I need to get reading on your featured story @CathyTea ! My depression has been lingering over me again since Christmas ended and I've had like no desire to do much of anything so........forgive me for not keeping up in the book club everyone. *sigh*
CathyTea, You mentioned your love for Christmas stories...I recently did a sims related one just this recent Christmas and if you're interested, I'll link it here for ya.
@Acarb90 And... in the spirit of catching up, here are my responses to Acarb's Metro!
Questions from the host...
1) Which character is your favourite?
Leo. I really adore him. This introduction to him: "I love downtown. So much life on every corner. Every corner tells a story. Every person you meet has a different story... What’s my story? Art is obviously my life, as you can see... But my main love is Ren..."
It just pulls me in, and I want to know all about him.
I also really like how he's a good friend and a good brother.
2) Which story twists did you like the most?
Oh, I didn't really read for the twists, actually. I like the relationships, and I really like the ways that the characters move through their various ethical dilemmas. I like to see when they do something wrong and they don't realize it's "wrong," when they make choices to do something "wrong," and when they make choices to do the right thing. That's actually the theme that interests me most and it's my reason for reading!
I love the insight I get into people and their motivations through reading this.
3) Any character of who you'd like to read more about?
I think I've always been really interested in Frankie, especially now in Season 2! She's really interesting to me. I like to follow her thoughts. She's brave.
Questions from the writer...
1.Which characters do you want to see interact more?
Frankie and Leo (obviously!). Plus, I want Ren to come home!
2. Who's your crackship? (for people that don't know this millenial terminology. it's basically a couple that would probably never happen, but they would look cute together )
Uh... ? I like them all as individuals?
3. Any constructive criticism?
Keep doing what you're doing. It works. It's obvious that you've got energy driving this thing. Also, I would say don't worry about "getting it right." Just follow where the story and the characters lead you. You've got a feel for them, and you can feel when you've strayed from their real story, so keep honing in on that. This is really good stuff.
4. Any storylines you disliked?
Not many of the storylines are ones I personally relate to, so I just open myself up to accepting and exploring all of them! It's all really interesting!
Thanks @CathyTea !!! Your advice is always the best
Ps: frankie and leo are also my favorite. I love writing them! They are a big part of s2 so look out for more storylines!
Pss: for anyone wondering, i am still working on the next chapter. I havent had time recently, but i am taking screenshots here and there! Hopefully i can get the next chapter out sometime next week!
1. What about the story draws you in?
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
What I love about these stories is that life happens around Christmas. Christmas is just set as a part of life, not the primary focus. To me, that feels right-sizing of a holiday that sometimes takes on too extreme of a proportion and just becomes stress-inducing.
At a certain point, Christmas becomes too big. It's not worth the stress. The commercialism attached to this lovely holiday always makes me sad. I try to infuse meaning instead of mindlessness into my holiday traditions and celebrations. We enjoyed a quieter Christmas at home this past year. It was nice to sleep in and relax, and take things slow.
I have a few questions for you...
1. What traits does Kate have and how do you think they help inform the story?
2. You mention your plan and then how plans changed. How do you connect what happens in game and bring it to life in the story?
3. What would you say has been the most meaningful part of writing this story?
1.) When Bob said he wouldn't give Eliza the option to not talk about the incident, why do you think Eliza was afraid yet proud?
Of course she's afraid. She's feeling vulnerable. She hasn't dealt with the pain of a terrible incident that robbed her of dignity and self worth. It's something she's lived with all this time, and it's shameful and painful. However, deep down, I think she knows something has to give. Something has to change. She's unhappy and it's unhealthy to live in fear. Bob is just the first to verbalize it.
Without having read more, Eliza seems lost and drifting. Bob can relate to that some, given the insight we gained in his own chapter. He knows what is like to play a role and be something just because others want you to, just on a different level. I think Eliza is proud because she sees Bob standing up for what he wants all over again, and for what she needs, and they need. This demonstrates his love for her; he isn't content just to let things lie and wallow in status quo. He wants more for his Lizzie, for their marriage, and for their life.
2.) What do you think of Bob's former life as a basketball player?
I could see how Bob was trying to fit into what his parents wanted him to be, and what society said he should be. He is a thoughtful guy, maybe a little lost and misguided. Meeting Eliza helped him blossom and accept who he really is and what he really wants. That was beautiful.
3.) Reading these chapters back to back, do you feel like one could exist without the other?
Yes, they could, but they each provide a depth and insight into each other and their world that you don't get otherwise. Reading both chapters helped me understand their struggles and how they uniquely complement one another.
@AdamsEve1231 Thanks for the thought-provoking questions! I'll have so much fun answering these!
I think I'll start with #3 and work my way up....
#3. What would you say has been the most meaningful part of writing this story?
Writing this story allowed me to reflect on and consider what it means to be what I call "full-on human."
It's a two-fold experience, and Jesus's life embodies it. So, for me, observing Christmas is about claiming this for ourselves: letting ourselves be born into the experience of being "full-on human."
The two aspects of it are these:
1) Being human entails being an embodied form through which divine consciousness sparks--or flows. It's important to note that 🐸🐸🐸🐸 sapiens are not the only forms through which divine consciousness--or life energy or essence--can flow or ignite. At the same time, if one wants to experience what it means to be "full-on human," then that full experience entails being shot through with divine consciousness; or, put more simply, waking to the consciousness which already exists within one.
I feel that so much of Christmas's symbolism--the lights, the evergreen trees, the celebration of birth, the decorations, the deep heart-felt yearning for magic, the belief that miracles can happen--come from a universal longing for awakening to this divine spark that exists within each of us. That's what we want, when we string the lights on our houses and when we light candles--we want to recognize that spark, that magic that exists within us.
2) Being "full-on human" means that "all of you is welcome."
There is a saying I hear often in yoga class: "All of you is welcome here." That means, when you step on the mat, however you are, in that moment, is welcome. Lonely? That is welcome. Angry? That is welcome. Bored, sad, tired, grumpy? All welcome. 🐸🐸🐸🐸, antsy, irritated? Welcome. Happy, silly, goofy? Also welcome.
Being human means that we have complex neurology and physiology--we are in a physical form. And our emotions, our thoughts, our bodies--all of these give us signals and effect how we feel. It's all welcome. It's how we are in the moment.
To me, this is an important part of Jesus's message and example. He truly held that "all are welcome." Look who he hung out with! The poor and the poorest of the poor. Thieves. Murderers. Prostitutes. Laborers. Lepers. Merchants. Tradespeople. Homeless. Those with homes. All were welcome. Except for maybe those who excluded others--the very rich, the politicians, the religious leaders. Come to think of it, he welcomed them, too--it was they who excluded themselves!
Sometimes, I feel we get tangled up in our celebrations of Christmas because the media and marketing broadcast this message of "perfection" for Christmas: the perfectly decorated house, the perfect meal, the perfect presents, the perfect family, perfect happiness.
If we buy into this, then, when our sloppy uncle shows up and "says the wrong thing" or drinks too much, it threatens to "ruin" Christmas.
If our schedule gets thrown off, if the turkey burns, if the car breaks down on the way to Grandma's, if any of a million things can go wrong (and they always do), then it "ruins" Christmas.
And what about our feelings and emotions? We are bombarded with the message that if we "do Christmas right" we'll feel perfectly happy and cheerful and joyful and loving. So, when we feel lonely, angry, hurt, scared, overwhelmed, jealous, annoyed, irritated--we might think we're doing it wrong! Crap! Now we feel guilty and ashamed, too, because, crum, we just "ruined" Christmas.
This completely misses what Christmas is about.
If Christmas is, as I propose, an awakening to the experience of being "full-on human," then all is welcome. Lonely? That's part of the experience. Angry, irritated? All is welcome. And happiness is, too--but it's not a requirement.
My first point (that we are each an embodied form shot through with divine consciousness) could, conceivably, seem intimidating--what does that mean and what implications does it have for how I should be? Does that mean I always have to be blissfully.... divine? Or what?
It's simply natural. The second point lets us know that being "an embodied form" means that we will feel all sorts of things--and all of it is welcome.
Jesus felt it all--he felt lonely, angry, irritated, annoyed, overflowing with love, fed up, grace-touched, betrayed, abandoned. Being a full-on human means feeling all of these things. We feel them while holding, simultaneously, space for divine consciousness. All is welcome. All of you is welcome here.
So, being able to explore and hold these two points, simultaneously, within a short and simple story was meaningful for me, encapsulating the themes that I was currently exploring in my own being during this Christmas season.
1. Everything! I love Christmas stories. I recommend this story (and all of @CathyTea's stories) to anyone and everyone -
especially if they're particularly feeling alone at Christmas time!
2. Over time, she meets and gets to know several interesting people from different backgrounds who teach her the true meaning of Christmas and lift her spirits.
3. We don't really go all out at Christmas time. We just come together as a family and spend quality time together. Of course, we still share presents and decorate our trees, but we don't decorate our houses, wear Christmas sweaters, buy the "best", most expensive gifts or prepare a three-course Christmas meal. We keep it simple, but special.
4. I agree that we need a time like Christmas, because it seems like the one day everyone is kind to each other and puts their differences aside. We make time for each other and show how much we love our loved ones. I just wish everyday was like Christmas - the world would be such a better place...
1.) When Bob said he wouldn't give Eliza the option to not talk about the incident, why do you think Eliza was afraid yet proud?
Of course she's afraid. She's feeling vulnerable. She hasn't dealt with the pain of a terrible incident that robbed her of dignity and self worth. It's something she's lived with all this time, and it's shameful and painful. However, deep down, I think she knows something has to give. Something has to change. She's unhappy and it's unhealthy to live in fear. Bob is just the first to verbalize it.
Without having read more, Eliza seems lost and drifting. Bob can relate to that some, given the insight we gained in his own chapter. He knows what is like to play a role and be something just because others want you to, just on a different level. I think Eliza is proud because she sees Bob standing up for what he wants all over again, and for what she needs, and they need. This demonstrates his love for her; he isn't content just to let things lie and wallow in status quo. He wants more for his Lizzie, for their marriage, and for their life.
2.) What do you think of Bob's former life as a basketball player?
