For everyone wondering why I wasn’t updating for a long time, I got severely ill. I was in bed for the best part of 2 weeks with a high fever and hardly able to breathe. I am slowly getting better but I am not really 100% yet. I work a little each day and am trying to regain most of my energy. It is taking it’s time.
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November 11th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Oh thank GOD! is right.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Glad to hear you’re pulling out of it, there are some nasty bugs afoot this year. WOOOO update!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Feel better!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Good to have ya’ back, Rene; take whatever time you need to recover, and ignore anyone who says otherwise!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Krya på dig, get well soon!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Get well soon!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Feel better, Rene! Being that sick cannot be any kind of fun at all.
I’m anticipating more comics! <3
November 11th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
hahaha, look at Johan coming around the corner all spider-y
November 11th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Yay!!!!! Rene is back!!! We’re glad you feel better!!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Bacon fever?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I hope you feel better. And thank you for posting when you could. We all appreciate it, and want you to be happy and healthy, before anything else.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Thank goodness you’re getting better!! I hope you’re back to 100% soon. Great cliffhanger with Johan (:
November 11th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Glad to have you back, and doubly glad to hear you’re okay!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I hope it wasn’t swine flu?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Hurrah for betterness, but boo for the unstoppable roll towards the conclusion:(
Glad you are back, but as others have said, stay rested!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Please just focus on getting better, no need to work!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
i get so excited when you post new comics and then a tad sad knowing it will be over too soon…i love these characters, the good and the bad ones..and i see somebody’s brother peeking around
November 11th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I’m glad you’re getting better!
Thanks for the update.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Good you’re feeling better…
Third panel, Anders looks so exhausted! Love that we’re hearing Bjorn as Anders hears him
Also, Rene, did you get my email this time? No hurry, just get better!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Understand about the ill part. It happens. I am glad to hear you are getting batter and thanks for a great comic.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Tell getting sick to SHUT UP and leave you alone!!! I’m glad you’re feeling better, and I’m excited to see a new comic up!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
ohhhh that look
November 11th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Totally understand, I got the piggy flu this year… took me a week ontop of the “sick” week to recover physically.
Hope you feel better soon!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
You sure know how to make your fans’ insides twist!
I hope you get well again!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
How did the brother get out of jail? And glad you’re somewhat back to normal. :3
November 11th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Hopefully it isn’t something more serious… Maybe you should see a doctor?
Interesting to see those two getting along. Of course this isn’t the time to argue
November 11th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
sorry to hear you’ve been ill. I think I may be a first time commenter but I can’t go any longer without telling you how much I love the Yorkshire accents you’ve given Maria and Bjorn and Johan, it adds so much depth to their characters. From my pont of view anyway, but then I am a Yorshirewoman….
November 11th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Yay! I’m so glad that this is up here. Just made my day a little bit better, Renee. And I hope that you’re days are getting better, too. I wish the best of health to you and your family!!
Also, Emily: do you mean Anders and Bjorn? Because they tend to be able to get along when they need to. Almost kind of friends, even…kind of. haha.
http://anderslovesmaria.reneengstrom.com/2008/04/30/151-ciao/
November 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Still well enough to use twitter, though?
November 11th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I totally love anders loves maria. And today is my birthday, so the new strip is like a really cool birthday present. Totally made my day.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
@A Swede
Swine flu isn’t more harmful than a regular flu y’know.
I’m happy to learn that you’re getting better. Don’t worry about us. We’ll wait for you.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Hooray for updates! Rene, I am so glad you’re feeling better.
I had a bad flu myself two weeks ago and I was bed-ridden for ten days, so I feel your pain. Still, I’m so excited that we haven’t missed the birth! And even though I’m sad the comic is drawing to a close (it’s been a part of my life for a year and a half now), I can’t wait to see how the story will end.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Jesus! Please get some rest. Most of this shit get’s serious because people don’t take enough rest or start working too early.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I hope you’re feeling better, Thanks for the update
November 12th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Oh hi there Johan, I see you!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Glad to see you back, Rene. I hope you get better soon. Get lots of rest!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:54 am
“oh, thank god” is actually what I said to myself when I saw the (1) beside my Anders Loves Maria feed in google reader, and when I saw the title being the same thing it blew me away a little. I’m not even joking.
get well soon Rene, and don’t stress yourself on account of us, your greedy followers. You make a great comic
November 12th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Those accepts appearing so suddenly always throw me off.
Oh well. Glad to hear you’re recovering!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Haha just as i was loading the link today i was thinking “man this hiatus is driving me crazy” and its a new comic. yay
but seriously though, I hope your feeling better and that you take things easy. Dont rush or stress yourself for our sakes.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:57 am
@ Um.
I doubt twittering takes as much effort as putting together a comic.
Besides, I appreciate knowing she isn’t dying and leaving us all with a huge cliffhanger.
