The Trap
Hey guys, I have some some stuff I want to talk about, hopefully things that are not so personal, but I’ll do my best to slip in some adventurous qualities (not really hat adventurous).
I’ve written, and deleted maybe four paragraphs so far, trying to find the proper thing to say. In the past few months, I’ve been sick, or ill with something nearly weekly, and this went from being sick almost once every year. Trying to keep up with my comics as well as my freelance design studio was something I was able to maintain in the past, but within the last year my freelance has more than tripled, and it wasn’t uncommon I would go days without sleep to keep up with deadlines, or many times asking for extensions to them. I’m truly happy, after walking off poisonous snake bites, rock climbing disasters, and other things that actually could do damage to me, I discarded my lack of sleep as a walk in the park (a nice happy sunny park filled with friendly wizards). Nevertheless, my doctor made me aware two weeks ago that I caused a considerable amount of damage to myself with maintaining this lifestyle.
I’m truly fortunate that I have you as readers, I really mean that. The first thing I talk about with my comics are usually of the people who read them, and how they’re the nicest bunch of folks I’ve ever seen on any forum/comment page. You’re supportive of not only the comic, but of each other as well, and that is a trait that I truly respect, and all of you have my thanks.
The worst thing is not updating this on time, and letting you down. I know I can’t ask for forgiveness on that, and I’m very sorry to all of you.
After tossing a bunch of ideas around (some with Hussy, and maybe the cat… who both usually give horrid advice) I’ve come to a decision on how to balance things slightly… I’ve cancelled my freelance contracts, all of them. I have a few things I’m committed to finish, but other than that, I’m done. I can now devote all my time for what I truly love, and that’s Nerf This, Scout Crossing, and Motokool.
Freelance was a part of my life for years, and honestly… I’m happy to say goodbye to it. Now I can get back to what truly makes me happy, and that’s drawing horrible jokes for all of you 🙂
Well, sorry for writing this terribly awkward post, I promise it won’t happen again!
PS: Books are still on the way, and I’ll be streaming about that, and other things tomorrow while I draw Nerf. I’ll try to have Scout or Motokool page done this week, if not, then there will be updates next week. Again, I’m really sorry that these site updates are hectic right now, but for the 1st time in a while, I think things will run smoothly once again.
Just glad you’re alive dude!
Agreed, Lynn! Also, HI! =D
Scott, everyone knows what it’s like to be overwhelmed. Also, everyone knows how much you work. I think we may have taken some of it with a grain of salt, but I’m surprised you haven’t gone a bit insane yet. I know I couldn’t do what you do.
I know some of us have discussed how we can help make things easier for you, but we’re just kind of stuck as we’re not in your immediate area. With you being a freelance, I never considered this, but do you have insurance? If not, I can’t imagine how much you’ve been set back by your visits, etc.
I don’t think any of us truly care about the lack of comics, but the biggest problem has been the lack of updates. I’m glad you’ve provided us with this insight as to what’s going on. Do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself…financially, health-wise and socially. We’ll still be here.
Congratulations and good luck on following your heart! not many people can or are willing to do so, I love your comics and expect to see you succeed whilst doing what you love.
I’ve been reading this comment for about a year now, it’s progressively getting better and better. I’d just like to thank you for the great read and hilarious antics.
I don’t know what to say. You’re giving up a lot for this comic and us readers and theres no way any of us could be thankful enough for what your doing, for free non the less. I just want to thank you for trying so hard and not giving up on these comics.
Awww Scott, I would forgive you for not updating on time, I am a very patient man and I know it would be well worth the wait. But you should really work on the sleeping, its kind of important. Also, good for you for doing what makes you happy and thank you for it being something that also makes me/us happy.
I found Nerf This only a week ago, and yet I find myself checking every day now. I thank you for making these comics for us. I completely understand the sickness, many other artists I read stuff from have been seriously sick in the past. I don’t know all of the circumstances behind your schedule, but I am glad that you are recovering and continuing to do what you love to do.
I’ve never commented on your comics before, because I’m just awkward and don’t like to comment on things :D, but you are awesome. It’s ridiculously amazing how much you care about your readers and I absolutely love your comic. I hope you start to feel better and I was always excited for your comic updates even if they weren’t always on time. 😀
I’ve been reading this comic for a long while, and to put it simply. I love it. Not just because of the art or the jokes (which are all amazing) but because of the simple dedication that you have for your comics. What I really want to say is; Thanks for the Laughs and Great Times that have been shared by you.
dude you seriously bring joy into all your reader’s lives! every person i’ve ever met who is even the slightest bit interested in comics is someone who i’ve refered your 3 series to, please keep doing what you do 😀
I started reading this and I thought you were breaking up with us. I’m glad to keep reading and supporting Nerf-This and your other comics as well.Thank you for the laughs.
Scott I’m glad you’re back and I just want to say that even if Nerf, Scout, and Motokool only updated once in a blue moon, I’d be perfectly happy, hell I’d probably just re-read the entire series while waiting for a new strip, just as long as you’re taking care of yourself. Your comics are some of the best I’ve ever read, printed and webcomics, and I would hate to see them stop. So all mushyness aside, don’t push yourself too hard and take care of yourself!