I could see how Bob was trying to fit into what his parents wanted him to be, and what society said he should be. He is a thoughtful guy, maybe a little lost and misguided. Meeting Eliza helped him blossom and accept who he really is and what he really wants. That was beautiful.
3.) Reading these chapters back to back, do you feel like one could exist without the other?
Yes, they could, but they each provide a depth and insight into each other and their world that you don't get otherwise. Reading both chapters helped me understand their struggles and how they uniquely complement one another.
Hey there! Glad you're feeling better. I love your answer to #1. I don't think I could have said it better. Thanks for reading!
@AdamsEve1231 Thanks for the thought-provoking questions! I'll have so much fun answering these!
I think I'll start with #3 and work my way up....
#3. What would you say has been the most meaningful part of writing this story?
Writing this story allowed me to reflect on and consider what it means to be what I call "full-on human."
It's a two-fold experience, and Jesus's life embodies it. So, for me, observing Christmas is about claiming this for ourselves: letting ourselves be born into the experience of being "full-on human."
The two aspects of it are these:
1) Being human entails being an embodied form through which divine consciousness sparks--or flows. It's important to note that plum sapiens are not the only forms through which divine consciousness--or life energy or essence--can flow or ignite. At the same time, if one wants to experience what it means to be "full-on human," then that full experience entails being shot through with divine consciousness; or, put more simply, waking to the consciousness which already exists within one.
I feel that so much of Christmas's symbolism--the lights, the evergreen trees, the celebration of birth, the decorations, the deep heart-felt yearning for magic, the belief that miracles can happen--come from a universal longing for awakening to this divine spark that exists within each of us. That's what we want, when we string the lights on our houses and when we light candles--we want to recognize that spark, that magic that exists within us.
2) Being "full-on human" means that "all of you is welcome."
There is a saying I hear often in yoga class: "All of you is welcome here." That means, when you step on the mat, however you are, in that moment, is welcome. Lonely? That is welcome. Angry? That is welcome. Bored, sad, tired, grumpy? All welcome. 🐸🐸🐸🐸, antsy, irritated? Welcome. Happy, silly, goofy? Also welcome.
Being human means that we have complex neurology and physiology--we are in a physical form. And our emotions, our thoughts, our bodies--all of these give us signals and effect how we feel. It's all welcome. It's how we are in the moment.
To me, this is an important part of Jesus's message and example. He truly held that "all are welcome." Look who he hung out with! The poor and the poorest of the poor. Thieves. Murderers. Prostitutes. Laborers. Lepers. Merchants. Tradespeople. Homeless. Those with homes. All were welcome. Except for maybe those who excluded others--the very rich, the politicians, the religious leaders. Come to think of it, he welcomed them, too--it was they who excluded themselves!
Sometimes, I feel we get tangled up in our celebrations of Christmas because the media and marketing broadcast this message of "perfection" for Christmas: the perfectly decorated house, the perfect meal, the perfect presents, the perfect family, perfect happiness.
If we buy into this, then, when our sloppy uncle shows up and "says the wrong thing" or drinks too much, it threatens to "ruin" Christmas.
If our schedule gets thrown off, if the turkey burns, if the car breaks down on the way to Grandma's, if any of a million things can go wrong (and they always do), then it "ruins" Christmas.
And what about our feelings and emotions? We are bombarded with the message that if we "do Christmas right" we'll feel perfectly happy and cheerful and joyful and loving. So, when we feel lonely, angry, hurt, scared, overwhelmed, jealous, annoyed, irritated--we might think we're doing it wrong! plum! Now we feel guilty and ashamed, too, because, crum, we just "ruined" Christmas.
This completely misses what Christmas is about.
If Christmas is, as I propose, an awakening to the experience of being "full-on human," then all is welcome. Lonely? That's part of the experience. Angry, irritated? All is welcome. And happiness is, too--but it's not a requirement.
My first point (that we are each an embodied form shot through with divine consciousness) could, conceivably, seem intimidating--what does that mean and what implications does it have for how I should be? Does that mean I always have to be blissfully.... divine? Or what?
It's simply natural. The second point lets us know that being "an embodied form" means that we will feel all sorts of things--and all of it is welcome.
Jesus felt it all--he felt lonely, angry, irritated, annoyed, overflowing with love, fed up, grace-touched, betrayed, abandoned. Being a full-on human means feeling all of these things. We feel them while holding, simultaneously, space for divine consciousness. All is welcome. All of you is welcome here.
So, being able to explore and hold these two points, simultaneously, within a short and simple story was meaningful for me, encapsulating the themes that I was currently exploring in my own being during this Christmas season.
This all pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas. Nowadays, it seems like Christmas is only about getting all the gifts you want (especially children), businesses getting as much money as possible and everything being picture perfect. People have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas! It's such a shame...
1. Everything! I love Christmas stories. I recommend this story (and all of @CathyTea's stories) to anyone and everyone -
especially if they're particularly feeling alone at Christmas time!
2. Over time, she meets and gets to know several interesting people from different backgrounds who teach her the true meaning of Christmas and lift her spirits.
3. We don't really go all out at Christmas time. We just come together as a family and spend quality time together. Of course, we still share presents and decorate our trees, but we don't decorate our houses, wear Christmas sweaters, buy the "best", most expensive gifts or prepare a three-course Christmas meal. We keep it simple, but special.
4. I agree that we need a time like Christmas, because it seems like the one day everyone is kind to each other and puts their differences aside. We make time for each other and show how much we love our loved ones. I just wish everyday was like Christmas - the world would be such a better place...
@divanthesimmer I really enjoy your responses! Thanks so much for recommending my stories!
It's always so interesting to me to think about how readers find the work that resonates with them--I know that my stories are not for everyone, and I also know that the people who do read them appreciate them greatly and get a lot of enjoyment and meaning from them. And *that* motivates and gratifies me!
It is cool, isn't it?, to have a time of the year that encourages the practice of kindness! I live in a town where a fairly large percentage of the community have adopted kindness as their mission. Several years ago, we had a shooting in our town (Gabrielle Giffords, a member of congress, was shot, along with several others.) And the outcome of that was that we adopted a "Keep [Our Town] Kind" campaign. It's still going strong, with kindness murals at schools and public spaces, anti-bullying programs, and places like the City and our school district who have incorporated kindness as part of the culture. I feel we've reached the tipping point and have created a kind community.
1. What traits does Kate have and how do you think they help inform the story?
Well, Divan noticed that Kate looks an awful lot like CT!
I use the Sim Cathy Tea as the base for a lot of my narrator/protagonist Sims. I pull her into CAS from my library, tweak her features and body, and assign traits as the story needs.
Jasper, Sierra Summers, and several others all started out as Cathy Tea!
The funny thing is, CAS doesn't really change a Sim. No matter how much I try to change the features, body type, skin tone, and even gender of the base Sim, there's a core essence of CT that remains.
I choose to use this Sim as the base, mostly, because she's loaded with skills and she's been played a lot--so she doesn't have that inexperienced, doe-eyed approach that fresh-out-of-CAS Sims have. She's like someone who's lived and learned.
Because of this, she works really well in my stories--her autonomy is great. I can turn her loose, follow her around, and she'll do things in character.
This particular iteration has these traits: Loves Outdoors, Creative, Loner
I chose these specifically for this story.
I knew I wanted her to experience a type of transcendent wonder, and Loves Outdoors Sims always seem to get blissful when they are outside--so I knew she'd give me the expressions and gestures I wanted when she was outdoors.
Creative Sims seem to have focus--they'll paint, cook, make tea to get inspired, and seem like they're always making sense of the world, searching and discovering meaning. This fit the character that I wanted--someone who examined the world around her and tried to find the meaning in it.
I needed her to be a Loner so she'd have that edge of discomfort. This story has a lot of inherent tension--she's alone at a time when it's expected to be with others; she isn't sure what to do with her time off; she is faced with a disconnect between expectations and reality. I knew that if she was a Loner, she'd be uncomfortable and tense much of the time, and that fit with what I wanted to portray in this story.
She was really great and very fun to play! It also seemed like she developed and changed through the story, as a Sim, and that made it even more fun for me!
1. Everything! I love Christmas stories. I recommend this story (and all of @CathyTea's stories) to anyone and everyone -
especially if they're particularly feeling alone at Christmas time!
2. Over time, she meets and gets to know several interesting people from different backgrounds who teach her the true meaning of Christmas and lift her spirits.
3. We don't really go all out at Christmas time. We just come together as a family and spend quality time together. Of course, we still share presents and decorate our trees, but we don't decorate our houses, wear Christmas sweaters, buy the "best", most expensive gifts or prepare a three-course Christmas meal. We keep it simple, but special.
4. I agree that we need a time like Christmas, because it seems like the one day everyone is kind to each other and puts their differences aside. We make time for each other and show how much we love our loved ones. I just wish everyday was like Christmas - the world would be such a better place...
@divanthesimmer I really enjoy your responses! Thanks so much for recommending my stories!
It's always so interesting to me to think about how readers find the work that resonates with them--I know that my stories are not for everyone, and I also know that the people who do read them appreciate them greatly and get a lot of enjoyment and meaning from them. And *that* motivates and gratifies me!
It is cool, isn't it?, to have a time of the year that encourages the practice of kindness! I live in a town where a fairly large percentage of the community have adopted kindness as their mission. Several years ago, we had a shooting in our town (Gabrielle Giffords, a member of congress, was shot, along with several others.) And the outcome of that was that we adopted a "Keep [Our Town] Kind" campaign. It's still going strong, with kindness murals at schools and public spaces, anti-bullying programs, and places like the City and our school district who have incorporated kindness as part of the culture. I feel we've reached the tipping point and have created a kind community.
@CathyTea You're welcome! I wish our community was like that. Unfortunately I live in a country where there is a lot of tension between citizens, especially different races. I'm hated by lots of black people I've never even met, just because I'm descended from white racists. The rest don't really care about anyone but themselves. I don't even know my neighbours- I know their names and how they look like, but I haven't even spoken a full sentence with them. It's difficult living here.
1. What traits does Kate have and how do you think they help inform the story?
Well, Divan noticed that Kate looks an awful lot like CT!
I use the Sim Cathy Tea as the base for a lot of my narrator/protagonist Sims. I pull her into CAS from my library, tweak her features and body, and assign traits as the story needs.
