#i've seen so many simblr ask games!

[greenplumbboblover]

Simblr.cc

I made a website!

Now you've probably seen the attempt before, people getting mad at tumblr and then making a 'Simblr' (Tumblr clone). Though, despite tumblr being sometimes a bit frustrating because of their changes, that's not why this site came to be...

I wanted a place where Storytellers, Creators, and just generic sim players can all be together and get the exposure and fun that they deserve.

Not only that, but also for a place where the TSM community and TS1 can belong somewhere too without the use of a forum.

And eventually, I hope we can make it the home for Life by you and Paralives when that comes out :)

Plus, it's also NSFW friendly! While the site is initially PG-13, we've got tags and profile settings that allow you to browse NSFW items as well.

Simblr.cc:

Discord:

What can I find on Simblr.cc exactly?

Anything for all sims games, really! TS1, TS2, TS3, TS4 and TSM

Practically anything you technically can find on Tumblr and really other sim websites. We've got...

Mods

I've specifically made filters for different games, and their needs in mind. For example, for TS2 there are so many awesome game fixes out there and clean templates, that you'll be able to navigate and find this easily.

Not only that, items can also be put in multiple categories! Especially great if you've uploaded a set!

You can also find Testers wanted only mods here if you feel like helping out fellow simmers with testing!

NOTE:

Mods do go through a "queue", but not in the same way as you may have experienced on MTS or TSR. I merely check if it's flagged as NSFW correctly, and then it's good to go! :) So the waiting time will be much less!

See TOU: Click me!

Eventually, I may see if I can get a bypass system in place, but that really depends on if NSFW isn't too confusing.

Work In Progress

To show off your work to others! Even if it's project #94882 that may never get released, any WIPS are fine!

Stories

It's really difficult to find new Sim stories or Legacies on Tumblr, let alone for these writers to get people to read their awesome stories! Hopefully this should make the process much easier now!

Also! You got any comic or "movie/cinematic" like stories? No problem! Just check the "carousel only" option, so no description needed!

Feed

... and for the Simblrs here, a feed to see all the people you follow, their content (stories, WIPs, mods and general posts)! Or, simply check out sitewide, or even game-related, what people have been posting!

Customizable profile pages

Just like tumblr, you can make your own profile page! With it's own colours and a pre-made theme. (if you need a different profile page, though, Let us know on the discord)

Want a peek? Here you go:

What about moderation?

While there's a report system in place, and the items in the queue are checked for NSFW, but users could still turn their non-NSFW to a NSFW, items may be stolen. So do report these as that will never be condoned!

Additionally, all comments you get on your mods, story, etc. Those are primarily moderated by you. You can delete them, you can turn comments off even if you'd like. If things really go wrong, you can always ask an admin.

Got any ideas? Feel free to share!

Since I really wanted it to be a website we all create together in some degree, if you have any features you're missing or would like to see, feel free to share on the discord!

Where are the Advertisements?

If you're currently not seeing them as of reading the post, that's because that's still being set up. This is merely to cover the cost of the website! Though, I promise you I won't bombard the site with ads, as that's just annoying.

[intramoon]

hi aj !! i have a question i dont want to sound rude please know im not trying to be rude. i came back to simblr after a long time and its been really hard not to get discouraged. :/ my account is really dead no one interacts with me anymore. stuff is so different. i remember you used to be kinda popular but how do you deal with people not interacting with you as much as they used to?? i dont mean that in a mean way!! i dont want to quit simblr but idk how to get back to how things were

Hi! Don't worry, I don't think you're being rude, I understand where you're coming from. ♡ My response will be long because I have a lot to say about the topic, hopefully, it will help you.

If you were mostly active when I was in my "prime" (assuming that's what you mean by "kinda popular"), like 2018-2021, things will never be how they were then. The community, trends, and how we interacted with each other was so much different, I don't think it will ever go back to how it was then. I am kind of happy about that. Although my relationship with that time on Simblr is nostalgic (despite being too young and miserable to enjoy it), I think the community is in a healthier place now (mostly). I have had to adjust to a couple of things since coming back. One is that the content looks different now.

In my "prime" people were just getting into editing (that was a time before ReShade). Heavy editing and experimental editing were really celebrated, partly because everyone was learning and learning from each other. We just wanted to see what was possible. Now, maybe partly in reaction to that trend and how demanding it was, people have found an appreciation for the base game, simple screenshots with really only ReShade/gshade, CAS screenshots, etc. Not to say the former doesn't exist anymore because it absolutely does and people have become truly incredible at it. In some regard, it is an acquired taste especially if that's all you do. I've thought to myself many times should I stop editing the way I do, does that impact the way people take in my content? Do I have editing blindness? lol I like how I edit, I enjoy the process and, even if I do have editing blindness, I like how it looks. Even being an alpha creator, they are fewer and fewer as people opt for MM and MMix. I've thought, do people really not like alpha content anymore? Even my story at times felt like it didn't fit into the current story ethos. I thought about stopping it. I bring that all up to say, when you're coming back to a very different Simblr it can feel like what you used to make doesn't "fit in". And it might not. I don't think that should be the goal. The community now is so much more diverse, content-wise, that anything you want to make is possible. If you sacrifice your artistic vision, you'll end up leaving again. You have to make what speaks to you, regardless of the other noise.

Two, you have to find your reason for making your art. For a moment, I really lost touch with what I was even doing here. I took some time to figure it out. I first started because I wanted to tell a story that talked about intimacy through the lens of a sex worker and someone who had no romantic or sexual experience. I wanted to do this without over-sexualizing my sex worker character and infantilizing my other character. I wanted to write some of the dialogue I was having internally. Way back when that was all I wanted to do, I didn't struggle with being seen as much because I was posting with a purpose. That purpose wasn't likes or reblogs, but to tell a story and have a conversation. Everything else came after. Anyone coming back (or looking for a reason to stay) has to find, within themselves, why they want to be here and what they want to get out of it. I promise you if you reconnect with that, posting will be easier regardless of the outcome.

