How did you come up with such unique & fascinating characters?
I don’t know if I would describe my characters as fascinating or unique. Yes, I am aware that saying this can be perceived as self-depreciating on my part (I’m not looking for sympathy when I say this). I would describe them as special. Special in the sense that they are an extension of myself and the people around me. At time of creation I usually have a vague sense of who they are and what they are meant to be; once I set them free in my game they take all that and RUN with it. It almost never turns out the way I planned though; but unsurprisingly, it makes me love them even more!
When you started writing your story, what did you take into consideration?
I have always had an overactive imagination, so to speak. According to my mother this started the moment I was born (I’d say age 2-3 is more like it). In many ways writing has always been my escape from reality (this is why I will never completely abandon my writing, no matter how unmotivated I become). I have written a lot of stories, some finished, most remain unfinished but with characters that transition onto other stories……so finished in a sense? You be the judge of that.
That being said, as a writer I am my own biggest critic when it comes to my writing. There isn’t always a method to my madness. I will say though, that it has always been a dream of mine to weave an entire universe. The gameplay style of the Sims gave be a means of realizing this, not just in the abstract sense. As such, Cederville Heights is my normal, human interpretation of said universe; whereas Riaend’s Haven is the supernatural version of this. And yes, these two universes co-exist with each other (yin-yang) although one would rather the other not know of their existence.
@thesimperiuscurse shared this resource she uses on her blog, Notebook.ai. I use it (not rigorously but I dabble in it) to keep track of my characters. I’m still updating character pages, but it is helping my plan out Generation 2 better.
How did you shape each character’s background/family?
There isn’t really a definite method to my madness. At time of creation I usually have a vague sense of who they are and what they are meant to be; After I set them free in my game, each sim takes on their own persona (so to speak) and blossoms. Family backgrounds are derived from traits, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. I will stop rambling now……
I like to think that parents pass these good traits (like the hobbies, skills, etc.) on to their offspring. With generational gameplay I am always proven wrong.
Do you plan everything before starting, or are you more spontaneous?
Honestly…….from start to finish - 100% of it is planned. As for what happens in-between, hmm....at this point 70% of it is planned, while 30% of it is gameplay-driven. This changes constantly, so……ask again in 6 months?
Does reality inspire you, or do you rely more on your imagination?
Both! Reality, especially. I mean, how can it not? Think of the word we live in…...
When did you KNOW you were going to make this story?
Definitively in 2015. I will expand more on this at a later time.
What has shaped your story into being the way it is?
I enjoy questioning things. I enjoy formulating/postulating scenarios and watching my characters work their way through it. I love coming up with backstories and letting them make their own stories, shape their own lives and determine theur own destinies (whether or not I agree with it is another story). I also love dabbling in the supernatural. I love cheesy romances. I love hot, steamy, melt-your-pants-off-your-body romances (@josiesimblr, @neopixiesims, @penelope-and-wonders, @igglemouse, @cinamun, @simbollocks……just to name a few!)
Basically, I enjoy the complexities of the human mind - I know I’m a complex human myself! All of these things pour themselves into my writing. Now I just have to focus on actually getting better at putting thoughts to paper!
Whew! This was fun!
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