Jasper, Sierra Summers, and several others all started out as Cathy Tea!
The funny thing is, CAS doesn't really change a Sim. No matter how much I try to change the features, body type, skin tone, and even gender of the base Sim, there's a core essence of CT that remains.
I choose to use this Sim as the base, mostly, because she's loaded with skills and she's been played a lot--so she doesn't have that inexperienced, doe-eyed approach that fresh-out-of-CAS Sims have. She's like someone who's lived and learned.
Because of this, she works really well in my stories--her autonomy is great. I can turn her loose, follow her around, and she'll do things in character.
This particular iteration has these traits: Loves Outdoors, Creative, Loner
I chose these specifically for this story.
I knew I wanted her to experience a type of transcendent wonder, and Loves Outdoors Sims always seem to get blissful when they are outside--so I knew she'd give me the expressions and gestures I wanted when she was outdoors.
Creative Sims seem to have focus--they'll paint, cook, make tea to get inspired, and seem like they're always making sense of the world, searching and discovering meaning. This fit the character that I wanted--someone who examined the world around her and tried to find the meaning in it.
I needed her to be a Loner so she'd have that edge of discomfort. This story has a lot of inherent tension--she's alone at a time when it's expected to be with others; she isn't sure what to do with her time off; she is faced with a disconnect between expectations and reality. I knew that if she was a Loner, she'd be uncomfortable and tense much of the time, and that fit with what I wanted to portray in this story.
She was really great and very fun to play! It also seemed like she developed and changed through the story, as a Sim, and that made it even more fun for me!
It's very interesting to hear from you why Kate has certain traits and how you incorporated them into the story! If she had the "Geek" trait, instead of "Loves Outdoors", she would have had all my Simself's traits! I might have to try using alternate versions one Sim in different scenarios, instead of always creating new Sims. I sort of did this with some of my Sims that were submitted to @AdamsEve1231's Home for the Holidays story, particularly Page Turner. In my game, she's a young, aspiring writer living in a house with 7 roommates in Del Sol Valley. In Lizzie's game, she is a single, middle-aged woman who works as a librarian in the snowy town of Hollidaysburg, hoping to become a professional writer (still like the original Page) and find her soulmate.
@CathyTea thanks for your replies and thoughts. I'll reply a little later to that, but first, questions...
1. What about the story draws you in? I feel drawn in by CT's writing. I love the little descriptions of things as they add richness, color, and depth to the story.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time? Kate learns it is ok to be lonely. Her definitions of Christmas and celebration evolve beyond ritual and tradition to something more personal and meaningful. She learns to expand her ideas of friendship and family. She grows into herself and what that means. She learns to fill the silence and solitude in a way that makes sense for her mind, body, and spirit.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
I've had multiple strange holidays. My family always seems to have some sort of crisis or disaster at Christmas. We've learned quiet just doesn't happen for us. And it doesn't matter if it isn't traditional. It's almost more fun that way.
One particular Christmas, we had a power outage due to a storm. We were spending the holiday in the Santa Cruz mountains. I was about 13. A tree had fallen across the main road and we couldn't get out by car since there was one way in and out of the little mountain township.
The rain let up and my family and I walked around the tree into town to the grocery store to pick up camping foods with cash. We came back and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace. We sang Christmas carols and read the Christmas story.
The best part was when the fire department cleared the road on Christmas Eve, they came through the mountain roads with Santa on top waving to people and letting kids sit in his lap. Power hadn't been restored so it was really dark, except for the truck decked in Christmas lights. Of course, I didn't believe in Santa anymore, and it was the last time I sat on Santa's lap, but it was special because of that. I remember asking for Nancy Drew books.
Christmas morning came and still no power. We opened presents by candlelight and we roasted fruit kabobs and bacon on a stick in the fire and ate pop tarts. I think grandma made hot cocoa by heating water in a little kettle on the fire. It was meaningful because we made it special and we were altogether. I spent the afternoon curled up in the loft reading my new Nancy Drew books by lantern.
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject? I love this. We do need Christmas because it reminds us what's important. It reminds us not to take things for granted. It reminds us to appreciate the mundane, to drink in joy and breathe out love and to make moments count. It reminds us miracles do happen, and to stop and smell the roses ...and see the little wonders surrounding us every day.
@CathyTea thanks for your replies and thoughts. I'll reply a little later to that, but first, questions...
1. What about the story draws you in? I feel drawn in by CT's writing. I love the little descriptions of things as they add richness, color, and depth to the story.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time? Kate learns it is ok to be lonely. Her definitions of Christmas and celebration evolve beyond ritual and tradition to something more personal and meaningful. She learns to expand her ideas of friendship and family. She grows into herself and what that means. She learns to fill the silence and solitude in a way that makes sense for her mind, body, and spirit.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
I've had multiple strange holidays. My family always seems to have some sort of crisis or disaster at Christmas. We've learned quiet just doesn't happen for us. And it doesn't matter if it isn't traditional. It's almost more fun that way.
One particular Christmas, we had a power outage due to a storm. We were spending the holiday in the Santa Cruz mountains. I was about 13. A tree had fallen across the main road and we couldn't get out by car since there was one way in and out of the little mountain township.
The rain let up and my family and I walked around the tree into town to the grocery store to pick up camping foods with cash. We came back and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace. We sang Christmas carols and read the Christmas story.
The best part was when the fire department cleared the road on Christmas Eve, they came through the mountain roads with Santa on top waving to people and letting kids sit in his lap. Power hadn't been restored so it was really dark, except for the truck decked in Christmas lights. Of course, I didn't believe in Santa anymore, and it was the last time I sat on Santa's lap, but it was special because of that. I remember asking for Nancy Drew books.
Christmas morning came and still no power. We opened presents by candlelight and we roasted fruit kabobs and bacon on a stick in the fire and ate pop tarts. I think grandma made hot cocoa by heating water in a little kettle on the fire. It was meaningful because we made it special and we were altogether. I spent the afternoon curled up in the loft reading my new Nancy Drew books by lantern.
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject? I love this. We do need Christmas because it reminds us what's important. It reminds us not to take things for granted. It reminds us to appreciate the mundane, to drink in joy and breathe out love and to make moments count. It reminds us miracles do happen, and to stop and smell the roses ...and see the little wonders surrounding us every day.
I love your replies! That Christmas sounds phenomenal!
2. You mention your plan and then how plans changed. How do you connect what happens in game and bring it to life in the story?
First, a bit of a detour about my approach to writing SimLit in general...
I tend to take one of three approaches when writing stories in conjunction with The Sims.
1) Game-Driven: For game-driven stories, I simply play the game, observing the Sims while I play, imagining what they say to each other (and sometimes, their thought- and speech-bubbles tell me what they say, or they speak in Simlish that I know and understand, so I know what they're saying to each other), and seeing how they feel, observing their motives and whims, and interpreting their motivations. Goofy Love, Septemus, My Son, most of Houseful of Hippies, and all stories that were written from challenges fall in this category. For these stories, my only plans are to play the game, meet the requirements of the challenges, and write a story interpreting what's happened in the game, with the aim of developing the characters and themes as fully as possible.
2) Writer-Driven: On the other end of the spectrum falls the writing where I definitely have a plan before going into the game. With this writing, I know what I want to say, and I simply want a screenshot or two per post to illustrate it. Generally, I will write or outline the post before I even play the game, then just grab a single picture in-game that presents the chapter's mood or theme. I'm really using the game only for illustration, and there's basically no connection between the game-play and the writing. Examples of this are my nonfiction (Spectrum and Aimless), and my more literary fiction and poetry like Summer House, A Poem A Day, and some of the short stories.
3) Collaborating with the Game: Somewhere in between these two poles falls this third approach: collaborating with the game. In this approach, I have an idea going in--thoughts about the main character or narrator, ideas for the setting, general thoughts about the plot or events that need to happen, and a clear idea of the themes I want to explore. Then, once I create any needed characters (usually, I'll only create the narrator or main character, as I love to rely on the Sims the game generates for the supporting characters), get them moved in and adjust skills as needed, I'll simply play, sometimes arranging events so they fit what I want to have happen in the story, and often simply following the Sims around to see what happens.
I took this approach with "12 Epiphanies." It really is my favorite approach!
So, while I'm first planning the story, I'll usually start with the theme or issues I want to explore: In this case, I wanted to explore the idea of inventing our own celebration of Christmas, one that discards some traditions that don't fit, and adapts ones that have meaning.
To connect with what happens in game, I really put my perspective into the narrator or main character. I feel that I'm that person--or Sim--experiencing things. I let myself take on their emotions, think their thoughts--I try to see out of their digital eyes.
At the same time, I've got my observer glasses on--I'm watching everything, pausing often and taking pictures, letting sentences and descriptions flow through my mind.
It's like what we do as writers, right? Wherever we go... we're imagining, "What is it like to be that person?" We're observing, listening, letting our emotions pick up on what others are feeling, taking in every single detail--tastes, textures, scents, sounds, the play of light and shadow--so that we can describe it later. It's just like that.
Then, I watch for patterns. Who shows up often? Where do they show up? What do they do? How do they react to the main character, and how does she respond to them? Where are tensions? Where are pleasures? What flows? What themes does the game toss in that I hadn't thought about?
I would never have chosen Bertha for a character--I would have been afraid of presenting stereotypes. But when the game introduced her, I saw that she was so much like a great aunt of mine, an alcoholic who was addicted to pain meds, who worked as a nurse, had never married, but had had an affair when she was a young nurse stationed in Pearl Harbor--a married officer who was the love of her life. And Bertha's inappropriate way of dressing, her mumbled speech and dazed moodlet, her half-closed eyes, and ways of simply looking off into the distance while telling long stories--all of these reminded me of my great aunt, and I remembered that she was intricately tied to many of my childhood experiences of Christmases, and always, there was my parents' pity of her, along with the sense of tremendous love and a beautiful spirit which she carried. So, Bertha came to represent all of that, a gift from the game.
It was Bertha, really, who introduced the theme of "all are welcome," which came to be one of the dominant themes of the story.
