The Freezer Bunny Club - A Reading Circle

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I enjoy your worldbuilding. I find it admirable that you go these extra lengths to create a fictional world for your characters to live in. It’s very wholesome. I like that if I get confused about something, the explanation is there in the A/N.

I'm glad you like it. :)

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:

I love the author’s notes because they elaborate on the world. It’s very informative and explains a lot of the world and lore you’ve built. One thing I noticed is that it overwhelms me quite quickly. By the third chapter though, I found it immersion breaking and started feeling fatigued, so I created a system that works for me in that I would read the story first, Then after the end of each Arc, I’d read the Author notes. It means I’ll double back but it works for me whose thoughts scatter easily. It’s easier for me to process/focus on one thing at a time. Hence I was so impressed that you can create and continue multiple stories while I can only do one. :smile: I did think that if you were to create a page and consolidated the whole lore, world building astrological charts etc, and in your author’s notes provided a link to those information, it could work too. Though I also think this potentially makes the information likely to be glossed over, but it’s nice to know there is a page where everything is consolidated and easily referenced than going back a few chapters.

Since you take it back... sort of later... I'll answer both, I guess. Yeah, I was a little worried about breaking immersion as I feel maybe I'm saying too much. I made a comment/suggestions and thoughts about moving forward and what I'll do in the next story in my post above.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I always had a different impression of Arcs. I assumed they meant a subplot of sorts, thus I think of your arcs as chapters instead. They are very helpful and the breaks are natural. I use cliffhangers too much so the frequency of yours is refreshing. :sweat_smile:

Good to know that the breaks feel natural and the cliffhangers are nice.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
Kass is dependable, responsible, caring, loving, patient and accomodating. (I am itching to add ‘over-’ to the word accomodating). She is also suspicious, cautious, and stressed. Because of her good qualities, everyone placed expectations upon her and she being the person she is, strives to meet those expectations. Personally however, she isn’t given much room for self-expression. The only person she’s truly herself around is Ayesha which doesn’t happen enough in the chapters I’ve read.

I love this description of Kass. It's absolutely accurate and what I would say too, but it's always good that my characters come across in the way I intend. I would definitely say over-accommodating to her detriment. I like how you enjoy her friendship with Ayesha. I agree with you that she really is herself with Ayesha.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I’m not sure where the supernatural/fantasy comes in. Definitely mystery. Hmm, I’ve not read much slice of life to be honest, my story and the stories I’ve read are action and thriller based. The only slice of life I’ve read is yours, Duvelina and redemon’s. Reddemon’s from a guy’s pov and features a life of reform, Duv’s focused on quite a few characters each growing/struggling at their own pace while yours is mostly on Kass’s pov. I’d say because your story focuses on one person’s pov, the advantage is being able to dive deep into the character’s head and fleshing out her motives, needs and desires. It allows me to connect with Kass at a very deep level and want her to succeed in her endeavors.

Supernatural/fantasy happen a bit later. There are elements present throughout, mostly in the background. I plan to follow Kass for quite some time, but I do occasionally write from others' perspectives.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
Ah I’m said and gushed so many times on all your stories. I love your writing style. For Kass’s story, I find the length just right between narration and dialogue. The pacing flows naturally and the length of chapters are easy to digest. I like that I do not need to look at pictures as your writing clearly describes the scene.

Thank you. :heart:

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
The prologue is very detailed. I like you give us insights to their personalities and traits from your description of their actions. It’s interesting to find out what kind of person her family members are and how they shaped her. The last two posts in Arc 1 are really sad. And I could feel her emotions flow through her writing that her father’s abandonment is something she hasn’t let go nor forgiven.

I must counter argue against myself, because I can see how well it’ll work were I to read each post as they were published. I will no doubt appreciate and will have no problems reading the Author’s notes straight away. But I don’t mind what I’m doing now. It’s very rewarding and I get to reread the parts I like.

Thanks. I already replied to the counterargument you made above. ^^ I'm glad you liked the prologue.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I grew up in a very different household culture compared to Kass’ family. If you were to cast Ayesha as the main protagonist, I’d probably relate more to her and can give a more confident answer as to whether it was realistic to me or not. All I can say is Kass’s relationship with her mother and sisters reminds me of sitcoms on TV. Fun, entertaining, full of internal strife and sibling light-heartedness.

Ayesha speaks out to me the most because I can relate to her better. I’m surprised at how lightly she spoke about going against her family’s wishes. (I’d expect either more guilt, resentment or apathy but eh, people respond differently to everything.) Gabe’s perspective makes me like him a lot. He’s very understanding and patient with Kass and with all the problems he’s faced, he speaks to me a mature soul stuck in a young body. Well he did bite her head off there but he’s to me a big teddy bear kinda guy. All bark and no bite and even those barks, he’d prefer not to do so.

