New Things are everywhere. They're out our windows, in our homes, in our heads, in our hearts, and anywhere else you might care to look. And new things can be wonderful, terrifying, interesting, informative, or whatever else you might care to imagine. It wasn't so long ago that (is a) Good Thing was a new thing and now, well now, by internet standards it's kind of an elder statesman, ready to make way for the next new thing.
And the next new thing is what I'm writing to you about today.
I've made a new thing or, to be more precise, I'm making a new thing, and it's called MiddleSquiggle. It's a single panel comic, delivered every few days direct to your inbox. Sometimes it will be topical, sometimes funny, other times just silly.
Here is a taste:
Feeling adventurous? Want to see more of it? Check it out.
How do I sign up?
You're a brave one, but I appreciate the support. You can sign up with the link below. Just pop your email address in there and let me do the rest.
You’re amazing,
Chris
Likely-to-be-asked Questions
Do I have to sign up?
Of course not. No matter how well you know me or how obligated you might feel, there is absolutely no pressure to sign up to MiddleSquiggle. There will still be Good Things every now and then, and this is going to be a little different to those, so I totally understand if this isn't your (good) thing. I'll share a couple MiddleSquiggle posts via this email thread to give you a taste of what's going on, and you can make your decision from there.
Is it free? I like free things!
It is totally free. I don't expect any cash from this one or, at least, not as this stage.
How often will I see a new comic?
I'm aiming for two to three times a week. It will be an evolution, though, as I try out what works and what doesn't, and how much extra content feels right for each email. I'll also be sharing the comics on my Instagrams @chrisshorten and @middlesquiggle, but, based on the feedback from other creators, it's best to have a social media independent way to communicate directly with people, just in case the feeds change, and so I'm making email my primary distribution point.
Why are you doing this now?
A comfort zone is a fun place to visit, but it's not a good place to stay. It's safe, of course, but in the end it just leaves you frustrated when you've been too frightened to look beyond those safe walls. For as long as I can remember, I've loved drawing, and I've loved visual communication. So this year, 2023, I decided that the only way I was really going to get better at it was to make drawing a practice and do it regularly. I've set myself the challenge of making one new single-panel comic per day, every day. The process will help me develop my drawing style, my voice, and my sensibilities, and I'll get the joy of finishing something that I can easily share.
What's in a name?
Quality question. In (is a) Good Thing, I had a thing called 'After the squiggle', which was quite well-liked. I also, at one point, had middle squiggles, that were asides that appeared in the middle of posts. But since conjuring the term 'middle squiggle', I've been wondering where I could use it again. I've even been sitting on the Instagram handle for years now, wondering where it might best be used. And, with this new project, I realised it might fit quite nicely.
Are you scared?
Absolutely utterly terrified. This could all go horribly wrong in all the most horrible ways. People might not like it. People might run away in droves. YOU might run away in droves. Whatever fear you can think of, I can assure you that I’m feeling it. But it’s a work in progress and I’m doing it anyway, because I think it’s the only way forward.