Hello Lovelies,

I’ve missed you all, and I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I’m excited to share that I passed my 2nd big work-related test, which means my day time job is officially secured! I can’t thank you all enough for you patience with this hiatus. If it weren’t for the extra study time, I truly don’t think I’d have passed. Thank you!

I do have some sad news to share. The kitten I brought home in August, got very sick this winter. The vet diagnosed her with FIP, which is an incurable sickness. Her health and quality of life deteriorated to a point that I had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep. I know the passing of a pet is part of life, but it was a first for me. My heart goes out to any of you who have gone through a similar loss.

On a brighter note, I’ve been searching for a home, and I found one! The house won’t be move-in ready until November, so I’ll be moving into a temporary rental in the mean time. Eight months to go; the excitement is torture!

So, now for the big question… Is the comic coming back?

I’ve given it deep thought, and… Yes! The Archer and the Squirrel will return! And in order to make production more manageable for me, I’ve decided to create the story with a new approach. With my current pace, it’ll take another 12 years to complete this story, but I want to finish it sooner. To accomplish this, I’ll be changing the story’s format from a traditional graphic novel style to a graphic novel/picture book/written novel hybrid.

This will be a completely new formate for me, so I’ll need to play with it a bit before I publish new pages. Also, I want the entire story to be told in the same style, so I will be be starting again from the beginning. 

At this time, I’m shooting to resume publishing in August. I know that’s a ways out, but that time will be used to: practice creating with a new style, practice literary writing, finding an editor that specializes in novels, building up a good page buffer, and of course finding a temporary rental I can move into. I thank you again for your patience.

Hugs,

Tieback

Hello Lovelies,

First off, they finally know what’s wrong! I tested positive for Mono. I tested negative for Mono twice before, but third times the charm. Since Mono is caused by a virus, there is no medical treatment. You just get better, when you get better. And thankfully, I am feeling better.

And now, time for a heart to heart…

While sick, I’ve had time to think deeply. And there are some things I regret. For instance, I regret not spending more time with my friends and family. I regret resorting to quick unhealthy foods, as opposed to taking the time to cook healthy meals. And I regret not having the time to do random art projects, just for the joy of it. This led me to seriously evaluate how I use my time.

Between making pages, doing story boards, producing additional content for Patreons, and working on completing the story’s plot on the side, I spend about 30 hours a week on the comic. My full time job requires 40 hours a week, and I spend another 5-10 hours studying. The time I spend at work and studying is not negotiable, so that leaves the time I spend on the comic. 

I brainstormed some ways I could spend less time on comic. One idea was abandonment, which I don’t want to do. Another idea was updating less frequently, which I also don’t want to do. I also could convert the webcomic into a written story, which I have mixed feelings about. On the other side, maybe after some big life stressors get ironed out, the comic’s time requirements might not be problematic anymore.

I’ve run over these possibilities multiple times, and I can’t decide right now. I need more time to think. But even more so, I really need to focus on my test coming up in February. If I don’t pass it, I lose my current position at work. And right after my test, I’ll be trying to get my first home. So, for my health, sanity, job security, and future living situation, I decided that I need to place this comic on a hiatus. Once I pass my test and get a home, I’ll be in the position to decide what to do.

I want to be frank, there’s a chance this comic may end. I don’t like that idea, but that would be the worst case scenario. I also may jump back in, fully charged, with weekly updates. I just don’t know at this time. I have been on such an emotional roller coster. During the first 20 days of being sick, I had 12 blood tests, 2 X-rays, a CT scan, and trip to the ER. And after all of that, they still didn’t know what was wrong. It was incredibly scary…

I’m not sure the exact date this hiatus will end, it depends when I get a home. The latest should May 2019, because that’s when my lease ends. I know that’s a long time away, and I am sorry. But I need to give myself a break as a get better. And I need to fully focus on securing my job, and getting a permanent home. I hope you can understand. Thank you for reading this post.

Sincerely,

Tieback

Hello Lovelies,

I wanted to give an update. The doctors have run a bunch of tests, and they still don’t know why I’m sick with fever. They’re doing their best though, and started a new series of tests. I am excited that I’ve been able to start eating again. I’m going to try to put some weight back on. I’ve lost 6 pounds since this started 22 days ago.

I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. Reading your comments brought tears to my eyes. (Not joking.)

I’ll post another update in one week on Tuesday, October 16th.

Big Hugs,
Tieback

Hello Lovelies,
I have contracted an unknown illness, and am on day 13 of a fever. This illness robbed me of five vacation days I set aside to work on the comic. And regretfully, I don’t have a page to upload today.

At this time, I’m not sure what exact date I can start uploading again. I’m currently getting some special tests done and will be meeting with an infectious disease specialist. It breaks my heart that I don’t have anything to post. I am so sorry…

To keep you guys posted, I will post an update message bellow this one, once a week on Tuesdays. I thank you for your understanding.
Hugs,
Tieback

Hello Lovelies,

When it came time to make this page, the original design (as seen below) just felt “stiff” and “boring” to me. I played around with several changes, and decided on the version seen above. I’m really proud of it. I hope you like it too!

I’ve got a few extra days off work this week. I’m excited to spend them: drawing pages, making character design sheets, and writing upcoming chapters! I call it a “work-cation” 

If you enjoy this comic, and want to help it continue, please become a Patreon. Archer and the Squirrel Patreons get early and exclusive access to comic pages and comic related artwork!

The next update will be Tuesday, October 2nd.

Hugs,
Tieback

Hello Lovelies!

I passed my test! That’s one test down, and one to go. I’m aiming to take the second test in November, but I won’t know if I’ll be ready for at least another month.

Also, I don’t remember if I’ve shared this or not, but I’ve been on a wait list for an Abby kitten for about two and a half years. And next week, the kitten should finally be ready for pick up. I can’t wait to share a picture with you. 

I hope you enjoy this weeks upload. The next page update will be in two weeks on Tuesday, August 28th.

Hugs,
Tieback

Hello Lovelies,

Here’s page 72! It was a fun one to draw and paint out. Hope you like it.

The other day I was taking a walk down memory lane, and I recalled a very special dinner and tournament I went to as a child. Of course I’m talking about Medieval Times. I came across a behind the scenes clip. Hope it gives you a smile!

By the next upload, which will be in two weeks on Tuesday, August 21st, I will have taken my first big test. Can’t wait to slay this academic adversary. Wish me luck!

Hugs,
Tieback

Hello Lovelies,

Here is your bonus upload for the month. I’m very pleased with how the background people in the first panel turned out. I tried returning to the “blue” technique I used in the prologue, and I think it worked well.

In other news, chapter 13 has been written out! And I should have chapter 14 completed by the end of August. On August 15th, I’m going to take the first of my two big tests. Cram time has officially begun!

The next upload with be in on week on Tuesday, August 7th,

Hugs,
Tieback

Hello Lovelies,

It’s such a treat to get feedback from you guys. I love learning how individual readers perceive the comic, and what they get out of it.

As the creator, I’m so close to the work that I have a very specific perspective of the story. And when I get to hear what readers are observing, I’m sometimes taken completely aback! Because you guys connect dots that don’t even occur to me, and I love that!!!!

And I’ll tell you a secrete. While I’ve been working on finishing the story’s plot, I’ve been taking inspiration from you guys. A few twists and turns yet to come are inspired by your comments. So, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. And thank you for being you. 

Hugs,
Tieback