This is what excites me about collaborating with the game--it shows me things I might miss otherwise! An early Sims 4 friend of mine likened the game to a Tarot deck, in that we can see patterns and themes through it. And so, watching for those, interpreting them, and relating them to the story that the game and I are telling, that's what, for me, breathes life through a story!
So, Lizzie--in reading your stories, I am guessing that you do something similar, with stories like your ISBI.
@AdamsEve1231 and @divanthesimmer (and anyone else who's lurking or who comes to join in later): I'd love to hear your thoughts about your own gaming and writing.
How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
As you all probably know, I haven't written in almost over three months. I am going to continue in the near future, but it's difficult to find time to write and although I love writing, I get a little overwhelmed sometimes and wonder if my stories are good in any way at all and worth the effort.
With that said, I have two stories I'm currently working on. Both are legacy stories, but the writing style differs. My first story is completely game-driven and I only assist my characters with their needs and if it takes them too long to find a partner, I give them a little bit of a push in the right direction. I'm also playing for points, so I'm going to try and have them do everything that's required to gain the points. I really enjoy this approach, because my Sims mostly have control over their own lives and let me know what their deepest desires are, so I can make it happen. It makes for interesting stories, too, because you never know what will happen next!
My second story is a vampire legacy story. I'm not playing by Pinstar's rules in this one and I'm not counting points. This one is a bit of a combo of a writer-driven approach and collaborating with the game. I made up a backstory for my main character, Rose, and I have a general idea for a plotline of the story. I'm still going to let my characters make most of their own decisions, but the parts where I know what I want to happen for the story, I'm just going to set the game up to fit my vision and take screenshots of it. This part is a little bit tricky for me, because I have to mostly rely on my own writing abilities and make the story worth reading. I'm not nearly as good of a writer as @CathyTea or @AdamsEve1231 are, so I have to do a little research and really think about what I want to write.
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
I love the randomness that the game creates! It often creates interesting Sims who have interesting traits, aspirations, whims and overall personalities. I mostly rely on what happens in-game, because I love expecting the unexpected and turning it into interesting and amusing stories! It often turns a story into somewhat of a dramedy, as there is still a lot of drama going on, but the game, being as quirky as it is, often creates hilarious situations. I love laughing and making other people laugh - it helps me forget about how gloomy and serious life often gets!
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
Well, as I've said before, I like playing the game and letting my Sims have most of their freedom. That makes for interesting stories, because you never know what is going to happen next and you never get bored that way. I often let my Sims tell me what they're feeling, thinking or saying and that is how I make my stories come alive, so I'm not just writing what happens in-game, but also using my creativity a bit.
Hi! I'm finally getting around to responding to book club questions for @CathyTea 's 12 Epiphanies. I'll start with @AdamsEve1231 's questions and then move on to Cathy's:
What were your initial thoughts of 12 Epiphanies?
During the holidays I saw Epiphanies on my WordPress feed and thought: "Yay, another CathyTea story!". I also thought: "I won't have time nor energy to properly sit down and read it now." And I really don't want to just skim through SimLit. Especially not something so uplifting and inspiring as CathyTea's writing. So I saved it for later and Book Club week was a good reminder for me to actually sit down and read it. I was sure it was going to be a feelgood Christmas story with the CathyTea-brand depth, and I wasn't disappointed.
1. What about the story draws you in?
Other than the fact that it's written by one of my favourite writers? And the excellent writing and relatable main character? I think the titles of the chapters alone drew me in. The feeling of hope and the very wholesome holiday mood of the story seemed to radiate off the titles.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
She learns to accept it as a part of who she is and as a part of being human. I think a very powerful moment in the story is where she realises how loneliness actually sometimes brings people together while she thinks about all the other lonely people and how they all share a similar experience. She also learns to find joy and kindness even during a time that initially seems sad and lonely.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
When I was doing my exchange studies in Ireland, I decided not to go home for the holidays because I was going home for good a few weeks after the holidays anyway, so I spent my Christmas alone in a somewhat foreign country (albeit one I had by that time started to think of as a second home). As the holidays grew close I realised that a) almost everyone was going home so the student apartment building I lived in was going to be very empty and b) my keycard started malfunctioning and the people in the building's office, who could have given me a new keycard, had already left for the holidays, so I barely dared to go outside because I was worried I'd get locked out of the building. Cheery.
So Christmas Eve arrived and I put some paper snowflakes on the window. A friend of mine had visited me earlier in December and we had made some Finnish Christmas foods together, so I only cooked some of my favourites for the actual Christmas (rice porridge for breakfast, carrot casserole for dinner). Towards the evening I took the risk of getting locked out and took a walk in the centre. The town was quiet, the weather was cold for Ireland but not cold for a Finn. It was fresh and the sky was nicely dark. The town was peaceful for the most part. People were either at their homes or in pubs or the like. I ended up talking to a young man who was playing drums on some empty metal cans in the centre and met a slightly tipsy Lithuanian woman who got a bit upset because I didn't know nor want to sing English Christmas songs with her.
I went back home and spent the rest of the holidays indoors. By Boxing Day I was running out of food so I baked a bread so I'd have at least something to eat.
It could have been called a miserable experience, but it wasn't, really. It was peaceful, almost meditative in its simplicity, without any of the fuss around the holidays. I usually don't want to take too much stress about it and usually I enjoy cleaning and cooking and baking for Christmas, but this even more relaxed pace was a nice change. I did miss home, but at least now that I look back to it, I'm glad I didn't go home for that year. Maybe I found something similar to Kate.
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
While we may not need Christmas specifically, it is good to have a time during which the core ideas and feelings of Christmas are celebrated. I think this story really resonates with my idea of Christmas as a celebration of kindness, love and togetherness as well as peace and quiet. I love these kinds of non-traditional holiday stories, where the spirit of things is still there. I especially love the stories where the spirit is shared with strangers.
My Sims stories: The Fey of Life - fairytales in life are few and far between (Forum thread HERE) The Chrysanthemum Tango - a story about life, death, magic, and how to be a good landlady (Forum thread HERE) Forget-Me-Not - some things just refuse to stay buried; an Ambrosia Challenge story (Forum thread HERE)
I love hearing your behind-the-scenes stuff, @CathyTea ! I knew Bertha had to be a game-created Sim. I love how much life you gave her and made her such a lovely character. You are such a great observer!
Also the idea of "all of you is welcome" is so great. I love it. I kinda want to start using that line somewhere. It really encompasses the kind of welcoming, accepting attitude I think people should really practise more. The all is welcome -mindset really came across in your story (it does in all of your stories, really ). I loved the more physical aspect of it in the celebration as well as the more invisible, in-the-mind aspects of all being kind and helpful and sharing their stories. Even the decorations Kate found seemed welcoming and kind! I loved that scene by the way; anonymous, random acts of kindness are so lovely.
Okay, now on to Cathy's questions: How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
I mostly collaborate with the game, with a bit more focus on the writer-driven side (depending a little on the story). I like creating my own Sims, but sometimes I do let the game gravitate some Sims towards my core characters as well. Then I might make the premades/townies into characters in my story too. This has happened the most strongly in Stardust Sapling, which is much more game-driven than my usual writing because of the nature of the Alien Adoption -challenge the story is about.
Usually I create the core personalities and backstories for my characters in my mind at first and make the Sims to emulate that, but then I let them develop through the ways the game interprets them or the ways they express themselves.
Sometimes, if I'm not sure what I'll write next, I'll just go into the game and play, snapping screenshots when it feels appropriate and then work out ideas from them. Sometimes I have a plan already and I just go in and stage a photoshoot. It really depends.
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
I'm mostly intrigued by how I can visualise the themes and ideas I have for stories through the game, as I usually have the themes for my stories somewhat planned out already when I start. But I know these themes will develop and gain depth as I get more ideas, sometimes through just playing the game. I'm not the kind of observer who can just develop a nuanced, deep story through just playing and observing, as some really talented SimLit -writers of that kind of style are, so I have to rely on my poor old imagination to do the work. I do get some details and nuances out of the game, though.
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
Hmm... other than I like the interplay of playing the game and coming up with stories for it and putting the events into words and the words into pictures? Right now I can't think of any. Maybe if I waited a while more I'd have something smart to say (it's getting really late here; sorry if this tired writing is all over the place). I do love how the game can sometimes surprise me with the way it connects some Sims or creates a random event that is just too perfect.
How I make stories come alive? Uh... I try to write as lively as I can, with enough details and at least passable dialogue and narration. I like putting a lot of effort into the environments, the sets and the Sims, making them all detailed enough to look convincing and like there are actual lives being lived in the story. Caring about and genuinely enjoying the writing and the game helps a lot too.
Well, that's it. I should go to sleep now. Have a lovely time you guys!
My Sims stories: The Fey of Life - fairytales in life are few and far between (Forum thread HERE) The Chrysanthemum Tango - a story about life, death, magic, and how to be a good landlady (Forum thread HERE) Forget-Me-Not - some things just refuse to stay buried; an Ambrosia Challenge story (Forum thread HERE)
1. What about the story draws you in?
I feel drawn in by CT's writing. I love the little descriptions of things as they add richness, color, and depth to the story.
first sorry adamandeve for borrowing your answer but i agree with it everything draws me in to cathteas storys but by the time i figure out what shes writing shes moved on.
theres a little joke i tell sometimes on weekends. i say bye then i add try not to start any new stories or threads. one day i came back and shed done both.
but i feel like learn from reading her stories. in my own stories i'm trying to try new topics.
theres also another joke between us where she says look it up .
What about the story draws you in?
It's the writing for me. It's very 3 dimensional, in that I can picture the scenarios clearly and taste them as well. For example, when Kate is outside with Bertha, I can feel the cold air and taste the chocolates.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
She learns to 'turn towards' which I think is a wonderful idea. When we embrace the hardships, we learn to live with them and move forward. But we can't move forward if we 'turn away'. Furthermore, the part of being human, as Bertha addresses, is that life is not always a rose garden and one cannot live if one has not lost. Kate also learns that we are all living in the world together, so she finds comfort in the people around her and their life stories.
Sorry if this is really badly explained. Blame meds.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
Every Christmas is different for me. We never celebrate it exactly the same way. I think one particularly special one was sitting on the lawn (I cannot remember where) listening to this guy recite The End of The Golden Weather. I remember it, which is why I think it must have been special. I think we had ice cream afterwards. (Its summer here at Christmas).
