Delays Ahead
You know, as someone who doesn't actually celebrate any of the winter holidays, I was not expecting this holiday season to be so overwhelmingly stressful. But life has had different plans.
A while back, a friend of an acquaintance I know found herself unexpectedly homeless. I happen to live somewhat nearby, and I also happen to believe that all human beings have a fundamental right to safe shelter, so we have been assisting her temporarily while she arranges for a more permanent residence. This has been a lot of work! That's true for several reasons, really, many of which get into things rather too personal to complain about in a public space, but please believe me when I say these two things: this has been one of the most stressful periods of my entire life, and I do not regret it for a second.
Still. What this means for you is that I might start getting somewhat unreliable when it comes to updates, especially for Are You Even Human.
Why AYEH specifically? ...Because it's less fun to write. That's it. I'm not really enjoying the process of finishing up the final book of AYEH, and to be clear that does not mean there is any risk of me not doing it—I am a professional, I am used to pushing through difficult periods of writing—but it makes this particularly difficult with all the stress I have been under. The current section of MGMH, by comparison, is something I look forward to very much and therefore it acts as more of a stress relief than a stress additive. If the stories had been in different parts of their current plot, it could have very easily gone the other way.
Regardless, I believe Are You Even Human as a story will suffer if I burn myself out writing something that the stress is making me resentful towards, so if there are any unplanned breaks in the update schedule in the near future, that is the reason why. And of course, the reason I'm writing this is because there won't be a chapter this week.
So! How long do I expect this situation to go on? The good news is that we've recently gotten very good news re: more permanent housing, and we are currently on track for a stable situation for my friends and family sometime in January. February, however, would likely be a more realistic estimate for when my stress levels will have lowered back down to something manageable in the long-term.
Thank you for your understanding in this difficult time. I will absolutely be working to put out chapters as often as I am able, but as the people who are graciously giving me the financial security necessary to extend this help to someone less fortunate, I believe it is your right to know when I cannot maintain my promises to you.
Happy holidays to those who celebrate,
Natalie
Comments (25)
So it's not a big deal. Do what you gotta do first, but it is kind of annoying. I pay 50 something dollars a year and I do appreciate that it's cheaper because you do upload a lot slower but just delays and all that it can get a little frustrating. I understand I'm not necessarily paying for chapters it's more for when they're available, but I like the story and it's frustrating that there's not a consistent schedule. I don't really, at the moment, care for the other story. So, I'm just kind of paying for nothing. I hope you have a good day.
To clarify, I'm by no means trying to rush you. If it means a better story, take all the time. It's just frustrating.
Help comes first
Take all the time you need we will be here. Though again I say I would be happy if all I got for a month was a single canon paragraph where Vita and Penny are running an interdimensional lesbian bookshop.
A good deed.
Please take your time or pause as long as you need so you can enjoy it when you get into it. I feel like we were spoiled for banger chapter after banger chapter in AYEH for a while there and it is a shame you are not feeling the story like you were. Thank you for all you do :)
>I'm not really enjoying the process of finishing up the final book of AYEH Feels rude to say "I could tell", but the pacing and what you might call thematic flow has suffered these last few chapters. Like running down the checklist of necessary scenes to wrap up the plot. Like we passed the climax without noticing, and are now in the epilogue. The In-Joke resolution felt particularly out of place. Neither the moon or the conspiracy are, as-presented, a compelling threat. Agnus is (poetically) an idiot (there's the other line about a lamb "et ego quasi agnus, qui portatur ad victimam"), and moonfall is years away. I'd say take a few months to reorganize, passively think it over, find that spark again, that insight that brings it all together.
Messages are insufficient to express how much of an awesome thing I feel you are doing, Natalie. Ngl, if there was a "don't stress, I'll keep my subscription up no matter how slow you write" tier, I'd be on that one :)
you're doing amazing things, both in and out of your writing <3 thank you for being wonderful!
you're doing something wonderful. stay the course and take care of yourself.
Having been homeless. It’s pretty terrible. Not sure if anyone ever completely recovers when their own life becomes a tragedy. Hope everyone stays safe.
Take whatever time you need. Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays I hope thing work out. Thank you for the great stories.
That sounds stressful! Take all the time you need. I'll be a patient fan.
Tis cool, listening to bioshifter in the meantime.
Thank you for being an amazing human being! (if you so wish to claim that term for yourself ^^)
I'm glad you have the space and resources to help your friend out, and to take space for your mental health! Please take all the time you need. If that means AYEH needs more time, so be it.
Profound blessings (atheist version) upon you & your house, for doing the real work of community. I agree to slight or even moderate delays to my entertainment in recognition of this work.
Do what you need to keep people safe. Appreciate the heads up. I'll keep supporting you through it.
Take care of your mental first. If that means AYEH takes an extra year to be finished im good with that. ~~Though between the 2 stories MGMH stabs me more.~~
*hugs* make sure not to burn yourself out, ok? I mean you seem to be doing that but my point still stands.
Do what you gotta do and dont sweat the delays… if its worth doing its worth doing right, so dont run yourself ragged trying to rush quality before taking care of yourself and those you care about
Rest well and happy holidays 🥳
Nah, they gotta help you write as rent. lol
So thats how Natalie manages to write so much, her prisoners in the basement just write down their horrific experiences 😭