The old "good news, bad news" post
Added 2019-11-18 05:38:19 +0000 UTCThe tl;dr
I need to take a short break from posting new chapters. The same for pre-release chapters for Staff. So I'm going to take two weeks off, till after Thanksgiving.
I'll start posting Ch36 on Dec. 2. For Staff and Counselors, I'll start posting pre-release Ch39 on Dec 9.
Skip down to The Good News if you don't want to read the reasons why I'm taking a break.
The Longer Explanation (i.e. The Bad News)
I've had several difficult months in a row. Some good things in there, and none of the bad things were catastrophic, but they all affected my work. Yeah, I know, it's called "life" and it happens to everyone, but it's tough when it affects my creative mood.
I hate making excuses, but I have to face reality. I simply haven't been writing as much since July.
Why? Well, lots of reasons.
I was in a very minor car accident back in August. No one was hurt, but I've been dealing with the body shop, the car manufacturer, the car rental company, and two insurance companies since the accident. And I still don't have my car back. Seriously. Three fucking months! Ugh!
My wife and I have also been dealing with some health issues with her. They're all minor, but they're all connected, and the doctors aren't quite sure what's going on. Long story short, that's been a distraction too.
One of my good friends was hospitalized for almost three months for several back surgeries. He was in a really bad place, mentally, and I spent a lot of time with him. That didn't help my creative mood either. (He's doing much better, though. He's walking again, albeit with a walker, and he's back at home.)
On a happier note, my wife and I took our whole family on a week-long vacation to Disney World. We had fun, but I didn't get any work done, for obvious reasons.
Last and probably the worst, I've been dealing with an annoying case of writer's block. I had a couple of scenes I really didn't want to write. And, honestly, I don't want the story to end, but we're getting close. So I've been dragging my feet, I think.
Anyway, those are some of the major (and minor) distractions I've had for the past several months.
But you're paying for a story, not excuses. I respect that. You work hard for your money, after all, and you want something to show for it. You want Summer Camp. Well, so do I.
I don't want to rush and put out something that isn't up to my usual standards. So I'm taking a break, to get some breathing room and rebuild my buffer.
But... what am I going to do in the meantime? Read on...!
The Good News
I'm still writing! And I'm past most of the difficult scenes. Big Ed and I just streamlined Chapter 40 to make it easier to write. So I'm close to the end, and I'm going to finish, dammit! I already have a good bit of the Epilogue outlined, too. So, that's looking good.
Before I start posting chapters again, I have a backlog of new illustrations that I need to post. I let those fall through the cracks, and I'd like to get back to doing them again on a regular basis.
I'd also like to start posting the Chapter Outlines for SC-Christy (for VIPs and above). You can see how I plotted the chapters, how things changed between the outline and the story, etc.
And I want to post more Character Pics. They're fun, and I think everyone enjoys them.
I have some other ideas for fun posts and updates, but I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Anyway, that's the update. I hate that I need to take a break, but I hope you understand.
Summer Camp is my full-time job, and I take it very seriously. I don't like disappointing people, either, especially when you've been with me this long. We'll get to the end, though, and we'll do it together.
So, let me end the way I usually do: thanks for reading, as always.
- Nick
Comments
No, sorry. I screwed up the date (in this post). I'm going to keep the Staff pre-release chapters on Friday. You should have several new posts to read, and new story with an explanation. Well, several explanations. I'm a wordy bastard. Or so they tell me.
Nick Scipio
2019-12-06 17:47:29 +0000 UTCNick....Just re-read your note...i thought I missed your starting again on pre-release. So with Dec 9 being Monday, are all releases going to be Mondays now, not Monday/Fridays as before? Also what happened to the pics of Carter and Kim? Can’t find them..... eagerly awaiting your stories....please keep Paul’s story going...I know the coming of age is ending, but we all are addicted to Paul and his life.....we all look forward to it.....thanks
2019-12-06 17:14:19 +0000 UTCThank you very much. I'm glad you feel that way. You're in good company.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-24 23:25:32 +0000 UTCThere will be plenty of Summer Camp Universe stories, including many by Nick.
Big Ed Magusson
2019-11-21 04:22:54 +0000 UTCoh oddly my 20+ years SO is named Kristi. all else is different.
Paul Wirtz
2019-11-21 01:43:00 +0000 UTCNew here, but take your time. I can understand how you do/do not want to end it. But Paul's changed the Summer camp is changing so ending makes sense. Now a new series Summer Resort would be a lot of fun.
Paul Wirtz
2019-11-21 01:41:00 +0000 UTCThank you, sir. And thanks for reading.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-20 20:57:26 +0000 UTCThanks. I'm pretty good, actually, just crazy distractions for too long.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-20 20:57:15 +0000 UTCGo get yourself better.
Ford Prefect
2019-11-20 03:36:45 +0000 UTCDo what you need to do and if necessary, take additional time. Good luck.
