Oh, yay! A thread! So can we discuss Eight Cicadas here? I'm really looking forward to talking about this amazing story with readers... and with the writer.
I am at maybe chapter 10 or so--not caught up yet.
But I've got so many ideas and thoughts about this!
One theme that I love is that of bonds between groups of people. @InfraGreen - did you set out to write about that theme, or did it come about as part of the challenge?
Discussion is welcome! It was lonely kind of "yelling to the void" here.
Though I should put a disclaimer in even clearer view that this story and the challenge I played that it's based off have very little in common. So, I did set out specifically to write about that this time around. And of other themes too. You mentioned addiction in the other thread, and it becomes a nasty recurring motif. Sometimes obvious (like alcoholism), some a little more abstract (being addicted to a person, or to an idea, or to anything that gives pleasure at a large cost). But recovery (from anything) and general repentance are probably just as big, if not bigger.
Oh! This is so exciting! I feel so thrilled to be able to talk about this with you, since reading and thinking about your work is becoming very much a part of my daily experience right now.
I kept wondering about what was drawing me to your work--what pulled me in. And the first theme that I identified which really pulled me in was what I initially called an "intentional family"--how Annette was creating this group of people who'd always be with her. I know that's something I have long for in the past--I fall in love with people and I always want them to be part of my life! I've longed for creating that type of lasting "groupness" with friends. So, the first theme that drew me in was the way that Annette bonds with her roommates.
Then I started noticing this underlying something... is it dysfunction? (and don't tell me yet, for I want to discover as I keep reading) So, I'm drawn to exploring the "rules" that Annette has established with her roommates and with Bill. Different rules for each, it seems. Anyway, I'm interested in that and I want to explore that more as I read. I'm not ready to talk about this in words yet, since it's still very much a feeling rather than a coherent thought.
I guess part of it is why she's drawn so much to Bill. Maybe this is where that "addiction to people" enters in...
Last night, I noticed something that amazed me! It was the chapter "Heart Full of Fire." And the descriptions of the drinking really surprised me. For it seemed like those events had happened during the same time that previous chapters had occurred in. But in reading those previous chapters, I had no idea that Annette drank to such an extent. It was as if there were these parallel worlds--parallel timelines--and Annette is living on both. The previous chapters dealt with what was happening on one order of reality--then we look through to the other world, where, simultaneously, there are some pretty rough things happening.
One of my best friends is a recovering alcoholic--sober for 37 years--and when she talks with me about her life during the years when she was drinking, I get that same double-layer type of experience.
Anyway, it's a fascinating approach that you're taking in this novel.
Enjoy the daily reading while you can. There's only 24 chapters separating you from where I am now, and I'm notoriously slow and irregular with updating.
ANYWAYS.
An "intentional family" is definitely a holdover from the challenge itself, as the work is much easier when divvied up among several than on the shoulders of one or two. Getting the mechanics through in the story is tough, but the only real rule Annette holds anyone to is "don't leave me." As much as she can beg people to be productive or get a job or whatever, those aren't hard and fast rules. However, a lot of her choices are building up to some sort of payoff when/if we ever learn about her past. What I can say, knowing for sure what I've written and posted so far, is that Annette does teeter between valuing independence, and then valuing being able to lean on her friends and family.
Not to mention the element of control that underlies that. It's a setup that places Annette at the head of the household by default, because she's the woman with all the rules. And I think it's what honestly gives her a lot of satisfaction, as evil as it sounds. She likes being an aunt, a mother, a friend, etc. because she can hold some leverage over those on the other side.
With Bill being her exception, of course. I think he's, inadvertently, teaching her a lot about equal partnerships. Whether that ever sticks to her is...somewhere in my plans.
Dysfunction is the best way to describe the whole family.
Also! Once you get past Chapter 12 (soon!), think closely about Annette and her possible addiction to people. And if she's a hypocrite or not towards someone else.
Annette's descent into alcoholism and madness is a slow, gradual thing. In Chapter 10 and even where I am right now at Chapter 34, it's not a crutch. Half the time so far, she seems to just like a recreational drink. Or the occasional "drown her sorrows" episode, like in Chapter 10. Or attempting it, anyways.
I'm okay with disappointing you in one aspect: the story is pretty dang linear. Even when you jump between Joanna and what she's reading, it's clear that Joanna's new life is following a set of linear events, and that the stuff in Twinbrook does too. Even though there's an element of time travel explored more much later (future chapter), it's not affecting Annette in her story right now at all. In fact, her story remains grounded right now because there's no indication that Annette even knows what, if anything, she can do. Joanna can imply that there's a lot of power behind being a Waverly, but she was born much later in the story, when everyone knew that. Things are different when it's just Annette and her young son, who don't know the first thing about themselves.
Hugs and condolences with Harwood. I really love that Sim--those eyes!--and "In My Time of Need" must have been tough to write.
With the multi-layers I was mentioning, it's not so much time travel that I was sensing as it is multiple layers of experience. For example, in Carlos Castaneda's books, they all cover basically the same time period--a relatively short time (less than five years, if I remember correctly). But each book seems as if it could be set in a different time, for it peels back a different layer, an experience from a different perspective. And that's how the flashbacks from "Heart full of Fire" felt to me--that they were a different perspective from the same time period. It's a type of multiplicity, but with the lines happening simultaneously.