Cheers!
Been reading your comic shortly after you started, I’ve always thought you had an awesome community of people who were fun to chat with on your comments. You don’t need to apologize to us man. We love what you do, but if you aren’t alive, you can’t do it!
Really happy, and honored you chose us and your comics over your work. Means a lot, keep up the good work dude. We’ll be here!
Scott, you’re an amazing person! I love how committed you are to the fans! I am willing to wait years for you to update Scout, Motokool, and Nerf, just as long as you stayed healthy! Please keep up the great work
I’ve been reading about a year and a half. I’ve been wondering what was going on, and I’m so glad that you’re getting to a place where you’ll be living healthier and doing what you love. Congratulations!
The whole not getting an update all the time just means that when you finally do post it’s all the more awesome. I can’t think of a time that this comic has failed to make my day better upon reading it. You keep up the awesome and I’ll be here every time you update however sporadically it may be.
You are- hands down – the most dedicated webcomic author and just general all-around awesome person ever! But really, I’m very glad you seemed to have gotten over your illness and kept yourself from dying. Kudos to you sir!
I’m really glad you’re ending up (sortof) okay after all of this. Thanks so much for sticking through all of it and dedicating yourself to your readers, I can’t express how much that means. I just really hope you can sustain yourself on the comics alone, and whatever limited amount of freelance you’re continuing with.
Again, just thanks so much for hanging on.
(P.S. Do you have any intentions of quitting smoking? I don’t mean to be one to badger you about things like this, but it probably has something to do with how you’re sick all the time.)
Congratulations on this step forwards in your artistic life — and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I look forwards to seeing just how much more awesome these comics will get once your full attention (and less sleep-deprivation) can be devoted to them!
Scott, I, like many others, love the comic, and sometimes, backups happen. Life (and all the diseases that come with it) happens and sometimes things are just unavoidable. Don’t kill yourself trying to force yourself into your update schedule. Slightly delayed comics are WAY better than no comics at all. Go get some sleep, give yourself time enough to breath (yes, air still exists), and don’t die on us D:
That being said, I’m very much looking forward to the coming strips!
Scott, I, like many others, love the comic, and sometimes, backups happen. Life (and all the diseases that come with it) happens and sometimes things are just unavoidable. Don’t kill yourself trying to force yourself into your update schedule. Slightly delayed comics are WAY better than no comics at all. Go get some sleep, give yourself time enough to breath (yes, air still exists), and don’t die on us D:
That being said, I’m very much looking forward to the coming strips!
Dude, I appreciate the dedication but updating late be damned, is Nerf alone gonna pay the bills? I want you to eat bro.
Scott, I wanted to add to what everyone else has said. We love your work, its fantastic and hilarious, and makes my mornings. That said, I would rather you reduce your comic load, and get everything tied up that you need, than not have enough through this comic to pay the bills. We as readers will always be here, we will always support you. We just want to see you keep on living too.
Whatever you choose, I hope you will be ok. You know we always have your back here.
I could not have said what I wanted to say any better than you already have.
Thank you for that.
Scott…. what Talos said.
Take care of yourself! Just hope the financial side is covered well enough…
Dude thx for think of us but id rather that you get rest and be well and make money so you know can live. I can deal with there being gaps in the time it takes you to put stuff in, you do amazing work and it shows what you do you love but im shore i speak for all of us when we say we want you to be heathy and get money for life.
Do what you can and keep yourself healthy so you can keep updating! Whenever that might be of course!
there’s not a true fan of your work out there who isn’t more than happy for you to keep your health instead of your schedule. Post when practical and keep up the fantastic work!
I too am interested in you consuming healthy foods on a regular basis. More importantly I want you to stay healthy and not get sick. We can wait, I love your work so much I don’t mind waiting for updates.
I’ve been reading your comic for about a year now, haven’t posted anything as of yet, but this kinda gave me a reason. Your artwork is amazing, and the comic is great, but your health should always come first. I don’t mind any gaps in updates, as long as you are well, that’s what matters. If it means you making more money, and your well-being, then maybe make the update schedule fit your own better. Even making this comic a once- or twice-a-week thing
The fact that you still like you should apologize to us after all this and after telling us repeatedly about being sick or the freelance work is unneeded Scott. Yes you love the web-comic and us, but while the others may not agree with me on this, i say do what you have to do. If you need the freelance work to pay bills, then the readers who are impatient hussies will just have to shut their beaks and sit on their feathers. If you can make sustainable money off ads here and from the things you have committed to finishing then so be it. Either way i still click back here to check happily whether there is an update or not, just to help generate ad clicks for the website. Your web-comics are one of the few places i actually shut my blockers off to help.
Much like the others, i am more concerned for your health and well being than about the updates across the three comics. Cant really have a comic when you cant pay for the servers nor the power company to keep your computer running.
