- Title the blog post - notice that I'm generally horribly lazy about it and most of them require minimal effort these days.
- Get the pictures into the blog post and size to large
- Put a few words to a sentence or two below the pics
- Let ideas stew
- Now go back the next day (generally) and fill in the details.
There have been exceptions when the plot I have in mind writes the words and I have to go find pictures to illustrate those words. But generally this works for me.
What works for you?
I think both ways work for me. Since in the current story I'm writing about I'm tied to the plot, so the pictures usually come last.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there were exceptions when I let things flow and then oops, new ideas came. Seeing the title, I thought this was an "Art flows Through" update :)
Sometimes it's better just to let it flow, though ;) I really like that part of Phillip and Steven.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I go with the flow and not try and force a story a certain way. Which means the piccies are first and the writeup is second.
ReplyDeleteBut there are times when I really do have a plot and then getting things to go the way I need them to...
The next Art Flows through title will be "The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;" which is the next line of that Lewis Carrol poem. :) I still have pics for another Sammy update and another Phillip update.
Right now I'm just putting pics I want to use into drafts to be blogged about later.
ReplyDeleteI'm letting the pics tell the story. I have pics in drafts for 6 more blog updates and have pics listed for 5 more after that. I'll put them in drafts later.
Doing it this way is working for me this time around because I am also playing in the other towns that I'm not blogging about.
I'm just giving each update a part # to make it easier for me.
I meant to add that this month is extremely busy for me and I am just too tired to do things any other way.
ReplyDeleteI miss your updates, Dee, but I understand and I look forward whenever you have your free time back.
ReplyDeleteWell... I'm forcing story for certain chapters, that is. And especially for the current chapter I'm working on. It's better to let the sims decide the story.
My process is actually really similar, PiB, except for one big difference in that I write almost everything down into a big binder first.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I play ahead quite a bit in game, and then have a huge mass of screenshots -- from there I have to decide how it makes a story, which means I have to put them out of order in the blog usually. In my trusty notebook, I write down which screenshot albums go in which post, and then try to come up with a common theme between them, which becomes the post title.
Then, I shove those screenshots in an empty draft and "let them stew", haha. I come back, do a bunch of writing, leave it be, then come back again and fix what I don't like/typos/etc. I then have a post. Tada!
When I get nearish the end of a storyline/Season, though, things become a tad easier because my process becomes much closer to MJs -- I have a plot, write out the plot on paper, and then act it out in game. The setup in-game can be really tough, but the writing flows much easier when you know exactly what is going on. But, getting up to that point, I have the Sims lead me around and try to give me ideas.
@MJ -- Letting the Sims guide the story is great, but I think an amazing idea that they help create is totally worth sort of "forcing" into the story in order to make it worthwhile. Each style of writing has it's place. Even PiB can attest to that, with her Dead Daddy Sammy story. ;)
That and I have to admit, now that I'm getting used to the ins and outs of Twallan's Debug Enabler, setting up scenes is *wicked* fun... Except when I'm trying to juggle 16 Sims. NEVER AGAIN. *shudder*
Oh, oops. XD Hope you like blocks of text... *cough*
ReplyDeleteMan... So I just started looking through my Binder, and it's a disaster. I have Season "Episode Guides", plot outlines, outlines for machinimas, tables of various Sims' traits and wishes, in-game to-do lists, brainstorming pages, even little building designs for houses I might build someday...
ReplyDeletePretty sure that binder is the equivalent of the Bed the sims woohoo in while making a baby. XD HA!
I rarely have more than a hidden page of notes for stories. Sam and the Black Widow Susie - most of the posts were about 3/4 what was randomly happening to Sam and the rest was developing the Black Widow plots. The page of notes had a list of Susie's victims and the names of their babies. And a list of the suspects and a brief note of why.
ReplyDeleteThomas and the orphanage - I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to have happen. And that was one time were I sometimes wrote a great deal of the text then took piccies to match.
And Dee, there are times when life means you don't want to post. You're in a busy season and want to just relax and play. That's really understandable. I'm still in a posting mood so I'm writing quite a lot. Probably too much for the rest of you. :)
Only one hidden page? Man... Maybe I'm just forgetful, but if I don't write down everything I think of, I pretty much am shooting blind. My Sims have spun a pretty complex web of things to keep track of, though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with PiB, Dee -- always remember to take a break when you need it! I'm always excited whenever there's posts to read, whether it's been a day or a month.
