shanefrost
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Many years back I began on a comic story during my time in Seattle. My life was kind of imploding and I was facing homelessness but did my best to manage everything the best I could.
Unfortunately I hit a wall, not creatively but emotionally. Mentally. As if to work on another page physically hurt and repelled me. Though it could not be completed, these are the 58 pages of Sword Breaker.
Alas, this was where I finally had lost all creative will to push forward. To this day the story still remains in me but forcing it...? Well...it would show, that being forced. It would ruin it and I'd be ruined further through it. In the end I am grateful for the journey even if the shame of it being incomplete rests on my shoulders.
Now and again I receive messages or comments on this story still. Disappointment and pressuring, passive aggressiveness and shaming for leaving it unfinished. I can appreciate the passion drawn out from it. That it can be loved enough to even cause that frustration and anger, but the years of it are not kind on me. It's not something I hide though and why I share it here today.
I love being honest, pride myself on being vulnerable because my heart shouldn't be so guarded. My passion runs great but I'm no superman, nor am I without feelings or a damaged body. Below is a musing but don't mistake the words as me never learning from them or being woe is me. It is only my honesty. I have my weak moments but I grow a little more each time.
I'm no failure. Far from it. The illusion can just take me now and again but temporary will it only ever be. Despite everything I'll always do my best and the kindness as well support of everyone is never lost on me. If you made it all the way down here, bless! Means a lot to me.
I'm always looking to give a chuckle, a smile, entertain or stir the heart strings.
If you like my art then why not check out my curious, strange, and playful stories/comics, music, and other odd things among my work here on Imgur. Who knows, It might make for a decent distraction. Knowing I can be some good part of a person's day is one of the few joys I have.
https://imgur.com/user/shanefrost/posts
And if you're feeling especially generous, here's a link to my patreon! Bless you silly dears!
https://www.patreon.com/join/Shane_Frost
dU5tao
Holy shot the rest of the pages are here
ThingsThatDontJustifyGenocide
A comic you worked on while nearly homeless, making you feel like it hurts to work on it further? THat makes sense.
Glad you're in a better place, homie.
ThingsThatDontJustifyGenocide
And a comment I make for @OP, now that I've read anything: I get it, homie.
Also, to be thoroughly honest: The story ending as it does, in the way it does, for the reasons it does, is... fitting.
It's on theme. It's a satisfying ending, when given the context of why. (I'm a weirdo, though, so who knows, but to me, I find it fitting and satisfying)
shanefrost
Appreciate you, dear. Weirdos unite! ;-;
faphappyscreencappy
Just some rando and lurker here. Wanted to pass along my support along with everybody else's. Know full well what it means to have ADHD and to have unfinished stuff haunt you. I've thoroughly enjoyed everything you've posted, including this latest piece. Finished or not, it was a lovely read -- thank you for sharing it. I hope knowing how well it's received and how understanding the comments here have been, makes you feel as good about creating and posting as we do about receiving.
shanefrost
I'm deeply grateful for the kindness and advice shown to me here. Sword Breaker is a rather sore spot for me and so it was a bit stressful even thinking of putting it up, but I'm an artist. All I want to do is share and inspired or entertain, not hide and remove things.
I....grew a bit more confidence and a felt better for the first time in many years about this story. Bless. T-T
faphappyscreencappy
To want to share and inspire or entertain is, in my opinion, a mindset that enriches all of us. Thank you for carrying it, and *as* someone who deals with ADHD and unfinished stuff, I do hope you will allow it to enrich you in turn as well, and silence whatever nagging little voices pressures and doubts may come from.
venus577
Thank you. You’ve caused me to feel something I wouldn’t have otherwise and I firmly believe my life is better as a result
Ekaris9
Willpower. The ability to keep a story going when you want to--WITHOUT having it feel forced. It is a rare thing. I hope you find it some day; because I REALLY want to see where this story goes! Excellent work! You should be quite proud.
shanefrost
Thank you dear, that's very kind of you to say. I really do hope that energy returns back to me.
KatoXIII
I am a somewhat long fan of your comics (of each kind) and I always love the lineless art style. I am sorry to hear that the story eludes you but whatever story you draw, continuing or new, I will be excited to read it. Much love <3
shanefrost
First message for me to read this morning. Thank you for giving me a smile to the start of my day. Much love. T-T
KatoXIII
No problem Shane, have a lovely day!
4Astaroth
This is a beautiful read. Thank you for sharing this story.
MrAcurite
So you really liked the intro cinematic from Wind Waker, didn't you?
shanefrost
FINALLY! After all these years someone calls it.
Unitedite
Was the first image inspired by The Hobbit?
Pishposhbingbong
In a way, the responses you got, as unfair as they are, remain a good thing. These readers were emotionally invested in it. Enough to mourn an unexpected end. That's a connection and no failure by any means. Maybe one day the shape of the story will form again out of the smoke. Maybe not. And while we'd love to see it, you cannot force a shape on smoke. any effort to do so will disrupt the form it was to take. You know this. The reader sees you as the source. The writer knows they are a conduit
Solkanarmy
sword breaker? don't tell @swordscomic about this!
swordscomic
Really digging the Hobbit and Inuyasha inspirations this draws from
shanefrost
Bless! A-And for the record I don't condone breaking swords!
swordscomic
Sometimes you gotta break stuff so the story can happen
shadowmetachu
Beautiful; with any hope, one day your mood and these two will be freed. Until then, may they find real rest.
snootyPotato
I felt a deep connection to the swordbreaker. A number of things are wrong with my mind - ADHD, DID, religious trauma.