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
I agree. Christmas is when we remember those who are special in our lives. I see this story as kinda of a guide for how you can reconnect when you have lost your way and how the true meaning of Christmas can help you find your feet again. But furthermore how no matter how alone we feel, we're never really alone, hence towards the end Kate celebrates with her new friends.
OMG I'm so sorry if none of these responses have made sense. I am really scatterbrained at the moment but really really wanted to answer these questions anyway.
Hi, Book Clubbers! My Internet went out this weekend, so I wasn't able to come by to thank you all for your comments and participation until today.
@AdamsEve1231 Thank you so much for your thoughtful questions for readers and me! I really enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on the story and to hear others' responses. I also adored your story of the Santa Cruz mountains Christmas. That one, with all the details you told the story in, will stay with me! I hope you write a short story inspired by it sometime!
@divanthesimmer Thank you for participating! I really loved your comments and enthusiasm. And thanks for all the nice things you said about me as a writer! I liked hearing about your Christmas celebrations, too--it's neat that we have two people participating who are Southern Hemisphere Christmas Celebrants! I often wonder what Christmas comes to mean when it's a summer holiday--especially now that I live in the desert where we have flowers blooming and (sometimes) temps in the 70s F.
@RipuAncestor I love your stories about your Ireland Christmas--it's inspiring. So neat to the ways that in-the-moment exchanges, like yours with the musician, can come to be so meaningful. I'm also really happy that the two messages of "all of you is welcome" and loneliness as a connector with every lonely person resonated with you. The connecting through being human--I simply love that, and there's endless depth in it.
@simscognito Thank you for reading and participating! Your answers made so much sense, were eloquently written, and provided great insight! Nothing seemed scatterbrained at all! I'm happy that you appreciated the idea of "turning towards." I'm really practicing that in my life these days.
@AudreyFld You left some really kind comments on the previous page--thank you!
Thanks again, everyone! I enjoyed our coffee hour.
Hi everyone, sorry if I dropped the ball a little as hostess. Life, work, vacation, and illness got in the way. Thank you to everyone who participated.
@CathyTea answers to your questions. How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
When I first started writing SimLit, I was almost exclusively writer-driven. I've been writing all my life. Sims offers me a creative outlet, a relaxing haven, and a fun way to stretch myself as a writer and person. Kass's series is very writer driven. I have a plan when I enter game. Often I've already written the chapter and I'm just snagging screenshots. I still pay attention to what happens in game for nuances and clues. However, I use a lot of mods and poses to illustrate what I want.
My ISBI, Livin' A Simmin' Life (LASL) is on the other end of the spectrum. It's entirely game driven by nature of the challenge. I had an idea of overarching theme to explore and thoughts on my protagonist, my Simself, but the game took it from there. I was honestly impressed by the AI in TS4, the wide range of emotions, their autonomous choices, and the complexity of drama that ensued. It was really then that I realized the merits of game-driven storytelling and felt I gained the full value of my investment in the game. It helped to, in a sense, collaborate with other gamers since they submitted Sims. I felt I had a responsibility to feature their characters, but not in a forced way, rather a fun exploration and expression of Sims personality.
Since trying a game-driven approach, I now feel I take a more collaborative approach. My imagination still allows me to explore themes, worldbuilding, character development, and dialogue, giving me the opportunity to write what I want without feeling limited by imagery. The game, however, plays a bigger role in identifying things that are important to my characters and informing the plot, plus inspiring me when I'm faced with writer's block or if I don't have a solid plan as to where to go next. However, the writer part of my brain allows me to creatively incorporate game elements, spin stories to fit my goals, and challenges me to find connections.
I'm going to answer questions 2 ...and 3 together because they are related.
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
I might have an idea for the plot or my Sim. It might even be a well developed idea. But the game has different plans. This has been the case since my first edition The Krazy Crazy Life of Kassiopeia Fullbright (KCLKF). As I'm rewriting the story, I'm trying to incorporate more gameplay themes and elements than before. For example,
Clark and Ayesha played bigger roles, Gage acted more as a friend than love interest in game despite his weird overly romantic gestures ...and then alienating behavior, Madison was present in game but not the first version of the story, and Kass's family had more screen time so to speak.
LASL introduced whole new things for me. My Simself quickly diverged from my real self into, in some respects, a different person, and in others, to a person I'd like to be. Lizzie is bolder, more confident, more ambitious, and way more outgoing than real life me. In fact, Kass from KCLKF or Elle from Home for the Holidays is probably way more like real me. Haha. Once I let go of the fact that Lizzie was her own person, it made writing and gameplay easier.
Some spoilers below for those who haven't read my stories.
Game play of my ISBI helped introduce unexpected themes. Both seasons 1 and 2 illustrated growth and finding oneself. These were planned. What wasn't planned was all the drama that ensued. Lizzie ended up at @LegacySims2017's Joseph's house autonomously because silly me! I forgot which house was @InfraGreen's Rob's. Both Rob and Joseph developed romances with Lizzie, and I thought she would pick Rob. She had the highest romance with Rob but a higher friendship with Joseph. In the end, Rob broke her heart. I planned to have Lizzie pursue trying to make things work with Rob because I felt she was most invested in that relationship and then Joseph autonomously kissed Lizzie at her sister's wedding. And Lizzie kissed him back. It was shocking. I fell out of my chair. Literally. That and Nora kissed the commitment phobic, loner, and uninterested Julian.
To me, the game made the better choice. My real life self would probably stick it out and try to make things work. However, as in life, things don't always turn out the way we plan. As in life, a solid friendship is a great foundation to a good marriage. I feel like Lizzie and Joseph really established that in season 1 ...and it helped them weather and survive season 2.
Honestly, the addition of characters in season 2 helped make their world richer and more colorful. Karleen, based on my real life friend, was a challenging wild card in season 2. Her shenanigans ensured she would steal the scene anytime she was there. @simscognito's Riley stole scenes too, always making me smile and laugh. I love Riley's humor.
Then the addition of Vlad during the detour into the Hollow released chaos. I could have been mad that all the mind control was going on, but I ran with it despite how frustrating things were and how it nearly broke Lizzie and Joseph. As I believe you pointed out, @CathyTea, their friends and family never picked sides. It was refreshing.
Honestly, I've never experienced a steeper challenge than my game driven story, though now I view it more like a collaboration. I approach all my stories that way now. It results in more authentic, realistic, genuine storytelling. It makes the world come alive and taps into the game intelligence, Sims personality and emotion, and my ingenuity, flexibility, and creativity. This breathes life into my stories. It was the game's choice to have Lizzie and Rob reconnect ...and then kill Rob. R.I.P. Rob. But it was my choice to include the adoption storyline as it made sense.
All that being said, LASL was a game changer for me. Literally. I'm going to have a hard time moving along from Arc 1 because I've grown so attached to this colorful, crazy, amazing world of Sims the game helped introduce and build and other Simmers contributed. However, it'll introduce a whole new challenge. It's not like I don't have plenty of stories to keep me occupied.
Thanks for asking such great questions, @CathyTea.
I loved your story you shared, @RipuAncestor. It sounded right out of CT's story.
I've always wondered about Southern Hemisphere Christmas and New Year. Maybe some year I'll travel and have a balmy holiday. I'm always fascinated by other holidays (non Western). Partly because I love learning about new cultures and partly because I love celebrating. I'm also curious about birthdays ...and how people celebrate, what different traditions people have, and celebrating birthdays in the Sims. Maybe I'll ask about that over in the Lounge.
Comments
CathyTea, You mentioned your love for Christmas stories...I recently did a sims related one just this recent Christmas and if you're interested, I'll link it here for ya.
https://emilyssims3stories.wordpress.com/an-aurora-skies-christmas-romance/
No rush on reading it, do it when you can. (If you want to...) I just thought I would share since you mentioned that.
If you have the time someday, I'd love to hear what you think of it since you're such a fantastic writer.
Carry on my friends.
Thanks @CathyTea !!! Your advice is always the best
Ps: frankie and leo are also my favorite. I love writing them! They are a big part of s2 so look out for more storylines!
Pss: for anyone wondering, i am still working on the next chapter. I havent had time recently, but i am taking screenshots here and there! Hopefully i can get the next chapter out sometime next week!
1. What about the story draws you in?
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
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I have a few questions for you...
1. What traits does Kate have and how do you think they help inform the story?
2. You mention your plan and then how plans changed. How do you connect what happens in game and bring it to life in the story?
3. What would you say has been the most meaningful part of writing this story?
Find me elsewhere:
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New Readers:
1.) When Bob said he wouldn't give Eliza the option to not talk about the incident, why do you think Eliza was afraid yet proud?
Of course she's afraid. She's feeling vulnerable. She hasn't dealt with the pain of a terrible incident that robbed her of dignity and self worth. It's something she's lived with all this time, and it's shameful and painful. However, deep down, I think she knows something has to give. Something has to change. She's unhappy and it's unhealthy to live in fear. Bob is just the first to verbalize it.
Without having read more, Eliza seems lost and drifting. Bob can relate to that some, given the insight we gained in his own chapter. He knows what is like to play a role and be something just because others want you to, just on a different level. I think Eliza is proud because she sees Bob standing up for what he wants all over again, and for what she needs, and they need. This demonstrates his love for her; he isn't content just to let things lie and wallow in status quo. He wants more for his Lizzie, for their marriage, and for their life.
2.) What do you think of Bob's former life as a basketball player?
I could see how Bob was trying to fit into what his parents wanted him to be, and what society said he should be. He is a thoughtful guy, maybe a little lost and misguided. Meeting Eliza helped him blossom and accept who he really is and what he really wants. That was beautiful.
3.) Reading these chapters back to back, do you feel like one could exist without the other?
Yes, they could, but they each provide a depth and insight into each other and their world that you don't get otherwise. Reading both chapters helped me understand their struggles and how they uniquely complement one another.
Find me elsewhere:
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I think I'll start with #3 and work my way up....
#3. What would you say has been the most meaningful part of writing this story?
Writing this story allowed me to reflect on and consider what it means to be what I call "full-on human."