I know I took a lot for granted way back when. Asks about me or my characters, comments, tags, and even people wanting to join me in a Discord server or stream. Sounds like we both, a one point, wish we could go back. That just means it's something to appreciate more now. You can be and make really whatever you want, which wasn't always possible. Maybe think of coming back as a small rebirth and trust that if you keep at it, you will find your people. I am still in the process of finding mine but I trust they are out there. If you're passionate people will feel it. Best of luck and I hope something in this novel helps you! ♡

[imageingrunge]

i'm thinking of getting ts4 vampires because of yOU 🫵🫵 (and because of the werewolves mod that i've seen you have as well and c'mon, those werewolves look way better than the EA furries..)

idk say something about it, am i just going mad? i enjoy so much having families of spellcasters living among sims muggles so, i guess it wouldn't be a bad decision

ofc i'd get it discounted, buuut since you're one of my fav simblrs and since you play heavily with occults, before this purchase i wanted to know pros and cons and your opinion in general

(i can't get it free because i play on mac and now that they made us switch from origin to the ea app, us mac players are done 😪)

anywayy, much love and i adooore your game, sorry for the rambling and long ask! have a great day - xoxo!!

hiiii ❤️!! Literally no hate to furries but I want to put the fear of god into my sims when I play as a werewolf hehe. And honestly, ts4 vamps is one of the best packs they came out w for me bc there's so much u can do w lore & mods, gameplay doesnt suck for what u have, I don't get a lot of bugs w this one plus it works well w other packs- Story wise there's so many ways u can go like take a look at nv-games blog their vamp family is major inspo for me!- the vatore twins n vlad are some of the few townies that really stand out to me/feel rich w/out having come from older games. I like the powers/weakness tree (except I always cheat to let them be able to walk in the sun) the only con i cant fix w mods is that the world is so tiny :( which is a shame cuz it has the best atmosphere out of all the worlds

Other mods I use w this pack come from nv-games here and the plasma fruit tree replacer. Im cleaning my mods folder atm so i dont remember if I was using the Vampires can kill mod or not bc I haven't seen it in there but its been crazy easy for me to kill townies w this pack esp as Vlad i've killed Judith Ward, and several other ugly townies just from drinking too deeply which is a major plus for me

[sim-berry]

Reminders for the upcoming TS4 update!

Simmers, the new expansion pack For Rent comes out on December 7th and as we all know, big updates can mess with your game especially if you use mods. I've learned my lesson from the last few updates and I'd like to give some suggestions to help!

Note: I use the EA App for Sims 4, on a Windows computer. The methods I describe here will probably not apply to MAC users. I also don't know if these work for pirated games so just be careful!

-BACK UP YOUR SAVES. Just in case your save gets corrupted or the update somehow manages to lose your saves (this has happened to me- after the update, my saves were gone). Here's what I do:

Navigate to your "Sims 4" folder. In my case it's Documents>Electronic Arts>Sims 4.

Find your "saves" folder and right-click to copy it.

Paste your copy of your saves folder to your desktop (some people paste to their external hard drive as well, but I'm not sure how to do this)

Right click on your copy to rename it. It's a good idea to write the date on which you copied your folder. Here's my current backup:

Your saves are now backed up! If you lose your files in the game or they become corrupted, open up your backup folder, then select and copy all the files in the folder and then paste them into your actual saves folder. Your saves will then be restored! You should do this every so often just in case. I try and back up my saves once a month.

-Turn off automatic updates. This way you can choose when to update your game. I personally wait until mod creators start updating their mods and then update the game.

Open the EA App and head to your settings, then the "downloads" tab.

Turn off the "update games automatically" option.

When you're ready, update the game and enjoy!

-Follow mod creators on social media. If you use mods, it's a good idea to keep up with updates and what the creators are up to. When there's a huge Sims update, many mods (especially script mods) tend to break and need to be updated by the creators. Keeping up with them allows you to see what their plans are for updating the mods. Creators use many different platforms, but from what I've seen most tend to use Tumblr, Patreon, and Twitter/X to post updates. If I find a mod I really like, I always follow the creator. They also deserve tons of support for their amazing work!

-Know which mods are broken and updated. In addition to following mod creators, there are multiple threads that log all mods with each update. They tell us which mods are broken, which are updated, and which were unaffected by the update. If you're experiencing a glitch with a mod, you can report it on these threads. Here are examples of threads from previous updates:

Always check these before writing to an official Sims/EA forum about a glitch. If you use script mods, the bugs you're experiencing will most likely be from these mods. Also, if you use UI mods like UI Cheats, don't freak out if your UI looks like this:

Your game isn't corrupted, the mod is just outdated. UI Cheats almost always breaks after a big update. The creator of UI Cheats updates frequently, so make sure to check up on their Patreon page.

-Check in with the community if you have a bug. The Sims Forums, r/Sims4 on Reddit, and Simblr are good places to go if you have a question about a bug you're having. r/Sims4 was a lifesaver for everyone who had the dreaded tooth glitch in Growing Together. If you're having a non-mod related bug, chances are others are having it too, so don't feel afraid to ask!

I hope this helps some of my fellow simmers. Good luck with the new update and pack, I can't wait to see how my favorite Simblrs use it in their stories and gameplays!💖

[elderberries-and-honey]

i'm really, really sad that i missed simblr gratitude day due a lull in my mental health. but even though the day has passed, i still wanted to show my appreciation & give y'all the flowers you deserve.

first, i want to give a huge thank you to the cc & mod creators. the decades challenge would not be possible without your contributions to the sims community. being able to immerse myself into worlds i can only imagine is self-care. being able to imagine, to create, to play and indulge myself in this escape is an act of self-love and i can never begin to express how thankful i am to be able to do that. second, i want to share how much i love & adore my mutuals and friends i've made here. our small interactions, the notifications that remind me i am seen and not forgotten even when i'm not as active as i'd like to be, those who help me with work out the plot knots & who help me overcome my frivolous moments of perfectionism and give me the strength to just fucking post the damned thing! i value all of these equally, big or small and hold them very dear to my heart. i love that this little niche hobby has allowed me to meet so many amazing people and read so many wonderful stories and i promise, i never take that for granted. third is just anyone who creates and shares their art here. seeing everyone's creativity is inspiring for me. there are so many ways to play this damn busted-ass game and it's so cool to see that in real time. it's so easy to get discouraged when every other week there's a new patch, controversy or huge terrifying bug (i have trauma from high school years i stg ;~;) but your creations are what keeps me coming back. and fourth, but certainly not least, to my readers. ever since i was little, writing has always been my favorite hobby. i'm not patient enough for coding or in-depth editing, my hands shake too much for art & my brain does not compute math whatsoever. so writing has been my go to avenue for self expression and creativity. any question, any ask or tag game, that has come my way, fuels my love for these characters and my passion for writing. sometimes the internet feels like shouting into a void but knowing my efforts to craft a cohesive story aren't entirely pointless means so much to me.

i know i'm a day(s) late but hopefully not a dollar short when i say thank you. from the bottom my heart, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. thank you for reading, thank you for your passion, thank you for your creations, thank you for your endless kindness & patience.

i wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS & i can't wait to come back refreshed in the new year!

happy simming! 💚

[ophernelia]

I’m not trying to be rude or anything, and I know a lot of you all are new to tumblr, but why does everyone want to all of a sudden give credit to people? I mean the people that everyone look up to don’t do it. It’s great that you all are doing it, don’t get me wrong, I just think it can be a lot when people think you’ve been influenced by someone and you haven’t. So what happens when people start to accuse you of copying someone that you’ve never copied? Do you get evidence and then begin to defend yourself among people who really don’t care but just want to be messy? I’m just trying to take a deep dive at things, don’t take this personal.

This is going to be long.

