Happy timezones, friends! Today’s interview is brought to you by one of my favorite SimLit authors, lisabeesims!
One of Lisa’s current ongoing stories is called “An Era of charming Tales” and it is sweet, romantic, as well as a fairytale all rolled into one. Here is what Lisa says about her story:
“This is a rotational play legacy story that follows the children of Prince and Snow white Charming. The two primary rotations are (Mike & Rose White) and (Bruno & Rose Red). Other family stories will be inserted as they come into play.”
Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? I’ve got to add that these character romances are epic.
Okay, let’s begin…
Wait, wait wait, first, let me thank dear Kymber for this opportunity to ramble a bit. I appreciate you so much. THANK you for having me <3
You’re so sweet, Lisa. Thank YOU. <3
1. How long have you been playing The Sims and what got you into it?
I have played Sims since the very beginning. My eldest daughter brought it home with her from college in June of 2000. We all fell in love and that passion has never waned.
2. Why did you begin blogging your sims story?
I’ve only been blogging my story for about two years. Before that, I would write and post Stories on Facebook. You know the format, two paragraphs and five screenies (because honestly very few people click on past that).
I had just finished a bachelor challenge and needed some time to set up the storyboard that would tell “the rest of the story.” I jumped in for a “quick look-see” into the life of Snow White, my insane asylum winner. Five updates later and it was apparent that Snow was not going anywhere soon. Readers had connected with the hapless lovelorn protagonist.
Some friends suggested that I start to blog the story so that it would be easier to find the updates. I set up my WordPress and begin to blog the earlier challenge (insane asylum) that had led to Snow’s story.
By the time Snow White met the elusive Prince Charming the popularity of the couple was gaining momentum. At the time I had no worries. Because both were elders and story would not go on long. True to simmy form, the end came predictably at the end of a nice long elder lifespan. The ending was very romantic and bittersweet. Here I would end it and happily go back to my bachelor story… Or so I thought.
The readers were very unhappy (very unhappy … VERY) with me for killing off this loveable couple and put pressure on me to, through the magic of Sims, give them another chance at life. As fortune would have it, at that time EA released Romantic Garden with it’s wishing well. They would get another chance (REDUX was begun). This time starting over as young adults.
That’s where I am, two years later still going forward (nope never gone back to that bachelor and his bride). We’re on generation two now and looking forward to a new era of charming tales.
3. How do you come up with your story ideas?
Believe it or not, I find most of my inspiration in the gallery. I love scrolling through my list of favorite builders. I will see a build that strikes my fancy in the story just seems to pop out around it.
A good case in point, this last update I just featured a wonderful rendition of the Trevi fountain in Rome by Simoniona. I saw that fountain almost a year and a half ago and musing on it for a bit I knew exactly what I needed to do to get to it. Three months later I started “the Search for a King” That would lead me to this point. It was a very sweet shoot for me because I had waited so long for it.
I have on reserve a beautiful Rapunzel house that was given to me by a fabulous builder (MychQQQ) and I’ve been waiting now for about a year to use it. That update is on its way soon.
I also will go root around the challenges for inspiration.
4. Which character is your favorite and why?
That is a very difficult question. I would be hard-pressed to pick my favorite main character. I love all of them so much. If I had to (had to had to had to) pick I would probably say, Snow White, because she was my first beloved from this story.
Outside of the main story, I would choose homeless Joe from my short story “The Chair.” My shorties are some of my FAV works (hardly anyone knows about them LOL) and Joe and the chair is my fav of that set. Joe was real and so was the bit about the chair (backstory I embellished a bit 😉 )
5. What chapter has been the most difficult to write so far, and why?
That’s a very easy question! Episode number 10 in “Search for a King: Meet Noel,” Rose became the victim of abuse when her date got drunk and turned violent. It probably was the hardest hitting story I have ever done (no terrible pun intended). It was a difficult subject to write about.
6. Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing energizes me. I love to think about it I love to talk about it I love to do it. (Picture editing is tedious for me tho).
7. Do you have a special time to write?
Yes, I do most of my writing late at night … till the wee hours of the am. I’m not a big sleeper and I do proofread my own LOL sometimes you can see that because I miss a lot when I am sleepy. I find it’s best that when I’m done writing that I close it down, walk away, do something else then I come back and I read it out LOUD.
