In order to let you in on where the long-delayed next episode of the show is, you’ll need to understand the basic stages in the A Life Well Wasted production cycle.
1. Post-show complacency. After spending a couple of weeks grinding on an episode for 10 hours a day, I inevitably crave a little down time. Band practice gets longer. Dinners more elaborate. I sleep in. Read a book. Play a game or two.
2. Surprisingly long period of poster shipping. It never seems like that big of a deal to ship a few hundred posters to destinations around the world. It definitely is.
3. Late start. Maybe I should get some material for the next episode? I know: I’ll fly to New York City to conduct some interviews and hang out with friends. That’ll be productive!
4. Desert wandering. Staring at the (metaphorical) blank page, uncertainty sets in. Fear of failure is close behind. Paralysis. My apartment gets really, really, really clean. Band practice is so productive. I’m at the gym at lot.
5. The crisis. Holy shit! What am I doing?! I’m blowing it! Panic. Chaos. I think I need a manager. A boss. Something. Anything.
6. Dedication to process, discipline. This period usually starts with the purchase of a new time management app or the formulation of some BRAND NEW way to GET THINGS DONE. I shake up my schedule, break up the production process into manageable pieces, and start to make measurable progress. Slowly, but surely.
7. Obsession. In the process of making slow, sure progress on the episode, I stumble upon some moment in the show that interests me greatly. Usually, it’s a musical thing. I get horribly obsessed. All other work ceases. The grind begins. This is the fun part.
8. Completion. I tell you all that I’m going to have it done by some certain date, but I miss it and put it out a week later. Usually, I end up chopping about 20 minutes of completely finished story the morning of release because it’s terrible. Nevertheless, I cross the finish line.
About two weeks ago, I entered stage 6. Can’t give you a date, or even a window, but Episode 6 is now coming along. Thanks for your patience.
Comments
This was very introspective. Thank you and looking forward to the new episode.
Posted by DimerHunton April 12, 2010 at 11:55 AM
NO EXCUSES JUST DO IT!
Posted by John Garza April 12, 2010 at 11:58 AM
If this podcast wasn’t the best thing I have ever heard, I would be so pissed right now that you haven’t made a new episode. But instead I humbly ask that you keep up the good work.
Posted by Courtney April 12, 2010 at 11:58 AM
We’re not paying you for these yet. Take your time.
Posted by Alex April 12, 2010 at 12:01 PM
A lot of gifted artists take a long time to put out new material. Think how long it’s been since Mozart dropped a single
Posted by DM April 12, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Believe me Robert, it doesn’t take much to convince myself (and I’m sure a majority of us listeners) that your shows are worth the wait. I’m looking forward with anticipation to the next episode, keep on truckin’!
Posted by Bryan April 12, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Don’t worry about it. Just use my game idea submission and the show will be gold. Trust me.
Posted by dale April 12, 2010 at 12:08 PM
I’d buy episodes on disc.
Posted by Nathan H. April 12, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Take your time. Your podcast are always an amazing insight into whatever/whoever you are interviewing and what they do.
Posted by MetalicSand April 12, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Where are the pictures of guitars?
Posted by futtigue April 12, 2010 at 12:26 PM
I’d buy episodes on a cassette tape. For real.
Posted by Joshy April 12, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Best podcast (sorry, radio show) around!! Ignore the outside pressure!!….. Oh, unless you’re here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byford_Dolphin#Diving_bell_accident
Posted by Tom April 12, 2010 at 12:34 PM
If you only did one episode a year, it’d still be the best day of the year. Way better than my shitty birthday.
Posted by Keith McNally April 12, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Speaking to your tweet, Athens is a pretty cool city. If I recall correctly, you like Cheerwine. Go to a Food Lion and pick some up.
Posted by The Big Rig April 12, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Why aren’t we paying for these yet? I would.
Posted by Phonicpod April 12, 2010 at 1:04 PM
If your in stage 6 then why are you wasting time writing this progress report. Don’t worry about our concerns! Just get us the episode and we will love you and bow down to the voice of podcast god once again.
Posted by Jazz English April 12, 2010 at 2:05 PM
This sounds an awful lot like every Adventureface video ever.
Posted by Adventureface April 12, 2010 at 5:07 PM
Make moar ep 5: Help posters!
You OWE us that much now for our patience and devotion. Do eeeeet!