Interesting to hear you say that you relate to Ayesha. I'm glad that you like her character. I really enjoy writing her character. I based Ayesha off three different friends I've had over the course of my lifetime, but she is a premade in game too. Ayesha is very carefree about her attitude toward her parents' wishes and plan for her life. I think in many ways she puts up a front and tries to laugh it off, but she does care. I didn't spend a lot of time going into that in story 1, but I will in the future.

I'm also glad you like Gage. He's a challenging character, and it has been interesting to write him. Yes, he can be a teddy bear. :)

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:

A)I’m too suspicious of Clark to formulate much about him. He handled the sibling’s rudeness and outbursts very well, he has two accents (ah okay, I have two too so I guess I can’t hold that against him, but I don’t do shady meet ups in parks) Then his serenading seems like an outlandish way to prove his sincerity. I like that he’s treating Amy nice. I can’t see what benefits he has to latch himself to the Fullbright family if he were a crook, unless he need them for an alibi which is far-fetched.

You'll see what happens with Clark. I did laugh at your comment about not doing shady meet ups in the park. :lol:

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:

I like VJ. He speaks to me as a guy who’s been through a lot and whose own father doesn’t believe in him, yet manages to hold himself together and look on the bright side. I’ve seen people in that situation struggle well into their 30s. Thankfully he has Andi and is surrounded by good people. He’s very mature (not sure how old), but I do think Andi is too young.

Andi is mature, but you're absolutely right. She's really young. I'm honestly trying to remember what I said about his dad. :sweat_smile:

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
One thing I found hard to believe is Andi’s maturity. I believe she can wait until after marriage, and believe her relationship with VJ. It’s the reasoning and word choices, knowing how to deliver her points and emphasise at the right moment, thinking, reasoning and explaining with such clarity that makes me feel like she should be much older. I’m attributing it to all the support she has around her, but maybe its because I’ve never met a 14 year old like that in my circle that I’m finding it hard to believe. Even so, I really enjoy the maturity of their relationship. It’s refreshing and something I don’t read very often in stories depicting that age group.

I based Andi off my own younger sister. She always had a mature way of speaking that always surprised people when she would tell them her age. Perhaps you're right though and she does seem a little unrealistic. Andi has the genius trait in game, which I always interpreted as more than just logic, but as understanding and smarts beyond one's years. Maybe that's not how the game interprets it, but it's how I have. Genius can manifest in different ways in reality and in Andi's case, it's her amazing ability to reason and think and defend her decisions/beliefs.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I think you give enough for me to raise my suspicions and alarm bells. I did think at first that Kass was being a little too cautious. Since we’re reading from her point of view things naturally are skewed in her favour. Clark may be a normal guy but she could’ve painted him in a different color for us. But I prefer to go with the flow and suspect him with her together. I was also wondering maybe he could be involved with something dodgy but is sincere about Amy. Then wondering if the accept he displayed at the park was something he adopted in a professional setting, but let down and displayed his true self with Amy. I think that would be rather sweet.

We aren't getting the whole picture. That's for sure. But you'll eventually find out what's going on.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
Davis’s interlude is so endearing. I actually liked the entire Arc 5 very much. I think Davis is quite the charmer and he knows it. He’s respectful of Kass’s privacy and I was a little concerned that he might be full of himself as most guys who knows that they’re good looking are, but turns out he’s rather sweet and is a nice bloke. And guys who are good to their grandparents always get a tick on my checkbox. They’ve hit off and I can’t wait to see sparks fly.

I really like writing his character.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
A)I would like to know more of Howard’s point of view, but as is most cases when an adult talks to someone who’s younger, they don’t reveal completely or be as honest. So my opinion is completely one sided without the full picture. I’ll be the devil here and say that I always thought as I read / watch scenes like this that it feels like emotional blackmail wherein one person’s feelings become less important / unresolved because of the issue of mortality. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been in Kass’s situation, it’s just how I’ve felt. I think you’ve captured it all very authentically. Kass’s longing, resentment, at times unable to cope with her overwhelming feelings thus reacting spitefully than responding, not wanting to back down or give her father any leeway, they are all portrayed so well. Her dad diffusing the situation, responding out of desperation, desire to connect is so true too. I love that you deliver slice of life with such detail and authencity. It’s always something I’ve admired of your writing.

Thank you so much for your kind comments. Howard will make more of an appearance later. I had a lot going on in this first story so he is present in certain places, but I do plan to focus more on Howard in the future.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I can’t say I realised Amy’s depression at all. Now that I reflect upon it you’ve given lots of signs to it, but I wasn’t as invested in Amy’s character so I didn’t dwell on it, neither am I the most sensitive towards people’s feelings. I tend to leave misunderstandings in my wake so I think I’m not too suited to answer this question.