If you would take a stranger's advice, try DMing. The players will help finish your story, inspired by you, finding their own path. Finished art cannot spark imagination like possibility can - TTRPGs are an art form where unfinished tales flourish.
That a story can be bigger than yourself is no flaw. Endings are arbitrary anyways - Life's stories always, stubbornly, continue.
shanefrost
Means a lot, you expressing your own difficulties let alone providing suggestions. Appreciate you dear!
Nephelus
Whether or not you ever come back to it, it was beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
shanefrost
Bless, and thank you for sharing your time to read it! TvT
sagewanderer
Has a fan ever made a fanfiction conclusion (or continuation)to one of your incompletes?
shanefrost
No but would be fascinating! The thing is...I know the full story and ending for each incomplete. It's just...lord does it feel impossible once that feeling descends upon me.
Not all lost though. Certain thematic elements on the pages that would have followed were incorporated into other finished stories such as Heart's Trappings and I'm in love with the monster lord?!
sagewanderer
Have you every considered writing a "how it ends" summary for them to share with the curious people? Or do you prefer to hold onto them in case you're ever able to finish it on your own at a later time?
Zalm
MOAR SHANE ART AND STORIES!!! WOOO
Hozethespy
Made an account just to comment. The last few panels of this (not the story it self but the you talking about it, and how it's made you feel) weighed on my guts like a rock, diagnosed back in kindergarten and now boasting a similar set of conditions to what you have, it hit me like a truck. I'm proud of you for making it this far. Maybe one day I can do the same, personally never dared to put out my stories. In the words of you, thank you dear, you are singlehandedly my biggest inspiration.
Hozethespy
Fitting that the very last page of the comic was what it was. "Maybe the bad was in me from the start, but I made it" hah. I wonder how you would feel if someone were to make their own spin on the rest of the story for your unfinished comics. I think the first piece of fan art I'd deliberately drawn was that of one of your characters. It's strange that someone I don't even know means this much to me isn't it? But when you talk about your struggles. It feels like I do, because I know my self.
sircowdog
This reminds me of the sort of bizarre long-form lucid dreams I used to have as a kid. So much world info that I just KNEW, but almost without context. It's hard to explain. Given what you said about the stories being in you still, I think you probably understand though.
arumunus
I just adore your work, homie. In whole, it's this vibrant and enthralling capture of the mind, even if for a moment in time. You have this ability to just make these worlds accessible, almost tangible, in the details you weave into them. I appreciate you sharing.
That said, I have a multitude of unfinished projects around my space as well, some years old. Some cause a little anxiety but some I come back to.. and I feel like that can be normal for artists. If anything, modern day and the
arumunus
Expectation of prolific work done fast, is the anomaly in human's history. Things take time. Good things take longer- and not everything, good or bad, will be finished.
Very few people have time to slam out unique and polished pieces multiple times a year. Yet it feels like in the era of social media- there's a mindset that that's the norm.
Not even mentioning those who have to work, those with health concerns, ect ect.
I'm sure you already know, but you don't owe anyone an explanation.
arumunus
If anything, you've done us all a favor by sharing artwork we can sit and enjoy. It may not be finished? But your work just made the last 30-40min of my life really happy, and I feel inspired now.
So thanks and just keep doing you. : )
randomdudefromtheinternet
Love your Style
ArenJ6
Sword breaker is among my favorites of your comics! But maybe the standard for story comics are unjustifiably high these days. We're a little spoiled. You are just one person doing a lot of art, including several full volume length comics like this one. An incomplete story is always a little frustrating, but your comics are full art pieces with a LOT of pages lol. i enjoy the journey, regardless of the presence of the destination. 💜
FluffykinsTheDestroyer
If you ever find the inspiration for this story again, I will be here to read it. It's a beautiful work of art, and you shouldn't feel any guilt in leaving it unfinished for the time being. A story should never be forced out, especially when you care about it.
shanefrost
Means a lot to me, your kind words. I appreciate them dearly I do. T-T
FluffykinsTheDestroyer
drizztx
As an adult and an artist who has struggled with a lifetime of ADHD myself, I certainly feel this.
I just want to say, not every story has to have an ending, and not every ending has to be the one the reader wants or expects. Maybe the ending of this story is only meant for you. For the rest of us, the monster remains in the cave. Ter visits him each day, and breaks another sword - and that's enough.
BlackBugImages
Every so often I go to your page and just browse. All your stories are wonderful - heartbreak and love and people doing the hard things for the right reasons.
Not all art needs to end. Permanence is a lie anyway. Your work is, as always, stunning
shanefrost
That's really humbling to me, and you have my gratitude for that kindness you share.
CrowBones4505
Would you work on it again, if the mood took you?
shanefrost
Course I would. These stories never leave me. They're never forgotten. If it ever returned to me, I would slam into this comic like the hand of god.
zimirken
I do the same thing. I hate when I'm like 90% to the end on a project and some obstacle comes up and I just drop the whole thing. I usually come back to it in a year or two though, and it's slowing down and happening less and less as I get older.
ApplesdaKitty
Well hey, that's all that matters. Youve already affirmed this. no second guesses on this. Your efforts have produced a stellar work. If you ever do become struck by such a muse, I would happily enjoy seeing the end of the story. I like the idea of regret as portrayed.