I appreciate everyone's kind comments and wealth of patience. ;v;* Thank you very much. I'm still kind of wondering how I want to do this, balancing work with comic-ing. I'm getting bad flashbacks to how I felt during the old job and that's... probably not good. Financially speaking though I am in need of stable cash flow, and the phrase "beggars can't be choosers" comes to mind, especially with the economy being what it is these days. Aaaanyway, swipe left to get rid of that babble, lol. For now, let's expect the next update on the 19th of March, in two weeks.
Onto the update! A test viewer has told me that first panel is a wee bit tricky to understand, so let that be a lesson learnt on my end on what makes clear establishing shots XD; It's a top-down view, for people who don't quite see it.
We also have a new character! His ears (and tail, though you can't see it on this page) are based on shiba dogs. (If you don't know the breed, feel free to Google Image "shiba inu". You're welcome.) As to who he is, his existence (lol) is hinted at on the last panel of this page. The next update will shed a bit more light as to what he's doing here, but feel free to guess XD
And that's it for now. I'd like you all to know that I think you're all amazing readers that I'm very lucky to have. SF is blessed by you! I hope you have an excellent weekend, and I'll see you guys in two weeks. o/
Sorry guys - I know it's already over a day since the 19th! I'm halfway through the page - I'll spend tomorrow working on it to finish it up. :) Expect an update soon!
EDIT: You know, past Rufi, might've helped if you'd made this an A/N and not a regular comment when you posted this yesterday, derp
Well done, dear. And to continue from last page, yes, yes this is progress. It doesn't matter that it feels like a small step or an inconsequential thing. You managed to notice things teetering on the edge of going wrong and you did something about it.
As to cashflow, as a freelancer you pretty much have to have a large-ish financial buffer, because you still need to eat when they're not paying you. Another good trick is to learn how to make do with a nicely low burn rate (ie, reduce fixed charges).
It also means you have to raise your prices above what would be normal for an employee, both to cover employer's and other taxes (e.g. VAT) that now you get to pay for yourself, and to cover the risk of not having any orders in. So rather than "beggars can't be choosers", you need to learn how to sell yourself and to negotiate better prices for your work. You really can't afford to just take whatever is offered, you have to work on negotiating and making them really want to hire you at whatever price you charge, too. And yeah, that makes freelancing a lot more work.
Thank you A. Moose for your encouraging words ;v;* I'll try to continue to acknowledge the small steps as well as the big ones.
I'm lucky to be living somewhere without VAT and low income tax, but other living expenses (namely rent) do somehow offset that benefit. It's true that freelancers do need to price their work and time appropriately, so I'll try not to take on a pathetic stance. :'D
I'm kinda being greedy and wanting stability and freelance hand-in-hand XD
Oh, Rory, the exception to the danrir rules is here - and he is amazed, it seems...
@alt text: indeed ... well, cats have better eyes...
@R/N: - Yayyy updaaattteeee ❤ 💕 💗
- *hugs Rufi* 💗 I hope you can manage it, that the flashbacks do not get worse *is concerned*
- Yeah, it is hard to see that it is a view from above... (but once you know it is clear)
- Hello Rory... ...and thank you for the link, Rufi 😊 💗
- ...and we are thankful for the amazing author you are, Rufi 💗 *hugs Rufi*
It's very dark indeed, all the better for me to get some dramatic lighting in XD
Nemi will be fiiiiiine *koff* *relatively speaking*
Also, Rory definitely rarely sees another Danririn in the booth he frequents~
- the flashbacks kind of suck if I'm honest! >.< Still making the cogs whirr in my head
- I can definitely think of better ways I could have done that first panel now XD I'm glad it got cleared up though!
- Links are always my pleasure :D
- and you are very very kind!! ;v;* thank *you* for always being an amazing reader mjkj <333
That's a very good guess really! I'm still thinking of whether the term 'lawyer' exists in an apples to apples equivalent in Archaiea XD; but definitely something similar would exist - there's a "Court of Justice" right here in Caelune after all 🤔
I don't know why, but Rory for some reason gives me dad vibes. I can only hope that whatever his reasons are for being a regular here, it's nothing shady. Hopefully.