8. Do you believe in writer’s block?
I read a very astute comment from someone that said they didn’t believe in writer’s block, they just thought the person was writing the wrong story. I wish I could remember who said it but my memory leaves me hanging (could have been Je2G … a FAB simlit writer). I agree with that. If you’re not inspired it’s not your story. Move on to what inspires you.
Many great authors (like Dickens) have “trashed” unfinished works. Simply put if you hit a dead end then end it. Please do not think I am at all comparing what we do to Dickens! But the reality is if he could do it so can we.
9. Do you have advice for any other writers who may just be starting out?
I have young people who want to write, ask me what should they write about? The truth is I cannot tell you. You have to write what flows out of you and is a part of who you are. You can’t be somebody else .. it will not work out.
So first off … You have to be true to your own self. My stories are decidedly G rated. Others have suggested that I would get more readers if I stepped up some of the more lascivious activities. It’s not me and I don’t think the readers would enjoy reading it from me.
A second bit of advice for young one starting out … be patient. You’re not going to get 400 readers the first update you put out. Shoot you’re not even going to get them two years out LOL You make a commitment for the long-haul.
When I was very discouraged at one point (early on) a lovely writer whom I admire very much told me that blogging is a bit like filling a birdfeeder. You put the seed out and wait. Eventually, they will come. And she was right they have LOL. Sometimes in flocks and other times only a few chickadees. Some will come, they are delighted so they leave a song and some come just take the birdseed and leave. Either way, you put out the seed.
Third … Do a storyboard. Whether it’s just a sheet in a notebook, or in a word doc or a writer’s app … Just get down where you want to go and how you are going to get there.
I have a word doc that I keep up on my desktop that I have written out an outline to keep me headed in the right direction but it’s very fluid. The benefit is that when I think of something I can stick it in where it goes and adjust the pans to fit. If I change my mind and I don’t want to go on that path or I want something else to happen along the way I just change my storyboard.
Fourth .. be careful with the self-deprecating thing. Nothing turns me off more than when I open a new blog and they tell me how “sh*tty” it is. Why on earth would I waste my time reading it then, you have to believe in you!
Even tho it looks like I am being contradictory here, you can fall off both sides of that horse. I also believe in keeping it real. I do call my work “my scribblings” .. I mean after all we are not writing War and Peace here. SO BALANCE is good!
Lastly, READ OTHER BLOGS! There’s nothing worse to me than that one-sided selfishness that says you read mine but I’m too busy to read yours. We are all busy but we need to be all about supporting each other here. I follow and read many many blogs (and have been faithfully for a long time) most do not give me the time of day on mine. Yes, that is a bit irksome but you see it is not about what THEY do it is about what I DO!
10a. What is the easiest thing about writing?10b. What is the hardest thing about writing?
Getting new readers to just crack open the “fruit” and give it a taste. I don’t know how often I am sad that people would click in and watch a 15 to 45 minutes let’s play but won’t click in and spend 3 to 5 minutes reading a story.
11. Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I do read a lot. My favorite author right now is Robert Galbraith. I am an avid Cormoran Strike fan and I’m waiting with baited breath for the newest.
That was terrific! Thank you so much, Lisa, for such a revealing interview!
If you would like to read our featured author’s Sims stories, they can be found here:
Author’s Note: If you are a blog author (it does not have to be The Sims related) and would like to be featured in an interview, please send me an email using my contact form! I would love to interview you, too!
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Hi, as a used-to-be creative writer, I’ve never heard that before #8…you’re writing the wrong story. That’s an interesting take…I like it.
Hi there. 🙂 I liked that, too. I learn so much about writing when I interview people. Thank you for reading and commenting.
You’re welcome. I found it interesting.
I’m so glad. 🙂
I love Lisa’s story .This is the kind of story that makes me so giggles all the time because that easy to read , easy to understand and not boring at all.
I really hate to read stuffs that is too much serious, too much NSFW, too much troublesome because this game is silly , this game is magic by the way when I say “this game” I speak of the whole Sims sage from 1 to 4. Lisa in her story transcribe perfectly the spirit of the game and as myself a sims gameplay fan I couldn’t resist to follow back and to read.
I am totally a fan and my fav character is Evella because I love nasty people who are lame at making nasty things and I adored Bruno as bear ahah bear sims ahaha and Mike who is a exactly the feelings of the game, she geniously share Joy. Because Sims brings us laugh and sometimes they pull our hair off ahaha.
