have ever read so far.
I feel the same way as pretty much everyone in these comments, please don't cancel December patronage. Personally, if I am a patron, it is not because I want to buy anything, it is because I want to thank you for everything you did. Don't feel like you owe us anything.
I really must insist that you not cancel December patronage. I have no expectation that you complete content at a particular cadence and desire only to support your continued productivity.
same
The new video was great. I definitely associate your “grating and pretentious” voice with a kind of cynical intelligence that is very refreshing to hear and I enjoy the narration of the longer fiction you write. I’ve already read the fifth science but I look forward to listening to it again once you finish the audio version.
Thanks Aaron! Most kind indeed.
I wish you'd stop with the patronage cancelling. All those other things you're working on and providing us for free, I'd like to think I'm doing my bit in contributing to that.
I strongly agree with this statement! He does so much and it brings joy in my life.
Please never think about what I want from you. I come here because I love your creativity, sincerity and passion. Thank you for making these lovely things.
Thank you Coraline, that's much appreciated indeed. All the very best wishes.
"I usually don’t think too much about what you want..." Yes, that is the way artists work. Keep it up.
Cheers Doug - that's most wise indeed.
The quality jumps in the comments here are astounding to say the least
Ho ho
Exurb1a, that recent video was amazing. It was beautifully made and thought-up, but that’s not all. When I began to watch the video, I thought it would be another weird thing about an existential crisis - I expected and wanted it. But it wasn’t. I was confused, but I love you to bits so I stuck to it. I don’t think I can quite put it into words... you surpassed and greatly exceeded my expectations. From the space-like silhouettes of people to the idea of the snake... it was an amazingly-crafted story that I’m sure to remember. I probably would’ve cried if I wasn’t at work, too. Keep up doing whatever you do, Exurb1a. Creating something isn’t about seeking out what someone wants. It’s about passion; a spark of inspiration and the motivation to push forward. Have a good day, fellow human.
Thank you Robotman, that's absolutely lovely of you.
You have to accept my money. I don't have anything else to do with it.
If you need an alternate suggestion, they make robots for cats now. That's a possible fiscal drain. <a href="https://petronics.io/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://petronics.io/</a> If you don't have a cat I recommend one of those too.