It's a two-fold experience, and Jesus's life embodies it. So, for me, observing Christmas is about claiming this for ourselves: letting ourselves be born into the experience of being "full-on human."
The two aspects of it are these:
1) Being human entails being an embodied form through which divine consciousness sparks--or flows. It's important to note that 🐸🐸🐸🐸 sapiens are not the only forms through which divine consciousness--or life energy or essence--can flow or ignite. At the same time, if one wants to experience what it means to be "full-on human," then that full experience entails being shot through with divine consciousness; or, put more simply, waking to the consciousness which already exists within one.
I feel that so much of Christmas's symbolism--the lights, the evergreen trees, the celebration of birth, the decorations, the deep heart-felt yearning for magic, the belief that miracles can happen--come from a universal longing for awakening to this divine spark that exists within each of us. That's what we want, when we string the lights on our houses and when we light candles--we want to recognize that spark, that magic that exists within us.
2) Being "full-on human" means that "all of you is welcome."
There is a saying I hear often in yoga class: "All of you is welcome here." That means, when you step on the mat, however you are, in that moment, is welcome. Lonely? That is welcome. Angry? That is welcome. Bored, sad, tired, grumpy? All welcome. 🐸🐸🐸🐸, antsy, irritated? Welcome. Happy, silly, goofy? Also welcome.
Being human means that we have complex neurology and physiology--we are in a physical form. And our emotions, our thoughts, our bodies--all of these give us signals and effect how we feel. It's all welcome. It's how we are in the moment.
To me, this is an important part of Jesus's message and example. He truly held that "all are welcome." Look who he hung out with! The poor and the poorest of the poor. Thieves. Murderers. Prostitutes. Laborers. Lepers. Merchants. Tradespeople. Homeless. Those with homes. All were welcome. Except for maybe those who excluded others--the very rich, the politicians, the religious leaders. Come to think of it, he welcomed them, too--it was they who excluded themselves!
Sometimes, I feel we get tangled up in our celebrations of Christmas because the media and marketing broadcast this message of "perfection" for Christmas: the perfectly decorated house, the perfect meal, the perfect presents, the perfect family, perfect happiness.
If we buy into this, then, when our sloppy uncle shows up and "says the wrong thing" or drinks too much, it threatens to "ruin" Christmas.
If our schedule gets thrown off, if the turkey burns, if the car breaks down on the way to Grandma's, if any of a million things can go wrong (and they always do), then it "ruins" Christmas.
And what about our feelings and emotions? We are bombarded with the message that if we "do Christmas right" we'll feel perfectly happy and cheerful and joyful and loving. So, when we feel lonely, angry, hurt, scared, overwhelmed, jealous, annoyed, irritated--we might think we're doing it wrong! Crap! Now we feel guilty and ashamed, too, because, crum, we just "ruined" Christmas.
This completely misses what Christmas is about.
If Christmas is, as I propose, an awakening to the experience of being "full-on human," then all is welcome. Lonely? That's part of the experience. Angry, irritated? All is welcome. And happiness is, too--but it's not a requirement.
My first point (that we are each an embodied form shot through with divine consciousness) could, conceivably, seem intimidating--what does that mean and what implications does it have for how I should be? Does that mean I always have to be blissfully.... divine? Or what?
It's simply natural. The second point lets us know that being "an embodied form" means that we will feel all sorts of things--and all of it is welcome.
Jesus felt it all--he felt lonely, angry, irritated, annoyed, overflowing with love, fed up, grace-touched, betrayed, abandoned. Being a full-on human means feeling all of these things. We feel them while holding, simultaneously, space for divine consciousness. All is welcome. All of you is welcome here.
So, being able to explore and hold these two points, simultaneously, within a short and simple story was meaningful for me, encapsulating the themes that I was currently exploring in my own being during this Christmas season.
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
especially if they're particularly feeling alone at Christmas time!
2. Over time, she meets and gets to know several interesting people from different backgrounds who teach her the true meaning of Christmas and lift her spirits.
3. We don't really go all out at Christmas time. We just come together as a family and spend quality time together. Of course, we still share presents and decorate our trees, but we don't decorate our houses, wear Christmas sweaters, buy the "best", most expensive gifts or prepare a three-course Christmas meal. We keep it simple, but special.
4. I agree that we need a time like Christmas, because it seems like the one day everyone is kind to each other and puts their differences aside. We make time for each other and show how much we love our loved ones. I just wish everyday was like Christmas - the world would be such a better place...
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Hey there! Glad you're feeling better. I love your answer to #1. I don't think I could have said it better.
This all pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas. Nowadays, it seems like Christmas is only about getting all the gifts you want (especially children), businesses getting as much money as possible and everything being picture perfect. People have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas! It's such a shame...
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@divanthesimmer I really enjoy your responses! Thanks so much for recommending my stories!
It's always so interesting to me to think about how readers find the work that resonates with them--I know that my stories are not for everyone, and I also know that the people who do read them appreciate them greatly and get a lot of enjoyment and meaning from them. And *that* motivates and gratifies me!
It is cool, isn't it?, to have a time of the year that encourages the practice of kindness! I live in a town where a fairly large percentage of the community have adopted kindness as their mission. Several years ago, we had a shooting in our town (Gabrielle Giffords, a member of congress, was shot, along with several others.) And the outcome of that was that we adopted a "Keep [Our Town] Kind" campaign. It's still going strong, with kindness murals at schools and public spaces, anti-bullying programs, and places like the City and our school district who have incorporated kindness as part of the culture. I feel we've reached the tipping point and have created a kind community.
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
Well, Divan noticed that Kate looks an awful lot like CT!
I use the Sim Cathy Tea as the base for a lot of my narrator/protagonist Sims. I pull her into CAS from my library, tweak her features and body, and assign traits as the story needs.
Jasper, Sierra Summers, and several others all started out as Cathy Tea!
The funny thing is, CAS doesn't really change a Sim. No matter how much I try to change the features, body type, skin tone, and even gender of the base Sim, there's a core essence of CT that remains.
I choose to use this Sim as the base, mostly, because she's loaded with skills and she's been played a lot--so she doesn't have that inexperienced, doe-eyed approach that fresh-out-of-CAS Sims have. She's like someone who's lived and learned.
Because of this, she works really well in my stories--her autonomy is great. I can turn her loose, follow her around, and she'll do things in character.
This particular iteration has these traits: Loves Outdoors, Creative, Loner
I chose these specifically for this story.
I knew I wanted her to experience a type of transcendent wonder, and Loves Outdoors Sims always seem to get blissful when they are outside--so I knew she'd give me the expressions and gestures I wanted when she was outdoors.
Creative Sims seem to have focus--they'll paint, cook, make tea to get inspired, and seem like they're always making sense of the world, searching and discovering meaning. This fit the character that I wanted--someone who examined the world around her and tried to find the meaning in it.
I needed her to be a Loner so she'd have that edge of discomfort. This story has a lot of inherent tension--she's alone at a time when it's expected to be with others; she isn't sure what to do with her time off; she is faced with a disconnect between expectations and reality. I knew that if she was a Loner, she'd be uncomfortable and tense much of the time, and that fit with what I wanted to portray in this story.
She was really great and very fun to play! It also seemed like she developed and changed through the story, as a Sim, and that made it even more fun for me!
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
@CathyTea You're welcome! I wish our community was like that. Unfortunately I live in a country where there is a lot of tension between citizens, especially different races. I'm hated by lots of black people I've never even met, just because I'm descended from white racists. The rest don't really care about anyone but themselves. I don't even know my neighbours- I know their names and how they look like, but I haven't even spoken a full sentence with them. It's difficult living here.
It's very interesting to hear from you why Kate has certain traits and how you incorporated them into the story! If she had the "Geek" trait, instead of "Loves Outdoors", she would have had all my Simself's traits! I might have to try using alternate versions one Sim in different scenarios, instead of always creating new Sims. I sort of did this with some of my Sims that were submitted to @AdamsEve1231's Home for the Holidays story, particularly Page Turner. In my game, she's a young, aspiring writer living in a house with 7 roommates in Del Sol Valley. In Lizzie's game, she is a single, middle-aged woman who works as a librarian in the snowy town of Hollidaysburg, hoping to become a professional writer (still like the original Page) and find her soulmate.
Check out my SimLit blog here: https://ageekylegacy.wordpress.com/
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1. What about the story draws you in?
I feel drawn in by CT's writing. I love the little descriptions of things as they add richness, color, and depth to the story.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
Kate learns it is ok to be lonely. Her definitions of Christmas and celebration evolve beyond ritual and tradition to something more personal and meaningful. She learns to expand her ideas of friendship and family. She grows into herself and what that means. She learns to fill the silence and solitude in a way that makes sense for her mind, body, and spirit.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
I've had multiple strange holidays. My family always seems to have some sort of crisis or disaster at Christmas. We've learned quiet just doesn't happen for us. And it doesn't matter if it isn't traditional. It's almost more fun that way.
One particular Christmas, we had a power outage due to a storm. We were spending the holiday in the Santa Cruz mountains. I was about 13. A tree had fallen across the main road and we couldn't get out by car since there was one way in and out of the little mountain township.
The rain let up and my family and I walked around the tree into town to the grocery store to pick up camping foods with cash. We came back and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace. We sang Christmas carols and read the Christmas story.
The best part was when the fire department cleared the road on Christmas Eve, they came through the mountain roads with Santa on top waving to people and letting kids sit in his lap. Power hadn't been restored so it was really dark, except for the truck decked in Christmas lights. Of course, I didn't believe in Santa anymore, and it was the last time I sat on Santa's lap, but it was special because of that. I remember asking for Nancy Drew books.
Christmas morning came and still no power. We opened presents by candlelight and we roasted fruit kabobs and bacon on a stick in the fire and ate pop tarts. I think grandma made hot cocoa by heating water in a little kettle on the fire. It was meaningful because we made it special and we were altogether. I spent the afternoon curled up in the loft reading my new Nancy Drew books by lantern.
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
I love this. We do need Christmas because it reminds us what's important. It reminds us not to take things for granted. It reminds us to appreciate the mundane, to drink in joy and breathe out love and to make moments count. It reminds us miracles do happen, and to stop and smell the roses ...and see the little wonders surrounding us every day.