Speaking of which, I could never get sick of you posting PiB. ;)
Anywhere know where Chrysame's disappeared off to? Doesn't look like we've heard from her in a bit.
Kaleeko, you are tracking a much more complex web of story threads at once. I never carry more than a single story per blog - therefore a single page of notes will do.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I could never ever play as far ahead as you *and* keep quiet about the plot line. I find it hard not to let out hints when it's a short story and you guys will know the conclusion in just a couple of weeks.
Haven't heard from Chrysame either - hope everything is ok.
Another BTW - no one boots up their gchat anymore. :(
ReplyDeleteHehe... Yeah, these days, everyone in the fam's got something going on. As does their friends or coworkers. Ach. XD
ReplyDeleteKeeping my mouth shut really is the hardest thing. Especially like right now, when I just finished making my machinima (Eeee!), and I can't share it until I finish my last three posts. DOH!
I'll try and get on gchat more often, I just always forget to open Trillian when I boot my computer. All my other IM buddies keep bugging me about that too, haha. XD
I hope that Chrysame's okay, too. :( I'm not worried, she's probably off having fun without us, but I still miss seeing her name in my inbox!
Thank you MJ. There will probably only be one blog a week for a while. Two if I can find the engergy.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking my last two vacation days this Friday and Monday but Friday is husbands company Christmas party.
Back to blogging. I really miss Chrysame and hope everything is okay with her.
I just haven't been in a chat mood.
To Kaleeko. I wish you had kept the cold weather in Canada with you. It's in the teens here and I'm freakin' freezing.
You can take the snow too. Snowed for three days and is supposed to snow again this weekend.
I hope you can get rested up over the holidays, Dee. Sounds like you're feeling worn out. <3 Hopefully your long weekend will help.
ReplyDeleteOh, and please send the cold weather my way! We've only got like four inches of snow, and it makes me sad. I expect to be doing snow angels by Christmas, gosh darnit!!
Here. Have the snow. This is not a loan. This is a present. Keep it and never give it back. Please?
ReplyDeletei keep a notepad and write down things as they happen in game.. mostly names, traits and things. one day i'm going to start paying for internet and be able to put more time into my posts. so for now it's usually a summary of what goes on but *one day* there will be real stories. my pictures usually go on first, and almost always in chronological order, and then i just describe what's going on in the picture, but if i had the time i would love to put more thought and effort into it. it would probably be much more interesting then. a lot has gone on in my games since my last post. there are now 8 sims in generation 4, with more on the way. almost all of gen 3 are adults and half of gen 2 are dead. i personally have a hard time developing a story about just a few because there's so much going on with the rojo's in general. i like katalina craft. she's moved and gotten another makeover, and i like that i can use epic lifespan on her. one thing i want to work on is portraying my sims in a more real way, giving them more emotions and such.
ReplyDeleteoh and i also would like to add that even though the internet i "borrow" is too slow to upload pics and such, and usually disconnects right as i'm trying to comment, i do keep up with everyone else's posts and really enjoy reading them! i'm bad at commenting, and checking back after i've commented but i check for new posts as much as possible! and i love all of your stories and their creativity :)
ReplyDeleteI can see how it'd be really nice to have two seperate stories going, in that you can do totally different things with each of them (like one huge family and one very single-sim focused game). It seems to be working really well for you right now.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to when you have better net access, Raisin. :) Glad to hear you're still keeping up with things on our end -- I don't mind when people read and don't comment; it's nice, but it's cool just knowing you're still about. Can't wait to see some more updates from ya.
Oh, and Dee -- I can haz snow? :( Ach, the Weather Overlord never listens!
Oh, and a quick question for anyone still checking on these comments: if I have a really long post written, but the whole thing is still basically one scene, would you prefer I keep it in one post or split it up into two?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how long this is gonna be, but I'm looking at how many images are in one that's upcoming and I'm trying to figure out what would be better for the people actually reading it. :)
I just take that 2 story line thing and double it. :) A mere 4 stories to keep readers entertained.
ReplyDeleteIf it's that long Kaleeko, see if you can split it in two. Twice the fun and a bit more suspense for us.