Good health and good cheer, Scott
I love you. You are awesome. *dapper fist bump*
We love you bunches, Scott. Hope you get to feeling better and I’m so, so glad you’ve found your groove and are doing what makes you happy (though like everyone else, while I love your comics to pieces, I really hope you’re still able to pay all your bills). 😀 I’ve always been of the notion that if given the chance it really is far better – emotionally, physically, and mentally – to have a job/source of income you absolutely love that doesn’t pay very much rather than a high-paying job (or jobs) that wear you down and/or that you dislike. (Granted, I have absolutely no idea how much revenue you get from the ads and orders on here, not being very savvy about this sort of thing – for all I know, you might actually be making quite a bit of money on your comics alone – but still, you get my point.) 😀 Sending many good thoughts your way. <3
Y’all gon make me crah. :’)
Number of women who are HAWT when they are angry: 2.
Seriously, I need a large version of that second panel.
I’ll say what most readers have said so far, that it’s okay if the comics come running late. It’s your health I’m more concerned of and that you have a good income to finance your own life. If you don’t feel well we readers can wait. Your comics are truly one of the best works I’ve read so far and I would be rather sad if they couldn’t continue thanks to financial or health problems.
Do what you must, but don’t kill yourself for us.
So… what you’re saying is, you’re going to keep writing the comics we all get out of bed to read in the morning? Apology unacceptable! What ever will we wake up to, day after day? Oh wait…
Ah jeez Scott, thank you for the inside track on your life, I hope that we as fans can make your trip into fulltime webcomicing as easy as possible. i know that I LOVE your comics, and have shared it with everyone I know. I hope you get to feeling better, as that always comes first. I honestly and truly thank you for that look into the real life, of Scott Ferguson, I know that I can relate to a heavy workload, and I think you should know that your fans back you 100%. Keep doing what you are doing, for I love your stuff. Thanks again.
Now then mate, I love Nerf this and your other comics, but are you going to be able to support yourself without freelancing? I for one would hate to see your quality of life go down simply to entertain us with more comics 😮
Will this help you get healthy again?
Your health is absolutely important, so no matter what decision you made at the end of the post I’m just glad your taking care of yourself. Because we all care about you and are happy when you update, but are more relieved when we hear that your feeling better. I’m glad that you chose what you love and excited for your book coming out ＼(^o^)／ Thank you for making my favorite comic
Well I feel honored that you will now be working on these full time. Thank you. Your comics are definitely some of the best out there in terms of plot, humor, and art so please continue working on such great stuff.
Dude, where the hell can I donate to you? The fact that you not only care this much about your webcomics, but the devotion of your readers, just speaks volumes. I want to help support you in something like that, particularly if it means you’re allowing yourself to become more healthy because of it. You just keep doing what you’re doing Scott, I know I’m always thankful for any update that comes down the pipe for you and I’m just glad to hear you’re making forward moving decisions in your life. You rock
Seriously dude, I have read all the comics, from here to Scout, to Motokool and this is the first time I have been inspired to post a comment. I love your comics so much, some of the funniest and well drawn works on the internet and I wish you all the best, I am thrilled that you are going to be able to spend more time on these comics that we all enjoy. All my love and good luck!!
I love your comics, and I know as a fact you have not let us down, EVER.
I can say it takes a rare man to be willing to give up a (semi) steady paycheck to devote his attention to what he really loves to do, and your dedication to your fans is astounding as well.
Wow, giving up freelance. Thank you!
Glad to hear you’re well again, sir. Get some sleep sometime, there’s a kickball tournament in that park and you’re invited.
Throughout reading this post, I was all, “It’s fine, you don’t have to apologise, take some time off the comic if you need to,” and then you drop that bomb! My hat’s off to you, sir. We’ll support you as best we can.
SQUEE!
And here I thought this post was going to end with “…so I won’t be able to update this comic any more”. I even had that sinking sensation when you realize this day’s just going to suck and decided to drown my sorrows in a huge bowl of ice cream. And then you tell us you’re making room for MORE updates and hussylicious strips! I want to hug the world 🙂
I have been reading your comic for at least 2 1/2 years now and I have been nothing but astonished at the amount of work and time you put into your comics! Each page is filled with art that is so perfect and a story that has at most times so much depth it feels as if at least for myself that I am inside this world of yours right next to chase and all the rest.
I was told once a long time ago back when I was a young author that creating a story is creating a life of its own, and in that life your ink is the life line, your word the motion, and the page the passage of time. Keep your story true to what you feel as your stories are part of who you are, your soul and of your heart.
Now with that being said I can agree that we all feel that what ever desision you decide on is the best for you. If it works for you it works for us because in a way your story has brought us readers together as a sort of group of friends in a way, or at least pals. I myself thank you again for all your hard work and entertainment to us all and look forward to much more of little monsters, shananigans, t-rexes and unicorns 🙂
I hope this is a decision that you’ve taken great care in making. No one here wants to see you living like a hobo because you want to make the internet masses/trolls/peoplely-types angry. What’s important is that you look out for yourself and make sure you’re doing right by you. If that meant taking a few weeks off, reducing your updating schedule, or whatever else, I’m sure everyone would have understood (and if they didn’t, well fuck em).
