Updating my Patreon schedule (feedback welcome!)
Added 2017-12-26 20:52:04 +0000 UTCHey all~
So I've been reflecting over the holidays on my work here on Patreon, particularly my schedule and why it has become kind of a problem to maintain. At the start of this year, I took the month of January off, which allowed me to get a full month ahead on my Patreon updates; however, throughout the year, this schedule slipped bit by bit until I was barely a week ahead. I'm forced to admit that despite my best efforts, this schedule isn't sustainable without huge breaks. So, I wanted to try out a new schedule for the new year that might be more stable in the long term.
This is the current schedule that I've been keeping:
The dark text are the posts that you see, and the light text is what I work on during that day. Comics can include anything from drawing current pages to thumbnailing to writing scripts for future updates.
Here is my proposal for an updated schedule:
By spreading the doodle day posts out over a week, you guys still get frequent updates, but it reduces my workload significantly. This is, of course, a generalized month, so there will still likely be some weirdness with extra weeks here and there, which I'll still take off to keep things on schedule.
This also means you get slightly fewer updates for the same cost as before, so I'd understand if that's a sticking point for some of you. I considered updating the costs again, but it was so extraordinarily difficult to do last time, I'd really prefer to avoid it again. I know that's a poor excuse for asking you to pay the same amount for less stuff, but I'm hoping that the extra time will allow me the flexibility to work on new stuff as well, which could lead to new bonus updates. I'm hoping for most of you, this will be worth it.
One of my big concerns for this year which has prompted this change is that we're coming up on the endings of these current comics. Sweet Bear's script has been completed for awhile and there are probably just over twenty pages left, after which I will have to return to The Dirt Crown, the script for which isn't complete yet. The coffee AU scripts are done for the last two chapters, and after that I was hoping to return to that demon/vampire AU I started ages ago, but I have no scripts for that either, and only a rough idea for where I wanted to go with it since it was conceived as a one shot. The first chapter for This Vacant Body is concluding in January, most likely, and I have about half the script and an outline for the next chapter. All in all, I anticipate a bit of a scramble of writing in the next few months, and I'm fearful that if I try to maintain the current scheduling, these scripts will come out bad. Once the script for a comic is set, I don't usually deviate much from it, so if it's not all that good at the beginning, the comic will be not all that good as well, and that bums me out.
SO! All that said, I'd like to hear feedback from you guys, either in the comments or private messages. If you're cool with these changes, great! If you feel they're fair but it will still affect whether you continue pledging, I'd like to hear that too. And of course if you hate them I think that's a completely fair feeling to have as well, and I'd prefer to hear it than not.
I'm hoping to implement this new schedule in January, so, starting next week. If you have immediate feelings about it, please share, but if you wanna give it a try for a month and see how you feel about it, you can still feel free to send me more feedback later in January as well :)
Thanks guys!
Oh PS! Since I'm doing doodles next week instead of the week after, I'm going to post up the prompt collection post shortly. I'll try to get it up a full week in advance next time!
Comments
As long as I get good quality stuff (and a lot of awesome Vacant Body), I will support you to the end! Love your work so much! :3
2017-12-29 22:27:24 +0000 UTCTake the time you need to be awesome!! Burn out is real and I had to take some breaks this year just to balance my passions and my paycheck so I can keep giving my best!
Sharon Barela
2017-12-29 19:06:46 +0000 UTCDo whatever is best. I’m just here for your amazing work. Quality can suffer with stress and workload. I know when I have a 8 day stretch at my job I’m ready to hang myself by the end and my callers probably hate me. So do what you love just don’t let it kill you. Happy New Year.
2017-12-28 17:25:13 +0000 UTCWould prefer you make changes to reduce your stress and ensure your work maintains its high quality - your well thought out story lines are one of my favourite things about your comics :)
Ratticuss
2017-12-28 04:32:12 +0000 UTCDo what's best for you! You're not some kind of art machine, so don't burn yourself out! I don't mind less frequent updates.
