Writing today’s blog is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There’s no bad news to deliver or anything. I’m not quitting the comic or reporting that I’ve contracted some terrible condition. I’m just busted-ass tired, and I can barely see through my wet and scratchy eyes, and generating a single complete and well-written sentence seems to take forty attempts.
The last couple of weeks have been extremely challenging, professionally speaking, and last week was the culmination of that challenge. With the exception of Monday (childbirth classses!), I found myself working late into the night on a project each and every night. Between Monday and Sunday, I logged 97 hours to that project. My design team (who are all ridiculously amazing) clocked 75+ per person. And our account director topped my count by 17 hours. Needless to say, I didn’t get to work on any new pages of chapter 2 this week.
Baby is coming, too! Felicia and I are about 18 days away from the due date. I’ve already arranged to take three weeks away from work, and during that time I expect there won’t be much progress made on chapter 2, either. (I doubt it will even cross my mind that I have a comic, mostly.) I fully intend to keep posting new pages during daddy leave — an hour every week is all that takes, and I think I can manage that.
On another note, it’s that time of year when editors everywhere begin contemplating their lists. Best this, best that. The Washington Post has an open call for recommendations for Best Webcomics of 2011 right now, so if you’ve enjoyed reading my little comic, consider sending a quick email to comicriffs@washpost.com to nominate Eleanor.
Happy Monday, everybody! I hope you’ve all got a couple of work-free days to spend with family and turkeys.