Simstorytellers: The Interview
So, it's Monday and time for the release of my interview for simstorytellers.
First off, my stats:
Name: Styxx
Gender: Female
Life State: Human (Zombie in the morning)
Life Stage: Young Adult
Aspiration: Family
Sign: Pisces
Neighborhood: Canada
Tell us about yourself. (What you do for a living, your interests, where you live, your non-sim hobbies, etc.)
My work plate is really crammed full at this point in my life. I'm going to school full-time working on two degrees (Music Performance and English Literature), I work part time at a music store, teach music lessons and gig around town. I guess the label job-wise that can be best applied to me would be 'musician'.
I play a tiny bit of flute and bass but I make no claims to be very good at them, my main instrument is the trumpet. In high-school I competed in provincial and national competitions and now I try to make a living in the music career. I've been on a couple albums and the latest one comes out in about a month.
I love movies (especially horror), jazz and metal music and writing fanfiction. I used to be the biggest of Star Wars fan but I've finally drifted away. My big nerdom passion is (as much as it seems to disturb some people) Dragonball Z.
Do you have other creative pursuits that affect how you tell your sim stories? (Such as photography, creative writing, etc.)
I love reading and writing fanfiction! It's really a stress-free activity for me and often the communities that surround fanfiction are so friendly and supportive.
Why did you start creating and posting Sim stories?
When I first started playing the Sims I kept a little journal next to my computer and scribbled little stories along with what was going on in my game. Posting it online or to livejournal never occured to me until I happened to stumbled across simantics's version of Strangetown. I was hooked!
Do you use Maxis pre-made sims, original sims, sims based on other sources (TV, movies, books, other games), or some combination of these? Why?
I'm a big fan of mixing pre-made and original Sims. I like to play with the options Maxis gives us just to see how different I can make it from other version's I've read and to add in the 'chaos' of a new character I created and dropped into their universe.
How long does it take you to create a new CAS sim for a story? (If you create original sims, that is.)
A real bloody long time because I always have such a specific idea of what someone should look like in my head. Also, my game drags like a dog wiping it's butt across a carpet.
Do you have one sim that frustrates you more than any of the others?
Micah, actually. He's suppose to be a serious character but he keeps trying to hug everyone! Usually I get so controlling of my Sims though I generally don't have any issues.
Do your sims have their own theme songs?
I always write to music and every character has a song assigned to them that I believe best suits their personality.
Do you like using aliens, vampires, zombies or any other non "normal" Sims?
I do love me some aliens and werewolves! I've been a fan of werewolves forever (big reason why i bought "Pets" actually) but I came to digging the aliens in the game much later. After reading pixel-and-bean and madame-ugly I really started to enjoy the aliens and even the fug they could produce.
Do you usually create backstories for your sims?
Good grief, the only thing that takes longer than taking the pictures are my plans for characters. People generally make choices based on a mix of of their memories and personality so I like their decisions to seem logical to who they are. Hopefully that way I create three dimensional and interesting characters.
If it were possible, would you carry out "romantic interactions" with any of your Sims?
No because I have a loverly boyfriend in Real Life already!
Have you ever cried when a Sim died? How emotionally attached are you to your Sims?
I rarely let any Sims die actually. As a Mac user I don't have access to a lot of PC specific-awesomeness that would allow for easy resurrection. So if a tale requires someone to pass on I send them to a "Death House" where they spend the rest of eternity with other "dead" Sims.
Do you have a favorite character/family?
I swear this changes from hour to hour but right now I really love the Smiths. I've been playing them recently when I've just felt like idling in the game. Who would have thought I'd have gone for the wholesome family?
Are there any stories in particular (Sim or non-Sim) that have inspired your storytelling?
Yes, for both "Pleasantview" and "The Lost Ones" but if I tell you it'll spoil the stories. But I am a big fan of Clive Barker, John Wyndham and David Weber.
How do you decide on names for your sims?
Honestly, I have a "Best Baby Names" book. I flip around until I find a name with a meaning relevant to the character and drop it in. One of my favorite combinations I ever came up with was 'Crystal Alethia'.
Do you use hacks in your game? If so, which ones? How do they affect your stories?
I'm a hack whore since I generally only play to tell a story. ACR I find adds a delightful touch of chaos that I enjoy and inSim has been such a savior for me. I'm always aging people up and down or teleporting additional cast in.
Do you have a favourite EP/SP? Which expansion adds the most to storytelling for you?
Seasons, I actually waited to start playing my "Pleasantview" story until I have that expansion installed.
Do you make your own custom content?
No, I don't have any programs that lend themselves to that sort of thing.
Do you have a favourite sim outfit or hairstyle?
I like Maxis-style clothes but I'm a fan of Raon and XM's hair! I try to keep CC down because my computer can't seem to handle it very well. I also go downloading crazy because there is just way too much cool stuff out there.
What are some things that you wish were included in Sims 2, but aren't? (For example - social interactions, the way sims interact with objects, etc.)
I guess more 'pal' interactions, like someone slinging their arm over a friend or being able to jump on someone's back for a piggyback ride!
How long does it usually take you to prepare a story update?
A few hours. I have the entire draft of "Pleasantview" done so what I have to get down is going in to physically create the situations and snap some photos and then alter the draft if the Sims got a little "creative" on their own.
Show and tell: Please show us your workspace (a photograph, if possible, or just describe it), and tell us about the conditions you prefer to work in. Do you have any bizarre habits or rituals?
Thar she blows, am I a gear slut or what?
Do you usually have your sims act to a pre-written script, just follow what they do, or some of both? what comes first - the text or the image? Is one of the elements more important than the other to you, or are they about equal?
I do a rough draft, then I play and usually incorporate some sort of game-generated chaos into the final post.
Can you give us any hints about what is coming up in your stories? (Oh, come on...)
Weeeeeell, I do have a passion for the dark and bloodier aspects of the creative process so expect some dark turns.
In your opinion, what makes a good sim story? What do you like to read in other people's stories?
I love stories where the writers have attempted to go above and beyond what the game or challenges offer. Legacies like "The Broke Legacy" or the "Life and Times of the Thayers", they legacies but their creators have used a lot or creativity and originality in them. Or stories that simply twisted up and out of this world like Madame_Ugly's Strangetown AU "Peculiar", Pixel_and_Bean's "Mnemosyne" or Sim_Fi's deliciously twisted "7 Deadly Sims".
How often do you check your flist to see if your favourite authors have updated?
Usually everyday before I go to bed, it's almost a ritual. I am simply terrible about responding though because I get in the habit of lurking.
Storytelling aside, what first drew you to The Sims? What do you like most about playing The Sims?
I started with Sims 1 and was generally pretty content with that but when I heard Sims 2 had movie making capabilities I thought "How fun!" Unfortunately when I got the game my computer didn't seem to erm... 'enjoy' the movie aspect so much. So I drifted into mindless playing until my fateful encounter with simantics's livejournal.
How long have you been playing The Sims? Have you been playing since Sims 1?
Yup. See above.
Do you only play the game with stories in mind, or do you also play just for fun? Do you record everything with photos anyway?
Rarely do I do any mindless playing anymore just because my spare time is so precious now. Also, mindless didling in my game usually turns into some out of control storyline. Can't have anymore plot bunnies!
Do you have a self sim? (We'd love to see him/her, if you want to share a pic.)
Here ya go:
She currently resides in Strangetown with the Singles but is considering moving out to get a place with her boyfriend (based on my RL one).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love the Simming community! It's full of such friendly and creative people. Keeps drawing me back when the frustrations of the game push me away. Thank you everyone and keep on playing!