What a day. If you haven’t already heard, some strange folks decided to take this day to assail me personally for asking for donations. This thread went well beyond the normal insulting deluge into some really nasty comments that I don’t want to direct anyone toward. I don’t take those personally as me, but as a woman in general. Four days before Christmas. What a nice thing. This time of year is always a struggle for me anyway, but this was just the cigarette butt in the cup of spit.
Generally, someone I don’t even know is calling me lazy. My webcomic has been called a ‘rainbow of sh*ttiness’ and people are saying I need to ‘get a job.’
I HAVE A JOB! I am an illustrator! I own my own business. It has a tax ID number, a business bank account, and I employ an accountant. I have freelanced for TWENTY YEARS. Longer than some of these chumps have been sucking air. No, I’m no longer working that second or third parttime job in a warehouse, receptionist desk, or sign shop but up until FEBRUARY I was and had been my entire adult life!!! All while raising two kids and making sure that they are at all of their lessons and events, conferences and concerts, parties and games.
Feh. I don’t need to explain myself to these asses. I have a challenging life and I DO DEAL WITH IT. I simply shared the information that I need some income with the Xylia project or I will have to put it aside for a time while I get more freelance accounts and focus on that part of my business. THIS IS MY REALITY. You know, I could just stop. I could. “That’s it. No more webcomic.” But considering that I get between 2K and 5K hits here a day, I felt I owed it to you, the readers, to be aware of my situation.
Well, have a great day everyone. I will be posting another Christmas image for you on Thursday. Thank you to everyone who has been supportive- and those of you, new from the flame threads, welcome and thank you for the nice comments.
~B
December 21st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
(I’m a long time reader who never comments.) I know you already know this, but just ignore those people. Your webcomic is of excellent quality plus you are a hard worker unlike those who have taken the time to complain (because usually it takes more than a glance at the site to cause complaints). Thanks for taking the time to make this webcomic. It brightens my day when it updates and I am sure I am not the only one! I love the Christmas picture!
December 21st, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Haha, yeah those folks make me rather ashamed to be part of that ‘lifestyle’. I wouldn’t take it personally, they seriously have nothing better to do then look for reasons to be ticked off.
On the plus, thanks to them I have a new webcomic to follow <3 Such lovely artwork, thank you for sharing it.
December 21st, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I’m an artist myself, and what caught my eye was one of your adds off another webcomic I frequent. Your art is far beyond anything I could hope to achieve, and this storyline is more unique than anything I’ve come across in a very long time.
Trolls will be trolls, and they use words to try and rile you when they themselves know truly nothing of work and being happy with your creations as they have no artistic ability of their own.
I commend you for having a job as an illustrator, and would love to know if any of your work might grace the bookstores in Canada.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Another reader who’s been around a while, but not commented before… You said it yourself, though. You get between 2k and 5k hits per day. How many people are whining about what you do? Even if we’re generous toward them and say 10 people are complaining, that amounts to roughly 0.2% of your viewers. The other 99.8% like or love what you do. Which side are you going to take to heart?
December 21st, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Frankly dear, whether you own your own business, have an accountant, etc. is beside the point. You don’t have to validate yourself to anyone here on the intertubes. For the most part we come here because we appreciate what you do, the story you’re telling and the artwork. By proxy we’re saying that we appreciate your effort and the fact that you put your work up for free for us to enjoy. Coming here to troll about calling your work shitty or saying you are lazy speaks more of the Troll’s character than anything. Perhaps it would be better for your detractor(s) to remember that in any other form your work would have a price tag on it. Instead it costs you to post it here. I think that most would agree that respectfully asking for financial support is acceptable. Especially since it is, after all, optional.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
If you need to take a break to get your financial situation back on track, do it. Those of us who love this comic (and therefore care about its authoress) will understand. We are on your side.
As for the idiots…well, who’re you gonna believe – the fools who THINK they know about your life, or the one (you) who actually DOES know?
December 21st, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hi there,
I wouldn’t worry about some random, insignificant idiot on the Internet. At least some good came out of this — several more people have discovered your comic and like it.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I love today’s page. And while I would miss Xyliatales if you have to take a break, taking care of your family is the most important thing. So ignore the trolls and keep up the good work!
December 21st, 2008 at 11:16 pm
HI B.
I Just started reading your comic a few months ago and first off I must say I love it. Kudos to you it’s a brilliant story and I love the illustration.