I'm not new. I've had a tumblr account since 2012. Had a TS3 simblr. Credit isn't a new concept in the slightest in the sims community. It is merely a form of acknowledgment. Which has long been a thing in this community. Take a peek at storytelling simblrs, particularly black ones, and many of them with tell you about Mochasims. I have seen so many of them credit Mocha with being their inspiration for getting into storytelling using the sims on this platform. Though Mocha receives no benefit from this as they have passed (May she rest.), it is still a good thing to do. It is how we pay our respects to others, their work, and their impact. CC creators regularly give credit to each other whenever they use certain assets or whatever. Be it a mesh, hair base, or color palette. Giving credit is built into the Sims 4 gallery. The original creator is always acknowledged. You can see comments on some posts stating "Hey! You stole this from this creator!" dating back to the launch of the gallery in the game.

This isn't a new practice at all. It's simply good online etiquette. Particularly in the creator space. We've seen what impact things like this have had. Hence, the entire dance credit debacle on Tik Tok when the renegade was popular. In this current age of social media, you know the importance of reach. For those who are here simply for fun, this isn't important. Those of you with other socials, be it YouTube, Tik Tok, etc. and are looking to grow your audience: this is how you grow. It is also the etiquette you should maintain as a creator which would help mitigate some of those copying comments. Additionally, it is how you foster better relationships with other creators and the community as a whole. Apart of community is celebrating and recognizes the wins and the movements of others. Though we all have access to the same content, we don't all use it in the same way. Certain creators are known for how they use certain things. No one's saying you can't use it at all, but be mindful in the way that you do. You gotta know how to navigate the space you're in.

What do you do when someone accuses you of copying someone else? Firstly, if it's in a harassing manner, block them. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone and you shouldn't be subjected to that behavior even if you were copying someone to a T. You don't need to pull out receipts. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. Whether they were asking nicely or not. Certainly not if you suspect they're trying to be messy. Why expend the energy on them anyway? You get to tailor your online experience. (I said it before but it's a dictatorship over here. If I don't like, block, delete, remove. You'll be talking to yourself.) Hoes talk, let them. Understand though, that this isn't something that's avoidable as a content creator. It may pop up here and there. Especially within a certain niche of the community. (I.e. neutral simmers. They get accused of copying each other all the time. Though there's only so many neutral colors in a palette. It happens.) Handle your shit. Gracefully though. I get it's annoying and grating, but flying off the handle won't help. Keep it kind, make a statement to your audience and keep it pushing.

And to directly address that one comment: I don't care what other people do. I'll govern myself and my platform accordingly. Regardless of what another large creator may do, it is my responsibility to myself and to the community that I am fostering to handle myself (and my platform) with integrity. Larger creators do grimy stuff all the time. That's not my issue. I don't need them to lead. You've gotta conduct yourself to your standards, baby. What kind of community do YOU wanna create?

That's just my two cents though. You have free reign to do whatever you feel is best and brings you the most peace, boo.

[snapdragoned]

sims tag!

tagged by @simmer-until-tender & @themeasureofasim (so long ago, whoops) thank you!

Favorite sims death?

I've only ever seen drowning, fire, and old age in my game (so boring, I know) but I think I have to go with Murphy Bed for sheer "unlikely but plausible" horror.

Alpha CC or Maxis Match?

Maxis Match with a little soupçon of semi-realism, particularly with hair. I just love that classic Pooklet shine.

Do you cheat when your sims gain weight?

No way -- the Townie Body Diversity Project is one of my favorite mods for a reason! We need more fat sims! If I could have one no-questions-asked Sims 2 wish granted, it would be more diverse bodytypes for all existing meshes (dream on, I know).

Do you use move objects?

Who doesn't? I basically only have it off to place diagonal doors and windows.

Favorite mod?

This is such a hard question because there are /hundreds/ of tiny QOL mods that add up into such incredible gameplay. But I'm going to go with either the Community Time Project or Skilling on Community Lots! The latter especially makes so many community lots... actually worth it. I don't think I could play without it. Why bother otherwise?

First expansion/game/stuff pack you got?

I think I actually got Nightlife before University and I loved it. Everyone was a vampire and had the most expensive car. Life was simple and good.

Do you pronounce “live mode” like aLIVE or LIVing?

Live as in "we're going live!" The other way feels so bizarre in my mouth.

Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made?

I will always have a soft spot for an alien sim named Laika from many, many neighborhoods ago. She was my icon for a long time!

Have you made a simself?

Only when I was younger! I like The Sims (and most media, tbh) to be as indulgent and escapist from my own life as possible. Like, what am I doing there?? I have the same reaction to self-insert fanfiction too. What is my purpose in this narrative? No thanks.

What sims traits do you give yourself?

For TS2: Lazy, Playful, Pleasure Aspiration.

For TS3: Vegetarian, Absent-Minded, Good Sense of Humor, Neurotic, Over-Emotional 🥲

Which is your favorite EA hair color?

I assume this is a question tailored to one of the other games, lol. As a kid I always loved shortslick in red because it was a slightly different shade than the other red hairstyles in the game, and it felt like the closest I could get to a new hair color without CC (which I didn't know how to download).

Favorite EA hair?

I really love the paperboycap hairstyle that came with Apartment Life! I wish there were pookleted defaults of it that just retextured the hair and kept the hat. Sometimes I use it anyway even though it doesn't match the rest of the hair in my game. It's cute!

Favorite life stage?

I actually really, really love the Child life state! There is so much that children can do (painting! gardening! cooking!) and it feels like after a toddler life state that doesn't have much variety between sims, you finally get to get a feel for what kind of person they're going to be. Plus, so many cute social interactions between other children and their parents. I'm always sad to see them grow into teens :(

Are you a builder or are you in it for the game play?

Both! I'm honestly not a very good builder and often get impatient because I just want to play and take pictures. But then if the world doesn't feel "real" or visually appealing enough, I get frustrated because the gameplay isn't as satisfying. I constantly have to force myself to stop and focus on building so I don't overshoot on the playing in a way that feels dissatisfying. Fun hobby.

Are you a CC creator?

No, but I have a lot of practice downloading things :)

Do you have any simblr friends/a sims squad?

I've never been in the Sims community consistently enough for that, but there are plenty of names that give me the happy little "ah, you! 🥰" thought bubble over my head for when I see them on my dashboard!

What’s your favorite game (1,2,3,4)?

Must you even ask?

Do you have any sims merch?

I have a pair of plumbob earrings! They're understated enough that I feel like I can get away with wearing them to work. Someone actually correctly ID'd them once, too!

Do you have a youtube for sims?

No, editing pictures and posting here is enough of a timesink on its own. But I love watching speedbuilds!

How has your “sims style” changed throughout your years of playing?

Wow, so much. If this is about visuals, I didn't really have a cohesive style until I stumbled upon GOS in 2007 or so. The grungy look and my emo phase were like a wine & cheese pairing for the ages. When I got back into the Sims again in college in 2012, I'd shifted to a brighter style bordering on cartoonish (hello snapdragoned psd!). I think now I'm a sitting somewhere a little more muted, but hopefully still fun to look at 😬

If this question is geared more towards play style, I'm playing in rounds for the first time in... ever. I used to just wander into households and play until I got bored, or focus only on one family. What a difference it makes! I don't think I've ever been so hooked/consistently eager to play.