To finish I really have the feeling I read a fairytale.
Thank you so much. You know, I could not have said that better about how Lisa captures the spirit of the game. I like that. 🙂
I love Evella, too! I thought I was the only one! LOLOL When I was a kid watching Disney movies like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, I always liked the villain. haha
I am not totally vilain fan in reality but Lisa’s version of Evella is so much funny I can’t hate her at all.
You see you’re not the only one who loves Evella even my sims Jenna Banks my Queen of Néfaste is a pure fan of her as well.
I am sure we’re not the only ones…You’ll read more Evella’s fans soon. Let them come to wp and read your interview.
Hé I always think Mike in the bachelor challenge if he didn’t win he’ll kill himself. This idea I think I am the only Lisa’s reader who truly thinks of.
I never grew up with Disney I just watch cartoons and Evella is more as a cartoon (like Wild E. Coyote or Datardly) than a true villan ahaha.
lol I agree about Evella. She is a lot like Wile E. Coyote. hahaha I miss those cartoons a lot.
I really like that Mike won; he and our dear princess seem made for each other.
Totally agree with you about Mike and I am glad Jack isn’t put him away, he suits well Violet. I voted for Mike héhé he’s so bold, so passionate and both reminds me of Miss V and Jason when I put them together for explaining some point in my story they are passionate too.
Indeed I love cartoons no matter how people call them I much grew up with even if I am a late 80’s baby and I grew up in the 90’s they never cease to make me laugh.
They make me laugh, too. 🙂 I think Jack suits Violet very well, too.
Indeed Lisa got taste she never ever be wrong with couple.
You Jack & Violet fans will be smiling at this next update <3
Woot! :O 😀
I have just finished writing it and have the warm fuzzies LOL
YAY!
I am glad we are getting a fair number of readers clicking into your blog from mine <3 you have not officially beaten Charlii-mai who was leading the pack in clicks
haaa I see something on my dash on simblr I say omg who? who? who ? ahahah !
😂❤️
Evella is a terrible villain .. she has so little success in what she tries … she has accidentally killed herself with anger 3 times (only thru the magic of sims is she still alive) .. her only hope for any success would be to team up with someone even MORE despicable than she .. hmm is the weasel the one?
LOL Oh the possibilities are delicious! LOL 😀
lol indeed
“She’s a support of Darky suuuuurrre” that’s how almost all my Vallerians might think reading the Charming’s!!
omg I bet you didn’t save the pictures I would love to see somebody dies by anger ahah
I swear she might meet Enji Rinkashi xD. I am a bit furious against my game because I can’t play him as I want.
Plus now my new version of him is very beautiful really.
Actually I did save a couple I was going to put them up in one of the posts
Can’t wait to read when I’ll feel better héhé. I won’t drop you.
My colab with you starts in maybe 2 episodes <3 .. the dashing Officer Theis will ensure Miss V is a very well kept secret
Last secret she shared it was with Viviane and she told her boots were dirty after walking in mud. Yep a such information in SV might be a secret if so people will know it through the gravepine. Or she sometimes shares crunshy gossip about X is rich, Y is a famous well ahaha.
She only shares her work information with Police and SBI.
A lot of Vallerians says about Miss V even Jenna she’s trustworthy
So Officer Theis Nibiru shares with to the Kingdom the best private of this world.
Anyways she fears Nibiru so much so if she failed she’ll be very bad mentally because Nibiru will punish her or worst if Michel Arland the father of Jason who is the chief of the SBI the header of the leader knows that especially he hates her so much because he didn’t approve Jason loves Miss V.
What a wonderful interview, you too! I’m tickled to get to know lisabeesims better–she’s not only a great writer but also a thoughtful, generous person. I remember “The Chair”! I loved that story! But I haven’t read anything pre-Murkland, though, so thanks for showing me I need to start from an asylum challenge.
What a great service for the simming community, RosemaryMarie! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on writing simlit, lisabee!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked the interview and you found it helpful. I aim to please. lol 😀 I’m so thankful Lisa agreed to be interviewed. <3
<3 I miss you and our murky friendship!! <3 <3
I miss you moaaaarrr! I’ve also got Rose White’s first challenge bookmarked. I never knew that’s where it all started! <3 <3
Yes, I’m excited to see someone I read regularly get an interview! It came out exactly as I would expect from dear Lisa, charming and straight to the point. 😀 Great read and I highly endorse everyone to read her blog, too. You won’t regret it!
