The Freezer Bunny Club - A Reading Circle
The Freezer Bunny Club: A Reading Circle https://i.imgur.com/qBYoZ55.png Welcome to The Freezer Bunny Club! This reading circle is an open space for the members to share our stories and discuss...
Forum Discussion
@_sims_Yimi I love that you're so invested. ? Thank you! I wrote you a novel, here you go.
General
Yes. I started writing this way because I posted my story in the 'What Happened In Your Game Today' thread. When I decided to actually make a full-on story out of it, I decided to continue writing my narrative this way. I am interesting in branching out into writing dialogue etc. but I think I might leave that for a future story. Although there are some scenes coming up where writing dialogue seems like the right way to go. Much to think about!
I totally get why you felt that way. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures first and I only joined the forum midway through May. I hadn't even thought about capturing my journey with the Villareals until I joined the forum and realised other people did it. I'm glad you got invested into their story anyway. I'm trying my hardest to make it easily accessible through my narrative, the family tree and the cast page on the blog.
Thank you. It's good to hear they feel real. It's what I always strive for in my writing. I want my characters to feel like people you could encounter in real life. The format in which I'm writing it does make it harder to connect to the characters, because there is no dialogue but I think it gives you the room to imagine yourself what these characters would say and how they would say it based on the personality that comes through in the pictures and the description of their thoughts and behaviour.
Great idea. I'll get right on that. It might scare people off if they end up on a forum thread. The family tree has barely any spoilers at this point, but there is a particular relationship dynamic after chapter 20 right now that will be 'spoiled' if you look at the lines thoroughly enough. Otherwise, there are no real spoilers right now.
In-depth
General
I like it! You have a way of letting us peek into your characters’ heads that is really endearing. Even Max, who I hate with a passion in-game, I can’t help but root for just a little. I’ve noticed that you don’t literally quote your sims, but rather tell us what they say through your narrative. It’s different from what I’m used to, but I like it. Plus, your pictures are always so colourful and bright!
Yes. I started writing this way because I posted my story in the 'What Happened In Your Game Today' thread. When I decided to actually make a full-on story out of it, I decided to continue writing my narrative this way. I am interesting in branching out into writing dialogue etc. but I think I might leave that for a future story. Although there are some scenes coming up where writing dialogue seems like the right way to go. Much to think about!
I like it! I do have to admit that I was a little confused at the beginning, as it felt that I was jumping into a story on its midway point. But you’ve been playing with the Villareals long before you began to write their lives down, right? It’s not strange that it felt that way at first. You’ve given us a good overview of who everyone was and how they were related after that, and I’m super invested now, especially in Hugo (as I’m sure you know from my comments XD)
I totally get why you felt that way. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures first and I only joined the forum midway through May. I hadn't even thought about capturing my journey with the Villareals until I joined the forum and realised other people did it. I'm glad you got invested into their story anyway. I'm trying my hardest to make it easily accessible through my narrative, the family tree and the cast page on the blog.
They feel real, especially Hugo and Sofia’s. With a lot of stories, relationships are either perfect, always in the middle of drama, or constantly in jeopardy. But Hugo and Sofia’s relationship just feels so real to me, especially with her addiction and Hugo’s enabling, doormat-like behaviour. People go through these struggles in real life too, and that’s what makes me really invested in the both of them. You’ve done a really good job there.
The relationship between Luna and Alyson is like that, too. You have a way of using very few words to forge very realistic, likable characters.
Thank you. It's good to hear they feel real. It's what I always strive for in my writing. I want my characters to feel like people you could encounter in real life. The format in which I'm writing it does make it harder to connect to the characters, because there is no dialogue but I think it gives you the room to imagine yourself what these characters would say and how they would say it based on the personality that comes through in the pictures and the description of their thoughts and behaviour.
It’s great! You really put some work into it. I love the slice-of-life pictures at the top of every page. And adding the family tree is great for keeping track of who is who, as long as you’re not scared of spoilers. You may want to put the link to your blog in your signature, too – that way people clicking on it won’t have to make the detour of going through another thread first if they want to go directly to the blog.