What’s your origin ID?

You people still use Origin?

Who’s your favorite cc creator?

Don't make me pick! There are a mind-boggling number of active creators out there still making beautiful, functional content. I adore and appreciate all of them! The game still feels so new and fresh. It was such a treat to come back to after a long hiatus.

How long have you had a simblr?

...eleven years 🥲 My GOD, do you ever feel old?!

How do you edit your pictures?

I should have read ahead before I mentioned the PSD, lol. I use Greenshot to take screenshots, then manually resize them in an old, super legal copy of Photoshop. Then I run a batch Photoshop action (sharpening, brightening, making colors more vivid) on them. Done and dusted.

What expansion/game/stuff pack do you want next?

I guess I'll use this section for my dream mod. I would love more crafting benches/craftable items and more hobby options for the Freetime hobbies! Or a new Supernatural life state.

[kimmiessimmies]

Get to know me - Sims style

Thanks for the tag, @nocturnalazure. I love doing things like this, especially when I don’t have a lot of other updates. 😄 Keeps things active. Long read, so under the cut!

What’s your favourite Sims death?

This is such a weird question to me. I mean, I know there's whole crowds of people who play this game for the sole purpose of killing their Sims off, but I'm so attached to my Sims, their deaths can truly upset me somewhat. So, no, I don't have a "favourite death".

Alpha CC or MaxisMatch?

It truly depends on what I need. I guess I use more MaxisMatch CC though.

Do you cheat your sims weight?

Absolutely. I have them gain or lose weight when it fits their character at that point in their life of their story.

Do you use move objects?

I can't play without it.

Favourite Mod?

Anything NRAAS. I probably would have given up on this game if it weren't for those mods.

First Expansion/Game Pack/Stuff Pack?

For TS3 it was World Adventures

Do you pronounce live mode like aLIVE or LIVing?

Alive.

Who’s your favourite sim that you’ve made?

Are you seriously asking me to choose between my babies? I have so many faves and they change from time to time too. But I guess James is a good contender. He has a very interesting character profile which grew and developed over time. Part of his story is yet to be revealed but is very much alive in my mind. 😄 However, technically I didn't 'make' James. I created his parents and James, along with his sisters, was an EA generated child.

Have you made a simself?

Yes, she's my avatar on here. I recently updated her, because she was still a YA and, as much as I hate to admit it, I'm past that life stage now. 😄 I also updated her hairstyle and clothing to fit the current me a bit more. She's not as good a match to my actual self as some of the other sim selves I've seen people create over the years, but she comes close.

I don't play my selfsim. That feels weird to me. No offence to others who do, though. It's just not my style.

Which is your favourite EA hair colour?

There's a light brown colour I'm partial to at the moment, but without opening my game I have no idea if it's an EA colour or one I've added. Recently I've become annoyed by the reddish shade of EA's darker brown, but a lot of my Sims have that hair colour, so I'm subtly changing it on some of them.

Favourite EA hair?

I have so much CC hair (need to do a purge), that I don't actually remember what hair is EA. 🤣

Favourite life stage?

I mostly enjoy playing my older teens and young adults. I know most players don't distinguish between younger and older teens, but the way I approach the game means there's definitely a difference between younger and older teens. And the older teens and young adults are usually the most interesting because I get to create the most drama during those years.

Are you a builder or are you in it for the gameplay?

I used to be both equally. Building up my town and then playing it. But my gameplay changed so now I'm not sure. I play to tell the story and I build to set the scene for the story, mostly.

My extensive town is still the starting point for everything though. Honeycomb Valley means a lot to me and I'm in the process of building up a 2.0 version of my town. Hopefully, I'm able to create a (slightly) lighter version of the town and therefore a smaller-sized save file. I'm by no means an expert builder, but I can create decent (simple) lots.

Are you a CC creator?

No. I do create pictures and custom signs for my own game though.

Do you have any Simblr friends or a Sim Squad?

Yes, I'm pretty sure I do. Back in the forum days, I was rather closely connected to quite a few other Simmers. There are a few people I'm also connected to on regular social media platforms, so we follow each other's personal lives alongside our Sim ones. In July 2014 I met up with my SimSisters Sandy (@aroundthesims) and Sara (@simsaralove) in Paris for a day, which was absolutely brilliant. Especially when you realise we all live in different countries. A few weeks later, Sara visited me in my hometown for a (beach)day. ❤️

Besides these lovelies, there are a couple of people on here whom I follow religiously because I either greatly admire what they do/write/play or because they're just lovely. Or both. 🥰 I guess I consider those connections a virtual friendship in a way too. At least from my perspective.

Do you have any sims merch?

Nope.

Do you have a YouTube for sims?

No, I just have Tumblr and my WordPress blog.

How has your “Sims style” changed throughout your years of playing?

Oh, loads! When I played The Sims 1 and 2 I played rounds of 2 days per family. When The Sims 3 came around I started playing SimYears. At first, my style of playing was just visiting families and going with the flow. Pretty much as I had always done before that. I didn't even take screenshots. It wasn't until I became an active member of the Sims community that I found out there was actually an interest in my Sims and that’s when I started actively taking (pretty bad) pictures of the things I played out and writing stories. Back then, Sandy called her stories "non-stories", which very much applied to me as well, so I adopted that term. Not so much stories, but rather a picture collection of things that occurred with a line of text. Reading my earlier (non-)stories now, I'm often tempted to go back and change them, but I won't.

Gradually, things changed. I started to plan events and happenings, and then playing those out. Characters developed and got more depth. I spent more time telling their individual backstories. It was actually you, @nocturnalazure, who gave me one of the loveliest compliments I've ever received a few years ago on a story and I never forgot that. You said you had always liked my stories, but the more recent ones made you feel more connected to my characters. That meant a lot to me. ❤️

Now, story planning has become my main starting point. I hardly ever have time to play randomly (which I do regret, I loved doing that), but planning and writing first and then playing out the stories absolutely works for me. I even threw my "no poses policy" away. 😄

My different approach to gameplay and storytelling sometimes also makes me a bit anxious though. KimmiesSimmies used to be light, airy, cute and innocent. Even the name is. Lately, what with writing first, the tide is turning. While I can still write "cute", my stories are generally more serious, sometimes quite a bit less innocent than they used to be. Take James for instance. As I mentioned earlier, there's a lot more to be told when it comes to his story. And the things which are about to come up (not soon, but they will) are definitely not light and airy, cute and innocent, but quite deep and even a bit dark. I want to tell these stories, but at the same time, I'm apprehensive about it. Is this still KimmiesSimmies material?

What’s your origin id?

I have no idea.

Who’s your favorite CC creator?

Definitely Sandy, @aroundthesims, when it comes to objects. She always seems to create just what I need. ❤️

How long have you had simblr?

Tumblr told me it was my 10 year anniversary about a week after I returned from my hiatus last March. So, 10 years apparently! I was away for 5 though, so it doesn't really count.

How do you edit your pictures?

Two/three clicks in PicMonkey. And then it'll just have to do.

