@CitizenErased14 I think it's fine to have people discussing specific stories here, especially considering that new members can't send pm's or start their own threads. Plus, I can remember some not-so-recent lengthier discussions around specific stories taking place here as well.
No need to keep tagging me/discussing my post from the other night, guys! I appreciate that people want to talk about it, but the matter's been settled and I'd really love to let it drop
Hi @Karilan ! How's your week been?
Coming to join in welcoming the newbies too!
Hi @simscognito ! Nice new av!
Last week was pretty good, but I came down with the flu and a sinus infection over the weekend so I'm home sick for a few days.
My fiance is keeping me well fed and taken care of while I lounge on the couch watching netflix or binge reading simlit.
How's your week treating you so far?
@Karilan aww that's not good. Hope you had a good rest and am feeling better now. That's nice that your fiancé was taking good care of you. He seems like nice chap. Oh cool! That's the best way to spend a day, reading and watching! I've been good. Just finished editing, screenshotting and writing the chapter for Saturday. Now I can start screenshotting the chapter for the week after. I'm trying to get ahead for when uni starts up again. XD
@AuroraLockwood yay, a new chapter. What is she up to now? I love this blog. XD
No need to keep tagging me/discussing my post from the other night, guys! I appreciate that people want to talk about it, but the matter's been settled and I'd really love to let it drop
i never tag i quoted cathtea who i think you tagged.
Hey everyone, popping in to say that i am almost done with my chapter! I sort of stopped writing for a week or so because I actually got a ps4 for christmas and I've been playing Life is Strange xD.
I just finished taking all the screenshots for this chapter and I'm halfway done writing it.
I am starting to feel slightly overwhelmed with this story though. To all the simlit writers out there with large casts.....how do you make sure to give every character their fair share of the story?
I have 12 characters and I sometimes feel like I am only giving big storylines to 3-4 characters. What should I do?
@Acarb90 I think it's fine to focus on the three-four characters that really demand their stories be told. For readers, since many are also following a lot of other stories (at least I speak for myself), it can be a bit hard to follow huge casts!
If you do decide to tell the large cast's story, here are a few thoughts:
1) Consider, every now and then, offering recaps. @cecerose0208 is doing recaps right now with her rotation (which has a very large cast--and my two favorites are not central characters, so I sort of fangirl squeal whenever they steal into the story!), and it helps me so much to keep everyone and everything straight.
2) Consider having a Who's Who or a Meet the Cast page, so that readers can refer to it if they get confused.
3) Think of some strategy that works for you... Once, I toyed with the idea of a cafe story. The in-between chapters would be in the cafe, and then we'd follow out one of the customers, and that person would be the one that the story would focus on next.
4) Think about writing short little interludes that could nearly stand-alone--for example, you could have short stories or diary entries or blogs or phone conversations, so that we get to know each character.
For my stories with large casts, I tend to just follow the ones I currently enjoy writing about and playing, trusting that enjoyment and engagement to help me discover the stories...
Hey everyone, popping in to say that i am almost done with my chapter! I sort of stopped writing for a week or so because I actually got a ps4 for christmas and I've been playing Life is Strange xD.
I just finished taking all the screenshots for this chapter and I'm halfway done writing it.
I am starting to feel slightly overwhelmed with this story though. To all the simlit writers out there with large casts.....how do you make sure to give every character their fair share of the story?
I have 12 characters and I sometimes feel like I am only giving big storylines to 3-4 characters. What should I do?
@Acarb90 I think it's fine to focus on the three-four characters that really demand their stories be told. For readers, since many are also following a lot of other stories (at least I speak for myself), it can be a bit hard to follow huge casts!
If you do decide to tell the large cast's story, here are a few thoughts:
1) Consider, every now and then, offering recaps. @cecerose0208 is doing recaps right now with her rotation (which has a very large cast--and my two favorites are not central characters, so I sort of fangirl squeal whenever they steal into the story!), and it helps me so much to keep everyone and everything straight.
2) Consider having a Who's Who or a Meet the Cast page, so that readers can refer to it if they get confused.
3) Think of some strategy that works for you... Once, I toyed with the idea of a cafe story. The in-between chapters would be in the cafe, and then we'd follow out one of the customers, and that person would be the one that the story would focus on next.
4) Think about writing short little interludes that could nearly stand-alone--for example, you could have short stories or diary entries or blogs or phone conversations, so that we get to know each character.
For my stories with large casts, I tend to just follow the ones I currently enjoy writing about and playing, trusting that enjoyment and engagement to help me discover the stories...
Hi, all! I've been enjoying the meta-thread conversations lately! And I'm really glad to hear so many perspectives! There's definitely not one side to it, and I think most of us can see all the various sides and considerations.