On a more serious note:
As a single mother raising three kids myself and after spending five years in the US Navy I am now currently back at school and doing exactly what you were doing 20 yrs ago. I have had so many part time jobs while trying to work on my degree it makes me wonder if I’ll ever get it done.
Then I come here to read your comic and I know its possible.
Assholes are everywhere and there isn’t a day where I would love to shove my foot so far up one of these oh so charming individuals arse that they would need a neurologist to remove it.
That being said:
B you are an inspiration to so many people myself included don’t let jerks like this get to you it only means your letting them win.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Barb, you’re right where you’re supposed to be right now. Those of you who know you and are familiar with your work are on your side and to H E double hockeysticks to the naysayers that can’t come close to your level of skill. You’ve really outdone yourself (why do I keep saying that about your work?) on this Xylia Christmas card.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:33 pm
E, M, Halvorsen, you go, girl!! I particularly dig people like you and Barb who hang in there and keep going despite the odds aand the barriers. Keep it up, Ladies!
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 am
B, don’t get upset about those idiots, honestly. They’re bludging of the fact that webcomics are freely accessible for anyone who wants to look at them. So, instead of complaining about the fact that you need some income from somewhere, they should appreciate the fact that Xylia is still a free site with voluntary donations rather than a pay-site. They’re out there too.
Creating a webcomic takes time and the time you need for that you can’t do paid work. I myself would love to spend the entire day drawing my own webcomic but more often than not, I only manage to steal a few minutes here or there out of my day and maybe some time in the evening … followed by the ‘sorry, no update this week’. I’m a mum of 3 myself, do the books for my partner and yeah, with the current economic situation, we’re perpetually broke, another child on the way but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. So, when I’m told to fire out another few invoices or get the accounts ironed out, that takes precedence at all times … no invoices for customers to pay, no food on our dinner table. You’re in the same situation and it’s way low trying to make you feel bad about it. You shouldn’t have to feel bad about that!!!
Barb, don’t worry about those guys but rather take the couple of days that Christmas gives you to enjoy the time with your family.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 am
Barbara, seriously: you’re an artist and in the future you’ll have to deal with more crap than that. And it’s harsh for me to tell you, but you have to cool off and cope. I am a writer myself and it’s not all praise and candies. Bad reviews happen as well as the good ones, and because they happen to the greatest, don’t think it’ll stop. The world is full of frustrated people who’d like to force you their choices, maybe just because they are feeling bad this day. And calling an artist (or a scientist, or anybody who doesn’t work with their hands on the job) lazy is the oldest insult in the book.
And if you speak about them aloud, you just shift attention to them.
Think about it: you make stuff happen. You create something. Most modern jobs nowadays aren’t creating anything in particular. They are obsolete. So you don’t miss anything. Making money without making your dream happen, or at least your CV getting nicer, is a loss of time.
In my former job they told me I shouldn’t do my hobby because it detracts me from my work (as if they had right to tell me what I should do after I get home!). In my current job, they encourage people to have hobbies, because it’s healthy!
Still it takes a hell lot of courage and determination to go full time artist. I admire you. Cheers.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 am
P.S. What you have to do is to make more Xylia and expand. Printed tomes, merchandise. Eventually you’ll get rolling. You’re one of the pearls in the web, and damnit, your comic even has a plot!
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 am
It can be easy for those of us without any artistic talent to forget that just because you’re blessed with a gift, doesn’t mean producing art is effortless. I’m not excusing, mind you, but being talentless myself I know it can be frustrating when I’ve just GOT TO know what happens next in a fantastic story! Because that’s the thing–the story is fantastic. I’m hooked and want to know more, all the time. And I have faith that the majority of the thousands of visitors to this site fall into my camp of loving the story, not demanding to be entertained.
So forget about it. I imagine I would be as upset as you are, so this might not carry much weight. This is your baby, your project, and you’ve got the fans to prove its success. Anyone who’s too bloody stupid to respect that you work as hard on this as they do at whatever their job is can just…sit on a tack. Or something. You might try what Heather of dooce.com mentioned once and print out negative e-mails, lay them on the driveway, and put some nice tire tracks across those suckers.
Have a merry, merry, (merrie?) Christmas Barb, and push thoughts of those morons from your mind. Maybe Santa will gift them with coal for your troubles
D
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am
First off–let me say, LOVE today’s holiday pic; very festive and definitely a keeper.
