Hello, Xyliacs! Back again, and I will try to make this a regular thing again- Monday posts!
——————–Xyliatales News———————–
Today’s teaser is a panel from the upcoming chapter… WAIT? Um. Little Charlie? WHAT?
:->
Yeah, well….that’s all on that for now… he he he he heh (evil laugh…)
Thank you all for giving me your thoughts on nudity/language in webcomics, specifically THIS webcomic. Here are a few highlights from the discussion that I really appreciated (especially because I know many of you are writers…):
Nathaniel: “Strong language is thought to make characters rougher, but honestly tons of ordinary people curse like anything – and not all rough characters will necessarily curse. Their dress, actions, and what they’re saying all have a far more drastic impact than the language. Sorry to go rambling about this, but the lack of mature content in this webcomic is something I’ve really appreciated.”
From Jamming: “People are more than just raw emotions and instincts, just as they are more than intellectual exercises. Your work embraces the middle ground and hints at both extremes.”
Silent Mech had this to add: “I also agree with Jamming about the fact that us Xyliacs come here for the story and the visuals, not the chance to see one of the characters in some skimpy outfit, or some thing like that.”
Miamistax said something similar to Silent Mech: “I also agree with Jamming about the fact that us Xyliacs come here for the story and the visuals, not the chance to see one of the characters in some skimpy outfit, or some thing like that.”
And a great summation from Francisco: “On taking Xylia more mature, it depends on why it’s moving in that direction: if it’s in service of the story and where the story is taking you then go ahead, if it’s fanservice then don’t bother.”
Harena had some good points: “As far as the mature content goes, I’m with the others who would like the comic to stay the way it is….(I still shudder at the “loss” of another webcomic I used to read that started off as a light-hearted cheery thing and then the author decided to wreck each of their characters one by one and I just couldn’t take it any more. So Depressing.)”
Joe said this: “I don’t care either way, because I trust you with this tale. If it needs ta go to a mature place, I trust you ta take it there with grace and aplomb (hang on, gotta look up whether or not I just used aplomb correctly) and with the respect and love for the story that it deserves.”
Julie summed things up very well: “Of course, as with nudity, I don’t understand language without purpose. If it’s a part of who the character is (be they gruff or just someone who can’t seem to speak without swearing every other word), then use it. If it’s swearing just to make the comic more “intense” or “edgy” then it doesn’t pan out well for me. I can read some pretty harsh stuff …but I’ll stop reading something at the first “f*ck” (again, edited because I don’t know if the comments will allow it) if it seems forced or out of character.”
Truthteller said: “My thoughts on the maturity level. I’m good for artistic nudity. If people are just pointlessly being naked then it’ll throw me off on the story.” And another really good point here that I tend to agree with : “Swearing though is a large issue for me. I will stop reading a comic in a minute if there’s continual cursing. Someone made a point that it’s not worth it just to substitute a swear word for another word. But sometimes, you can get really creative with it and it boosts your writing skills.”
And finally Joseph added: “I am a man who has been known to set aside a novel when the non-stop profanity/vulgarity just got to be too much. (No Virginia, everyone does NOT talk that way).”
Thank you all for your insights. It was really what I expected because as I have always said:my readers are AWESOME, brilliant, and well read, and not looking for a lowest common denominator. You also trust me enough to know that I would never GIVE you something in the story that is pandering to basal instincts preferred by the pop culture industry. Thank you very much.
———————Barblog——————
It was a much better week than last in Barbland; thank you all for reading my ramblings of my last blog, and thanks to those of you for writing such supportive things. I am still incredibly busy – even more than before, but that’s okay. Emotionally I have been much better. Which is good because Iowa got it’s first little smattering of snow- BLECH! It canceled with band practice of the little folk band that I’m jamming with. 
Meanwhile my guy friend (who here on I will refer to as ‘Sarge’) has been quite sick with a nasty cold… as have also been a large percentage of the folks at the call center. *hack hack* cough COUGH! * (I hear it all day…) I’ve decided that I’m NOT getting this cold from any of these people. I have spoken.
Getting time to exercise has still been a challenge, too. I’m just so freaky busy. But it makes such a difference in my outlook to get those endorphins happening… Gotta try to get that run in today before going my friend Pat’s birthday party (any of you who hang out at my broadcasts know my buddy Pat…) and then Jeremy’s band has a big concert tonight… but I SHOULD work…URGH . Last night I was good – I REALLY wanted to hang out with friends at another local concert, but I stayed home and worked like a good little ant…
It’s the time of year where opportunities to socialize are many and free time is few…
So…I have to pick and choose what I do with that time, but for a scatterbrained ADD gal like me…well… it’s tough, ya okay? My kids are priority of course, getting to my part time job on time is too, and hitting my deadlines… have to do all that. ‘Sarge’ is becoming a priority too…Wednesday I made him a big pot of soup, baked some bread and basically hung out with him all day while he wore a fuzzy hat and slept under blankets and cats. 