All I’m saying is, don’t be a hobo on account of all of us.
Stay healthy and happy. Whatever you do, always make sure that it benefits you somehow.
but, how will you live? where will you get the money to keep hussy stocked in imported champagne (or whatever chickens drink)?
Oh thank goodness. I was just thinking to myself how much I love your humour (and the comic as a whole of course) when I started reading the update. For a moment I was horrified that you might be
I Hope your ok man D: just focus on your health. we support your decisions man. and comics great as usual. we don’t mind it being a littlelate as long as your ok
You go gir……errr bro! Just do whatever feels right for you.
Your dedication to your fans honestly blows me away. Being a freelance voice over artist, I get where you’re coming from how things just kind of ballooned up and you have more work than you’re used to. Reading your post, I figured you’d scaled the postings back to help accommodate some freelance, because your love for those that read your comics pretty clearly shows that you don’t ever want to leave them hanging. I’m blown away that you’re dropping the Freelance and going full time! Seriously. In awe and love what you do even more!
See you take this step, I’m thrilled that you’re doing well enough to be able to take it! Cheers mate!
However, I also agree with whoever said that don’t turn into living the hobo life on account of us. All of us readers will understand if you have to scale back if something doesn’t work right, or your health, or anything.
YAY, COMICS! Also, boo, my favorite webcomic author’s going to be poor…. BUT YAY, COMICS!! <3 If you were to set up a paypal donation button or something to be able to continue buying beef jerky and coffee, I would be more than happy to throw a few bucks your way.
Scott. I know many of us readers view you as a good friend. And look forwased to seeing you every day. That beind said, Your heath is much more important then some beautiful drawings. Thank you for all that you do, and know that each and everyone of us supports you and loves you. Get better and keep having fun.
Scott, I just wanted to say atleast you aren’t doing what another scott from a different webcomic did, which was fall off the face of the earth, and after months of “new comic within a week” and not getting a comic the forum goers kinda started to poke at him, and instead of being mature, he decided to close down his entire forum basically shutting down a community that literally no longer had a reason to visit his website. You are consistently updating us with news posts even if there’s no comic, you are explaining why there’s no comic (spent too long playing beer pong-well more like kool-aid- with the dali llama on mt everest). And for the first time, I’m seeing a webcomic artist come out and thank his readers for supporting him.
That is how you keep a fanbase.
Sincerely,
Kyle
As you can see Scott, you’ve got heaps of love from your fans. Dedicating yourself full-time to the webcomic is a great move health-wise, but like your other fans I want to be sure that things are good financially.
We don’t want to see Nerf This, Scout Crossing or Motokool as a 400x300px comic surrounded by banner ads an pop-ups in order for you to live a habitable life (you know, indoors, with electricity, actual running water and edible food).
tl;dr I hope you’re ready for this commitment, and all the best for the future.
I’m glad that you are finally taking the time to slow down a bit. I know that we would all be very upset if anything (else) happened to you. I’m pretty sure that each and every one of us supports you in this decision. =3
You’re wonderful. So inspiring with your dedication to what you love: truly incredible. I have such respect for you.
Hi Scott, long time silent reader here. As someone who’s had stress related health issues and work setbacks, I totally empathize with what you’re going through. I hope your decision to shed the load and concentrate on what you enjoy most leads to everlasting happiness and great success.
Also, I absolutely love your comics. Your brilliant sense of humour helped me get throught my own bad patch.
Don’t push yourself too hard, and get well soon. Your fans are behind you all the way.
Scott, you give so much for us readers. You truly are one of the greatest in this community. With your health and other things in your life, I can only wish you the best because you put forth that effort into all the things you have on this webcomic. Keep up the good work.
Long time silent reader here. Please don’t apologize for anything. You are incredibly dedicated as an artist, and your care for the readers is shown by posts like this. It’s not awkward, it’s just weird to see an artist who is involved enough with his readers to share some of what he’s going through. You have to do what’s best for your health, and we are lucky to have you and all that you give. We support you and will always be behind whatever decisions you make.
you, sir, are a golden god. your comics are bright shiny golden piles of amazing awesomeness that i would trade all my invaluable fineries for to wear on my chest in the fashion of Flava Flav.
never stop.
and it takes some pretty formidable cahones to drop something like freelance work, i commend you, sir. As a reader, NerfCrossingKool is absolutely inspirational to both my ocular cavities and in my pants.
Nerf This has been my favorite webcomic of all time ever since I discovered it over a year ago. What makes it so good though, is the person behind the pencil. So we care about you just as much as the comic itself, so it comes as a joy to us to see that you’re getting things on track in your personal life, because that means good things are sure to follow!
Your horrible jokes make us happy, too. 🙂
while i’m sure i’m not the only one of your fans who’s worried by your health i hope you’ll take good care of yourself now that you’ve lightened your load some, and hope twice as much that not having that freelance you’re not put in any financial strain. i enjoy reading your comics they always make me laugh 🙂 you have a real talent and i think it’s wonderful you care so much about your comic and your fans. as a loyal fan i totally support your decision and any changes that may or may not happen 🙂
I love reading your comics and I’m glad you will have more time to spend on them and spend on yourself. Dropping your freelance jobs is a brave move, sir, and I applaud you.
