Picking it all back up after a sudden need to quit working on it?

[snailienz]

My comic was going so well, and then my buffer caught up with me and I got way overwhelmed, started oushing back updates...and now I'm scared I hav lost everyone's interest and I'm doomed to fail. Do I give up? Do I start over? What's your advice for getting back on track? I felt like I was doing so well, but then mental and physical health got in the way, and now I feel like everyone got bored and will unfollow when I start posting again because they forgot they were even reading this.

[MegaRay]

If I was you, I would make an update and see if enough people read it, then continue. If not, and the majority un-followed. Then reboot it or do something else.

[IndigoShirtProd]

Take a break/hiatus to build your buffer back. Then implement regular hiatuses and schedule them or inform your readers of when they will be so no one is blindsided. I think it's important to have regular breaks and hiatuses in place for things like this. If your readers really like you comic and you, they will understand and not haggle you about. Don't worry so much over this, we all get to a point where plans fall through it happens. Hopefully, it'll be a welcome surprise for your readers whenever you come back.

[amortelito]

I ran out of buffer long ago and sometimes it takes a month to upload a few pages . I noticed lower views. A few subs unfollowed me when I started posting again, so your concern is very valid... and it does happen. But the readers who really liked my work stayed and are willing to wait for the updates. It is possible to update whenever you can and still maintain the interest. But if you feel safer having a buffer you can go on hiatus until you can give them regular updates.

As an additional comment, I want to say that losing engagement is natural and I don't think you should feel like you "failed" because you took a break. It even happens to popular comics too, but the difference is that they have a larger following and tend to get new readers to fill the missing spots. Readers quit for many reasons. Some accounts get abandoned, or readers really like your work but take you for granted, so they check out your comic less frequently. Looking back barely 3 of my initial readers still show up occasionally. Promoting the comic and finding new readers can also refresh your sense that somebody cares about your work.

[SleepingPoppy]

Life happens, it's not that big a deal, and most followers will understand. If some people unsub, try to shrug it off! It is not the end of the world, and when you start regular updates again, new people will jump on board. And lots of people will likely be enthusiastic about your return. Just give them a heads up that you were gone for health reasons, and you'll be returning once you build your buffer back up.

Maybe start on the buffer first, and see how working again feels to you. You don't need to start over from scratch unless you'd prefer to do that. But choose whatever path feels comfortable.

Seconding others suggestion that you schedule breaks in the future so you have time off, and can build your buffer back up. Missing a few weeks or even months is not a big deal when you're working on a passion project for free. I take a minimum of a month off between chapters, but it usually stretches to two, and a week off as a mid chapter break. I've never felt like it turns off my readers. Generally people are understanding and supportive. =)

[33rdCenturyCaveman]

Nah, readers of free shit am not known for their discerning palates.

[Iris-Grimoire]

I'll admit I unsubbed to you since I thought you had just given up on Tapas or something, which is valid, but as someone that fits who you're talking about, I don't hold anything against you and no one should. If you want to start updating again, just promo it again and people will come back! And also, it's a webcomic, it's normal to go back and reread because the plot got forgotten; though I've seen on webtoons that less patient people will start asking obvious names/plot in the comments for reasons that baffle me.

But giving up, starting over, continuing as if nothing has happened really depends on you. Do you like the old pages? Do you like the old style? Do you think a revised story you might've made in the meanwhile fits well with the old content? Ask yourself these questions and, even if it's a harsh decision, make the one that keeps you sane, not simply the one that gets readers back.

[MeganUosiu]

From what I saw, it's a really short comic so far, so it won't be hard for people to re-read everything. Just keep going. o/ No need to feel pressured or follow any schedules either. Just post when you have time to make it. And rest when you need to rest. Doing one up-date per month is completely fine. Relax and have fun with it. o/
Fight~o!

[snailienz]

Thank you guys so much for the support and advice. It felt good to hear from people. I really wanna start doing better. It's just hard between the adhd and all the stress I have both at work and in general right now.

I have been working on the buffer by finishing out the chapter, but every time I get to work, mental of physical health gets in the way, and suddenly im not working on anything because I "should be working on my comic".

I recently started doing the pomodoro method twice a day, so I wake up with a small comics session and go to bed with one, and it's working out because then I will still work on it a TINY bit every day, and can get other art in if i feel like it without feeling guilty and stressed.

Hopefully it'll be back soon!