Hugs and condolences with Harwood. I really love that Sim--those eyes!--and "In My Time of Need" must have been tough to write.
With the multi-layers I was mentioning, it's not so much time travel that I was sensing as it is multiple layers of experience. For example, in Carlos Castaneda's books, they all cover basically the same time period--a relatively short time (less than five years, if I remember correctly). But each book seems as if it could be set in a different time, for it peels back a different layer, an experience from a different perspective. And that's how the flashbacks from "Heart full of Fire" felt to me--that they were a different perspective from the same time period. It's a type of multiplicity, but with the lines happening simultaneously.
Ok! I'm off to read my nightly chapter!
Ah, I get it. I was being literal-minded there. Parallel experiences! Anyways, I guess you can read it that way, especially with Annette's flashbacks. I'm glad you are, but I'm really just not always deep with my writing. I just thought it was hindsight.
Harwood is great. He's probably my favorite pre-made sim in TS3, for a lot of reasons. Maybe because it's easy to interpret him as anywhere from an entirely benevolent old man, to a nasty, arrogant artist who refuses to grow up. Right now, I want his character to be...ambiguous. Or at least someone who people have wildly different opinions on. As time goes on, anything from blind hatred to blind worship, and anything in between.
Comments
The only person there that morning was Guillaume, still dressed in his pajamas and novelty dog slippers, and reading a book.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“I mean, sure,” said Shark. “Like, I know it’s right to have a bad opinion of him. Confidence counts as being happy, right?”
Annette never showed him where the good wine glasses were.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“That’s all I want to show you, that the world is crazy and chaotic, and not exactly black-and-white.”
outrun / blog / tunglr
“Look, you twerp.” Annette leaned over the table, waggling her index finger in his face. “This is now my country, and my turf.
He still continued on a sparse road ahead, where the trees didn’t grow. An old billboard alerted him that he might have wanted to turn back.
Annette took one of the plush, colorful seats next to her now-former co-worker. “Of all the people to order Maghrebi mint tea here.”
As for him, he watched his father lose the election in the worst way possible.
By the afternoon, Franco was having a great, quiet Christmas...And all but one person seemed to have the same.
“So…he always helped you in bad times?”
outrun / blog / tunglr
I am at maybe chapter 10 or so--not caught up yet.
But I've got so many ideas and thoughts about this!
One theme that I love is that of bonds between groups of people. @InfraGreen - did you set out to write about that theme, or did it come about as part of the challenge?
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
Though I should put a disclaimer in even clearer view that this story and the challenge I played that it's based off have very little in common. So, I did set out specifically to write about that this time around. And of other themes too. You mentioned addiction in the other thread, and it becomes a nasty recurring motif. Sometimes obvious (like alcoholism), some a little more abstract (being addicted to a person, or to an idea, or to anything that gives pleasure at a large cost). But recovery (from anything) and general repentance are probably just as big, if not bigger.
outrun / blog / tunglr
I kept wondering about what was drawing me to your work--what pulled me in. And the first theme that I identified which really pulled me in was what I initially called an "intentional family"--how Annette was creating this group of people who'd always be with her. I know that's something I have long for in the past--I fall in love with people and I always want them to be part of my life! I've longed for creating that type of lasting "groupness" with friends. So, the first theme that drew me in was the way that Annette bonds with her roommates.
Then I started noticing this underlying something... is it dysfunction? (and don't tell me yet, for I want to discover as I keep reading) So, I'm drawn to exploring the "rules" that Annette has established with her roommates and with Bill. Different rules for each, it seems. Anyway, I'm interested in that and I want to explore that more as I read. I'm not ready to talk about this in words yet, since it's still very much a feeling rather than a coherent thought.
I guess part of it is why she's drawn so much to Bill. Maybe this is where that "addiction to people" enters in...
Last night, I noticed something that amazed me! It was the chapter "Heart Full of Fire." And the descriptions of the drinking really surprised me. For it seemed like those events had happened during the same time that previous chapters had occurred in. But in reading those previous chapters, I had no idea that Annette drank to such an extent. It was as if there were these parallel worlds--parallel timelines--and Annette is living on both. The previous chapters dealt with what was happening on one order of reality--then we look through to the other world, where, simultaneously, there are some pretty rough things happening.
One of my best friends is a recovering alcoholic--sober for 37 years--and when she talks with me about her life during the years when she was drinking, I get that same double-layer type of experience.
Anyway, it's a fascinating approach that you're taking in this novel.
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
ANYWAYS.
An "intentional family" is definitely a holdover from the challenge itself, as the work is much easier when divvied up among several than on the shoulders of one or two. Getting the mechanics through in the story is tough, but the only real rule Annette holds anyone to is "don't leave me." As much as she can beg people to be productive or get a job or whatever, those aren't hard and fast rules. However, a lot of her choices are building up to some sort of payoff when/if we ever learn about her past. What I can say, knowing for sure what I've written and posted so far, is that Annette does teeter between valuing independence, and then valuing being able to lean on her friends and family.
