The Art of Sims Storytelling
Hi guys! @CathyTea and I were talking, and we thought we'd try making a thread that would be focused solely on writing, especially Sims story writing. The writers' lounge thread is great for being ...
Forum Discussion
I am so glad I found this discussion. I have written other stories outside the Sims, but I was thrilled to find a new storytelling platform with the Sims 3, and find other Sims writers who want to get deep.
Do you have any preconceptions about how SimLit is supposed to be? Or did you used to have some, but you've grown past them as you've read and written more Sims stories?
I thought it was supposed to be fun and lighthearted and easy. It turned into a much bigger project for me and a much deeper story. I definitely found I enjoyed stories that looked more realistic (a.k.a. no thought bubbles or other headline images), but I did expect that others wouldn't agree with me, know how, or care. Some Sim stories I've read lack depth and detail. I don't like reading these kinds of stories.
If you did have any preconceptions, how did they affect your writing and reading?
I had no idea what my end goal was when I began writing my Kass's story. I started out with the story of a girl who's parents are divorced and this has affected her life. If I had any intentions, it was just to follow her around and see what happened, writing the story around the gameplay. But in chapter 4, I threw in her Dad's serious illness, a subject that explains the supernaturals and aliens, and a subject that interweaves with the plot. This was the beginning of my journey to go deeper, push boundaries, and stretch myself.
Are there any stories in particular that made you realize that Sims stories could be more than what you thought they could be?
I started reading The Torres Legacy by @Blythelyre and was immediately sucked in by her storytelling ability. Honestly, I was excited about the depth of her stories, her character backgrounds, the details, and her writing talent. At times, I'd forget that I was reading a Sims story. I hope to write characters with just as much depth, personality, and intrigue.
How does the game influence your work?
Initially, I'd play the game and just see what happened and write a story around it. As I gradually started adding more depth to Kass's character, I wanted to know more about other base game Sims. I wanted to make connections between Sims, get to know other Sims better, and solve the mysteries and understand the complexities of the Sims world. I did this by switching perspectives at times, and playing other Sims in Kass's world. I had her interact with well-known Sims and I changed base-game Sims, made them fit my story, or expanded on their backgrounds. I gradually started planning and outlining what would happen in the story and then staging gameplay and using screenshots instead of the other way around. While it was ultimately more work to do this, it definitely was more challenging. Now I get an idea and I run with it, outlining a concept, and then playing it out in the game to see if it works, and allowing the characters do the storytelling. It is definitely the most fun and authentic this way.
Do you have any preconceptions about how SimLit is supposed to be? Or did you used to have some, but you've grown past them as you've read and written more Sims stories?
I thought it was supposed to be fun and lighthearted and easy. It turned into a much bigger project for me and a much deeper story. I definitely found I enjoyed stories that looked more realistic (a.k.a. no thought bubbles or other headline images), but I did expect that others wouldn't agree with me, know how, or care. Some Sim stories I've read lack depth and detail. I don't like reading these kinds of stories.
If you did have any preconceptions, how did they affect your writing and reading?
I had no idea what my end goal was when I began writing my Kass's story. I started out with the story of a girl who's parents are divorced and this has affected her life. If I had any intentions, it was just to follow her around and see what happened, writing the story around the gameplay. But in chapter 4, I threw in her Dad's serious illness, a subject that explains the supernaturals and aliens, and a subject that interweaves with the plot. This was the beginning of my journey to go deeper, push boundaries, and stretch myself.
Are there any stories in particular that made you realize that Sims stories could be more than what you thought they could be?
I started reading The Torres Legacy by @Blythelyre and was immediately sucked in by her storytelling ability. Honestly, I was excited about the depth of her stories, her character backgrounds, the details, and her writing talent. At times, I'd forget that I was reading a Sims story. I hope to write characters with just as much depth, personality, and intrigue.
How does the game influence your work?
Initially, I'd play the game and just see what happened and write a story around it. As I gradually started adding more depth to Kass's character, I wanted to know more about other base game Sims. I wanted to make connections between Sims, get to know other Sims better, and solve the mysteries and understand the complexities of the Sims world. I did this by switching perspectives at times, and playing other Sims in Kass's world. I had her interact with well-known Sims and I changed base-game Sims, made them fit my story, or expanded on their backgrounds. I gradually started planning and outlining what would happen in the story and then staging gameplay and using screenshots instead of the other way around. While it was ultimately more work to do this, it definitely was more challenging. Now I get an idea and I run with it, outlining a concept, and then playing it out in the game to see if it works, and allowing the characters do the storytelling. It is definitely the most fun and authentic this way.