Scott, I love your comics and I love that you’re finally focusing on what you truly enjoy doing, but I have to ask, are you actually able to financially sustain yourself on these? I understand you have the books coming out which is always a great sign for a webcomic, but I just want to make sure. If you are then that’s fantastic and you should update as you please. But I’ve seen people quit their day jobs to follow their dreams and become financially destroyed by it. I just want to make sure you really are in the clear here.
I want to hug you, because you could use it. I hope this all works out for you and that we can help ya keep this as a job.
HUGS.
I read that scared as hell that you were going to drop the comic to make time….
Thank you for prioritizing myself and other readers Scott… Many comic artists wouldn’t, i think.
*Dapper Daps* Scott. That is all I can say, you sir are a gentleman and a scholar.
woohoo! NO more freelance! XD
For this, I may soon do something I haven’t for any other web comic ever and start buying merchandise as soon as I have the money. You are an amazing person by far. 😛
You rock!
We love you Scott!! I’m glad you’re finding balance in your life, following your true passions and ecstatic that you are going to continue your wonderful comics! I truly enjoy your art style and twisty sense of humor. Looking forward to more dapper adventures! ^_^
Gods above, I love you. I I started reading your post, got that horrible cold sinking feeling in my stomach that happens whenever someone breaks up with you. But than you blew my mind by sacrificing so much for us! Your commitment to this relationship with us readers is amazing. I wouldn’t have blamed you in the slightest for ending the comic, or something like that. Being extraordinarily ill a great deal of time myself, I know how hard it is to keep up with commitments. Just make sure you can continue to get better, pay the bills, and such. Thank you for all that you do!
I was gonna say the same thing! I felt like I was about get dumped reading this. Then the relief of finding this person wasnt about to dump you, but wants you rip off all their clothes and never leave the bedroom ever again.
As I was reading that I was seriously worried you were going to drop like, a cancer bomb on us, and that would have been terrible because your comics are a bright shiny thingy that generally makes my day better.
Keep it up man 🙂
You’re gonna drop your freelance for us?! :O You are the greatest individual ever!!
YOU ARE AWESOME AND YOU SHOULD FEEL AWESOME ^_^
Not gonna cry, not gonna cry….a screw it. Yup. Crying. I hope your health improves, we do worry about you. We are greatful that you would choose these comics and us. *hugs* Feel better okay?
Scott, you are a truly beautiful human being.
Now don’t scare me like that again. x_x Get well soon! ^_^
Dude, honestly, you’re awesome. You are actually giving up your job to entertain us, and to make that which you love. You’re taking a huge risk, and I can’t even begin to say how incredible that is. G’dammit… Get better soon, dude. Or we will go there and make you get better ourselves.
I honestly think we all are grateful to you. You chose us over your job, man, us over money. You’re awesome.
Get better soon, man. You definitely deserve to be all right.
Scott, I may not know you personally, but from what I’ve seen in Scout Crossing, Nerf This, and Motokool, I can tell you put a tremendous amount of effort in what you do. It means so much, not just to me I’m sure, but also to the rest of your fans that you chose us over your freelance work. I hope your health improves, and I wish you as much luck for the future as my mutt soul can give. P.S.: Also, try taking cat naps through out the day, they can do wonders.
You are by far my favorite web comic artist, and just in general, you’re an astounding person. I hope you feel better, and I’m very glad you’re considering your health valuable and are reducing your work load to stay healthy 🙂 I hope you feel better! (P.S. Your jokes make me squee like Chase does.)
Congrats on taking your life back! It sure does feel good doesn’t it? I am excited for your comics as they are currently my favorite. Keep writing and I will keep reading!
Good for you! Nothing feels feels better than having your life as YOUR life. At least that’s what they tell me: I’m still just washing dishes and thankful to have a job! >_>
I’ve always kinda wondered though: what IS this ‘freelance’ you sometimes speak of? You seem to be making some sort of living from it, so your lance can’t be all THAT free… =)
Sir you are really awesome, please keep up the great work! we will always be your fans 🙂
Damn Scott, you know we love you big guy! I will not let you apologize to us for just trying to live your life. You make us laugh when you have the time and that’s what matters. You deserve rest and relaxation when it’s needed. Freelance is difficult, I know from experience and it’s good you’ve cut back and realized what’s truly important to you. One final thing I won’t be making the stream tomorrow night so I’m apologizing to you! So hah, take that. Anyway, I hope to be on a future stream and if you’re in need of assistance I, or anyone on here I’m sure, would be willing to help. 🙂 Good luck. I support you 100%!
I wouldn’t care how long it took, I’d still be glad to a see any N.T. shenanigans!!
There is no complement grand enough for you, Scott. I have the biggest smile right now. I have you to thank.
I less than three you man, in a totally hetero way. I thought “We’re going down to a post a week (or less, ack!)” until I saw ” I’m happy to say goodbye to it.”