As for those naysayers–well, there’s a reason we call them “trolls”–they live in dark places and do nothing but gripe and try to make the lives of others miserable, like their own. They aren’t worth listening to and never will be. Truthfully, the author of the original post appears to be, in fact, highly jealous of you–poor them. You are far and above a better person than they’ll ever be.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 am
Oh yeah, and trolls on the board are actually a sign that you’re getting popular.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:12 am
Barb, people here said a lot of what I wanted to, and they said it wonderfully. So I’ll just join in and say you are an inspiration source for me, I’m proud to be your friend (I tell people about you… I show a professor of mine the screen saver so she will translate the French for me. Ended up showing her the website. she really liked it!) and be your reader. I KNOW Xylia will do great, and I have faith in you and the rest of my fellow readers- this web-comic will go on!
Happy holidays, kisses & hugs!
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 am
Did I say anything about the pic? No?
I think it’s great! Xylia looks so different because of that big smile…I think the composition is great, but I especially likes the unicorn (forget his name) funny little guy! And the pear tree! beautiful as always!
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
Ijits. Ignore them Barb, you do a wonderful job under difficult circumastances, and it isn’t as if you are the only web comic author out there that asks for donations to keep the webcomic alive! Hang in there, we love your work and I donate when I can.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:06 am
I don’t get it. In my opinion, your donation calls have little to do with your lifestyle or your kids. To me, it’s asking for money for work you’ve already done for me. Some other webcomics actually charge money from their readers in the first place. You don’t, you do all the work for free and then ask politely for donations so that the “free” work can go on. There is NOTHING lazy about this whatsoever. I think the problem is, that some people don’t understand that drawing/illustrating is WORK. Well – it is, be told.
I do a very similar job, I sew medieval clothes for a large group of people I know. I do it for free and then ask for donations. And I’m mostly underpaid for the hard, actually back-killing work I do.
You have all my sympathies!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 am
We all support you, and want you to keep on fighting the Good Fight. You know you don’t need to listen to those imbeciles.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 am
I’m in agreement with what others say; there is no need for you to feel you need to validate yourself to randoms.
In addition, they have no grounds giving you crap for asking for donations because, to be honest, people GIVE you donations. If it was such a problem, people wouldn’t donate at all, but because they do it shows that the complainers are in the minority. Plus, what people do with their own money is their own business, so again they have no grounds attacking you.
This is a great comic and you’re doing an amazing job.
Keep up the great work!
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 am
Hang in there! People always get a case of the assholes around Christmas. I love your comic, and I believe it’s beautifully drawn. Not enough Fairy Tales are told these days.
They’re just jealous that no one will pay them for their pitiful art.
Merry Christmas, darlin. You’re doing beautiful work.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Lovely christmas page!! My fave is the unicorn. (sorry, forget his name there for a moment) And little Gly (aww, mistletoe!!) and Livy of course. I hope Claudius will quickly feel at home with his new family here, it sure looks nice.
On a more serious note: Barb, hun, I think its the best thing to just completely IGNORE those people. They dont know what theyre talking about, they have no rights to complain like this and theyre just flaming for probably no other reason than just so they can complain about something. They probably complain about the weather too, the traffic, their coffee……whatever things!
You dont have to justify yourself every time. I can imagine you get upset and of course you have to get this sort of stuff off your chest, but hun, stuff like this WILL happen over and over again. There are tons of people like these and they get what they want every time you start a discussion, because thats what they want, they want to whine about everything THEY dont like because THEY are the most important persons and what THEY say is right.
My advice would be to put some rules on the forum or the site (no flaming, constructive critique only etc.) and ban people who dont follow it, read their post and ignore it. If they dont have anything relevant to say, dont answer them.
Cheer up hun, *hugs* there are more people here who love your story than people who dont. Xylia rocks! So keep your chin up high.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:48 am
Hey… I am a new reader (only a few weeks), and I think your comic is graphic novel quality stuff! Don’t you listen to those haters. This comic is going to grow into something even more great than it already is (which is pretty darn great if you ask me!), I can just feel it! Merry Christmas, Darlin’, from the Land of Dixie!
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:00 am
Wait…what? WTF?
Point me at ‘em…I’ll feed them their kneecaps.
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:06 am
I’m a professional artist myself and I am overwhelmed by your talent. Your comic is great! Ignore the haters, they are jealous because they are too lazy themselves to maintain a family, a webcomic and freelance illustration. Every update is fascinating. You’re putting out beautiful work that anyone can look at for free, and some people are so ignorant that they whine if there are any donation requests… Sheesh, they need to get a life! Xylia rules!
