So hi it’s your university cafeteria worker back again. For the past couple of weeks I have had an injured foot and have been unable to work any of my shifts. The boot I was wearing came off recently and so I emailed my manager with the good news! It has been almost a full week with no response when he always responds within 24 hours. I still have yet to be put back on the schedule but I keep getting sent notifications from the scheduling website to remind me that I have not been assigned any shifts. Like I wouldn’t necessarily mind if I was fired, I detest that job. I would just like to be told that I was??
I know the title is ominous and borderline click-baity, but I don’t wish to mislead at any point with this. So, I’ll get right to the point about the long-awaited announcement.
The Fragments Series’ Tentative Future
To put it simply, FoC’s routine update schedule will probably be breaking apart as the best possible outcome. Even with all the revisions, finishing spring cleaning, and future plans I’ve had, this is all just a hobby in the end. (Kinda feel like Agravain at the end of Camelot).
Better explanation below the line.
I’ve been talking with SKYS about this for a bit before raising it with everyone, but the time has come to be very forward. My career has always taken priority for obvious reasons, but in all honesty, I’ve been letting it ‘stay level’ for a bit too long. If FoC’s development and update routine as a hobby wasn’t big enough of an indication, allow me to put it bluntly: I’m a very ambitious person who throws a ridiculous amount of energy into anything I feel is worthy of my investment.
Obviously, the career sits at the top, but it’s been sitting mellow compared to earlier years. It’s partially because I found very stable work for my freelancing, but it wasn’t going to be enough. I’m too ambitious for my own good and get restless when change doesn’t happen for one reason or another. At this point, I’ve come to terms that blockade was me holding myself content, but I could be doing far better than I am. So I’ll be ramping up my career’s former activity considerably.
That’s really bad news for anything considered a hobby/interest, especially one that takes up a lot more time than most that can’t be multi-tasked (FoC). To put things into perspective, the long time (or decently recent) fans would know how sporadic my update schedule was in March before I left on a big trip. It would be like that, except far more often due to trip frequency. In 2014 alone I did eight separate trips and spent over 3-4 months away from home working internationally. That’s what I’m looking to be doing again, except for more stints.
Obviously, that comes at a cost of time, which means I’ll be looking into anything that can be thrown aside that may put unnecessary strain on that. To be absolutely honest, the only reason FoC isn’t being pushed aside immediately with little regard is because I know it has a very, very silent but fairly sized fanbase. It’s because of you all and the fun I have that I’m actually considering salvaging its continuation.
However, that comes down to fans.
As I’ve also talked about with SKYS, my motivation for FoC gets pretty topsy-turvy even though I’ve made absolutely no mention to it for appearance’s sake. It’s a hobby that I enjoy doing most of the time. I like sharing a world that’s built in my head that many have come to enjoy, but I also weigh my time heavily. There are plenty of times I stare at the rather silent statistics and wonder just how many are taking my update schedule for granted, or that this would just continue on forever like a serial comic. From fav/follow/like growth to feedback, I weigh it all heavily. I don’t get paid (and don’t want any sort of monetary donations), so those are the only form of currency/assurance that what I’m doing is appreciated.
Yet, usually only a few voice for the many, as is sadly the case with most things. So, as I said, I have to leave the ball in your court, because you’re the one that often keep me motivated to write. I’m currently piecing together a good chunk of my schedule and am fitting the puzzle together for free time in 2019, and likely even quarter 4 this year if some contracts look manageable. In that undisclosed amount of time it takes me to do so, this is your opportunity to convince me to try and make at least some time for FoC.
If the response is good, I’ll see about salvaging uploads here and there on a sporadic basis. If it’s really great, I’ll even see if I can’t keep it the way it is while I’m home ‘on break’. And if it fails to influence me, then the abrupt end of the series is very likely going to be within the next two or three months. As a note, regardless of what happens, this is very likely a death sentence for future Supplements and their rapid upload schedules. There’s no way I can fit the time for that, so I’d need to figure out how to best handle those so the singularities could be enjoyed at least in some way.
This isn’t a threat or attention-whoring/pandering request to “like, subscribe, and leave a comment below the video.” This is a courtesy and show of appreciation to the fanbase so you have a chance to act on something I’d otherwise decide completely on my own. I weigh my time heavily: If the results aren’t worth my time, it’ll just be axed. The world can always continue to grow in my head, but sharing had always been optional.
So consider this your opportunity to save something you enjoy and convince me its steady updates were not being taken for granted. Feel free to use the Discord, tumblr messenger, or ff.net reviews/messages to do so, though it’s best to find a medium where you’re not exactly limited on space. The tumblr anon ask box is easily the worst method, to be honest. It’d be nice if you left some name/tag too.
As a tiny update for the next month, though, after September 10th’s update, FoC should be back on its usual weekly upload schedule for a month or two.
P.S - Sorry if it sounded pretty dramatic or grave, but it’s simply what it is: Fragments’ boom and bust is that my career is successful and keeps me floating. I look forward to hearing from you should you choose to do so.
last night I was exhausted and so I fell asleep really early, and overslept, and had to hustle to class and by the time I had a break I had missed a full 6-7 chats in mystic messenger. My wallet cries.
I'm glad I actually slept last night because if I didn't I don't think I would be able to handle the fact that I'm accidentally taking a programming class