If you can do what you love and still have a roof over your head and food in the fridge (and booze on top of it) you’re a lucky man. A lucky and *successful* man. Thank you.
You’re really awesome. If your going to make this your full time job, I’ll tip my hat to you and turn off adblock on your page. May my adclicks bring you great fortune!
Just and idea about life balance and all from a total stranger that loves your work… and I sure as heck don’t know what your monetization situation is with the comic… but as a full time freelancer (web developer), I’ma offer you a suggestion: why not just up your rates? That’s what my wife and I do when we’ve got too much work, and we’ver been able to quadruple our hourly rates in the last two years just by charging way more than we think we should. It really cuts out the crappy work and you can get by on a lot fewer billable hours. Once again, I’m a stranger, so take that advice with a grain of salt, but you might think about it in a couple of months when you’re wanting to start back and you’ve rested up after what sounds like a horrible work season. Best, John in BFE Texas
Did… did anyone else get slightly and curiously aroused reading that post? Because I got slightly aroused.
When I first started reading your post I had a sense of impending doom. At first I thought you were dying, then I thought you were quitting comics and both had me seriously worried. But now that I’ve had my minor panic attack I can breathe again and rejoice that you will live to draw some more beautiful ridiculousness. Thanks for being awesome.
As a full time reader and starter in the freelance designing world I would like to say that having a job where your happy and doing what you love is awesome! If there is a book or anything that I can buy to help you with making this full time let me know so I can get it!
Also if you need funding you should look to kickstarted to get a printed comic off the ground
Totally agree here, long time reader but first time poster, I second getting a kickstarter going if you need the money especially not have to worry about health insurance. Could be a printed comic like above or just give away merch as the low goals and some limited edition comic cells for higher goals. and if you want stretch goals include some webcomic friends you could do the same for. I’d bet if you asked the guys over at Penny Arcade would be a great source of advice since they are doing something very similar right now for an ad free & more comics site.
Mate! I love your comics! Sure waiting can be hard when you’re waiting for something you love to read but I don’t want to artist to kill themselves in the process! I’m glad to hear though that you’re coming back but take all the rest you need first!
Honestly speaking you’ve inspired me to Cosplay as Dillinger from Scout Crossing as my first cosplay ever at Fan Expo in Toronto! Keep up the good work!
Take your time, do what you have to do! We’ll all be here waiting eagerly, even if it is a bit late. I will also agree with the kick starter idea as well!
Hey your comics are amazing! Do what you believe in We’ll all be behind you every step of the way! 🙂
Scott, don’t feel like you’ve let us down if you miss a day, becaause you always make up for it with things like well, Tony unicorns. You’ve never let us down and we’ll always be here when you get better. Don’t make yourself sick over us ^^
Leanasta
I love you. <3
Get well man, we can wait. Do what you love, love what you do and be happy. Take care.
I don’t think that most people could understand why reading that post brought tears to my eyes. We love you, stay healthy, and thank you for all that you do. <3
One can flay you dead with her tongue, another is, in normal terms, BatS crazy and the third can tie you in a pretzel. And All Three Of Them Have Guys Who Do Each Better. Run away while you’re still sane. and in one piece.
As to the rest *Freelancers appear *Luminaire *Cheers.
While I will always encourage someone to follow their dreams and do what makes them happy, I also tell them to have a plan. If you can make everything work without the freelance, then go for it. If you need the freelance work to keep yourself in beer and biscuits, then do what you gotta do. We’ll still be here, even if an update is running late, I promise.
Congragulations dude. I’m more than happy to read your comic in a “updates when i can fashion” and am THRILLED to get more Nerf This. in a considerably crappy economy you’ve found a way to do what you love, high marks sir, high marks
damn it, take care of yourself. it’d be pretty shit if you’re not there to update 😛
While I’m incredibly happy to hear that you’ll be spending all of your time on Nerf This, Scout Crossing, and Motokool, I do have to wonder; are you going to be able to pay all the bills without the freelancing? More importantly though, take care of your health please, sir.
Been reading for a good long time, first time commenting. Love reading your comics. Like many here I want you to do what you love, but if you have to update less to stay healthy and live well then I’m happy with that. I’m not going to run away if you can’t update constantly, hell I would still come back if you updated once a month, or once a year. A loyal fan
And please stay healthy, and for the most part sane.
Honestly, when I started reading that post, I was worried that this was the end (or near it). Thank you so much for choosing these comics over what is probably a better paying gig. I’ve been a huge fan of all of your comics for a decent amount of time and I’m really excited for all that you have in store for the future of them.
Scott, dude, make more stuff. The door-to-door meat man no longer gets my money because I’m gonna throw it all at you. This is kinda like that time when your boyfriend starts going into a break-up speech and you think all is lost and you just wanna curl up in a ball and cry yourself into a coma, but them BAM! Diamond ring.
…or am I the only one who’s had that? Just me? I’ll just go over here into my little corner and take my pain meds, then. Bring on the weird as fuck dreams!
