Going The Distance
almost 7 years ago
– Sat, Apr 06, 2019 at 01:24:09 AM
Hi everyone –
This update has been a long time coming, in large part because I didn't want to post a non-update update, with no demonstration of real progress or news of completion of the project – which resulted in no updates at all for far too long. I deeply appreciate your patience, and I apologize for the long wait.
The recent delays in completing and releasing THE DRAGON KNIGHT have been because of illness: just prior to the holidays, I came down with pneumonia and bronchitis, both of which continued well into the New Year, and both of which made sitting bent over the drafting table to do precise and prolonged drawing almost impossible.
(I'm looking at ways that this can be avoided and/or mitigated with future projects, which may, out of necessity and in light of my recurring health issues, involve less artwork, or at minimum, doing projects which will not be advertised or solicited in any way unless the art is completed first.)
Managing the periods of good health – which involves close monitoring of my respiratory issues – is allowing me to finally resume work on the last four illustrations needed to complete the book; but there have also been some longer-term issues which caused delays which have been just as difficult to deal with, if not more so, than my heath.
Some of you, perhaps a lot of you, are aware that some major personal upheavals hit me almost the exact same time this Kickstarter was launched; and despite the best of intentions for both this project and the circumstances affecting my personal life, neither was going to conclude swiftly or easily, and it has been a struggle for the last two years to make any kind of significant progress in both. But I didn't quit, either. Progress was made, slowly, in everything that really mattered, including this project, and now, after going the distance through this long, difficult period, it seems the finish line is in sight – for everything that really matters.
The circumstances of my life, both personally and professionally, are finally stabilizing in ways that have me on better footing than I have had in a long time, and that will make for a brighter future for myself, the people I care about, and all of you who love and support my work. But this specific race isn't over yet. The finish line is in the distance. I can see it, but I still have to get there.
There is still editing, and layout work, and production work to be done, but before any of that, I still have four drawings to finish. The physical reasons I could not complete them are largely resolved, but struggling to deal with and process and try to resolve so much of the rest has slowed me, even stopped me at times. This was a ninety day race that has taken nearly two and a half years. The crowds have largely dispersed. No one else is on the road. It is dark, and cold, and every step has been, still is, a struggle. But I have not stopped, and I know that I still have supporters at the finish line, waiting, watching, certain that I will somehow complete the race that no one else is competing to win.
I've asked for your support, and you gave it; I asked for your patience, and you gave it. Now, all I am asking is that you hold up a light for me, in whatever way you may wish, so I can find my way to the finish line. My hands still tremble, but I'm drawing now; I'll post more as I finish. Light up my path in whatever way you can, and I promise, I'll get this done.
Gratefully, your friend in moxie,
James