Not to mention the element of control that underlies that. It's a setup that places Annette at the head of the household by default, because she's the woman with all the rules. And I think it's what honestly gives her a lot of satisfaction, as evil as it sounds. She likes being an aunt, a mother, a friend, etc. because she can hold some leverage over those on the other side.
With Bill being her exception, of course. I think he's, inadvertently, teaching her a lot about equal partnerships. Whether that ever sticks to her is...somewhere in my plans.
Dysfunction is the best way to describe the whole family.
Also! Once you get past Chapter 12 (soon!), think closely about Annette and her possible addiction to people. And if she's a hypocrite or not towards someone else.
Annette's descent into alcoholism and madness is a slow, gradual thing. In Chapter 10 and even where I am right now at Chapter 34, it's not a crutch. Half the time so far, she seems to just like a recreational drink. Or the occasional "drown her sorrows" episode, like in Chapter 10. Or attempting it, anyways.
I'm okay with disappointing you in one aspect: the story is pretty dang linear. Even when you jump between Joanna and what she's reading, it's clear that Joanna's new life is following a set of linear events, and that the stuff in Twinbrook does too. Even though there's an element of time travel explored more much later (future chapter), it's not affecting Annette in her story right now at all. In fact, her story remains grounded right now because there's no indication that Annette even knows what, if anything, she can do. Joanna can imply that there's a lot of power behind being a Waverly, but she was born much later in the story, when everyone knew that. Things are different when it's just Annette and her young son, who don't know the first thing about themselves.
Or to use an image:
outrun / blog / tunglr
With the multi-layers I was mentioning, it's not so much time travel that I was sensing as it is multiple layers of experience. For example, in Carlos Castaneda's books, they all cover basically the same time period--a relatively short time (less than five years, if I remember correctly). But each book seems as if it could be set in a different time, for it peels back a different layer, an experience from a different perspective. And that's how the flashbacks from "Heart full of Fire" felt to me--that they were a different perspective from the same time period. It's a type of multiplicity, but with the lines happening simultaneously.
Ok! I'm off to read my nightly chapter!
Do you also play The Elder Scrolls Online? You can find me there as CathyTea, too!
Ah, I get it. I was being literal-minded there. Parallel experiences! Anyways, I guess you can read it that way, especially with Annette's flashbacks. I'm glad you are, but I'm really just not always deep with my writing. I just thought it was hindsight.
Harwood is great. He's probably my favorite pre-made sim in TS3, for a lot of reasons. Maybe because it's easy to interpret him as anywhere from an entirely benevolent old man, to a nasty, arrogant artist who refuses to grow up. Right now, I want his character to be...ambiguous. Or at least someone who people have wildly different opinions on. As time goes on, anything from blind hatred to blind worship, and anything in between.
outrun / blog / tunglr
In 2004 or 2005, Emma Takasugi and her young son walked up to an old house in the swamp.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“Is she all you care about?” Franco asked.
She drove them to an outdoors shooting gallery.
Or perhaps, he could enjoy the quiet and solitude of the town’s art museum. Rumor had it that they acquired some new sculptures for their exhibit on the third floor.
outrun / blog / tunglr
I felt so small among it. Everything was twice or thrice my height, and looked clean and new. It was the future we never got, or the magic we never harnessed. I still have no idea if it was magic or technology.
He towers above Clara. This man, tinted in futuristic blue, looks like a relic in every other way.
outrun / blog / tunglr
She hid behind one of the tall cattails, and peeked through the space in its grassy leaves. All she could do was thank any higher being that she wasn’t caught in what happened before her.
outrun / blog / tunglr
It didn’t matter to Annette at all. She could carry a handgun at any size.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“Yeah, learn awful things from a whole new point of view!” Sinbad then grunted and crossed his arms, as Annette flipped through the pages.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“So…you never mentioned that you still had parents,” she said.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“If they’re hoping for my death…I don’t know if I work that way anyways,” Annette said. “Want some merlot?”
Annette caught a glimpse of what she was up against soon after. Just four: a blond woman and her three mooks. With Annette and her five on the other side, it could have been a fair fight.
outrun / blog / tunglr
“Thank Bill for me, though. Sometimes, the man’s a saint."
outrun / blog / tunglr
She did the usual mourners’ stuff.
For the second time in Annette’s day, the room’s lighting changed drastically.
outrun / blog / tunglr
Her excitement kept up, until there was one passing glance.
outrun / blog / tunglr
And sometimes, a text message could bring his whole world down.
But dessert was only for Harwood and Annette. They conversed and gossiped over their shared bowl of ice cream. It was a tradition that nothing could get in the way of.
outrun / blog / tunglr
Suspicious as he was, Franco walked out of the room and followed Annette to wherever coffee was. If he needed anything other than closeness with his darling baby girl, it was a strong cup of coffee.
outrun / blog / tunglr
He noted that it was a pitiful, cramped place, saved only by the mandalas covering the walls.
outrun / blog / tunglr
They soon were situated outside, with a pot of rose petal tea to share.
outrun / blog / tunglr