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I love your replies! That Christmas sounds phenomenal!
Check out my SimLit blog here: https://ageekylegacy.wordpress.com/
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I've been really looking forward to talking about this one, and I also want to ask all of you about this, too!
First, a bit of a detour about my approach to writing SimLit in general...
I tend to take one of three approaches when writing stories in conjunction with The Sims.
1) Game-Driven: For game-driven stories, I simply play the game, observing the Sims while I play, imagining what they say to each other (and sometimes, their thought- and speech-bubbles tell me what they say, or they speak in Simlish that I know and understand, so I know what they're saying to each other), and seeing how they feel, observing their motives and whims, and interpreting their motivations. Goofy Love, Septemus, My Son, most of Houseful of Hippies, and all stories that were written from challenges fall in this category. For these stories, my only plans are to play the game, meet the requirements of the challenges, and write a story interpreting what's happened in the game, with the aim of developing the characters and themes as fully as possible.
2) Writer-Driven: On the other end of the spectrum falls the writing where I definitely have a plan before going into the game. With this writing, I know what I want to say, and I simply want a screenshot or two per post to illustrate it. Generally, I will write or outline the post before I even play the game, then just grab a single picture in-game that presents the chapter's mood or theme. I'm really using the game only for illustration, and there's basically no connection between the game-play and the writing. Examples of this are my nonfiction (Spectrum and Aimless), and my more literary fiction and poetry like Summer House, A Poem A Day, and some of the short stories.
3) Collaborating with the Game: Somewhere in between these two poles falls this third approach: collaborating with the game. In this approach, I have an idea going in--thoughts about the main character or narrator, ideas for the setting, general thoughts about the plot or events that need to happen, and a clear idea of the themes I want to explore. Then, once I create any needed characters (usually, I'll only create the narrator or main character, as I love to rely on the Sims the game generates for the supporting characters), get them moved in and adjust skills as needed, I'll simply play, sometimes arranging events so they fit what I want to have happen in the story, and often simply following the Sims around to see what happens.
I took this approach with "12 Epiphanies." It really is my favorite approach!
So, while I'm first planning the story, I'll usually start with the theme or issues I want to explore: In this case, I wanted to explore the idea of inventing our own celebration of Christmas, one that discards some traditions that don't fit, and adapts ones that have meaning.
To connect with what happens in game, I really put my perspective into the narrator or main character. I feel that I'm that person--or Sim--experiencing things. I let myself take on their emotions, think their thoughts--I try to see out of their digital eyes.
At the same time, I've got my observer glasses on--I'm watching everything, pausing often and taking pictures, letting sentences and descriptions flow through my mind.
It's like what we do as writers, right? Wherever we go... we're imagining, "What is it like to be that person?" We're observing, listening, letting our emotions pick up on what others are feeling, taking in every single detail--tastes, textures, scents, sounds, the play of light and shadow--so that we can describe it later. It's just like that.
Then, I watch for patterns. Who shows up often? Where do they show up? What do they do? How do they react to the main character, and how does she respond to them? Where are tensions? Where are pleasures? What flows? What themes does the game toss in that I hadn't thought about?
I would never have chosen Bertha for a character--I would have been afraid of presenting stereotypes. But when the game introduced her, I saw that she was so much like a great aunt of mine, an alcoholic who was addicted to pain meds, who worked as a nurse, had never married, but had had an affair when she was a young nurse stationed in Pearl Harbor--a married officer who was the love of her life. And Bertha's inappropriate way of dressing, her mumbled speech and dazed moodlet, her half-closed eyes, and ways of simply looking off into the distance while telling long stories--all of these reminded me of my great aunt, and I remembered that she was intricately tied to many of my childhood experiences of Christmases, and always, there was my parents' pity of her, along with the sense of tremendous love and a beautiful spirit which she carried. So, Bertha came to represent all of that, a gift from the game.
It was Bertha, really, who introduced the theme of "all are welcome," which came to be one of the dominant themes of the story.
This is what excites me about collaborating with the game--it shows me things I might miss otherwise! An early Sims 4 friend of mine likened the game to a Tarot deck, in that we can see patterns and themes through it. And so, watching for those, interpreting them, and relating them to the story that the game and I are telling, that's what, for me, breathes life through a story!
So, Lizzie--in reading your stories, I am guessing that you do something similar, with stories like your ISBI.
@AdamsEve1231 and @divanthesimmer (and anyone else who's lurking or who comes to join in later): I'd love to hear your thoughts about your own gaming and writing.
How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
As you all probably know, I haven't written in almost over three months. I am going to continue in the near future, but it's difficult to find time to write and although I love writing, I get a little overwhelmed sometimes and wonder if my stories are good in any way at all and worth the effort.
With that said, I have two stories I'm currently working on. Both are legacy stories, but the writing style differs. My first story is completely game-driven and I only assist my characters with their needs and if it takes them too long to find a partner, I give them a little bit of a push in the right direction. I'm also playing for points, so I'm going to try and have them do everything that's required to gain the points. I really enjoy this approach, because my Sims mostly have control over their own lives and let me know what their deepest desires are, so I can make it happen. It makes for interesting stories, too, because you never know what will happen next!
My second story is a vampire legacy story. I'm not playing by Pinstar's rules in this one and I'm not counting points. This one is a bit of a combo of a writer-driven approach and collaborating with the game. I made up a backstory for my main character, Rose, and I have a general idea for a plotline of the story. I'm still going to let my characters make most of their own decisions, but the parts where I know what I want to happen for the story, I'm just going to set the game up to fit my vision and take screenshots of it. This part is a little bit tricky for me, because I have to mostly rely on my own writing abilities and make the story worth reading. I'm not nearly as good of a writer as @CathyTea or @AdamsEve1231 are, so I have to do a little research and really think about what I want to write.
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
I love the randomness that the game creates! It often creates interesting Sims who have interesting traits, aspirations, whims and overall personalities. I mostly rely on what happens in-game, because I love expecting the unexpected and turning it into interesting and amusing stories! It often turns a story into somewhat of a dramedy, as there is still a lot of drama going on, but the game, being as quirky as it is, often creates hilarious situations. I love laughing and making other people laugh - it helps me forget about how gloomy and serious life often gets!
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
Well, as I've said before, I like playing the game and letting my Sims have most of their freedom. That makes for interesting stories, because you never know what is going to happen next and you never get bored that way. I often let my Sims tell me what they're feeling, thinking or saying and that is how I make my stories come alive, so I'm not just writing what happens in-game, but also using my creativity a bit.
Check out my SimLit blog here: https://ageekylegacy.wordpress.com/
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What were your initial thoughts of 12 Epiphanies?
During the holidays I saw Epiphanies on my WordPress feed and thought: "Yay, another CathyTea story!". I also thought: "I won't have time nor energy to properly sit down and read it now." And I really don't want to just skim through SimLit. Especially not something so uplifting and inspiring as CathyTea's writing. So I saved it for later and Book Club week was a good reminder for me to actually sit down and read it. I was sure it was going to be a feelgood Christmas story with the CathyTea-brand depth, and I wasn't disappointed.
1. What about the story draws you in?
Other than the fact that it's written by one of my favourite writers? And the excellent writing and relatable main character? I think the titles of the chapters alone drew me in. The feeling of hope and the very wholesome holiday mood of the story seemed to radiate off the titles.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
She learns to accept it as a part of who she is and as a part of being human. I think a very powerful moment in the story is where she realises how loneliness actually sometimes brings people together while she thinks about all the other lonely people and how they all share a similar experience. She also learns to find joy and kindness even during a time that initially seems sad and lonely.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
When I was doing my exchange studies in Ireland, I decided not to go home for the holidays because I was going home for good a few weeks after the holidays anyway, so I spent my Christmas alone in a somewhat foreign country (albeit one I had by that time started to think of as a second home). As the holidays grew close I realised that a) almost everyone was going home so the student apartment building I lived in was going to be very empty and b) my keycard started malfunctioning and the people in the building's office, who could have given me a new keycard, had already left for the holidays, so I barely dared to go outside because I was worried I'd get locked out of the building. Cheery.
So Christmas Eve arrived and I put some paper snowflakes on the window. A friend of mine had visited me earlier in December and we had made some Finnish Christmas foods together, so I only cooked some of my favourites for the actual Christmas (rice porridge for breakfast, carrot casserole for dinner). Towards the evening I took the risk of getting locked out and took a walk in the centre. The town was quiet, the weather was cold for Ireland but not cold for a Finn. It was fresh and the sky was nicely dark. The town was peaceful for the most part. People were either at their homes or in pubs or the like. I ended up talking to a young man who was playing drums on some empty metal cans in the centre and met a slightly tipsy Lithuanian woman who got a bit upset because I didn't know nor want to sing English Christmas songs with her.
I went back home and spent the rest of the holidays indoors. By Boxing Day I was running out of food so I baked a bread so I'd have at least something to eat.
It could have been called a miserable experience, but it wasn't, really. It was peaceful, almost meditative in its simplicity, without any of the fuss around the holidays. I usually don't want to take too much stress about it and usually I enjoy cleaning and cooking and baking for Christmas, but this even more relaxed pace was a nice change. I did miss home, but at least now that I look back to it, I'm glad I didn't go home for that year. Maybe I found something similar to Kate.
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
While we may not need Christmas specifically, it is good to have a time during which the core ideas and feelings of Christmas are celebrated. I think this story really resonates with my idea of Christmas as a celebration of kindness, love and togetherness as well as peace and quiet. I love these kinds of non-traditional holiday stories, where the spirit of things is still there. I especially love the stories where the spirit is shared with strangers.
The Fey of Life - fairytales in life are few and far between (Forum thread HERE)
The Chrysanthemum Tango - a story about life, death, magic, and how to be a good landlady (Forum thread HERE)
Forget-Me-Not - some things just refuse to stay buried; an Ambrosia Challenge story (Forum thread HERE)
Also the idea of "all of you is welcome" is so great. I love it. I kinda want to start using that line somewhere. It really encompasses the kind of welcoming, accepting attitude I think people should really practise more. The all is welcome -mindset really came across in your story (it does in all of your stories, really
Okay, now on to Cathy's questions:
How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
I mostly collaborate with the game, with a bit more focus on the writer-driven side (depending a little on the story). I like creating my own Sims, but sometimes I do let the game gravitate some Sims towards my core characters as well. Then I might make the premades/townies into characters in my story too. This has happened the most strongly in Stardust Sapling, which is much more game-driven than my usual writing because of the nature of the Alien Adoption -challenge the story is about.