I have split posts into two when they are seriously longer than the normal one. The end of Thomas's orphanage story was one - I had the pics for the last bit but it seemed just too too long for one post.
Hey Raisin,
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you coming to visit. I hope you do get better access sometime.
Notebooks do seem to be necessary if you really want to track stuff properly. I don't bother...:)
Hee, yeah, PiB -- you have so much variety going on in your game right now. You guys should be proud, though! I've actually been juggling two games really marvelously lately! Except, I do tend to be favoring one more than the other... >.>
ReplyDeleteAnyways, thanks for your input. I thiiink it'll be okay as one post, it's actually probably not much longer than my "longer" posts, but I don't want to fry anyone's eyes if I can help it, and it wouldn't hurt to drag out some suspense. I could just do 3 posts that week instead of two, I spose. *ponders...*
Only worry I have is that the post will lose it's 'jive' if cut in half. Hm! I guess I'll just have to see when I get there!
I AM SO EXCITED TO BE ALMOST DONE O@(Y$(!$^*!($^&@$!!!
You'll have to see if it loses impact. Sometimes on reflection, it does work. Sometimes no. :)
ReplyDeleteAlmost done with the Season, cool bananas. But does this mean we have to say bye to Mere, Jeb, Travis and Brad? [sniff][sob]
Well, I'll make the final decision once it's written. Got a few other 'post logistics' I need to figure out, too, but I'm sure if I stop trying to figure it out beforehand I'll wing it just fine.
ReplyDeleteYou won't have to say goodbye entirely to Meredith & the Boys. There's going to be both flashbacks and visits home, both of which will be frequent enough that Twinbrook will rarely be forgotten. ;)
Sammy recommends that you just get on with it. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope we won't totally lose the boys.
Sorry, I haven't been around. Real life needed tending to and I didn't have the energy for anything else. I'll catch up with the blogs as I can.
ReplyDeleteMy process was to take the pics and structure a very loose "idea". I'd put them up, write and post. Bam, bam, bam. Sometimes, as I wrote I'd add a pic that I had saved on my computer but I never planned anything.
No new toddler stuff yet? Oh, come on, EA!
Chrysaaaaaaammmeee!! <3
ReplyDeleteIt's okay, RL > The Internetz. We just missed you. That, and, it's highly probable that we're all a bunch of worry-warts. >.>
I'm pretty annoyed about not having new toddler/kid stuff, either. They announced the next stuff pack, they added some (actually really nice) sets to the store this month, but it looks like it all is, yet again, focused on adults.
Also, if you look at this survey they sent out ( http://www.simprograms.com/26990/new-worldsitems-survey-from-the-sims-3-store/#more-26990 ) it looks like they have a lot of awesome things in the works like a "Magic" type expansion in the store, but... No kid stuff. Grr!
Anyways, hope things slow down for you Chrysame, or at the very least you have a wonderful holiday. :) Just know we were thinkin' of ya!
Kaleeeeeeeko!
ReplyDeleteI'm cold and grumpy so not all is lost! That was remarkably random. Woot!
I bought some of the new stuff but, dagnabit, I'm so tired of all my toddlers looking the same.
BTW, Marta was made for that late night anime ponytail look. She almost looks beautiful...almost...then she talks like Betty Boop and it's all over.
I bought a couple of the new items too, but I toootally agree: we need more toddler stuff! I'd really love some actual new activities for them, but even a hairstyle or two would rock. They've put in a ton of baby furniture, why not cosmetic stuff?
ReplyDeleteHahaha!! Betty Boop... Oh dear. That put Marta into a totally different light for me. She really is a very exotic looking Sim -- I luvs her. :) And her high-pitched voice!
So glad to see you Chrysame. I was a bit worried too but thought it was just more of that real life stuff.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask a favor of everyone? Time to add some stuff to your wish lists so when I buy points I can do my Sim friends holiday gift giving. Give early so you have it for your holiday is my thought.
Hi Chrysame. It's good to see your name pop up. :)
ReplyDeleteA good and intriguing question, and I'll think about it more if and when I get some interesting games started. The computer I used to use no longer has internet access, so most of my games from a year+ ago are not available at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures always came first for me, simply because I didn't write real stories, just took pictures and tied them together with text. With Zayne, well, I simply turned her loose and tried to type fast enough to keep up with whatever came out of her mouth.