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:09 am
I often find that people who bitch the most and “strut” the most are usually just pathetic losers who need to make themselves feel important. They need to criticize, belittle and insult those they are threatened by, because of their own insecurites and failures.
Barb, you don’t need to explain yourself to this person or to us. You provide a wonderfully drawn and wonderfully scripted story for us to enjoy.. FREE! That you ask for donations is perfectly within your rights. I’m sorry that you were singled out by this idiot. If it were up to me people with tiny brains would not be allowed to touch their keyboards without supervision, but alas it’s not up to me.
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hey Barb,
No worries. Now I know that is like telling a cat not to meow, but these bozos don’t represent all of us and we love what you are doing. (We like you. We really like you!)
To put this in perspective, take a look at this link. It sums up just how stupid the inter-trolls are. (No where near your quality of work, but it is funny and makes the point.)
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20000820
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
i’m not a big fan of the donations’ pleas myself, but i’m surprised you’re paying attention yet again to those idiots. i would just delete their posts from the first word you find offensive without even reading the rest. you do have a lot of loving fans, and a lot of fans who find your comic worth supporting financially. seriously, giving the trolls the satisfaction of knowing you were so upset is letting them win – i would delete this entire thread and put it behind you.
it even makes you look bad – you say you’ve been doing this before they began sucking air – this sounds like you are saying they are a waste of air – come now. this is beneath you, barb. believe me, the best way to get them to go away is to ignore them. stay positive, and your donations will come in and your comic will succeed. don’t let the bad vibes drag you down.
i really like the story lately, and am enjoying it even more than the lovely comic. i think your story, edited, could make good print young adult lit.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
WOW. I was really NOT expecting this- so many of you writing to express your support!! I actually feel guilty that I was such a baby about this whole mess- yesterday I was a grinch BEFORE I read that blog, so I overreacted, and I feel bad about it. Anyway- thank you EVERYONE for your amazing and kind words. It’s really wonderful.
I want to reiterate that even if the donations aren’t there, I will NOT DISCONTINUE XYLIA. And that was never my intention. As long as I can see the monitor screen and hold a stylus in my hand, I will always work on this, income or not. That said, the income determines the AMOUNT of work I can put into it, not whether or not I will. One person had said it was extortionist of me to demand donation money or ‘no comic’ and that was never the plan.
I believe that there is a career opportunity in webcomicking, I just haven’t figured it out for myself yet. Until I do, I still have to have an income, and if that means turning my time to more bread and butter work, I have to do it. My thing is always to be clear in my communication- but it appears I wasn’t. At least to this outside group of people who I really shouldn’t care about. A lot of the posters there were frightening folks with some SERIOUS detachment, parental, and relationship issues. I actually feel very bad for a number of them after reading the posts.
One final word on the LJ network that brought this whole subject up, and to any of you who may be guests here – (welcome to XYLIA, btw!) . I have always supported people in their choice to have or not have kids. ALWAYS. I actually have great respect for those who make that personal decision for their own reasons because they are often met with such disdain by people. At the same time, I would expect the same respect in return that it was my choice to HAVE kids, and not be faulted for that decision. And that it be known that I am a damn good mom, and not a sponge of my ex OR the government. That is all I will say on this topic.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
Spas- these posts were not in my control to delete. That was my point. It someone else’s site. The things being said about me were unfair, and misinterpreted and I didn’t feel that I should have to accept that.
I suppose ‘sucking air’ was an inflammatory thing to say. But I get mad. I had a pile of other stuff I was dealing with before this came along, and as another faulty human I do tend to have emotional reactions from time to time.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 am
You know, it really burns me up when people put down the artist for Real Life problems. Mostly because those who do have no Real Life life to speak of and can’t find a more constructive thing to do with their jealousy, like try to get better than you. You have many loyal fans and readers, and though some of us are poor some of us are also not going to yell at you for doing what you have to do. Don’t let the air-suckers get you down, you have an army of supportive people willing to put at least as much effort into Love for you as they-who-suck are putting towards the Hate. And we’re the better funded side.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:54 am
Hi, just wandered over here from LJ and read the whole thing and loved it. Your comic is beautiful. And don’t worry about cf_hardcore, they get snarked several times a week for being insane.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Even though I haven’t started posting my work yet… I know how tough it can be to create pages as lovely as yours are. So don’t let those idiots get you down.