Thanks, Rene. Awesome comic. Get yourself some rest.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:11 am
Thanks for thinking of us. Be well.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:17 am
The fact that a woman in labor can sleep blew my mind when I first heard about it, for whatever reason I totally didn’t think that was even possible, I’m glad you added it in, it adds a just one more little bit of shading to this absolutely wonderful story you are sharing.
Hope you feel better soon!!
November 12th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Yay! We missed you! Feel better love!
November 12th, 2009 at 2:21 am
I’ve missed this comic so much. I’m glad you’re getting better<3!
November 12th, 2009 at 3:08 am
“Still well enough to use twitter, though?”
Yes, because Twitter requires a great deal of physical strength to use! What?!
November 12th, 2009 at 3:32 am
hee, i love bjorn’s accent. thanks for updating–now rest up!
November 12th, 2009 at 5:17 am
You must have had the HoNo! (H1N1)
November 12th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Thank you so much Rene! I was so exciting when I saw that there was a new one! I hope you keep feeling better
being sick is no fun!!
November 12th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I love Johan! He’s my favourite! Moody little emo kid that he is, I think he’s aright!
November 12th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I adore your work, Rene! Your characters are well-written and your art is beautiful. I appreciate so much that you share your talent with the world : )
November 12th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Glad to hear you’re recovering, Rene, take it easy! Personal experience tells me how quickly a bad cold/flu can turn into pneumonia, so take care of yourself!
And to any assholes making snide remarks about Twitter usage: Take your entitlement complex somewhere else. There’s a world of difference between typing brief messages on Twitter and trying to sit up and draw for hours at a time. At least she has something to keep her from going mad with boredom while sick.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:14 am
chicken soup and tea and lots and lots of sleep!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Hope you feel much better soon! I know what it’s like to be sick and totally out of energy, it’s a bummer!
That being said, I think this is my first time commenting here, but I’ve been reading Anders Loves Maria for a few months now and absolutely love it. When I first found it, I read the entire thing in one sitting (and ended staying up waaaay later than I’d intended on a week night), but it was worth it! I’m sad to hear that it will be ending soon, but I don’t mind waiting a bit longer for pages, they’re always worth the wait in my opinion.
Keep up the amazing work and make sure to get enough rest!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:33 am
thems a real pretty picture. feel better
November 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Well, obviously, I miss updates when they don’t happen but, as always, I remain grateful that I can enjoy your work at all.
Take it easy and work at whatever pace isn’t going to impede your recovery.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Yeay! new comic. Hope you are feel better soon. =)
November 12th, 2009 at 10:41 am
the steam on the teacups is adorable. it reminds me of the heart shaped steam on the teacup on your very first strip. it made me happy. this whole story makes me happy. (even though it is sometimes very sad.)
November 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
oh my best wishes for you to get better soon. Take it slow
November 12th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
get well soon! thanks for the update.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
i can’t express how ecstatic i am to see this update, no seriously, i am really really really happy.
get well soon rene, keep your fluids up, your stress levels down, and you’ll be better in no time.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Omgosh……glad you are better now
November 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Glad to hear you’re getting better!
Keep up the great work on your comic . . . but remember to prioritize your health above the comic (and above many other things).
November 12th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Feel better.
-G.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
To a speedy recovery, Rene. Get betters.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Take good care of yourself!
November 12th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Rob loves Anderslovesmaria. <3
GET SO MUCH BETTER THAT ILLNESSES ARE AFRAID OF GETTING YOU.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Glad you are better! xox
November 13th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Makes me want coffee… can almost smell it.
Beautifully done as always!
November 13th, 2009 at 1:20 am
i don’t like johan, but his ‘you’re welcome’ made me laugh.
keep gettin’ better, Rene!
November 13th, 2009 at 1:21 am
ahhhh i obviously meant to say bjorn. not johan.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:34 am
Get well soon!!
Great comic xD
November 13th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Having been present at both my son’s births. I have some idea of how unglued Anders is getting. Oh thank God indeed,
And glad you’re back and feeling improved!
Mmmmm… coffee…
November 13th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Kudos to you for refusing to let the jerks comment! Or whatever, I saw your twitter post and it made me smile.
Love this newest strip. Beautiful as always. =)
November 13th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Oh thank GOD, that you’re getting better
?
November 13th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Okay in waiting for updates I am developing some serious conspiracy theories.
1. The drunken cheating Maria referred to was in fact with Lars. Thus, Maria is about to have a baby that looks a lot like Lars. This is why when she played a practical joke on him that should have quickly dissipated, it instead elevated to him punching her while we didn’t get the dialog, and then Anders ran to in to defend her.
2. Tina followed Anders to the hospital and is going to kidnap the baby once it’s born and claim it’s hers.
Or maybe I just can’t wait for the conclusion. Oh God did I just write some terrible fanfic?
November 13th, 2009 at 8:35 am
P.S. I just want to mention that I think the fact that you have us all twitching like addicts in between updates is just a testament to how good the comic is. Anyone writing rude comments on your site and criticizing you for it is a jerk face. Good luck with finishing and be well.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:02 am
blah I hate the dialects written out
just gives me the feeling that we are supposed to perceive those who speak differently as less intelligent, kind of like how the dialects of Americas southern states go hand in hand with the yokel/hillbilly stereotype
November 13th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
so pleased that you are ok and feeling better.
negative comments, hmm, can’t people be weird!
lovely lady writes interesting and involving webcomic which can be accessed for free.