(And we watched Zombieland too, which was fun. 
) I wanted to spend Veteran’s Day with him, but alas- I was working… Meanwhile, another friend was dealing with creative block, another one with getting cut from a local coffee house music rotation… and there are SO MANY friends I am behind on correspondence with. Facebook is one of the places I try to catch up here and there but it’s so silly. Facebook is not really a good thing sometimes. Addicting, weird… superficial, but I still can see what people I care about are up to, and with all the crazy busy juggling I’m doing, it is a good thing for my spinning absent minded brain.
Back on the subject of Veteran’s Day: I had wanted to post a blog Friday, but as I mentioned in prior paragraphs it was a crazy work week, and I just couldn’t make it happen. So let me say here to all who have served our country or have been family to servicemen and women: THANK YOU. Thank you for doing what your country asked of you, for your sacrifices. I have been blessed to get to know some amazing people who served in the Armed Forces the last few years, (some of them are Xyliacs) and I have heard some of their stories, and I am humbled by what many of them have endured (and continue to endure with chronic pain, PTSD…)
Thank you seems very small, but it is all that I have.
————-Response to November 5, 2011—————————-
Joe: Yep, Bosslady back, and crazy as ever. Splagooshmabobber. Excellent.. sounds a bit like Yiddish meets Dr. Suess… 
Jake: yes, Murphy’s law strikes again… The ideas bombard me when I ‘m the busiest on something else… At least the ideas are there!
Gingerbread: Aw! yep, me and my headset working the call center. LOL! And you are absolutely right- nothing is worse for crazy brain than idle time…
Nathaniel: thank you very much for your insights on the story! ANd for the support on the weight loss– trying! I actually have gotten rid of most of it, but still not getting enough exercise for my liking.
Jamming: Yes, I am busy, and for the most part I am pretty happy, too. Definitely blessed with a smoother road than I’d been on for a while. It’s amazing how not worrying about making rent every month calms the soul…I really love what I’m doing for jobs, my kids are happy, and things are going well.
Silent Mech: Thank you for stopping by, I hope all is well with you too! Thank you for your thoughts on maturity in the story.
Ladyfox7: Yep… Murphy’s Law again proves its validity. Writer’s block gone. Time, gone. LOL!
Miamistax: thanks for the vote on ‘Jarzic’- I hadn’t even THOUGHT about how much ‘Jarvic’ sounded like ‘Jarvis’- good call. And thank you too for your thoughts on the story direction.
Francisco: thank you for sharing your story, and also your thoughts on mature storytelling here. I hope the search for work proves fruitful soon… It’s such a tough time out there!
Harena: aw, thank you for the nice comments on the pic of me. *blush*. And I’m so happy to hear that you are doing better. I am tickled by the story you are writing- would love to read it sometimes! Thank you for your thoughts on the mature story ideas…
Julie: thank you for your thoughts on writing, I really appreciate it. Yes, things are in high gear to say the least… YIKES! Looking forward to creating some new character studies for you again though. Once I get through December, it should lighten up… a bit…
And your two cents was excellent. thanks!
Truthteller: Thank you too for your thoughts on nudity/language. I am fine with artistic nudity too, but I also want it to make sense.
Strange Ian: “I’ve rarely been so excited to see a windmill!” LOL! That gave me a good chuckle.. ^_^ Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the story direction!
Joseph: Yep, I am hoping to keep the blogging up in a better fashion. I am using part of my Saturday at the call center (it’s really quiet here) to write up the blog, and it works really well. Thank you for your thoughts on language and nudity in stories.
Thanks all for reading and stopping by. More soon…
<3 B
November 14th, 2011 at 6:11 am
Looks like a boy and his much older dad or grandfather (same nose). I like the enthusiasm on the boy’s face. Grandpa looks like Prussian or Russian nobility. Happy you can settle on Monday updates what with new job and all. Some artists disappear while they create all their thumbnails and working sketches until they launch a full strip. I really appreciate that you seem to be posting your scrapbook work for us before the strip. It’s like listening to the orchestra tuning up and riffing in the pit before the concert begins. Adds to the anticipation.