*hugs*
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
All I have to say is that I absolutely ADORE your artwork.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Being a long time lurker, I feel compelled to express my gratitude the time and effort You put into Xylia.
Ignorants are thirteen to a dozen. You do good stuff.
Glædelig jul og godt nytår!
(Merry Christmas and a happy new Year!)
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:40 pm
A webcomic like this is a great, undeserved gift to its readers.
My eloquence fails me to find something else to say without repeating what has been said, so I simply second the reassurances and praises to you.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Gotta love the Trolls–NOT!!! Just ignore ‘em–we’ll read you no matter what and donate if we can. This has always been a hard business to make a living in and a good artist needs all the support they can get.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Well, think about it this way. All the drama got you a bunch of new readers, myself included. You have some excellent work here, and I can’t wait to see more. I see no problem hosting a donation drive–many other webcomic artists I know have done it in the past, and I’ve had no issues donating. For some, it is possible to make a comic their livelihood, and I see no reason not to try.
Please don’t let a bunch of rabid CFers get under your skin. Happy Holidays, and keep up the good work!
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Hi Barb,
just remember foot + arse= trip to neurologist (j/k) :p
seriously though trolls grrr hate them with a bloody passion but they’re out there nothing you can do about them except ignore them and if they do it again I’m sure there is a way to block them from accessing your blog site.
Once again great work I LOVE the holiday greeting you posted.
Merry Christmas
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
That REALLY pisses me off! Screw the losers! You work your ass off. They’re probably all whiners that couldn’t create snot with a cold. Damn no-talent, jealous idiots. They probably all live with their mommies and daddies.
I think you and your book kick some SERIOUS ass! Have a great Christmas and forget about all those infantile, talentless crybabies.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
ARGH–lemme at them I’ll get them! How horrible!!! As a fellow artist I can say your art is way beyon anything I can do right now, and sweet heart there is nothing-NO. THING. Wrong with asking for donations. As an artist from a disatvantage family that constantly struggles with money I can under stand how bad you must feel by though stupid asses.
–hug– you keep on doin what your doin!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I’m just gonna go ahead and agree with just about everyone else on here… you’ve got a great thing going here for all of us. And speaking of artwork, I have friends that are artists, and they’re GOOD, but they still aren’t at your level of skill. That in itself says something, and on top of that, you normally do artwork for a living. So really, they can just go get their eyeballs plucked out and live in a hole somewhere for all I care!
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 am
Hello. I’m a long-time reader, first time commenter.
If you need more proof of just how good you are, think of how many different people have posted – just on this thread! – within the first 12 hours of yours. I’ve been reading since at least chapter 2, and wouldn’t dream of stopping just because some ignorant two-bit moron with less than half a life to call his own was blasting you for asking for something that everyone – that’s right, everyone – has to ask for at some point. I can’t draw worth a damn, but I know skill when I see it. If we have to donate a bit to keep the comic coming as fast as it has been, then so be it. A couple bucks is a small price to pay.
It’s a sad truth that no matter how insensitive someone might be, there’s always someone worse out there. But it works the other way too – no matter how nice and warm someone is, there’s someone nicer out there. The trick is to listen to the good people and ignore the bad.
What I’m trying to say is…welcome to the Internet. As you gain in popularity, you’re only going to invite more trolls. The next step, unfortunately, is for them to start commenting directly on your site. Get ready to receive more comments than ever before as we, your loyal readers, respond to the trolls with a deluge of far more complimentary comments.
With a little luck, perhaps you’ll get the more intelligent trolls – the ones that point out inaccuracies and inconsistencies. At least they provide some modicum of usefulness, no matter how distasteful.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:29 am
I have been hooked to this comic since I found it a few months ago. You are doing a great job Barbara and don’t let anyone tell you different. Those bitching on the fact that you are asking for donations are doing so out of jealousy of not being able to do the same. Don’t let them bring you down. Your work is great and you are worthy of all praises to make most of it available here for free. Thank you very much for making this possible and on a side note, I wish you Merry Christmas and and happy New Year.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 am
probably a bit late to say this, but people who whinge about junk like this are just jealous that they can’t produce art this good or earn money from something they enjoy doing.