Lovely lady gets ill.
Strangely some people feel that they are being short changed?
-Unhappy with someone elses creative output? don’t piss and moan make something better.’
Much love and ginger tea to you Rene x
November 13th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Glad you’re feeling better. And I’ll disagree with KHD (hey, rhymes!): I like the dialects being written out, especially if you’re going make it part of how the characters interact with each other. As a person from a region where people tend to put their own spin on the way national language sounds (Southeastern US), I understand how it does make a difference when said folks start interacting with other inhabitants. Of course, TV is doing a fair job of ‘fixing’ this for us, but older people here can be quite something for visitors to take in.
Interesting panel, with Johan about to lurch into the picture (something about the way you’ve drawn him makes me think of the creature of the week from Scooby-doo, or maybe Colin Mochrie’s dinosaur impression.)
November 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
heh heh Johan!!
November 13th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I probably posted this a while back when everybody started getting all bitchy about the update schedule, but I already referenced it once today so why not again!?
Its a blog post by Neil Gaiman (you have to scroll down a little for the relevant part) about fan entitlement:
http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/05/entitlement-issues.html
Also I always wonder, doesnt it ever occur to people that angry/dissapointed/negative comments probably make the artist want to work even less?
Anyway, beautiful work as always, Rene! And I LOVE JOHAN.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I love the dynamic here between Bjorn and Anders! At any rate, take your time and get some rest, I’m sure all us interneter can wait. Gotta love the ginger tea
November 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Love the trails of steam! You ever thought of directing film?
November 13th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Hmm, I’m finding the sudden shift to written-out dialogue kind of jarring.
Feel better, Rene!
November 14th, 2009 at 1:38 am
I hope you get better, get plenty of rest and try your best. Your fans will still be here…..(hug)
November 14th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Anders’ expressions are priceless. the new comic is worth the wait!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:54 am
i’m not digging the dialects because they’re not consistent with the rest of the series.
other than that, very suspenseful comic! i can’t wait to see how this story ends.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Johan in the last panel reminds me of some creature from the Moomins
November 15th, 2009 at 3:50 am
oohhh… do you have the swine? lets hope not cause it’s a pain
This comic is fantastic, by far one of the most dynamic and creative pieces out there. I think people are just getting annoyed at the wait time because for a comic like this you inevitably end up investing yourself emotionally, and you become caught up in the characters and story. People are just getting impatient because they wish for the resolution. Maybe because the tension in the story is making them tense? Who knows. One thing for sure is that we are all as invested in this as you are!!
Feel better-put onions in your house. Most bacteria will choose them preferentially over your body (just don’t eat them after!!)
November 15th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I am a big fan of colloquial dialect, and I am personally rather pleased to hear the English translation of a northern Swedish accent.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear it. I do miss your comics, but I’d rather have a healthy artist! Take it easy and get well soon!
November 15th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Two cents– Personally I love the comic but hate the delays…I’m sure no one who reads this comic actually likes the delays. However it is free so there is no reason to expect a regularly updating comic. As of the last six months I’ve come up with a new strategy to help me hold over until the next post. I try to guess what the next emergency will be that cause a delay in post. Then I guess how long the wait will be, and after that I guess how long regular updating will continue until the next break. While the game is not quite as enjoyable as the comic itself, it does the trick.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
why is he talkin like that??? did you switch his and Maria’s brains lol??
November 15th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Johan looks so cute and spidery. :]
November 16th, 2009 at 6:11 am
@Mr.GigglesX: It’s the same dialect because he grew up in the same area as Maria. She’s just keeping up with the trend of accents.
And I’m super excited about this update! My boss’ son just got H1N1; she’s been avoiding coming to work because she doesn’t want to get anyone else sick. Hope you and everyone else are feeling better!
November 16th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Johan looks a bit like a praying mantis in that last frame, doesn’t he?
November 16th, 2009 at 6:49 am
If you die before you finish I will find a way to haunt you beyond death.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Haha, Kassandra, I play that same game! It has helped me to discover that Rene was born without an immune system.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Rene,
I had the dreaded swine flu too with bronchitis on top of it, I lost a week out of my life that I basically spent 100% of in bed knocked out with prescription super cough syrup. I spent a month fighting it before I finally took that week to just get better. Do what you need to do to get back on your feet permanently and keep yourself from staying ill.
Love your comic and I read it over and over again. I love seeing how your artwork has progressed and it inspires me to also keep working on my own pieces.
Get better, and I hope to see what you do after ALM cause your story is amazing.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I loled at Johan sneaking around the corner: I was reminded of a spider
November 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
as always, gorgeous art, and a gorgeous story, i’m looking forward to see how this wraps up
(even though i secretly don’t want it to end)