Baby countdown!

Posted 2013-06-08 5:00

Can it already be June?! This baby boy is getting closer and closer to being born! I on Week 30 and am due August 23rd -- the day after Lucinda's birthday. How did we manage that, right? :laughs: Anyway, some folks have been asking, so I thought I would post the information here for everyone. Please understand I am not asking or expecting anything. However, if you would like to buy something for the little tyke, here is our registry info for Amazon.

On that note, I want to update you on comic things on this end. I am still trying like crazy to finish up Red String before the baby is born. I don't know if it will happen, but I would hate to go on maternity leave right before the finale. Though that sort of cliffhanger would be in my nature and ensure you all came back for the end! Nah, but seriously, I have finished up all my other side projects as of this week, so it's JUST Red String work from this point on. I know it's probably been frustrating these past few months with some of the late updates or only two updates some weeks. It's been frustrating on this end as well. I really want to get you guys to the end on time! I am hoping to be doing three pages a week until I can't lean over my desk anymore from my big preggie belly.

I'll be working on fulfilling the kickstarter sales as soon as the books come back from the printer. The hubby and I will probably enlist the help of some family and friends to do this, so we get that all wrapped up as well.

Thanks so much for your patience with me and thank you all so much for your support! It really means a lot that you have stuck with this comic after all this time. These past ten years have been quite a ride and I hope to have you along for my next comic adventure when Red String concludes.

The kiss scene.

Posted 2013-06-04 8:00

I believe I have failed as an artist in regards to this kiss scene as I was unable to convey the nuance of the actions taking place. I wanted to show that Miharu was rejecting the unwanted kiss and showing that not all romantic advances in shoujo-style stories are welcome; that Kazuo had overstepped his bounds. There are plenty of times in real life when someone mistakes something for a cue to give someone else a kiss only to find out it was unwanted. His intention was never to hurt her, but he was being selfish in assuming she wanted to be kissed. It was supposed to uncomfortable and as I mentioned in the previous post that I try to tackle serious subjects in a more realistic way whenever possible.

However, I have received a number of emails and contacts from people pointing out that this hit some serious nerves. After analyzing the page and mulling it over, I realize that this page just didn't work. It came off rather aggressive and appeared that I was trying to demonize Kazuo as having potential rapist qualities. Him assuming Miharu would feel as he felt was not right, but the reaction this has received has made me realize it was illustrated poorly. What I thought was a well illustrated scene of Miharu rejecting Kazuo, pushing him away, came off as her struggling to free herself from him. Her putting her hand to her mouth after pushing him away was to show she was shocked by the kiss and not her trying to wipe it from her face. Again, this was all illustrated very poorly.

I understand the sensitive nature of these issues and my intent is not to hurt anyone reading the comic. That is FAR from what my goal is with this story. And to those who have experienced this sort of thing in real life, I do hope you understand I was not trying to be insensitive.

I went to bed with this on my mind and woke up feeling physically ill. I can tell you right now the queasy feeling in my stomach was not from pregnancy, but from the issue of the comic. I have not been able to shake this feeling all morning. Long time readers know I do not do this often, but I have gone back and put more time into this page to better show its original intent... a kiss that was unwanted, but not an aggressive assault on Miharu. It may be too little too late, but I hope these edits will at least show you what I had wanted to show.

Moving

Posted 2013-05-13 7:00

Sorry for the radio silence on Monday.. We just got our internet hooked up today at our new house. It took way longer than anticipated, but the workroom will be set up tomorrow (including my art desk and scanner), so I should have a page for you for Wednesday's update. Thank you so much for your patience! Moving while pregnant is hard work!

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