judging by the messages, there are more awesome people who love the comic out there than jerks who don’t
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:05 am
Just a little note: I’ve been following the comic from France with quite a number of friends and it would be a major loss if it was to stop. Period. Merry Xmas all.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:01 am
I’m not going to repeat what everyone else has said (much). YOU ROCK. Never let any trolls bring you down. And if they get under your skin then it’s okay to vent. Nothing wrong with getting pissed at those that try and hurt you. And if you need a break go ahead and take it. Everyone who has commented today would understand if you had to take a week or even a month off. I just started reading yesterday and one thing that really jumpped at me was the donations. Yesterday it was at $450 something. Today it is $612. That is amazing. Keep up the work, but once again take care of you’re self first. I would donate even if you didn’t post for awhile, because I know that you would post as soon as you could. Happy Holidays everyone
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Come on man, that’s just silly of them to try and start a ruckus with you. If they don’t like what you’re doing, they certainly don’t have to call attention to it. I think they were just trying to generate attention to themselves at your expense. You, Xylia and your posts don’t deserve any ‘special’ scrutiny. Keep on, keeping on, we got your back.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Long time reader, first time posting. What I don’t understand is that if people would take the time to put down your work, there’s a ton of artists who also have to work within a budget and frequently have to ask for donations. There’s a lot of people in yer boat–I’m sure everyone’s getting nasty thanks to this economy. :
Keep going! If I wasn’t just trying to support myself as a college student, I’d do something for you. ^_^;;
The supporters are here. We’ll do our best.
–A_A
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hi..I’ve read your comic and was a huuuuuuuuuge fan of the other one that I can’t remember what it was called (Exiles something or other?)
I usually never comment in forums, or read them for precisely this reason. It really gets to me how arrogant, self-righteous, and offensive some people can get.
I don’t count for anything important, like a friend or the voice of a million people, but what I WILL do is add my voice to the 50 that are already here telling you the same thing. I love your comic, and that’s all I can say about you. I think that you are one of the best comic artists I know, and I’m a constant reader of about 20 comics (I don’t know if that’s a LOT, but it is to me.)
I don’t need to know if you’re lazy or hard-working, kind or mean, greedy or generous because it doesn’t affect the comic. If I didn’t like the comic, I simply wouldn’t read it.
But I like when you take the time to write a little blog, I can’t donate anything because I’m 25 and broke, I’m trying to take a stab at life myself, so I’m one of those “non-participating” readers. This is all I can give to you this Christmas. Please don’t feel lazy, you almost always have a post, it can’t be lazy. And please don’t feel affected for self-righteous stupid people like whoever it was that wrote that.
I love your comic, I think you are extremely talented. I can’t wait to see where Xylia is going. If anything, this has made me even more loyal to your comic. I hope that somewhere you are supported by people that care, and friends that make you feel special. DON’T LISTEN TO THE DOUCHEBAGS!!!! Please….have a great christmas…
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I’m a long time reader, and I have to say, I look forward to your comic every week. Screw those s**t heads for being so! If they have a problem, then they should shut their traps and leave! You’re doing a great job! And a lot of us LOVE you for doing so! Happy Holidays and PLS don’t stop Xylia because of those arses! If you do, then you’ll let them win
Please don’t!
December 24th, 2008 at 8:42 am
What a horrible little puck that would come in and such things about you and your work.
Xylia is beautiful. The vibrant colors, the characters’ poignant expressions, the panels are so extraordinarily well balanced without being stagnant. It’s all so alive. And the story! The characters, places, the specifics of the magic may be fictional, but the story that you tell is so real. Love and loss and discovery and hope and joy. If there is a story that needs to be told it is that story. And you do it so well. Your talent and passion is evident across every piece you’ve shown us. Xylia is beautiful.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Heya Barb!! I hope you remember me, you helped me and my fiancee get some exposure for a wedding contest that we were attempting to win.
Anyway, I’m sure you’re already aware of this fact, but you need it driven home. You will never please everybody. As soon as you try, you have already failed. Even if you won the lottery, and were able to spend more time here and support your family and have all of your/their needs looked after without needing to freelance or ask for donations, somebody would still find something to rip into you for. Heh, they might still call you lazy for sayyyyyy…. not updating 6 days a week now that your a millionaire.
I know very very much that you want everybody to be happy, when you can make people happy through your gift, through your art, that is when you feel alive. I believe that is one of the ways that you truly enjoy life.
