Theoretically, things can only go up from here.

[azaya]

I've reached a sort of decision re: simming. I'm going to take a little break from it. Not from story things, because I think it'll be fun and possibly creatively stimulating to try to illustrate my new story as well as just writing it. And not from creating (not that my creating is especially creative or complex) because I'll need lots of things for the story and, well, I love doing it. But Gladsheim and Halcyon Point (my recently created beach hood) are going to be on hiatus for a bit.

I play too much, and it's not good for me. It's too accessible of an escape from reality, and the more I play, the more my creativity seems to stagnate, and the deeper my depression gets (how deep does the rabbit hole go, God I hope I don't find out). I've never been a go-out-and-do-things kind of girl, I like sitting at home with a book or a notebook or my knitting or sketching or all the other hobbies I used to have. Sims, though, is sucking up way too much time, like Guild Wars used to.

So, I'm going to work on Wycliffe-the-story-hood exclusively, and try to concentrate on making things for the story itself, though if something else comes up that I want to make, I most likely will. Thank you, ADD.

Writing for the last year or so, instead of being fun and invigorating and fulfilling, has been nerve-wracking at best and impossible at worst. A lot of it has to do with the Best Friend and me drifting apart, because we relied so heavily on each other for our writing. But with me two states away until this summer and her at college, it's hard to keep in touch, especially since she's the type to way over-commit and never have time even to answer an e-mail. So I've had to find someone else to trust with my stories, and that's been very, very hard. Last night Tim finally convinced me that since he's my significant other, if I'm going to let anyone into my head, it ought to be him. I've wanted to be able to share with him all along, but it's hardest to talk to him about it, because his opinion is so incredibly important to me. But I'm feeling a little better already, so I think I made the right choice.

Aaaaanyway. Am making some copypasta retextures of some of Aikea and Gelydh's shirt textures, including the FT sweater separates. Will share when finished.

And now, the to-do list of things that must get done before the story can happen.

- TITLE TITLE TITLE (hard because I usually do this last.)
- cut off extra blossoms and enlarge remaining flower of Steffor's irises AND REMESH THE LEAVES APPARENTLY
- adjust copy of iris to look wilted
- recolor rebecah's bicycle
- build apartments: Walt, Valerie
- build shells at least of college buildings: 4/8
- build Canterbury Park
- recolor photographs appropriately

It seems a little less daunting when laid out in list format. The title is going to kill me, though. I try to let my stories name themselves, but this time I can't start it til it's chosen.

Oh, well. Something will come.

Comments

[beescratch.livejournal.com]

Writing for the last year or so, instead of being fun and invigorating and fulfilling, has been nerve-wracking at best and impossible at worst. A lot of it has to do with the Best Friend and me drifting apart,... especially since she's the type to way over-commit and never have time even to answer an e-mail.

That is scarily similar to what's happened to me. Except replace college with job.

[sixtylilies.livejournal.com]

k, let's be BFFs til they come to their senses.

[beescratch.livejournal.com]

Deal.

[rustedinkwell.livejournal.com]

There are a billion options for a title, but only one of them will ever fit. That's probably my second least favorite part of making a story.

Perhaps you could make a list of things that are important in the story? Objects, places, and people are the obvious starters, but then throw in maybe colors or emotions that occur frequently (if that sort of thing happens). Maybe an event that things might be centered around or that triggered the story to start.

Or, maybe something that only relates to it in a metaphorical sense.

I know how you feel though with the creativity running dry because of sims. I think that in it's own way it's a creative outlet, but it's very limited because of that we start to think in terms of what we can and can't do with the game. Even if we don't realize it.

[sixtylilies.livejournal.com]

That sounds much more organized than what I've been doing, which is listen to the soundtrack repeatedly and hope something comes to me. I will give that a try.

Yes, I agree. It's sort of deceptive, because although it is a game that encourages you to try things and think outside the box, the box you think outside of is inside another, bigger box labeled "Limits of the Game". With that horrendous analogy in mind, I shall click post.

[kinemortophobia.livejournal.com]

I wait for lightning to strike me in terms of creativity. Which is why my output is so sparse, because "AH HA"s are so very rare. In fact, I renamed my whole story just yesterday because of an AH HA moment, and so gaslampherald is obsolete. I was never very comfortable with that name anyway. I may use the place to just keep track of notes though as it still exists as an in-story newspaper.

I am excited for your storyyyyyyyyy. I don't share mine with anyone. I never share writing or any creative anything (aside from Sims crap and only when it's already finished) with anyone. I ask Chris to look over stuff sometimes but he doesn't really read things, offer constructive feedback, or... whatever. He's the type of dude who would say something is great but be completely unable to tell me why, which is aggravating.

Blah blah blah, me me me.

[sixtylilies.livejournal.com]

I'm excited for your story too! I love steampunk, even though I'm not especially well-educated on the subject. Though when I first heard about it, my reaction was "Wait, Victorian era and imaginary technology and robots? Fuck yes," so I believe I would count as a fan.

I share sometimes, though most of the time I don't tell people all the inner workings of the plot and characters, aside from (formerly) the Best Friend. Tim doesn't really read either, which was why it was kind of a surprise when he first mentioned to me that he was a little hurt that I talk to my other friends about my stories willy-nilly, but was really reticent to share with him. I feel better for having done it, though, and he's already helped me a little.

I admit, it's nice hearing "This is great" occasionally. But "This is great because" is much nicer.

[simperfect.livejournal.com]

I feel the same about steampunk. It looks and sounds great, I just don't know a hell of a lot about it. Having said that, I'm looking forward to reading your story, Phobia.