Posted by Kev N. April 12, 2010 at 6:02 PM
ALWW is worth the wait. Take your time, Robert. Games are delayed all the time, podcasts deserve to be too.
Posted by Keala A. April 12, 2010 at 8:43 PM
I live this cycle. Except I don’t have a mind-blowingly wonderful podcast produced at the end of it.
We love the show; we don’t mind the wait.
Posted by Nate April 13, 2010 at 7:03 AM
re: point 5
You need a Russian lab manager.
Posted by Ian M. April 13, 2010 at 6:52 PM
take your time! and thanks for the great show
Posted by til April 14, 2010 at 2:11 AM
Since you’re talking about your production cycle may I ask you about your setup? I’m a podcaster myself and I’m pretty curious about that. What microphones do you use? what recording/editing software? and so on.
Posted by Jacopo April 15, 2010 at 11:36 PM
Hey mr Ashley! A greeting from Sweden and a lot of fans that love your work!. We really appreciate how much heart you put into your show, and a swedish proverb: He who waits for something good can never wait too long
,\\//
Posted by Tor April 16, 2010 at 1:24 PM
No joke by the way. I’m from Sweden, and my name is Thor. Your work reaches far and wide. Come visit sometime
Posted by Tor April 16, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Can’t wait to her the next episode! And hey, if you ever need artwork for the show just let me know.
Posted by Paul Scott Canavan April 17, 2010 at 8:01 AM
“The man who moves a mountain starts by carrying away small stones”. It seems to me like you have most of the work done and I can’t want to hear the finished product!
Posted by Bart H April 20, 2010 at 6:56 PM
I’m observing an awkward silence with you, Robert.
Posted by TD April 20, 2010 at 9:19 PM
I would say I don’t mind the wait when it’s put toward achieving the quality we’ve come to expect of you… but I thought your last episode was fairly weak. It would be quite a letdown to wait nearly half a year for another ‘Help’.
Posted by Burt April 21, 2010 at 9:55 PM
ALWW is like a long distance relationship. Blue balls for so long, but when she finally arrives, you know you’re getting it goooood!
Posted by CallMeSarge April 21, 2010 at 10:22 PM
I would be totally willing to pay for a subscription to this amazing podcast, keep going Robert!
Posted by Joe April 22, 2010 at 2:54 AM
Wanted to throw my voice into the masses here- I would be equally willing to pay for this incredibly high-quality product.
Posted by Paul April 29, 2010 at 10:53 AM
@Paul: But would you be willing to pay for a 3rd run of the Episode 5 poster: Help! ???
I know that I would.
Posted by Kev April 30, 2010 at 5:38 AM
all the people confusedly encouraging robert to charge for his podcasts are kind of missing the point … he doesn’t charge for his work for all the right reasons; because making a lot of money isn’t his goal, because his work will reach a wider audience for being free, because it’s much more productive and fulfilling for his podcasts to be provided for free for you – for robert; equally for this gaming culture of ours; to people like me – people who probably couldn’t afford the price to legally download his work anyway.
we have to get this creative-work-as-property idea shaken from our heads! this is the beauty of the internet!
Posted by ben May 1, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Wow, six months in between episodes. This truly is the best podcast ever but the waiting time in between episodes is anything but to wish for. Keep the good work up though! It’s done when it’s done.
Posted by Pontus May 2, 2010 at 11:09 PM
“1. Post-show complacency. After spending a couple of weeks grinding on an episode for 10 hours a day, I inevitably crave a little down time. Band practice gets longer. Dinners more elaborate. I sleep in. Read a book. Play a game or two.”
This is exactly what happens when I finish making a game, and probably why I A) take weeks to start working seriously on another and B) never return to improve games I’ve already “finished”.
Posted by Kenny May 4, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I keep thinking iTunes has borked my ALWW subscription and I *must* have missed a new episode somewhere.
Nope
Thanks for sharing – nice to know I’m not the only one with a nomad-like process.
Posted by rick May 10, 2010 at 3:59 PM
ummm…
Posted by Matty May 14, 2010 at 2:25 PM
How’s the progress
Posted by Matty May 16, 2010 at 3:17 PM
P.S. *?
Posted by Matty May 16, 2010 at 3:17 PM
can you please do a show about the death of CO-OP at area5.tv?
Posted by b May 19, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Harsh, dude… I’m sure CO-OP is prancing around an open meadow in heaven right now. Let’s move on.
Posted by McP May 20, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Speak Up and Be Judged!