But you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Your worth, your value as Barb, your identity can not be founded upon the amount of people who are happy with what you are doing vrs the amount of people who are upset at you…. that is a roller-coaster that will never stop and will quickly burn you out. I don’t want you to resent that which you love because of the inescapable criticism that will come your way.
You can only look after one group of people, those that are happy with what you are giving us here, or those that are not. Splitting yourself between both groups doesn’t work.
We love you Barb, the -vast- majority of us are here to stay. Yes, we want to read Xylia, but we also understand that you are only able to devote your time to it as income allows. (Artists need to trade their time for money essentially.) Those that are ignorant to that fact, and choose to remain in their ignorance… drop them. It might feel cold and hard to do, but like I said you can only give of your time, heart and talent to one of those two groups. Don’t waste it on those that don’t appreciate it.
You deserve better Barb!! <3
Anyway, just had to send you some love from Canada. Hehe… oh! I bought my Fiancee your Calendar for her birthday earlier this month, she loved it!
Hehe, she wouldn’t stop smiling. I couldn’t of picked a better gift. ^_~
(191 days until I’m married on March 7th!! ^____^)
December 24th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Just read all of Xylia here in one very comfy sitting, and I have to say, nicely done! I really enjoyed it. Full of action, intriguing characters, and a plot that I can’t wait to see developed. (what exactly is the curse?)
Hope that encourages you (: I’ll be sure to come back here for more updates.
December 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Bah, that’s what I say to the people who think anything art related isn’t a real job. I’ve had to deal with that idea too, since I’m trying to be a novelist.
December 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I just don’t really understand why people do that stuff… I mean, when I found out that Xylia would be going away if it didn’t raise more money, I went right to the store and bought something. Now: I am a college student, and not exactly rolling in the dough. More importantly I think, I am not one to spend my very sparce amount of money on things I don’t really need or feel is worth the loss. I think that says a lot about how much I really enjoy this comic and want it to stay up.
However, I can understand how and why people might not feel the need or desire to contribute to the cause of keeping Xylia alive. But to those people, I would think the solution would be simple… don’t donate. Why take the time and effort to flame someone who has done nothing to harm or inconvience anyone. Quite the contrary, what you do makes so many people happy! If the fact that you ask for a little rembursement for that joy makes a few people that upset, I feel very sorry for those angry/bored/heartless/cruel/sightless people. There are so many things out there in this nasty world that are much more horrible to be angry and distressed about. Why this?
In any case, I would pay for art this good to hang on my wall at home, or on a calander to display, or in any other more traditional form. It just makes sense to support it in this form as well. If you don’t have the money or don’t like the art enough (though I can’t see how that could be possible) then just don’t pay out. Making nasty comments and complaining does nobody any good. At all.
How immature.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Well, I’ve seen many fabulous things voted down or insulted by people who simply have nothing better to do but be a-holes. It usually means that they are bored and/or jealous and do not like things that bring happiness to others. People who say that art is not a job are wrong in every sense of the word. Making a living off of art is one of the hardest things go do! It burns me up to see people do that.
Personally, I believe that all of the people who insult for the sake of it and who vote down good, helpfull things simply because they are different are all part of the C.O.V.E. contingent: Citizens Opposed to Virtually Everything. They are the ones who mindlessly insult every good thing they come across and flaunt their immaturity on the World Wide Web. It’s not even worth responding to them.
Your artwork is some of the most beautiful I have every seen. I have been reading Xylia Tales for a long time and the beautiful, unique story and artwork stun me in so many ways. We’ll always be rooting for you! <3
January 4th, 2009 at 4:37 am
They are right you know. You can’t possibly work sitting on a desk! Jobs are only those were you push boxes. Let’s paint everything grey, burn down art, close the universities and go work in the fields. Because only those doing physical work are really working. The rest are all just lazy people hiding behind the desks. Aha!
Maybe they think every photo/illustration/graphic/logo they keep seeing EVERYWHERE, everyday, created itself. Or that people spent hours creating it for free, since drawing can only be a hobby, and not paid for. Maybe they never realised that even when they go to the supermarket, every single thing they buy has pictures on it. In any case, even if someone is so uneducated that really discards arts and recreation as a line of business, they should still respect that you are offering a form of art/recreational media to people who WANT it, with the difference that you allow them to decide how much (and if) they want to pay for it. So their opinion is really irrelevant. So don’t bother with it.
You are doing a really good work, by the way, and it’s nice to see that your experiment (to devote time to self-commisioned art) is working. Good luck in the future.