Great idea. I'll get right on that. It might scare people off if they end up on a forum thread. The family tree has barely any spoilers at this point, but there is a particular relationship dynamic after chapter 20 right now that will be 'spoiled' if you look at the lines thoroughly enough. Otherwise, there are no real spoilers right now.
In-depth
Spoiler
It does seem that way, doesn't it? Don't worry. The addiction storyline hasn't been finished off yet. Sofia will keep struggling for some time to come. Overcoming your addiction doesn't work that easily and I try to keep that in still.
I don't have very many pictures from before I started. It sounds like a fun idea though. You did make me think of doing a flashback where you could see Luna, Hugo and Max's youth when their mom was still alive. It might be cool to see how events from their childhood shaped them and turned them into who they are now.
Oh, I don't feel bad about it. There's a reason he's not very fleshed out yet. I'm trying to get to a point in the story where he can grow up to a YA and his story can begin too but to get there I need to finish off some of my other storylines. Don't want to bring in too much stuff. You'll get to see a whole lot more of Neal.
More Jacqueline coming up as well. I have some screenshots ready to go for her but I'm slowly working my way there.
Very true. There's a whole lot of Max coming up and for what I have planned for him, he'll be the most fleshed out one soon enough.
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Beautiful advice and so, so true. I'll tell her, but I can't promise she will listen.
Thanks for the questions and the elaborate answers. I loved reading them.
I actually chose the Villareal family for a pretty funny reason. I started playing with just Lucy (Amador at the time). She lived in a Needs TLC apartment in San Myshuno. She moved to the big city in the hopes of finding her zen (she's a health nut) and finding a rich husband who could give her a big mansion. So, naturally, I googled who the richest family in this iteration of The Sims was. Turns out, the Villareals were the richest people out there. I had no idea who they were. Lucy tried to meet Jacques but I could find him anywhere. I didn't want her to just turn up at their house for no reason, so she did some googling of her own, found out about the Villareals and met Luna at the gym. They became fast friends (even best friends) and that's how Lucy started coming over and seducing Jacques (which was no easy feat). He left his then husband for Lucy and they got married fast. Luna ended up hating Lucy for what she did to her. She had no clue she was trying to go through her to get to her dad and their relationship never became what it used to be.
Most memorable moments are the many deaths that happened off-screen. Jacques died of exhaustion once. I had no clue that he could die if he woohooed twice as an elder. I was trying to get Lucy pregnant with Jacques' baby when he suddenly dropped dead. I was super surprised but brought him back to life. He lived a little while longer but shortly after Neal was born, he died of laughter. I know. Another memorable moment was Hugo dying of anger. It was after the New Year's Eve chapter and he found out about a particular flirtation going on. I revived him as well. No dying today, Hugo. It did shock me quite a bit though. I hadn't even noticed him dying because I was paying attention to other sims upstairs and when I came downstairs, there was suddenly an urn and no Hugo to be seen.
I do have a particular end point in mind for the Villareal family saga. For now, the story will end when Hugo, Luna and Max (the OG's) are all elders, nearing the end of their life.
Hugo is definitely a cutie. It must be because of my makeover. ? No honestly, I immediately had an affinity for him when I saw him. His characters jumped off the screen for me. He just has that look about him.
Yes. Her struggles and her complete apathy towards the rest of the world, including her fiancé, were very well done. I do think she got over her addiction very fast – but the other shoe may be waiting to drop on that one, depending on how her relationship with Luna goes. I have a sneaking suspicion that she’s fixating all of her attention on Luna as a sort of substitute.
It does seem that way, doesn't it? Don't worry. The addiction storyline hasn't been finished off yet. Sofia will keep struggling for some time to come. Overcoming your addiction doesn't work that easily and I try to keep that in still.
You took a premade EA family and turned them into realistic people with goals, flaws and history. I love what you’ve done with them. I’d actually love to see a sort of flashback to the earlier days, before you began to post chapters of them online. Lucy the golddigger snaring Jacques, Hugo proposing to Sofia, Luna with Alyson as a baby/toddler – moments like that. Of course, since that’s all in the past of the game, that’s a very tall order, if not impossible. xD
I don't have very many pictures from before I started. It sounds like a fun idea though. You did make me think of doing a flashback where you could see Luna, Hugo and Max's youth when their mom was still alive. It might be cool to see how events from their childhood shaped them and turned them into who they are now.