Also, as Sis will remember, too, every now and then we need to have these types of conversations, as new people join in, and as conversation styles and people's time and level of involvement develop.
Here are a few summary-type comments from what I've seen posted so far:
1) It's so hard to keep up with 200+ posts!
Absolutely. That's why we encourage folks not to bother, but just to dive in when they've got time and join into the current conversation.
2) It's hard to join into an already existing conversation that is between two or three people and that's about a story I haven't read!
Yes, I can see that. We can try a few things: Jump into the current page. Try saying something like, "Hi! Seems like you're all really enjoying talking about your story! ..." And then, try posing a question or sharing an anecdote for experience, such as, "How do you all keep so enthusiastic and passionate about this story? What is it about reading and writing it that you really love?" Or... "It seems like you are so taken with your characters. What do you like most about them?" Or... "I haven't read your story. Can you provide a synopsis? What particular challenges are you facing?" Or... "Gosh! I had the best/worst/most challenging/most rewarding experience writing recently [describe it]. Has this ever happened to you?"
AND the next step is for the two or three people who were having the conversation between them to pause, acknowledge and include the person just joining in, and to either respond to their questions--or if they don't have questions, to pose some of their own. It could sound something like this, "Oh, hi, CathyTea! We were just talking about how crazy Ayden was. Have you ever had a Sim or a character who hijacked your story?"
(In which case, I'd be super happy, because YES! I have! )
So... folks, it's actually really simple. It's just etiquette, right? Those joining in, take a moment to kindly inquire of the folks already conversing, and the folks already conversing, open up the conversation to include the other!
Really, I think if we can do this, then we'll be able to include everyone, and everyone can feel like they can talk about what's dearest to them--which is their own story and their own Sims!
And please, let's not feel awkward or shy when we need to have these kinds of conversations. Every community needs to pause now and then to restructure and re-evaluate!
And these things are never settled once and for all--they're the types of things we continue to revisit as we need to.
@CathyTea I totally agree with everything you've said. And yes, I've had a character as crazy as Ayden too, but never as funny! I just love Ayden, but I think @friendsfan367 knows that! @Karilan yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major! @LegacySims2017 woah that's a lot of views! Awesome! (Yes, I say that word a lot).
yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major!
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major!
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
you know you teach in college . they probably have a music theory class.
yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major!
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
@CathyTea Don't think so, but I compose in my free time. I think I've mentioned this twice on the forums already, but I composed a mini piece for my simLit Friends of Foes! Oh cool! I've heard you play too - sorry, I cannot remember what instrument you play (bad memory) ! Do you compose too?
@CathyTea I love the cat. Does he/she have a name?
@simscognito you would love Matt's Books Vs. Movies: The Musical Faerie Tales vs. Disney comparison. Did I mention that the Real Matt wanted to be a music teacher? He gave up a couple of times after his job area got cut twice at different schools. But you can see some of his songs (besides the Musical) on either his channel or on Shinny Happy Vloggy People (like the Literary Romance)
oh and Matt's sort of a background character who is my current heiress' future Father in Law in my story-just so other people who haven't read my story know what I'm talking about.
yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major!
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
you know you teach in college . they probably have a music theory class.
True that! Probably hard to take the class while my other job's going on, but when I retire from the one job, I should take some music theory and composition, right?
yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major!
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
@CathyTea Don't think so, but I compose in my free time. I think I've mentioned this twice on the forums already, but I composed a mini piece for my simLit Friends of Foes! Oh cool! I've heard you play too - sorry, I cannot remember what instrument you play (bad memory) ! Do you compose too?
I play cello and piano (and a little bit of recorder and tiny bit of guitar). I haven't composed for ages--but I'd like to! I missed your comment about having composed for Friends of Foes! Do you have a recording of it somewhere?
yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing. At least it's not part of my major!
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
you know you teach in college . they probably have a music theory class.
True that! Probably hard to take the class while my other job's going on, but when I retire from the one job, I should take some music theory and composition, right?
that would be awesome.
i love it now i'm helping plan your retirement.
jes has to record a audio book for her pruett story when she retires.
Comments
@Karilan aww that's not good. Hope you had a good rest and am feeling better now. That's nice that your fiancé was taking good care of you. He seems like nice chap.
@AuroraLockwood yay, a new chapter. What is she up to now?
i never tag i quoted cathtea who i think you tagged.
@simscognito House tours and hospital trips
@Acarb90 I think it's fine to focus on the three-four characters that really demand their stories be told. For readers, since many are also following a lot of other stories (at least I speak for myself), it can be a bit hard to follow huge casts!