What expansion/ gamepack is your favourite?

Either Seasons or University

I'm not tagging anyone in particular this time, but if you read this and think, 'hey, that seems fun, I want to do this', please consider yourself tagged. 😉

[quiver-full-of-sims]

Fundie Simblr Ask Game!

Reblog is you want numbers in your ask box!

Favorite character?

Favorite couple?

Least favorite character?

Least favorite couple?

Who's your prettiest sim?

What's an odd rule [insert fundie family] has?

How conservative is [insert fundie family]?

Is [insert fundie family] Quiverfull?

Does the [insert fundie family] family homeschool, Christian-school, or public-school? How do they feel about college? Does the answer to those questions change depending on the age/gender of the child?

Was [insert fundie sim/family] always this conservative, or did they become this way over time? Were they born into a fundie family? Since being born/married, have they become more fundie, less fundie, or stayed about the same?

How did [insert fundie sim/family] react to [insert rebellious action/family member]?

How judgy is [insert fundie sim/family]? Will they outright criticize and get mad at less fundie family members, or do they leave them be?

How faithful is [insert fundie sim/family] to the fundie lifestyle? Do they really believe in it all, or do they just go along with it?

Is [insert sim] the type to say, “Women shouldn’t teach men!” and then go on to approve of women preaching to men over Simstagram, or do they actually follow fundie commandments?

What's [insert character]'s favorite [food/color/etc.]

Can you share a fun fact about [insert character/family]?

Can you share a surprising/not-fun fact about [insert character/family]?

Can you share screenshots/a floorplan of the house [insert fundie family] is currently living in? How many times have they moved? How many times have they renovated?

What are the traits/aspiration/etc of [insert fundie sim]?

What kind of family is [insert fundie family]? Are they a warm and loving family, or are they cold and detached? Is the house loud and busy, or calm and quiet?

Who was [insert fundie sim] close with growing up? Are they still friends? Who are they close with now?

How close are [insert two fundie sims]? Do they spend a lot of time together? Were they close/did they know each other when they were younger?

Walk me through the love story of [insert fundie couple]. When and how did they meet? What were their courtship, engagement, and wedding like? How are they doing now? (Bonus points if all or some of it is from the couple's perspective!)

[Insert fundie sim] is being interviewed for Godly Man Magazine/Precious Helpmeet Magazine. Write their answer to one or more questions! [The questions can be provided by the Asker- leave blank if you want the Simblr to make up the question(s)!]

What’s something silly and unnecessary you do for your sims and the story? (For instance, do you make wedding invitations? Do you stage conflicts in your head/using poses? Do you have a spreadsheet or notebook? Etc.)

Tell me more about [insert character/family/fundie organization]. Where are they now/what do they do/et cetera?

How many descendants would your first-gen couple have if this were real life?

How do you choose your heir?

How do you choose which sims become more fundie and which become less?

Do you randomize traits, storylines, etc., or do you carefully plan out each detail?

How do you decide on names? Do your sims have naming themes? Do you use websites, books, or your own imagination?

What's your most-used mod for fundie gameplay?

What is your favorite CC blog for fundie-appropriate clothing?

The worst/most annoying part of playing with fundie sims?

The best/most fun part of playing with fundie sims?

Do you have other fundie family saves? If so, share a screenshot(s) and write a brief description!

Do you use cheats? If so, how often and which cheats?

Are you strict about sticking to the story? (For instance, do your courting couples kiss in-game before marriage?)

Any fundie-appropriate CC creators you recommend?

When you're playing and not taking screenshots, what's the daily routine of your main household?

What's your favorite mode of storytelling? (1st-person, 3rd-person, Simstagram post, behind-the-scenes content, journal entry, etc.)

Do you have any tips for new (or old) fundie simblrs? (Whether it's tips about storytelling, gameplay tips, CC-finding tips, or otherwise.)

Fundie simblr recommendations?

Can you makeover [insert sim] in your usual non-fundie style?

Can you share a funny/blooper picture?

Can you share a spoiler? (Picture, description, etc.)

[Ask whatever you want here!]

[nolan-sims]

With the recent negativity in the community, I figured we could use some uplifting. So I’m asking simblr to pick a blog or two, (or more if you want) and say why they inspire you, or what you admire about them. Or simply.. Why you think they’re cool. Whatever your heart desires. Let’s just spread some good. :) ❤️

Hey anon! This is such a cute idea. So here goes, these are some of the blogs that inspire me ✨ (in no particular order):

@magnolianfarewell makes such beautifully detailed, aesthetic posts and CC. Everything always looks so clean and dreamy~ and I always get excited whenever she shares something new! Her Simblreen items are all permanent fixtures in my game.

@trillyke easily has the cleanest texture work I've ever seen. I'm such a dork when it comes to a good texture, and Trillyke delivers. Just, wow. Not to mention she can bring such a wide variety of styles and fashion to life! And the cherry on top? She's such a kind person and I always look forward to seeing her on my dash/timeline.

@crypticsim makes such beautiful makeup I just swoooon. I sort all of my CC into folders by creator, and his is definitely bursting at the seams haha. Everything he makes is so well made and works on literally any Sim. It's a real treat! I'm so glad to have such a stellar makeup CC creator in this community.

@ratboysims has such entertaining gameplay, amazing poses, and CC. I've never been much of a storyteller myself, so the fact that he can create engaging stories that star such relatable Sims (to the point where they feel like real people) is wonderful. He definitely keeps the storyteller side of Simblr going.

@pictureamoebae has the best vibes. Their reshade presets and resources have been so helpful to so many people. They truly go above and beyond to help others and to be an active participant in this community, no matter what may be going on. I'm always happy to see them pop up on my dash.

@oatberrytea Simblr's favorite grandma! (the little granny icon makes me smile haha) But in all seriousness, I just really enjoy their presence in this community. They're always so kind, encouraging, and supportive of others. Not to mention, their gameplay? An actual dream. All of their Sims and builds are so beautiful. I just adore them.

I could sit here and list folks all day long, but I'll stop myself here! Definitely go check these people out and show them some love. It goes without saying: but if you aren't on this list, do not feel excluded. I love each and every one of you and what you bring to this community! Stay creative, friends 💗

[streetlites]

Questions :3

It takes me forever to get back on these things but I always intend to... even if it's a month down the line and I have to search for the notif. Thank you for thinking of me, @nectar-cellar

Why did you choose your url?

The current version? Initially, when I changed my name from furiouslydecaffinated (misspelt and I honestly couldn't think of anything that wasn't already taken) I wanted streetlight-halo, which was taken. Which turned into streetlightaurora which turned into streetlites because I dreaded any ask song games that I like playing but having like 2093847 letters made me think, never mind. lol... so. I have a shorter name for song ask games. really. But I really like it!

How long have you been on Tumblr?

2015! I started it to creep on cc creators way back when I was mm and wanted amazing cc from @budgie2budgie and @bsimth who actually took the time to use simlish lettering! I'm completely alpha but I still really appreciate a simlish swatch!

Do you have a queue tag?