Neal, I think. I don’t dislike him (though he lost points by trying to steal money from his sister xD), but he doesn’t feel as fleshed out as Sofia, Hugo, Luna and Max. That’s only natural with a large cast of people, so don’t feel bad about it!
Oh, I don't feel bad about it. There's a reason he's not very fleshed out yet. I'm trying to get to a point in the story where he can grow up to a YA and his story can begin too but to get there I need to finish off some of my other storylines. Don't want to bring in too much stuff. You'll get to see a whole lot more of Neal.
Neal, for the above reason, and Jacqueline. I’d love a storyline where she slowly works through her insecurities and comes out a better person on the other end. But who knows where life will take her? I’m eager to find out, at any rate
More Jacqueline coming up as well. I have some screenshots ready to go for her but I'm slowly working my way there.
Hugo and Sofia, branching out to Sofia + Luna and Hugo + Nelson. I feel like we’ve spent time with them the most, and they are the most well fleshed-out of all the storylines.
Very true. There's a whole lot of Max coming up and for what I have planned for him, he'll be the most fleshed out one soon enough.
I’m dreading what will happen to Sofia if something goes wrong with her Luna-infatuation. I may be completely misreading it, though, and they’ll continue to be happy together. I’m also expecting Max to royally mess life up for himself, but I can’t feel bad about that, because from the looks of it, he’s his own worst enemy. xD
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Jacqueline, there are parts in the world where your body type is the epitome of beauty. You happen to live in one that think slim is the only way to go. If you genuinely don’t like your body, then train away, but don’t let others dictate what you should look like.
Beautiful advice and so, so true. I'll tell her, but I can't promise she will listen.
Yes! :smiley:
What made you choose the Villareal family over anyone else in the neighbourhood?
What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had while playing them, present in the story or otherwise?
How long do you plan to follow the Villareals in their life struggles? Do you have an endpoint in mind, or do you plan to keep writing and just see where it takes you?
Why is Hugo such a cutie?!
Thanks for the questions and the elaborate answers. I loved reading them.
I actually chose the Villareal family for a pretty funny reason. I started playing with just Lucy (Amador at the time). She lived in a Needs TLC apartment in San Myshuno. She moved to the big city in the hopes of finding her zen (she's a health nut) and finding a rich husband who could give her a big mansion. So, naturally, I googled who the richest family in this iteration of The Sims was. Turns out, the Villareals were the richest people out there. I had no idea who they were. Lucy tried to meet Jacques but I could find him anywhere. I didn't want her to just turn up at their house for no reason, so she did some googling of her own, found out about the Villareals and met Luna at the gym. They became fast friends (even best friends) and that's how Lucy started coming over and seducing Jacques (which was no easy feat). He left his then husband for Lucy and they got married fast. Luna ended up hating Lucy for what she did to her. She had no clue she was trying to go through her to get to her dad and their relationship never became what it used to be.
Most memorable moments are the many deaths that happened off-screen. Jacques died of exhaustion once. I had no clue that he could die if he woohooed twice as an elder. I was trying to get Lucy pregnant with Jacques' baby when he suddenly dropped dead. I was super surprised but brought him back to life. He lived a little while longer but shortly after Neal was born, he died of laughter. I know. Another memorable moment was Hugo dying of anger. It was after the New Year's Eve chapter and he found out about a particular flirtation going on. I revived him as well. No dying today, Hugo. It did shock me quite a bit though. I hadn't even noticed him dying because I was paying attention to other sims upstairs and when I came downstairs, there was suddenly an urn and no Hugo to be seen.
I do have a particular end point in mind for the Villareal family saga. For now, the story will end when Hugo, Luna and Max (the OG's) are all elders, nearing the end of their life.
Hugo is definitely a cutie. It must be because of my makeover. ? No honestly, I immediately had an affinity for him when I saw him. His characters jumped off the screen for me. He just has that look about him.
