Dec 2021 Updates (Patreon)

Hi everyone!

It's been 2 weeks since I started my 6-month training attachment at a local university, and I feel that I'm in a better position now to update you guys on changes in my schedule and overall production speed.

Current Status

As of this writing, things have been relatively relaxed (by comparison to my last 2 jobs), especially since the academic trimester is nearing its end. Towards the end of Dec, I foresee that I'll be able to start working remotely as I've been before this gig, and have more time to manage my Patreon project. For now, most of my work has been done offline in shorter spritz after work, which is why I haven't been able to share any new featured streams last month.

For now, working offline allows me to quickly jump in and out of things as my regular streams of 3-4 hours require me to be in a specific headspace to get into. It also means I need 30-60 mins after the stream to "power down", something that's harder to afford when you have to be up at 7 the following morning.

With week 2 almost over, I'll be trying a different approach this weekend to see how production goes for the new Meatier Showers project. I'm currently fixing and tidying up the  last 2 page drafts. Given the limited time, trying to nail the "perfect" pose has been a challenge, but I do intend to give it another shot this Saturday. I've been able to tidy up character expressions and faces at least, so they aren't just placeholder shapes anymore.

Creator Economy

Recently I chanced upon an insightful article relating to the whole "creator economy" - a term I wasn't even aware of its existence until reading said post. Of which some of the observations made I do resonate with, as a content creator, that there is a real and immense pressure to create and churn out content as fast as possible before all your fans and followers quit on you. And just a little truth to share, that every time another swath of supporters deleting their pledges does not go by me without concern. Of course, to be fair, everyone has their own valid reasons, and by no means do I expect zero attrition - for one, I do not command that sort of power or influence, let alone exist in the so-called "10k club" of followers.

The reason why I've embarked on the 6-month attachment program is largely a pragmatic one - I have bills to pay, insurance to cover, rent to settle and myself to feed - in short, I have to adult as much as I protest against it. I'd been doing furry commissions on and off from April 2021, opening slots every 2 months and leaning on Patreon for a sort of predictable base amount of income. If I lived in a country with a lower cost of living and perhaps no  rent to worry about, the furry commission and Patreon combo would've covered most of my basic needs (possibly with some to spare).

However, this isn't exactly the reality of it, and as November had demonstrated, I'd burned out creatively (yet again) from the latest slew of commissions. It has been to my frustration that historically, I've never been quite able to sustain a consistent and high level of productivity compared to my other peers (whom I admire their work ethics for). To that end, furry commissions have, by and large, been a "financial first-aid" during phases of my life where I transitioned between jobs.

Content Crochet

Having been in this game awhile, I've long since acknowledged that Patreon will always be a project of passion for me, and never meant to be a means to an end. It's the sort of work I want to love and enjoy doing, and not because my very existence depended on its commercial success and numbers. In short, Meatier Showers and its Patreon platform has and will always be my crochet project - one that I work at a pace befitting of my current circumstances, to make some extra income with but primarily to provide a real goal to focus on, and manage my anxieties with. It's therapy.

In spite of the monthly attrition rate, the one thing I keep reminding myself is that I do this for me first, that whatever the chapter or project is, it holds something of personal significance, that secondly, if anyone else who believes in the value and vision I put into my crochet and willing to toss in a coin or two, is a bonus altogether towards my goals (which I'm humbly grateful for!)

The biggest change in my work philosophy is to take a more Zen-like approach to Patreon. Meatier Showers 2021 was riddled with anxiety, largely from the pandemic. And I really wanted Meatier Showers 2022 to be something more of an escape rather than obligation. And escape I hope that will resonate with others of similar interests.

The Road Ahead

All that said, I cannot give a definite timeline as of this moment. My personal challenge now really is finding a new rhythm that works with the weekday, 8am - 6pm training commitments, of which a large portion of the training allowance will tide me over another phase of uncertainty. From what I understand, there are currently no long-term opportunities made known to me, and it seems more likely that after the 6-months, I'll be adrift again on the path of adulthood - which is why storing up financially has been the main priority to me, over scheduling freedoms (as it turns out, you can't have it all!)

In the short term, as mentioned earlier, I do see a window of opportunity towards the end of December as things wind down academically, which means I may have more time to work on Meatier Showers 2022. It has been absolutely gnawing at me, since I really want to get into the ink phase as soon as possible, but the last 2 pages are proving to be a challenge.

I will probably resume streaming once I've reached that benchmark, but generally want to work in privacy for these last 2 pages. To some degree, it helps take off the unnecessary pressure to perform, and allow me to focus more on problem-solving.

Potential Projects

Looking beyond the horizon, there are two things I want to move towards. Firstly, it would be returning to the original air-inflation premise that was originally the plan for Meatier Showers 2022. Given the allowance of time, I've expanded my story options and may be able to better address some of the earlier concerns I had regarding consent and all - which would ultimately be slated for the projected "Beach Comic Part 2". I also plan to develop something of a shorter 10 - 12 page format for another compilation book of the earlier colored chapters like "One More Time" and "Harder, Buffer, Faster, Stronger". There's a topic / theme in mind of particular personal interest, and would require more time to incubate.

For now, get your booster shots if you haven't already, stay safe and hopefully we'll get to travel and meet again under better circumstances. Thank you for your patience and support, it means a lot!

Snares
Dec 2021