I very seldom have a post queued to where I have to have dedicated tag. I use things like queueueueueued as a joke on the rare occasion I've got something waiting.

Why did you start your blog in the first place?

I started my blog to like posts I intended to download. Then I started to like posts I, you know, liked and couldn't keep up with all of them. I think I about fell out of my skin when I reblogged a post about recoloring bedding and @saudade-sims4 and @deelitefulsims responded to help me out with them - I wasn't expecting helpful people! lol I think, without that little bit of interaction, I probably would have lurked and eventually deleted. Instead, it got me looking and interacting with more people on here.

Why did you choose your icon/pfp?

I really liked that edit of Vera - it's got that pseudo-religious imagery I really dig. Before I was using a vorcha giving the finger... because I thought it was funny.

Why did you choose your header?

I was seeing a lot of pictures meant to serve as cover images for simblr stories and wanted to make my own.

What’s your post with the most notes?

I think one of the slanted "window" posts. It's cc, super old and obsolete. I don't think it counts.

How many mutuals do you have?

I don't know, I try to interact with most people that interact with me, which usually leads to mutuals? Maybe? I don't know and I don't know how to find out either which is probably for the best. hah.

How many followers do you have?

1.5k ... most of that came when I posted cc, not stories or edits. So I feel like the true number is much, *much* smaller.

How many people do you follow?

716. Though it feels like most are inactive. I'm probably not a very good follower either because I go stretches where I don't come on v. years ago when I was on every day.

Have you ever made a shit post?

It's all shitposts here.

Did you have a fight/argument with another blog once? Who won?

Eh, not really. Some vague posting here and there and blocks. I've been really fortunate that most of the people I've had issues with are of a similar mindset as me that we're not going to get riled up over some dumb shit on the internet and just made a post before blocking.

How do you feel about ‘you need to reblog this’ posts?

I think my eyes glaze over because I can't think of the last time I've seen one of those.

Do you like tag games?

Yes but I'm extremely slow to answer. T-T

Do you like ask games?

Ah, not really. But also yes. I have this thought that no one is going to ask me anything so I don't do them.

Which of your mutuals do you think is Tumblr famous?

A few of them? I wonder if they think they're tumblr famous? Or if I like their content so much that it doesn't matter, they're famous to me? 😅

Do you have a crush on a mutual?

If I regularly like/comment on your posts, I love you and your content. ♥

--

I think I was tagged this a month ago so I'm not going to tag anyone but if you're interested in doing it, I TOTALLY tagged @you.

[elvisgrace]

Check In Tag

Got tagged by @esotheria-sims!

Why did you choose your url?

The origins of 'elvisgrace' are long lost in the mists of time...

Nah, I'm Grace, and back in high school *cough* years ago, 'elvisgrace' was the end result of some joke that I can't even remember at all anymore, save that I thought it was hysterical. It's been my username for pretty much anything and everything non-work related ever since, tracing all the way back to the halcyon days of AOL and Hotmail.

TBH, I'm grateful I can't remeber it because no duobt I'd have to commit jigai due to extreme secondhand embarrasment on my younger self's behalf.

How long have you been on tumblr?

Since 2017, but actively posting is a pretty recent development.

Do you have a queue tag?

No, I'm pretty impulsive as far as posting goes. I usually reblog immediately, and post to my simblr only when I'm uploading something, or have a question for the community.

Why did you start your blog in the first place?

Initially it was to follow all the amazing creators posting here so I could snarffle up all the latest cc, then I started using it to upload my stuff as well because creating a website seemed like too much effort.

I probably will one day, but it will only be to mirror/back up all my content here, because I love the community interaction between everyone, and I'd miss it too much.

Why did you choose your icon/pfp?

It’s Hit Girl from Kick Ass. I love her.

Why did you choose your header?

I don't have one.

What’s your post with the most notes?

Either my #university overhaul secret society default, or my follower's gift.

How many mutuals do you have?

How many followers do you have?

172, so three away from my next followers gift!

How many people do you follow?

388, almost all simblrs.

Have you ever made a shitpost?

Does reblogging TS2 memes count as a shitpost? If so, yes.

How often do you use tumblr each day?

When I was using desktop only, maybe every 2-3 days. Now that I have the app, multiple yimes a day.

Did you have a fight/argument with another blog once? who won?

No, but I have been outraged on individual blog's behalf twice. Once when someone sent @yakumtsaki a kill yourself anon, and again when someone reblogged one of her memes and was shading her in the tags. Collectively, I've felt really bad for all the Russian simblrs, a great deal of the long-standing members of the community who are 100% against the war and have been getting dumped on solely because they are Russian.

How do you feel about ‘you need to reblog this’ posts?

Depends. If I've seen that it's already been reblogged a ton, I don't bother. If it's public/humanitarian interest relating to an ongoing current event, I usually do.

Do you like tag games?

Yes!

Do you like ask games?

Yes again!

Which of your mutuals do you think is tumblr famous?

@pixeldolly and @deedee-sims

Do you have a crush on a mutual?

Tagging @megamassikalove, @janika31, @yakumtsaki, @frauhupfner, and @emperorofthedark!

[enchanting-whim]

Check in tag :)

I was tagged by @bobapplesimblr thx ❤

Why did you choose your URL?

There's no specific reason, I just thought it was easy to remember as well as a suitable name for my blog.

How long have you been on Tumblr?

Well, I think I've been here for almost 2 weeks. I'm still a newbie and there're a lot of things I've to learn about simblr.

Do you have a queue tag?

I'm not quite sure what that is, so that must mean I don't have it haha. I'm open to some help or suggestions about that ;)

Why did you start your blog in the first place?

I've always been pretty constant with my gameplays and savefiles, but I started feeling that something was missing. I don't have any friends who like the sims so I could never share anything about my progress in the game. That's when I discovered the simblr community and saw such interesting accounts for the very first time. There're so many creative simmers here and I just wanted to befriend them I guess haha. I'm still in the process, but many have been quite nice with me.

Why did you choose your icon/pfp?

Hehe, Anne is the protagonist of my gameplay so I decided to use her as my icon. I really love the development she has gone through in my gameplay.

Why did you choose your header?

Well, it was suitable for the aesthetic I was looking for :D

What's your post with the most notes?

Mmm, at the moment it's my first conversion attempt. I didn't expect that some of you would like it. That made me happy :)

How many mutuals do you have?

To be honest, I'm not sure. However, @ay0-zodi and @bakersimmer are the ones who are always giving me nice feedbacks and lovely comments. They're so nice ❤

How many followers do you have?

Right now I've got a total of 27 followers :3

How many people do you follow?

84 creative and beautiful simblrs ❤

Have you ever made a shitpost?

Maybe, but I want to keep positive thinking haha

How often do you use tumblr every day?

I'm not sure, maybe 1~2h depending on my feed and notifications

Did you have a fight/argument with another blog once? who won?

Nope, I hope I'll never have one. I hate conflicts and dramas. The only drama I like is the one that happens in the game :S

How do you feel about 'you need to reblog this' posts?

