As I still haven’t hit all my benchmarks, I’m still providing weekly updates. I remain committed to that until I am firmly back on track. If things are moving the way they should — the way I’ve promised — you, my readers, followers, and supporters deserve to hear from me. That’s called accountability. And I believe strongly in that.
On Your Comments
Some of you have taken to posting comments — which I have deleted — or sending e-mails or other messages in response to these updates indicating that you’d much prefer new content to updates. You are missing the point and your are kind of being a dick. It will not be tolerated.
The fact is, I am now putting out one Feature every week and even when I wasn’t, I was putting out four Features every month. They may all have come at the end of the month, but they were there, except in December due to an oversight and October due to a hospitalization. You’re getting 20,000 words of content a month. These updates aren’t preventing you from getting content.
However, I am fully aware that I am not moving forward on other projects and I am often doing things at the last possible minute. I’ve explained — to some extent — what has been going on in my life that has derailed my productivity, but I do recognize that no one is under obligation to offer me sympathy or understanding. You’re here for my content and if I am not delivering content, I’m not giving you anything. And if you’re financially supporting me, you have every right to stop. Don’t pay for something that has no value. If I didn’t believe in that, I wouldn’t push supporting me on a “per Feature” basis and instead I’d just happily take monthly stipends regardless of what I do.
That’s the beginning and the end of your choice. You get to decide whether this site is worth visiting; whether I’m worth supporting; whether I’ve earned or deserve your trust, sympathy, or understanding; and whether my apologies are worth a damn. And if you decide I don’t and they’re not, I fully respect that. I truly do. I have given no one any bones when they’ve said, “Look, I like your work but I can’t keep supporting you if you’re not putting out useful content for me.”
I am using these updates for accountability and out of a sense of integrity and fairness. You don’t have to read them. But if you respond to them with impatience or sarcastic judgment, you will find that your dollars, your readership, and your comments are no longer welcome.
The end.
Content
You probably noticed last week’s Early Access feature didn’t land until the weekend and the Proofreadaloud didn’t go live until this morning. If you missed them, check your Patreon, SubscribeStar, or Discord feed. Unfortunately, I missed the Wednesday deadline yet again and didn’t get the Proofreadaloud out in synch with the Feature. Those of you who don’t have access to the Early Access stuff probably didn’t notice anything wrong as the new General Access Feature went live on Wednesday.
All I can say is I’m trying. Last week was disrupted yet again by medical tests and some personal issues. Speaking of which…
Live Chat Rescheduled
Unfortunately, the Live Chat scheduled for tonight — Monday, March 11 — needs to be rescheduled. I’ll be doing it next Monday, March 18, at 8:00 PM EDT. I have a few things to take care of and I am not in a good headspace to do a Live Chat tonight. If you listened to the Proofreadaloud I posted today, you probably noticed that something was off in my delivery.
Interactions on Discord
I’ve been a bit temperamental on the supporter Discord lately. Beyond my usual, Angry self, I mean. And some of you have noticed that, in the last several days, my activity has dropped off substantially. I have been picking a few too many fights and I’ve been rude to a few of you as debates got passionate and I am deeply sorry for that. I am making a conscious choice right now to minimize my Discord interactions while I get my shit together.
If I do say something to you in a future interaction that you feel is rude or “beyond the line,” I give you permission to send me a private message on Discord to politely call it out. I will listen, I will apologize, and I will make peace. And if you don’t feel you can do that, you can ask a moderator to pass the word along to me.
I’m serious.
My Health
Last week, I got a resolution with my strange heart problems. Sort of. My cardiologist is of the opinion that hearts are sometimes weird. And the issues I am continuing to have are minor, mostly stress and lifestyle induced, and don’t warrant treatment at this time. There is no sign that anything is seriously or structurally wrong with my heart. Which is good news.
But I also have to confess that between my ongoing health concerns, some ongoing financial struggles, and continuing fallout from a number of personal issues I prefer not to discuss, I continue to struggle with a deepening depression. I have the resources I need to deal with it and I’ve even started a new course of therapy as it got very bad last week, but it is going to take and patience to overcome it.
For that reason, I continue to value this community for all of the support and encouragement you’ve shown me over the years, In fact, one of the reasons I’m so committed to fighting my way out of this pit is so that I can show my gratitude by giving you all the great content I know I can produce and that you all deserve.
Thank you.
And now, I’m getting back to work. This month’s “You Pick the Topic” is coming soon. It’s not about what you think it is because some dumbass didn’t know what words meant when he proposed the topic.