And I do actually really like that first panel, it's so cool and ominous.
Yays for update, but more yays that you liiiive XD But truly, as always, it's okay to take it easy a bit and not pressure on the comic schedule when workstuffs are getting tough.Though I do hope things get better work-wise.
I am now REALLY curious about Rory!!!
(awaits next update with trepidation)
---
Don't let RL get you down Rufi, you have an army of people behind you, so hold your head up!
As to cashflow, as a freelancer you pretty much have to have a large-ish financial buffer, because you still need to eat when they're not paying you. Another good trick is to learn how to make do with a nicely low burn rate (ie, reduce fixed charges).
It also means you have to raise your prices above what would be normal for an employee, both to cover employer's and other taxes (e.g. VAT) that now you get to pay for yourself, and to cover the risk of not having any orders in. So rather than "beggars can't be choosers", you need to learn how to sell yourself and to negotiate better prices for your work. You really can't afford to just take whatever is offered, you have to work on negotiating and making them really want to hire you at whatever price you charge, too. And yeah, that makes freelancing a lot more work.
I'm lucky to be living somewhere without VAT and low income tax, but other living expenses (namely rent) do somehow offset that benefit. It's true that freelancers do need to price their work and time appropriately, so I'll try not to take on a pathetic stance. :'D
I'm kinda being greedy and wanting stability and freelance hand-in-hand XD
Your hint on the first panel being a top-down view clears things up nicely! Re: Alt text, LOL
So, Rory is a "regular" in Caelune?
As far as "don't make a scene" goes, I hope Jinn doesn't make a reappearance here then! :O
I can think now of far better ways I could have done that first panel! Live and let learn, or however the saying goes; I'll do better next time XD
Rory certainly seems to have earned a "regular" appearance in Caelune~
And what's that, have Jinn reappear and make a scene now? :D Excellent idea! nehehehe (jkjk)
(or am I)
...and I really hope Nemi will be fine... 😕
Oh, Rory, the exception to the danrir rules is here - and he is amazed, it seems...
@alt text: indeed ... well, cats have better eyes...
@R/N: - Yayyy updaaattteeee ❤ 💕 💗
- *hugs Rufi* 💗 I hope you can manage it, that the flashbacks do not get worse *is concerned*
- Yeah, it is hard to see that it is a view from above... (but once you know it is clear)
- Hello Rory... ...and thank you for the link, Rufi 😊 💗
- ...and we are thankful for the amazing author you are, Rufi 💗 *hugs Rufi*
Nemi will be fiiiiiine *koff* *relatively speaking*
Also, Rory definitely rarely sees another Danririn in the booth he frequents~
- the flashbacks kind of suck if I'm honest! >.< Still making the cogs whirr in my head
- I can definitely think of better ways I could have done that first panel now XD I'm glad it got cleared up though!
- Links are always my pleasure :D
- and you are very very kind!! ;v;* thank *you* for always being an amazing reader mjkj <333
Right up there with “what could possibly go wrong?”
Kylie's comment could also be interpreted as her scolding Rory about staring at her cleavage... lol
And we get to see Rory. Really wonder what his deal is in this whole shebang.
He reveals all (or at least a couple of his cards) in the next page :3
And I do actually really like that first panel, it's so cool and ominous.
Yays for update, but more yays that you liiiive XD But truly, as always, it's okay to take it easy a bit and not pressure on the comic schedule when workstuffs are getting tough.Though I do hope things get better work-wise.
I'm glad you like the first panel <3 (despite its low clarity XD) I tried to get the lighting to work with me there!
Work is definitely kinda getting my goat >-> I need to figure something out if I really want to balance out SF with work... mmmmmmmmmmm...
(awaits next update with trepidation)
---
Don't let RL get you down Rufi, you have an army of people behind you, so hold your head up!
Besides, Kitty is sad that you is sad...
It's hard tussling with RL sometimes... but your kind support is very much appreciated >3<**