November 14th, 2011 at 8:35 am
Hi there,
can I ask what’s happened to this comic? I haven’t been here for more than a year, because it just wasn’t getting anywhere. I really loved to read you comic and very much amazed by your art, and I’m so sad it’s ended. ‘Before reading the blog, I want to assure everyone, that XYLIA WILL RETURN. The hiatus is hopefully only going to be ONE MONTH.’ – that’s what you said, but I’ve never seen it return, and one year is a long time. So… have you decide not to continue? Or did you move it to somewhere else? Ooor is it not free anymore?
Please, don’be mad at me but I rarely read your blog or anything, I’m just interested in the art and story. I read a lot of webcomics and if I start to check every author comment, I would be sitting here all day. With that being said, can you enlighten me If there’s any meaning for me to wait for Xylia’s return?
November 14th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I feel outdone by the linguistic style of Jamming. Then again, I wasn’t really trying to sound sagacious as I was trying to get my point across… kudos to Jamming on wording
Was I one of the writers you mentioned? Or had I not before mentioned that I am a writer? Just curious.
I’m glad you’ve had a better week! Since you are definitely not getting a cold, I recommend taking Selenium supplements – it boosts one’s immune system.
Ah, I know what it’s like to feel the lack of time to exercise. That’s part of why I do high-intensity, low-rep type stuff – which will also make a healthier heart than running. It also burns more calories since it makes your muscles have to rebuild AFTER you work out. (4 sets of 12 reps for two muscle sets. So I might do 4 sets of 12 presses, then 4 sets of 12 crunches. Working two muscle sets makes it possible to do more per workout due to regeneration time) But anyways, I’m glad you’ve been able to kill the extra pounds! Congrats!
November 14th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
I’m glad that things are working out for you.
I’ve got a job now (only temporary). Today was my first day at work.
November 14th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
That picture looks a bit like Ambrosia.
November 16th, 2011 at 4:17 am
(Glides out of the shadowed corner)
I’m so glad to see you able to create again. And thank you for the behind-the-scenes pep talks. They helped a lot.
(Glides back into the shadowed corner)
November 16th, 2011 at 5:44 am
I love the expressions. The kid is so excited about the puppy that his papa got him, and papa is smiling indulgently while contemplating just how long it’ll take to put the boy and dog to work on his sheep farm. I’m pretty sure that’s what you were going for here.
Also, I’m ecstatic to hear that things are looking up, even with a hectic schedule, because, let’s face it, it’s the holiday season in America, so everybody’s schedule is going to be a little (or a lot) crazy.
November 16th, 2011 at 6:21 am
Hi Meridian,
I’m sure Barb will answer your question in her next blog. She is always very good about that. But you said you don’t really read the blog, so you may not see it. So I’ll answer here in case you are checking back. Barb would love for Xylia to return, and I know that has been her eventual goal. But life has been hectic for her, and life always has to come first. I know that when’s ready, when Xylia is ready, it will make its return and be well worth the wait. When you have the sort of soul Barb does, stories can not be contained. They must come to life. Sooner or later. If she updates with a new picture, it’s really worth reading the blog beneath. She keeps us in the loop that way.
I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone else from the last post. Barb asked a question about the direction she was considering taking the comic. And what really pleased me, what really warmed my heart, is that no matter whether the people were for or against it, they expressed those opinions civilly and beautifully. Other places it might have turn into a ugly site. Here, Xyliacs once again showed just how awesome they are. And Xyliacs, you are awesome.
Hey Barb,
You know what I really like about this sketch of Charlie? The wonderment in his eyes. It’s as if Ambrosia has just told him a fantastical story, and for a moment (even if fleeting), he let his young skeptical guard down and thought “wow, can that really happen?”
November 21st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Oh noes! I came back on Monday, and found no new post! Woe is me!
*chuckles* Kiddin’, kiddin’. Still awesome to be around here. We’ll see ya when ya get back, Bosslady.
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:04 am
I took a long deserved break, btw the injured party is my older sister, not my mother as quoted in your last post here.
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:12 am
Also she’s doing very well, she’s looking for a job right now and I wish her the best at finding one, but in this economy, that can be a slim to none prospect.
November 23rd, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Hope your Thanksgiving holiday is delightful!!
November 24th, 2011 at 6:20 am
Happy Thanksgiving!! Have a wonderful holiday and we’ll be here, right where you left us (Xyliacs are easy to find) when you get back.
November 26th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Nathanial, thanks for the kind words about my limited skills with…..mutiple letter thingy’s and stuff.
Barb, its not that we are all that great as fans, but we have all been drawn (double meaning intended) to your art-tales to fill a similar need.