I haven't seen that yet :-)

Do you like tag games?

It's my first time, but it seems fun

Do you like ask memes?

Are those the questions you can ask at someones tumblr? I've only recieved one, but it was nice to get to know the person like that. I wouldn't mind more questions :3

Which of your mutuals do you think is tumblr famous?

I think @bakersimmer is growing in the community, I'm not sure what are the charactersitics of being tumblr famous. However, Bakersimmer has a nice story and is very kind whenever you comment on the posts.

Do you have a crush on a mutual?

Nope! :)

Feel free to ignore this if you’ve done it already, but I tag @bakersimmer @ay0-zodi

[esotheria-sims]

hey i was just wondering...i've seen a lot of MM, but are there people who play a more realistic game? i mean, except for you and maybe a couple of others, i haven't seen many...

Oh, there’s definitely still a lot of semi-realistic players out there. :) Since I’m  assuming you’re asking for recs I’m going to compile a list.

(Note: the community doesn’t necessarily agree on what exactly constitutes a ‘semi-realistic’ style, but for the sake of my list I’m going to assume it’s players who play cc-heavy, with pooklet’s textures/colors for hair and skinblends that are shiny/detailed). I’m concentrating more on active bloggers though there are going to be some inactive ones too, in case you’d like to check them out.

ON TO THE LIST! (under the cut because it got really long)

@0201-sims (cc creator, currently inactive) | @2fingerswhiskey (cc creator) | @a-demimonde | @aklira (cc creator) | @alexbgd (currently plays TS3 but has lots of nifty TS2 pics as well) | @alexsh-19 | @alwayssims2 (cc creator, currently inactive) | @amidalasims | @ania-sims (cc creator) | @anitka-sims | @backerbse (currently playing TS4 but has nice TS2 pics and cc as well) | @badchriss | @beautifulnerdkitty (cc creator) | @bettssims (cc creator) | @blackswan-sims | @blaenil | @brattylulu (80′s aesthetic) | @brothersborges | @bunsblr (currently inactive) | @candydarlings (cc creator, makes and shared lovely sim homes) | @carriests2designsworld​ (cc creator) | @charlotkas-simblr (cc creator) | @chocosims2 (their edited TS2 pics are stunning!) | @cindysimblr | @classlion | @clonesimsimsclones (currently inactive) | @convenient-tragedy | @cordelia-haze (cc creator, has lovely pics) | @criquette-was-here (master of hood decoration) | @daturaobscura (currently inactive but has gorgeous pics) | @davidlevitan (same as with daturaobscura) | @digitalangels (cc creator, also runs @sims2packrat) | @dramallamadingdang | @driftsatellite (has a very distinctive style) | @eir-ung (cc creator, posts heavily edited but gorgeous pics) | @ellusims | @emperorofthedark (writes awesome horror stories and uses sims to illustrate them) | @e-neillan (cc creator) | @ergo-cyn | @eulaliasims (gorgeous gameplay pics) | @fakebloood | @frauhupfner (dedicated to a steampunk style) | @greatcheesecakepersona (makes awesome, game-changing mods) | @grecadeasimsstudios (cc creator and storyteller, also posts to @srath-farath) | @haut-gothique | @imaginaryboutique (cc creator) | @immerso-sims | @iolanta-missis-moore (cc creator) | @jahkatai (has a very distinctive style) | @jodeliejodelie (currently inactive but has gorgeous house makeovers) | @john-ts-sh-ai | @julietoon-sims2 (cc creator) | @kacicka777 (cc creator + posts lovely interior pics) | @katashkin (makes medieval cc) | @kim-lewis2 | @kim-simpearls (cc creator) | @kirschelatte | @kristyail (cc creator) | @leaf-storm (currently inactive but has a distinctive style) | @le-chat-noir-blog (cc creator) | @lemon-lime-sims | @lilsisterg | @lilithpleasant (reblogs lots of simblrs, check her blog for more recs!) | @limonaire (cc creator) | @linasims2 (a.k.a Trapping, cc creator) | @littledevilsims (currently inactive) | @lochlander (currently inactive, plays a period game) | @loch-pearl (currently inactive but has gorgeous pics) | @lowedeus (cc creator, makes game-changing mods) | @luchiatores | @lunatachka | @marioneves2 | @marvelann (alternates between semi-rl and mm, nails both) | @maryannsims2 | @mdpthatsme (plays both TS4 and TS2, cc creator) | @medsie (currently inactive) | @mikexx2 | @mortia (plays a medieval game) | @motherof70 (currently inactive, plays a medieval game) | @mrs-mquve-cc (cc creator) | @ms5starchic23 | @msteaqueen (cc creator) | @mustluvcatz-reloaded (cc creator) | @mysimmylicioussims (makes and shares decorated lots) | @nelphaell (cc creator, has a distinctive style) | @neud-sims2 | @nikaonishko (cc creator) | @nintendolover13 (cc creator) | @ove51 (reblogs lots of simblrs, check her blog for more recs!) | @paranoia0612 | @phinae-simblr | @pistxl-sims | @pixelry (cc creator) | @pollysims2 | @rdshopcc (cc creator) | @redsimmer-blog (cc creator) | @rented-space (cc creator) | @retromaisie | @riekus13 (cc creator) | @rosemint-sims (plays an awesome post-apocalyptic game!) | @sadepaivas | @sariadeea | @serabiet (distinctive style, flawless aesthetics) | @simbury (plays a period game) | @simblrsilverl (cc creator) | @simper-fi | @sims2-secretgarden (cc creator) | @simsmilasmith | @skyburned (currently inactive, sim storyteller) | @squeezleprime (plays a medieval game) | @theatticbox (plays a medieval game) | @theboldandthebeautifulsims (cc creator, currently inactive) | @thecrimsonsparkles | @thepathofnevermore (plays mostly TS3 but also has TS2 pics and cc) | @timeparadoxsims | @tinkersnook | @titlesimslemon (cc creator) | @toujours-fatale (QUEEN YUXI. Sadly no longer playing TS2) | @uranium-z | @vampireacademysims (Sims 2 graphic novel, also posts as @gphoenixsims) | @whysim (cc creator) | @yakumtsaki (sim storyteller) | @zena-dew-drop (cc creator)

Did I go overboard with this? I absolutely did! :D But even so, this is by no means a complete list of all semi-realistic players out there. I didn’t list a lot of inactive simmers, and even among the active ones I’m sure I must have missed someone.  

If any of my followers know of more (preferably active) semi-realistic blogs, feel free to add them!

[something-wicked-sims]

Dear Jade, I am writing this to ask a few questions I've had regarding writing in the sims form. How would someone start one of these sims stories? And how would someone keep it from becoming flat, and continue writing it past writers block? Some tips on developing a character inside the story would also be fantastic. Coming from someone who has only written novels and poetry, any advice on writing short pieces to go with photos is greatly appreciated! Sincerely, Mel. PS: This is 100% Real

Wow Mel, hit me with the heavy questions why don’t you Q_Q But you know, as someone who also made the switch from novel writing to sim story format, I kind of know where you’re coming from. Hence we begin…

Jade’s Mega-Fantastic Tips For Adapting to Sim Story Format 

#DearJade to block, as this is an extremely LONG post. 