If you do decide to tell the large cast's story, here are a few thoughts:
1) Consider, every now and then, offering recaps. @cecerose0208 is doing recaps right now with her rotation (which has a very large cast--and my two favorites are not central characters, so I sort of fangirl squeal whenever they steal into the story!), and it helps me so much to keep everyone and everything straight.
2) Consider having a Who's Who or a Meet the Cast page, so that readers can refer to it if they get confused.
3) Think of some strategy that works for you... Once, I toyed with the idea of a cafe story. The in-between chapters would be in the cafe, and then we'd follow out one of the customers, and that person would be the one that the story would focus on next.
4) Think about writing short little interludes that could nearly stand-alone--for example, you could have short stories or diary entries or blogs or phone conversations, so that we get to know each character.
For my stories with large casts, I tend to just follow the ones I currently enjoy writing about and playing, trusting that enjoyment and engagement to help me discover the stories...
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
whos who? how does that work?
https://legacysims.net/?page_id=11634
When do you return to uni?
My hubby causes chaos in How To Live With Grace - - Pine Point tells Miranda Cole's survival tale - - Criminals build legacies in Glassbolt Prison
hey cool. i was the last post.
Also, as Sis will remember, too, every now and then we need to have these types of conversations, as new people join in, and as conversation styles and people's time and level of involvement develop.
Here are a few summary-type comments from what I've seen posted so far:
1) It's so hard to keep up with 200+ posts!
Absolutely. That's why we encourage folks not to bother, but just to dive in when they've got time and join into the current conversation.
2) It's hard to join into an already existing conversation that is between two or three people and that's about a story I haven't read!
Yes, I can see that. We can try a few things: Jump into the current page. Try saying something like, "Hi! Seems like you're all really enjoying talking about your story! ..." And then, try posing a question or sharing an anecdote for experience, such as, "How do you all keep so enthusiastic and passionate about this story? What is it about reading and writing it that you really love?" Or... "It seems like you are so taken with your characters. What do you like most about them?" Or... "I haven't read your story. Can you provide a synopsis? What particular challenges are you facing?" Or... "Gosh! I had the best/worst/most challenging/most rewarding experience writing recently [describe it]. Has this ever happened to you?"
AND the next step is for the two or three people who were having the conversation between them to pause, acknowledge and include the person just joining in, and to either respond to their questions--or if they don't have questions, to pose some of their own. It could sound something like this, "Oh, hi, CathyTea! We were just talking about how crazy Ayden was. Have you ever had a Sim or a character who hijacked your story?"
(In which case, I'd be super happy, because YES! I have!
So... folks, it's actually really simple. It's just etiquette, right? Those joining in, take a moment to kindly inquire of the folks already conversing, and the folks already conversing, open up the conversation to include the other!
Really, I think if we can do this, then we'll be able to include everyone, and everyone can feel like they can talk about what's dearest to them--which is their own story and their own Sims!
And please, let's not feel awkward or shy when we need to have these kinds of conversations. Every community needs to pause now and then to restructure and re-evaluate!
And these things are never settled once and for all--they're the types of things we continue to revisit as we need to.
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
Woot!
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
@Karilan yep, it feels great! I return tomorrow, actually. Not that excited because I have a music course tomorrow and theory is not my favourite thing.
@LegacySims2017 woah that's a lot of views! Awesome! (Yes, I say that word a lot).
@CathyTea I love the cat. Does he/she have a name?
I'm a little bit jealous of music theory! Will you be doing composing, too?
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
you know you teach in college . they probably have a music theory class.
@CathyTea Don't think so, but I compose in my free time. I think I've mentioned this twice on the forums already, but I composed a mini piece for my simLit Friends of Foes! Oh cool! I've heard you play too - sorry, I cannot remember what instrument you play (bad memory)
@simscognito you would love Matt's Books Vs. Movies: The Musical Faerie Tales vs. Disney comparison. Did I mention that the Real Matt wanted to be a music teacher? He gave up a couple of times after his job area got cut twice at different schools. But you can see some of his songs (besides the Musical) on either his channel or on Shinny Happy Vloggy People (like the Literary Romance)
oh and Matt's sort of a background character who is my current heiress' future Father in Law in my story-just so other people who haven't read my story know what I'm talking about.
True that! Probably hard to take the class while my other job's going on, but when I retire from the one job, I should take some music theory and composition, right?
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
I play cello and piano (and a little bit of recorder and tiny bit of guitar). I haven't composed for ages--but I'd like to! I missed your comment about having composed for Friends of Foes! Do you have a recording of it somewhere?
EDIT: Oh, also! Cool new avi!
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
that would be awesome.
i love it now i'm helping plan your retirement.
jes has to record a audio book for her pruett story when she retires.