Thank you so much, Rosie! 🙂 I totally agree with you!
<3 <3 Love you dearly Rosie .. and I could say the same for you and your stories too <3 Soon (very soon) our colab will begin and I cannot wait for that chapter of the era of charming tales to begin!
A collab! Woot woot! That’s great news!
Excelelnt! 😉
This was such a fascinating interview. And now I have a new blog to follow!!
🙂 Nice to “meet” you .. I am so tickled that both of our families are named Charming .. I think we are related <3
My Charmings are the TS3 cousins to your TS4 Charmings
LOL 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂 If you like sweet romantic stories, this is for you.
That is right up my alley!! 🙂
Mine, too 🙂
Very enjoyable experience reading your interview ‘ this story goes back so far I really don’t know where all the time has gone ‘ I remember reading your story of Joe and the chair ‘ it seems so long ago ‘ and the start of the charmings and yes when they died I was sad and then they came back to life ‘ I remember reading It and was so relieved and I new then that there was a lot more to come xxx
Wow do you do go way back LOL. The chair is still one of my favorite stories!
Thank you so much, Shari 🙂 I was really relieved, too, when they came back to life.
Rosemary, what a great interview with lisabee. I just thoroughly loved the exchange and everything was very positive.I love the Era of Charming Tales and got hooked when we were doing the Murkland Challenge together and then on The Challenge where Rose had to choose a King. And personally I like the PG rated blogs myself. I think both of you are just wonderful and love reading your stories. Keep up the great work!
<3 <3 so sweet of you Jo .. I am so glad to have made your acquaintance too! I love following your challenge stories .. both fun and informative!
Thank you so much <3 Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I think you are wonderful, too and love reading your story.
I was so happy to see this Interview! Lisa is an inspiration to many of us and always seems to make time for everyone and her family. I have no idea how she does it. She must be sleep deprived! We love you! ❤️❤️❤️
<3 <3 yes that is my secret .. sleep is overrated! LOVE you too dear Audrey!
Thank you, Audrey <3 I bet she is sleep deprived as you said. haha
Yay Lisa! Eeek, I’ve been quoted! I feel like I should be, like, more…responsible or something now LOL. XD
YES .. sweet words from a sweet lady (and another gem in our community) to be taken to heart!!
Aww! What are you trying to do to me? LOL Thank you, my dear!
Not a thing .. only addressing what I see as truth 🙂
Awwww! <3
LOL 😀
Ty so much for this sweet opportunity .. So wonderful of you to do this lovely thing for our community <3 <@
You are so welcome! <3 Thank YOU for allowing me to interview you. 🙂
This was great! And Lisa passed on some important advice here 🙂 I really love how she put it. Her stories definitely appear to be interesting!
LOL I am glad you were able to glean some nuggets from it .. I did ramble a bit .. LOL I give you assurances that I do not do that in my story!
Thank you, Jowita! They are indeed. 🙂
Yay ! One of my favorites and a good friend ! Loved the interview , you two !
Thank you so much! 🙂 She’s one of my favs, too. <3
<3 my sweet mentor, dear friend and confidant! You are a gem in our community and your praise is humbling!
Oh Rosenary. These interviews are great but how on earth will I ever find the time to read all these great stories? :p Well, this is another added to the list. Romance and fairy tales? Yes please!
lol Thank you, Louise. <3 I can barely keep up with all the stories I read, too, but this one will definitely brighten your day with its sweetness.
You are so sweet <3 TY
The struggle is REAL! <3
I am a full week behind ON all but a few stories even as we speak!
I think I’m moving ahead for once. haha 😀
Right? 🙂
Great read! Thank you for interviewing Lisabee! I thoroughly enjoy her stories and am in love with her characters, well except for one, lol. She is also a very sweet friend.
Thank you so much, Brenda! 🙂 You are so right about everything you said. <3 I totally agree.
OH my treasured friend .. you have NO idea how many chuckles I get while adding “HER” to the mix .. your responses bring so many smiles!!
So you enjoy my pain, lol. It’s good to have someone to disapprove of because I fall in love with characters too often, lol.
*grins .. no it is because we share the same ill feeling towards the despicable one
Indeed, lol.
Great interview!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Lovely answers and one has given me more conviction to do what I need to do.
Thank you, Bee. 🙂 Really? Now I’m curious! 😀
<3 HUGS