That post was starting to scare me a little bit at first, but I am glad to see that you are now doing the things that make you happy in life. I know all of your readers will be here to support you along the way. I can’t wait to see more of Scout Crossing, Nerf This and Motokool. Your comics are truly amazing!
You have totally inspired me to quit my job and do what I love instead, Scott. Screw the man!!!
When my divorce papers get served(as I’m sure they will when I inform my bride I’m firing the “unicorn farm” business plan back up again) I may need your assistance in filling them out. Cool?
Seriously though, gotta be healthy, brother. Good for you for choosing that over gigs. I know waaaay too many friends who don’t(I didn’t for far too long myself, once upon a time) and they are totally paying the physical price. Completely, physically and emotionally burnt out creatives make me a sad panda. 🙁 So much talent wasted. Very cool you’ve decided to avoid joining those ranks.
Nerf has easily become my favorite webcomic over the past couple years. Glad you’re going to it rollin’ forward…..but “healthier” now.
Don’t scare me like that broham, good to know what’s up though. Keep up the good work but also don’t forget to give yourself breaks.
If you can make a living with these three websites all the more power to you. Don’t starve yourself for your fans pleasure.
Damn man… The way you’re talking sounds like you aren’t going to make it 🙁 I don’t comment as often as I should considering all the laughs you’ve brought me over the past several months since I found this comic but I have to say: I’d rather miss it for a month or two while you get your strength back than know you keeled over trying to please us. You bring a lot of people laughs when they are down, even if you don’t hear about it all the time. It’d be a damn shame if the world lost someone as awesome as you Scott. Get your health back dude then come back and kick some ass!
Wow, kind of crazy that this is my first post, Just read through the entirety of Nerf This over the course of a few days and I have to say this is my absolute favorite web comic. I’m so glad you’re choosing to continue to focus on these because I absolutely loved reading through this and will be a religious follower in the future. Mr. Mills Ragestache has easily become my favorite part of the comic so far. Good luck with everything and I can’t wait to see what is to come. Now I plan to read through Scout Crossing and Motokool. Thanks again for the endless laughs.
OMG me too! I just discovered Nerf This yesterday, and read through it all yesterday and today. I loved it so much, and was so scared the the announcement was going to be about ending the comic. Obviously, health is more important than the comic, but I had so enjoyed it…
Hello, the awesomeness of your comics is not to be expressed so simple in words…
And i have waited long and patiently for updates… And i have only one thing to say…
For the new comics:
PLEASE! JUST INJECT THIS INTO MY VEINS!!!
dude you’re great!!!!
Wow… That’s an amazing choice you made. I would’ve been fine with fewer updates (even if it meant going weekly), considering the quality of each of your strips (not to mention you doing three wonderful comics), I don’t think we would’ve minded the delays. But I hope you do get well completely!
You do great work, but health is always MOST important. Feel better soon! 🙂
Hope you get better and it all works out. Love these comics.
Maybe cancelling ALL contracts wasn’t the best decision but I’m happy that you are not cancelling nerf this 😀
You scared me for a moment. Thought you were announcing this was the last strip for both comics. Hopefully, you’ll feel rested and fulfilled in the future.
I’m glad that you’re on the road to recovery, Mr. Scott, and that you have taken a step towards being much happier. My concern is that you might have more trouble supporting yourself without the freelance work, so . . . is there anything that we, as your readers and fans, can do to help support you, so that you can continue to do what you love and share that love with us?
Oh man Scott. Sorry to hear your health was in such a decline. I’ve seen a few people bring it up already but I too ask, will you be okay without the money the freelance work provides? You sound like you’re glad to be away from it, and it’s best to enjoy what you do, but we don’t want to see you suffer for it. So definitely keep us up to date of anything we can do to help.
Dropping legitimate career in favor of lifelong dream and happiness? Fuck yeah I’ll throw money at you. Cheers to you Scott, love your shit. Hard.
Hey, ive been reading these comics for a while now through a saved bookmark on my ipod. I truthfully can say that ill read some in my times of troble, and they make me feel better. Your doing a service for your readers and the fact that you like that is even better. This is my first comment, but i saw it as nessessary. On behalf of all the non commentors, thank you and keep truckin
Jack
I spent the last 24 hours pouring over all your comics… squealing like a crazed fan girl. My only request is that you might post them more frequently.
Please?
I think you should make more merch, that way I can buy all of it and support your comic.
I’ve got to hand it to you, you’re taking a big risk to do what you love. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for the comic in the future, so get well soon and make a few extra sacrifices to Slag Napalm and Teddy Roosevelt (a.k.a the gods of fire and war/death for you uneducated people) and they might grant you good health like they did for me if the sacrifices are tasty enough.