No worries.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
With the amount of stress she’s put under, I didn’t get the idea that she has anxiety. She has the feelings of anxiousness, but if you mean the illness where it becomes criplling and hinders her daily life, not exactly. Maybe it’ll get featured later and as you say, they are currently signs. It’s plausible at this stage that it will head in that direction if she doesn’t get enough support.

Nope it's not debilitating. It's present, but not in a consuming way.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I think it’s perfect to move the story along. I’d like to know what Clark has planned for the Fullbrights and it opens a lot of opportunities should Kass decide to investigate other people on the side. Although it would be better if she straight up asked and got to know them. Still, it’s a fun option to have.

I tend to plod through... eek! I know not everyone likes that and would prefer things to move more swiftly. Haha. But I do have fun with those mysteries. Wish I devoted more time to it. May have quickened the pace. Well, for next time.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
Kass is a realistic character. I can see her in my older siblings, as a friend, as a person scarred by her past and as a woman still finding herself. Her strengths are also her weakness.

I feel like I'm this way too - my strengths are also my weaknesses. :grimace: Life is a learning process, right?

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
I like all your characters equally, except Howard and Clark because they are the ones whose motives are shrouded in mystery. I could say the same for Davis too, but so far, he’s been nothing but understanding and respectful of Kass so I have less reservations about him. I’d want to know more about these three.

I can understand how Howard and Clark are frustrating. Their motives will be revealed. As will the relationship with Davis. You'll learn more about all three over the course of the story.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
My favourite scenes are the entire Arc 4, Kass’s meltdown with Gage, Andi talking about her relationship with VJ, Kass and Gage’s verbal spar where Gage follows her with his car.

I :heart: Arc 4 too. I think Kass' meltdown with Gage is actually really natural, and when he follows her with his car. Like not every relationship can be perfect. And I adore Andi so naturally I enjoy any scene with her.

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
Just that her siblings and Amy might chew Kass out for being cordial with dad. Gage finding out about Davis and realising what he’s missing, or that he needs to take action if he does feel something for Kass. Davis and Kass having something. I also think we’ll see more VJ scenes. But that’s based on nothing.

Interesting predictions. No promises. :wink:

"mercuryfoam;c-17570701" wrote:
- You have many stories. Why do you have a stronger connection to KCLKF compared to your other stories?
- Your story has a life of their own and draws readers into the characters’ world. Did you always have such an innate gift for writing? When did you start writing?
- How do you feel about your own writing?
- What advice would you give newbie writers, apart from reading as much as possible?

1 - KCLKF is the first story I wrote in Sims 3 with the intent of writing a long, non-legacy story. I also have a strong connection because Kass' life in some ways mirrors my own. I view Kass as a much younger, less mature version of myself and she struggles with many of the things I did at that age. I definitely started writing mostly for myself and had no idea there was a whole community of writers of SimLit. I really started writing during a dark period in my life where I was rediscovering myself and trying to figure out next steps in life and Kass was my lifeline. She helped me work through a lot of things I dealt with at a younger age. By coming to terms with many of those things through writing her character, I was able to let go of bad habits and negative thoughts about myself, forgive others in my life, and learn to love myself again and prioritize "me" time. Like Kass, I'm a giver and I accommodate others way too much so it has helped to see how detrimental that is through the eyes of another character. Writing Kass has truly been therapeutic and that's why I'm so strongly connected to this story.

2 & 3 - I'm going to answer these two together. The story really did take on a life of its own. I allow gameplay to influence how I write my characters and develop the plot, hence why there are so many rabbit trails for better or worse. :lol: I started writing when I was a child. I was five years old when I got my first journal. I also wrote letters back and forth to my parents to practice my writing. I have always been a storyteller and I am pretty proud of that, not to be too boastful. I've gained confidence in my writing as I grew up, but then let creative writing fall on the wayside in college and post-college in favor of analytical writing (which I love too, but it's a different beast). Then I realized when I started to play Sims how much I missed writing and what a natural storytelling platform the game is. That's whn I rediscovered a love for writing and pieces of myself I thought I had lost.

4 - Advice? Good question. We commonly hear write for your audience and know your audience. However, there's an element of needing to write for yourself. If you cave too much to what others want, I think you lose your natural writing voice in the process. While it's great to want to impress readers and make things easier for them, sometimes you have to just let things flow. It's okay if not everyone loves your stories as long as you do. I'd rather have a few loyal readers than a whole host of readers who are only reading my stuff because it's super hip. I've never been one with the "in crowd" :lol: and I'm okay with that. So perhaps this is unpopular advice, but I really do think it's important to know yourself, know your strengths, and write the story you want to tell.