Usually I create the core personalities and backstories for my characters in my mind at first and make the Sims to emulate that, but then I let them develop through the ways the game interprets them or the ways they express themselves.
Sometimes, if I'm not sure what I'll write next, I'll just go into the game and play, snapping screenshots when it feels appropriate and then work out ideas from them. Sometimes I have a plan already and I just go in and stage a photoshoot. It really depends.
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
I'm mostly intrigued by how I can visualise the themes and ideas I have for stories through the game, as I usually have the themes for my stories somewhat planned out already when I start. But I know these themes will develop and gain depth as I get more ideas, sometimes through just playing the game. I'm not the kind of observer who can just develop a nuanced, deep story through just playing and observing, as some really talented SimLit -writers of that kind of style are, so I have to rely on my poor old imagination to do the work.
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
Hmm... other than I like the interplay of playing the game and coming up with stories for it and putting the events into words and the words into pictures? Right now I can't think of any. Maybe if I waited a while more I'd have something smart to say (it's getting really late here; sorry if this tired writing is all over the place). I do love how the game can sometimes surprise me with the way it connects some Sims or creates a random event that is just too perfect.
How I make stories come alive? Uh... I try to write as lively as I can, with enough details and at least passable dialogue and narration. I like putting a lot of effort into the environments, the sets and the Sims, making them all detailed enough to look convincing and like there are actual lives being lived in the story. Caring about and genuinely enjoying the writing and the game helps a lot too.
Well, that's it. I should go to sleep now. Have a lovely time you guys!
The Fey of Life - fairytales in life are few and far between (Forum thread HERE)
The Chrysanthemum Tango - a story about life, death, magic, and how to be a good landlady (Forum thread HERE)
Forget-Me-Not - some things just refuse to stay buried; an Ambrosia Challenge story (Forum thread HERE)
I feel drawn in by CT's writing. I love the little descriptions of things as they add richness, color, and depth to the story.
first sorry adamandeve for borrowing your answer but i agree with it everything draws me in to cathteas storys but by the time i figure out what shes writing shes moved on.
theres a little joke i tell sometimes on weekends. i say bye then i add try not to start any new stories or threads. one day i came back and shed done both.
but i feel like learn from reading her stories. in my own stories i'm trying to try new topics.
theres also another joke between us where she says look it up .
me how can i look up something i can't spell.
It's the writing for me. It's very 3 dimensional, in that I can picture the scenarios clearly and taste them as well. For example, when Kate is outside with Bertha, I can feel the cold air and taste the chocolates.
2. Kate feels lonely at the beginning of the story. How does this change or evolve over time?
She learns to 'turn towards' which I think is a wonderful idea. When we embrace the hardships, we learn to live with them and move forward. But we can't move forward if we 'turn away'. Furthermore, the part of being human, as Bertha addresses, is that life is not always a rose garden and one cannot live if one has not lost. Kate also learns that we are all living in the world together, so she finds comfort in the people around her and their life stories.
Sorry if this is really badly explained. Blame meds.
3. Do you have any unusual Christmases (or another holiday) where you celebrated differently than normal, but it was still special?
Every Christmas is different for me. We never celebrate it exactly the same way. I think one particularly special one was sitting on the lawn (I cannot remember where) listening to this guy recite The End of The Golden Weather. I remember it, which is why I think it must have been special. I think we had ice cream afterwards. (Its summer here at Christmas).
4. CT mentions that the story is an exploration and creative expression about why we need Christmas. What are your thoughts on the subject?
I agree. Christmas is when we remember those who are special in our lives. I see this story as kinda of a guide for how you can reconnect when you have lost your way and how the true meaning of Christmas can help you find your feet again. But furthermore how no matter how alone we feel, we're never really alone, hence towards the end Kate celebrates with her new friends.
OMG I'm so sorry if none of these responses have made sense. I am really scatterbrained at the moment but really really wanted to answer these questions anyway.
This week we have Monte Vista Stories by @gnasling . I'm currently on my phone so can't share the link.
Here's the link (from the first page of the thread): http://notjustabooksims.net/monte-vista-stories/generation-2/
@AdamsEve1231 Thank you so much for your thoughtful questions for readers and me! I really enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on the story and to hear others' responses. I also adored your story of the Santa Cruz mountains Christmas. That one, with all the details you told the story in, will stay with me! I hope you write a short story inspired by it sometime!
@divanthesimmer Thank you for participating!
@friendsfan367 Thanks for all the nice things you said!
@RipuAncestor I love your stories about your Ireland Christmas--it's inspiring. So neat to the ways that in-the-moment exchanges, like yours with the musician, can come to be so meaningful. I'm also really happy that the two messages of "all of you is welcome" and loneliness as a connector with every lonely person resonated with you. The connecting through being human--I simply love that, and there's endless depth in it.
@simscognito Thank you for reading and participating! Your answers made so much sense, were eloquently written, and provided great insight!
@AudreyFld You left some really kind comments on the previous page--thank you!
Thanks again, everyone! I enjoyed our coffee hour.
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
@CathyTea answers to your questions.
How do the three approaches I outline above fit with your writing and Simming, or do you do something different or look at it in a different way than I do?
When I first started writing SimLit, I was almost exclusively writer-driven. I've been writing all my life. Sims offers me a creative outlet, a relaxing haven, and a fun way to stretch myself as a writer and person. Kass's series is very writer driven. I have a plan when I enter game. Often I've already written the chapter and I'm just snagging screenshots. I still pay attention to what happens in game for nuances and clues. However, I use a lot of mods and poses to illustrate what I want.
My ISBI, Livin' A Simmin' Life (LASL) is on the other end of the spectrum. It's entirely game driven by nature of the challenge. I had an idea of overarching theme to explore and thoughts on my protagonist, my Simself, but the game took it from there. I was honestly impressed by the AI in TS4, the wide range of emotions, their autonomous choices, and the complexity of drama that ensued. It was really then that I realized the merits of game-driven storytelling and felt I gained the full value of my investment in the game. It helped to, in a sense, collaborate with other gamers since they submitted Sims. I felt I had a responsibility to feature their characters, but not in a forced way, rather a fun exploration and expression of Sims personality.
Since trying a game-driven approach, I now feel I take a more collaborative approach. My imagination still allows me to explore themes, worldbuilding, character development, and dialogue, giving me the opportunity to write what I want without feeling limited by imagery. The game, however, plays a bigger role in identifying things that are important to my characters and informing the plot, plus inspiring me when I'm faced with writer's block or if I don't have a solid plan as to where to go next. However, the writer part of my brain allows me to creatively incorporate game elements, spin stories to fit my goals, and challenges me to find connections.
I'm going to answer questions 2 ...and 3 together because they are related.
What are your thoughts and insights about the ways that the game introduces and develops themes for your writing?
What other responses and insights do you have about the connections between playing the game and writing about it? How do you make your Sim stories come alive?
I might have an idea for the plot or my Sim. It might even be a well developed idea. But the game has different plans. This has been the case since my first edition The Krazy Crazy Life of Kassiopeia Fullbright (KCLKF). As I'm rewriting the story, I'm trying to incorporate more gameplay themes and elements than before. For example,
LASL introduced whole new things for me. My Simself quickly diverged from my real self into, in some respects, a different person, and in others, to a person I'd like to be. Lizzie is bolder, more confident, more ambitious, and way more outgoing than real life me. In fact, Kass from KCLKF or Elle from Home for the Holidays is probably way more like real me. Haha. Once I let go of the fact that Lizzie was her own person, it made writing and gameplay easier.
Some spoilers below for those who haven't read my stories.
To me, the game made the better choice. My real life self would probably stick it out and try to make things work. However, as in life, things don't always turn out the way we plan. As in life, a solid friendship is a great foundation to a good marriage. I feel like Lizzie and Joseph really established that in season 1 ...and it helped them weather and survive season 2.
Honestly, the addition of characters in season 2 helped make their world richer and more colorful. Karleen, based on my real life friend, was a challenging wild card in season 2. Her shenanigans ensured she would steal the scene anytime she was there. @simscognito's Riley stole scenes too, always making me smile and laugh. I love Riley's humor.
Then the addition of Vlad during the detour into the Hollow released chaos. I could have been mad that all the mind control was going on, but I ran with it despite how frustrating things were and how it nearly broke Lizzie and Joseph. As I believe you pointed out, @CathyTea, their friends and family never picked sides. It was refreshing.
Honestly, I've never experienced a steeper challenge than my game driven story, though now I view it more like a collaboration. I approach all my stories that way now. It results in more authentic, realistic, genuine storytelling. It makes the world come alive and taps into the game intelligence, Sims personality and emotion, and my ingenuity, flexibility, and creativity. This breathes life into my stories. It was the game's choice to have Lizzie and Rob reconnect ...and then kill Rob.
All that being said, LASL was a game changer for me. Literally. I'm going to have a hard time moving along from Arc 1 because I've grown so attached to this colorful, crazy, amazing world of Sims the game helped introduce and build and other Simmers contributed. However, it'll introduce a whole new challenge. It's not like I don't have plenty of stories to keep me occupied.
Thanks for asking such great questions, @CathyTea.
Find me elsewhere:
My EA App ID: livinasimminlife
Livin' A Simmin' Life Stories
My Worldbuilding Blog
Simblr
My Sims Pinterest
I loved your story you shared, @RipuAncestor. It sounded right out of CT's story.
I've always wondered about Southern Hemisphere Christmas and New Year. Maybe some year I'll travel and have a balmy holiday. I'm always fascinated by other holidays (non Western). Partly because I love learning about new cultures and partly because I love celebrating. I'm also curious about birthdays ...and how people celebrate, what different traditions people have, and celebrating birthdays in the Sims. Maybe I'll ask about that over in the Lounge.
Find me elsewhere:
My EA App ID: livinasimminlife
Livin' A Simmin' Life Stories
My Worldbuilding Blog
Simblr
My Sims Pinterest