Godspeed, Angry. I always appreciate your candor, transparency, and accountability. You’ve got this!
Here for it all and looking forward to applying some of your early-campaign advice to a new game I’m hoping to start soon. Also, Patreon is sucking a lot less for notifications so now I actually vibrate when your stuff goes up.
“whether I’ve earned or deserve your trust, sympathy, or understanding;”
In spades. I find value in each and every one of your articles.
The ‘sympathy’ bit:
Life can be mighty hard to live with, at times. Some things you don’t get over, you have to go through, but the other side is closer than we think while we’re in it.
To me, the site _is_ worth visiting. My games have greatly benefited from your advice and I’m grateful for the efforts you’re making to put out quality content.
Good luck with your personal issues, I sincerely wish you the best.
Thanks for the update Angry.
You have shown inspiring strength and resilience times and times again; we believe in you, and hope for your eventual recovery !
Mr. Angry,
If you don’t already understand this, please prioritize your health — mental and physical — above productivity. I am not a financial supporter, but I am a fan and (more importantly) a fellow human being, and I care. Please continue to take care of yourself.
Amd if you do understand that, then please accept the support and sympathy of a stranger on the internet in the best spirit in which it is intended.
Hey man, you put out some of the best RPG advice content that there is, and I look forward to each new article. Glad your heart is ok. Just keep taking care of yourself – depression is no joke.
I’ve also struggled with depression. I’ve had days when summoning the will to just get out of bed took hours. Why bother? What’s the point, after all? But that’s asking the wrong question. Deep down, there’s something you want to do, that brings you joy even when it’s muted by sadness or loss.
Angry, from what I’ve seen, you love games – playing them, running them, making them, and making them better. You enjoy thinking and learning and teaching, and you do it well. That has value. Do as you must, and be well.
I love your advice and viewpoints. I may not always agree and understand that I am wrong when I don’t 😉
Keep going at it, and as it’s impossible for me to magically wish the worlds issues away, you have my support.
Depression is a beast. Keep fighting the good fight, man. You got this.
Being in a bad head space myself, I understand. Being in a position where I had to be everything to everyone (and please smile while doing it), I understand. I thank you for your efforts and only ask that you hold on the your boundries better than I have.
Thank you for continuing to put yourself out there despite the setbacks.
I mean, I kinda like reading your stuff because of the rudeness. It’s entertaining and sometimes resonating. If folks on discord don’t already get that you can be an ass, then they’ve had their head up theirs far too long. I’ve said it once before, “Dick’s”, folks don’t go there for good service. I recently lost a friend to depression. I feel bad for him, but also pissed. He had folks that loved him including 2 younger kids. I’m not saying it’s your situation, I just know depression sucks.
Mad respect that you keep getting up after all the setbacks. Know that you are loved and appreciated!
I don’t comment very often, but let me say that if I were to meet you in person Angry, I would (with permission) give you a bro hug.
You know how to eat an elephant?
One bite at a time. You got this.
Thanks for the Updates and the good content:)
i cant imagine how youre feeling right now, youre doing great as it is, please take all the time you need and dont feel bad about it!! Sending you many hugs!
I wish you all the best in health, physical and mental, a swift and total recovery. I know what it is like to suffer from undiagnosed heart issues and to wonder if you’ll wake up in the morning. It is hard to make peace with it, and I am not always successful. Again, all the best, and thank you for all you are doing – it is something I look forward to with great joy.
I’m proud of you for laying down the line on this one. It should be a no-brainer of “don’t like it; don’t read it” but I suppose some people have to get aggy.
I really value these updates, because it takes huge guts and integrity, and I also want to know how you’re doing (as much as you’re willing to share).
Ugh. Having cycled through some really bad bouts of depression and getting to the season now where my depression jumps to new heights, I feel for you. I’m glad you’re getting the help you need, and I’m glad these updates are helping you stay accountable. It can be so hard. Keep doing what you need to. You content is valuable enough for me to hang around.
I wish you best luck and fast remission. Take care of yourself to keep up your outstanding work also in the future. Best greets from Germany!
Sadly I’m from the evil empire and my credit card is no good for Patreon, so the only meagre support I can offer you is in written words. But you are awesome and people complaining about these weekly updates are dicks, there can be no two opinions about that. Best of luck on your recovery and don’t be too hard on yourself. The amount of work you manage to do with all the stuff falling apart around is fantastic and it’s still of the same sexy gaming genius quality we’re so accustomed to.