Art is one hell of a master! We love doing until it nearly kills us, then we rest a minute and go right back at it with renewed desire and fall harder….. I killed the nerves in my hands making fine jewelry all by hand, cutting gemstones so it frees up my design potential and playing guitar. Looking back, I wish I just played guitar! Never made a dime off of it but I love it SO MUCH! I can understand some of what you are going through and wish you the best!!!!! Make the right choice for YOU only! I love “Nerf This” and “Scout Crossing” and have read them from the beginning! I would love to see you continue them! Your sense of humor is fantastic! Chase is just too much!!!!! HA HA HA HA Well, novellas should be written elsewhere. Write on, Scott!
take a vacation dude, you deserve it, really… I love updates and all but I don’t want you dieing…. once you get better go to Hawaii or something. I can wait….
I agree with Jess!
Man, these comics are the best I’ve read in a long time. Take all the time you need to recover, we’re all rooting for you.
That’s exactly what I wanted to say too, but I thought it might seem insulting to the other artists I love… My heart belongs to so many web-comic artists, it’s just too hard to say that any story is better than another, but Nerf This is definitely one of my favorites.
Scott, you’ll always have a little piece of my heart. Thanks for your comic.
I don’t care how smart that guy thinks he is! He will never beat the unstoppable pair that is Chase and Nergil!
All the best to you! Love this comic, and love all your quirky add on humor, bits of wisdom and general awesomes. So happy to hear that you’re making life happy for yourself! 🙂
First off, let me say that I really don’t ever log onto anything just to leave a comment. Ever.
But really, Scott, your letter above really pushed me to a place where I wanted to write a little something. Thank you so much for dedicating your health and your time to this. Changing your life around like that is a huge undertaking and I think I can speak for everyone when I say we appreciate it IMMENSELY. All the best in all realms of your life. Really.
Scott, as I read this, I was terribly afraid that you were going to say that you were going to be taking a break from the comics, and that was going to make me terribly sad. But having seen the true end of your very well written post, I can only help but wonder what we can do as fans to help you out. I imagine there’s only so much revenue that comes in from ads, and I’m not sure if you maintain any other work outside of the sites and your freelance, but please let us know whatever we can do to help you along financially. As an actor and former DIY punk musician, I understand how wonderful and treacherous it is to pay your bills with what you love.
I am so happy to hear that you’re now devoting your time to what you love. But be sure to stay healthy okay? 😀
You named a chicken after Andrew Hussie didn’t you…
And dude… # 1 rule. The artist comes first. Do not deny yourself sleep. go to a reduced schedule if you have to. We don’t mind. We just want u to be ok.
Scott, I would just like to say that I’ve enjoyed reading your work for quite a while and though I haven’t been here from the beginning, I’ve really come to appreciate your sense of humor and devotion that you have towards your readers.
I have commented before on how much you’re willing to throw yourself into your work and at your fans. I feel I should, like so many others, reiterate that we are your fans and we do love your comic but we also care about you. I feel I speak for a large number of us when I say that it’s true, not many of us know you, as a person, but we are aware of the human condition and know that you are not immortal (yet) and you’re not a god (a lofty goal, good sir). As such, we know that you require sleep, food, and some kind of down time.
As a fellow insomniac, I understand what it means to run on days without sleeping and being unable to obtain that much needed rest (My personal record is just under a month with “sleeping” only about 1-2 hours a week). So take it from me that compounded that lack of sleep with overworking is just not healthy (as you’ve already seen for yourself). As a freelance writer/journalist and insomniac, I’d like to throw in my two bits on some advice and you can take it how you will;
First, Don’t be so hard on yourself when it comes to updates. Your fans appreciate what you do and are more than willing to wait for them. Four a month or even just two a month seems like a fair price to pay for your health (because remember, we love your work and you can’t dish it out if you’re exhausted/dead).
Second, Work Ahead of schedule and then release them on the weekly/biweekly basis listed earlier. It’s really easy to fall into a pattern of writing/inking the night before and that calls for crunch time. A good idea is to schedule (with yourself and your readers, if you like) some prep time and just spend that time cranking out comics. After that, relax as you lay them out one at a time during your once a week/once every two weeks schedule. This gives you time to draw up future comics to keep ahead of the game and to enjoy life for what it is (or sleep).
Third, Don’t be so hard on yourself. So you missed an update and had to post it up later that week? We understand. As previously stated, you are not a deity (despite the large volumes of fan worship) and as such require breathing room and down time (Chickens need attention too). This means that life can get in the way of things. No one is perfect (Except the Taco Bell Dog, may he rest in peace), so that means you might not always make the date. Unlike the gallons of female attention you have to fend off, we forgive the occasional no show with little to no bitching. And know that just because you need a break doesn’t mean you’re ditching us for someone hotter. (The next half of this paragraph has been removed on account of inane rambling and ribbed condom comic jokes).
In conclusion, We, as your fans, just want you to be happy AND healthy. If that means we have to settle for fewer comics in order for your mind not to implode from the workload, so be it.
Sincerely,
James A. Reaver
And yes, I understand that 1 and 3 are basically the same thing. That’s how damned important it is.
Oh god, I thought you were quitting on us. D: I was getting really REALLY upset.
dude…evein if this is late, you are amazing. if you have gotten better thats cool. if not well i hope you do. you are a fine gentelman, and if i ever met you in real life, i would dapper dap you. again i am sooo happy to know your alos a brony.