Hopps
2017-12-27 18:28:29 +0000 UTCJust do as you feel it's right, you are a responsible, hardworking and organized person so I trust you'll do what it's best. Also I love your work!!
Leonace
2017-12-27 14:45:14 +0000 UTCI echo what everyone else has said. Your work is ALWAYS worth it.
xanbuck
2017-12-27 09:44:16 +0000 UTCMy support will not change, you are an amazing artist and writer. You build these worlds so well, and I have enjoyed being a part of them. Your little details are genius and cute, and the big picture is always amazing. Please take time if you need it, you work very hard for us. I agree with everyone, you're quality over quantity is perfect, and I don't feel like I'm getting less content if it's packing a good punch. Good luck doll, we got your back!!
Lindsey
2017-12-27 04:03:29 +0000 UTCYou do what works best for you. I would hate to find out you hit a wall, or got burned out. I will gladly continue to support you.
Trythisoutchiki
2017-12-27 03:00:32 +0000 UTCi'm not sure if you've noticed this but even when you take time off you post nearly as much as usual. that's what happened this past january with the doodles, anyway. it seems taking a break from comics frees you up to do things for fun <3
Laura Stewart
2017-12-27 01:34:55 +0000 UTCQUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Laura Stewart
2017-12-27 01:31:57 +0000 UTCI think these schedule changes sound reasonable
2017-12-27 01:16:26 +0000 UTCI second this. You do more than you know. And you are insanely consistent. You communicate changes and breaks in a way that others on patreon do not.
Christy Crabbe
2017-12-27 00:28:53 +0000 UTCI fully support you! I know you will have top quality artwork and writing in the end, if you need to get some weight off your shoulders, then I'll still be here to cheer you on! I think a little more suspense while waiting for more Vacant Body to be released will feel great once the new chapters come out ;)
George Martz
2017-12-26 23:08:44 +0000 UTCIt's not super helpful feedback but no matter what you do here, as long as you post, I'll be here to pledge to you. <3
2017-12-26 22:29:25 +0000 UTCHere Here! I dig the idea of you doing just doodles the first week. And I think the price is still dine for all the content you give not to mention the fact you often give us pressies and surprises and open your shop just for us! Can't wait to see what you do next Year! I'm happy to say it's the first thing I'm looking forward to in 2018!
Dread
2017-12-26 22:16:44 +0000 UTCThis is still a very consistent amount of updates to look forward to and I would really like you to be able to focus on your writing as well - its a part of your work and its what makes your comics really unique and interesting. I'm very happy to continue with the tier that I'm on, and I appreciate that you share scheduling!
2017-12-26 21:29:55 +0000 UTCHell yeah, it's fair. It's more than fair. You are one of if not *the* most consistent content provider that I support. You give us scads of quality work every month, and I think that the new schedule is still worth far more than the $13 I give you every month.
E Kinsey
2017-12-26 21:12:37 +0000 UTCThis sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I very much respect & agree with your commitment to quality over quantity, and I'm happy to continue with my $13 tier with your new schedule (which still looks mighty full to me lol). I love your work and look forward to more, no matter when!
2017-12-26 21:02:57 +0000 UTCPlenty of items are shrinking while their prices remain the same (food, drink, toys) - at least your stuff is of the highest quality! I am just fine with you taking the breaks you need so you can continue to produce your amazing art. I'm 100% pro this new schedule.
Holly
2017-12-26 21:02:24 +0000 UTCFor me you give so many updates already that getting a few less doesn't bother me at all. Also I always think that if the creator is pushing themselves too much it could end up affecting how they feel about their work. Like having it be stressful, so I don't mind it. It's not like you are only going to post one thing a month, if that happened I would have to probably change my pledge. 😂
Eddie Fly
2017-12-26 21:01:18 +0000 UTCThat sounds fine. Do what is best for you. I enjoy your work and admire your commitment to doing it well.
Christy Crabbe
2017-12-26 20:59:31 +0000 UTC