2019-11-19 07:21:30 +0000 UTCFor what it's worth, and I can only speak for myself, but the reason I am happy to subscribe, and why I feel it's worth paying for, is the quality of your writing. I've mentioned before how much I appreciate the way that the characters feel real, they have complex motivations, and of course that makes their stories so much more compelling (the sexy parts are nice too, of course). So if what you're saying is that you need this break because, among other things, you think it will help you deal with writer's block and get back to a place where you feel like you can write at your own high standards, then by all means, this break is definitely part and parcel of what I feel like I am paying for. As other's have said, paid vacations are part of any professional job, but even leaving that aside, because I know that you care about the financial aspect, I'm happy to continue paying the subscription while you take a break, because it's a fair part of the business deal. Besides, c'mon, do you need Trip and Susan to give you a lecture about not feeling guilty about getting a fair business deal?
2019-11-19 00:05:51 +0000 UTCThank you! I couldn't agree more.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 18:37:41 +0000 UTCThanks, Joe. I definitely need to recharge my batteries, so to speak. I still enjoy the writing, but it's been a lot of work for several months, and it really shouldn't be. Anyway, thanks for the vote of confidence. And thanks for reading, of course.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 18:37:08 +0000 UTCLike Simon said above, even a full-time job allows for sick days, vacations, and other occasional time off. You've posted15-20K word top-quality chapters like clockwork for the last two years straight. I follow a number of popular Patreons, and none are as stong and steady. If someone wants to whine about waiting a few more weeks to get your next chapter, let 'em unsub and save their measley 3-5 bucks and resub next month to catch up. The rest of us will still be here.
2019-11-18 18:20:19 +0000 UTCHey, take all the time you need to get well - each tim eyou came back in the years, your writing was better than before. Summer Camp certainly is a marathon, even on the reading side.
2019-11-18 17:02:34 +0000 UTCI couldn't agree more, Ron! Summer Camp is a marathon, not a sprint.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 14:47:42 +0000 UTCThanks, Bruce. Take care yourself, and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 14:46:32 +0000 UTCHealthy Nick = Happy Nick = Excellent Stories. Beaten Down Nick = Sad Nick = Subpar stories (which then feed back into Sad Nick because there's no way you're putting out subpar stories). So taking a mental health break is an excellent idea. Heck, when you buy into the serial novel concept, you accept you're going to be reading a story over the course of months or years. What's a few weeks?
Ron Jarrell
2019-11-18 14:27:13 +0000 UTCTake as much time as need NIC we will be here when ya get back! Take care!
2019-11-18 14:23:53 +0000 UTCThanks, Simon. I knew I could count on you (and most everyone, for that matter). Loyalty is a two-way street, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and people like you. You make my job fun.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 13:14:58 +0000 UTCThanks, Jyrki. The best to you and yours as well.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 13:13:37 +0000 UTCThanks, Richard. And thanks for reading. I'll be working for the next two weeks. I still enjoy it, which is very, very good.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 13:13:15 +0000 UTCThank you, Michael! And thanks for sticking with me all these years. The last ones have been the most fun, all because of people like you.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 13:12:24 +0000 UTCMy sincerest condolences on losing your wife. Hope you have lots of family and friends for support. It gets better. It just takes time.
Nick Scipio
2019-11-18 13:05:21 +0000 UTCIf this is full-time work. Then you are entitled to 4 weeks' leave per year, another couple of weeks of sick leave, carers leave (to take care of sick family members) along with public holidays, etc. I can't and won't speak for everyone here but I am not a self-entitled Wanker looking for a refund when you take the first day off and over a year. Your family's health (physical and mental) is important to me. Take the time you need to get yourself, and your family right. I will still be here when you get back. Take care mate.
2019-11-18 07:55:57 +0000 UTCTake whatever time you need, Nick. All the best to you and your loved ones.
2019-11-18 07:54:59 +0000 UTCSometimes life throws you a curve ball, sometimes throws a whole series of them. I certainly understand that. Been there and done it. Do what you need to sort it out and come back better than ever. A few weeks isn’t going to hurt us. Best wishes.
2019-11-18 07:34:16 +0000 UTCHang in there, Nick, and enjoy your vacation! I certainly don't expect you to publish less than your best, and I really enjoy the quality crafting that goes into your writing! Yeah, I'm paying a monthly fee, but I'm doing it because of the years of good writing I've enjoyed (and re-read numerous times). I'm an engineer, and I certainly understand creative blocks and other distractions. Besides, as soon as I'm perfect, I'll expect you to be, too! ;-)
2019-11-18 06:03:56 +0000 UTCI hope to god that was sarcasm. Otherwise you seriously need some help. Also how does 2 weeks off at 10$ month = 25$...
2019-11-18 06:02:34 +0000 UTCSo you started making a living & at first said you would be done by now and then string us along with useless shit & go periods without posting. This is getting annoying as hell. No credits to us for the months we pay for and do not get shit. You know when you finish many will leave & your cash cow is gone. The best I can tell is at $10 a month we should get a $25 credit for not receiving a drop every week we pay for.
2019-11-18 05:46:41 +0000 UTCI lost my Wife on Oct. 23, I totally get it when life throws the good and the bad at you. Hopefully, things will improve for us both Nick.
Brett Elliff
2019-11-18 05:42:14 +0000 UTC