Disclaimer: These tips don’t apply to everyone. The general rule of simblr is to have fun and DO WHAT YOU WANT. This advice is only really aimed at people who are serious about the craft and want to improve on their writing and how to present it in this medium. Not everyone takes it this seriously, and not everyone needs to. But for those of you who are looking for more direction with your writing, this is my personal, and humble advice. The fact that I titled this “mega-fantastic” was 100% sardonic. I’m just a chick on tumblr. I have a B.A. in English with a focus on creative writing, and nearly 6 months of simblr experience. These are my only qualifications. So, with that being said, don’t listen to anything I say from this point onward. 

How to Begin:Everyone’s writing processes are different. Some people like to map things out, while others tend to go with the flow. If your goal is to write some sort of cohesive linear storyline, and not just sporadic bouts of gameplay, then it’s good to have at least an idea of where you want to end up. Some point to make within your story, or some goal for your main character to accomplish. That way, all the things you do between point A and point B will have a similar thread, and you’re less likely to get lost on random tangents. 

General writing tips: Start with something interesting! Introduce your new characters in an exciting way. If you’ve never heard the phrase “in media res”, now’s a good time to learn it. Start in the middle, at the beginning. It’s nice to already have something going on at the beginning of your story, and don’t put too much time into explaining who all your characters are, what they do, what they like… right up front. It will engage people with your story more if you start off with action instead of description. 

Presentation: Since you’re writing a sims story, you have to think double time. Here, writing is only half of the work. Which is why simblr writers really don’t get enough credit! Think about how you want your scene to reflect in photos. The first sims story I did, I made the mistake of writing it in it’s entirety as a novel, and then having to take “necessary photographs” to go with each scene. I ended up with a great deal of pictures of people walking around aimlessly, or standing in the same room talking, or sitting on a chair talking, or on a couch talking… You get the point. You can still write as a novel and adapt it (which is still what I do), but I would recommend writing your scenes with your blog in mind. Think  “This scene could happen in their kitchen, but what if I moved it to a park instead?”, better scenery, probably more angles/more things to look at. Try to be creative with your screenies. Experiment with different angles. Think about your favorite movies, and the ways they are filmed. Try to incorporate those elements into your pictures. Sims stories have a certain cinematic quality to them, so write with that in mind, because how interesting your photos are will draw more people in to read your writing. Trust me. 

Character Development:Understand that the vast majority of sim stories and legacies unfold over enormous amounts of real life time. If you’re afraid of longterm writing commitments, you should probably run away screaming! No, I’m kidding (kind of), but they are huge commitments. I know people who have been writing their legacies for years. My first sims story took four months to complete and was around 75,000 words in its extracted tumblr form. My point is, it’s going to take a lot of time. Which is great! Because character development takes time. My advice for adapting character development to sims stories is to make sure every scene has a point. If you want to make a post just for fun, that’s great too! But when it comes to scenes that move your plot forward, answer the question “What does this accomplish?”, “Why is this particular scene necessary?”, “Would the story be the same if this didn’t happen?”. 

Simblr writers can spend hours putting together a post. I would think that is a pretty accurate statistic. From the writing, to building the set, clothing your sims, downloading CC, posing them, taking photos, and then editing the photos, each 3-4 pictures you take for a particular scene probably consumed precious long minutes of your life. So make sure that it’s an important scene that you’re spending all this time on. And, of course, just like most anime fans will tell you, FILLER EPISODES SUCK Q_Q (Not always. But sometimes). Anyways, sim story format sometimes forces you to consider what is vital to a story and a character, as we usually make posts to highlight specific moments in our sim-babies lives. I think development is really inherent to this medium, so I wouldn’t worry too much about if your character is developing or not.

General writing tips:

Dialogue is important!

How your character reacts to things is important!

Formatting:There are many different ways to format your sim story, and none of them are wrong. Do what you are comfortable with. If you’re coming from writing novels or short stories, then paragraph format is a great way to go. You can do caption writing, which is writing your text (typically dialogue and similar to playwriting in effect) directly onto your screenshots. You can do textual playwriting, which would be to have short exposition to setup a scene followed by tagged dialogue:

Maria: I went to the store yesterday.Bob: Really? What did you need to get there?Mari: Oh, I just had to pick up a few things for the party Saturday. 

These are the three most highly used formats I have seen used on simblr. I think they all work great, and you can even mix them. Just do what you are comfortable with and what you prefer. Don’t try to stretch yourself to change the style of your writing just to match what other people are doing. 

General writing tips:

One thing I will say is to be wary of your Point of View (or PoV). If you are using multiple PoV’s (as in you swap them between posts) then you should label whose PoV it is for your readers (I do so in my tags), if you use captions, usually changing font color to depict two or more players is the way to go. If you would like to switch PoV within the same post, I recommend using third person point of view e.g. “Bob walked here. Maria said this.”

And how would someone keep it from becoming flat… As I mentioned above, the best thing you can do here is just to make sure your scenes are vital to the plotline, or character development in some way. Don’t bog down your stuff with useless scenes, if your goal is to write a cohesive story. There is a #ts4 gameplay tag for a reason. It is not the same tag as #ts4 story, and people who follow one tag, may not necessarily want to follow the other. As a reader, I’m interested in the storyline. Is your character involved in some shady business? Are they going to find out that their loser husband is cheating on them? I don’t really want to see three different posts devoted to your sim cooking eggs for breakfast. SORRY. #justiceforeggs

General simblr tips:

@medleymisty has recently incorporated the usage of #simnovel for longer text posts. I think this is an excellent step forward for hobby sim story writing. So you can use this tag if you thing it applies to your work!

….and continue writing it past writers block? I can’t answer this! I am not a magician, unfortunately. Sometimes inspiration comes and sometimes inspiration goes. Writers block is a legit thing, and if I had a super-fix for it, I would hand it out lovingly to the world’s writers. But since I don’t, I will say that you shouldn’t pressure yourself ahead of time. Don’t think you need to post regularly. Go at your own pace. If you need a break? Take one. Just bounce right on out the door. I hear there’s a new Mass Effect game out. Go play it! Tumblr will still be here where you come back. 

Remember, this isn’t your job, it’s a hobby. As for how to get inspired or stay inspired, I really feel motivated to work on my sim stories when I am having fun, either playing the game, or putting together some scenes. So just have fun with it. Make Pinterest boards. Dudes, Pinterest is so great for writers, utilize it as a tool! Make character boards and pin things that you remind you of your babies and go look at the beautiful pictures when you’re feeling stuck. Share your boards, too! Lots of simblr’s have pinterests and you can follow them, they’ll follow you back, it’s great. Fantastic. But yeah, just have funnnn and do your thing and when you’re not feeling it, don’t try to force it, because you’ll just regret it and start to resent your stuff, and it’s just a bad time. 

This concludes my massive wall of pretentious text.