strangetomato | Thought for the day: Sim stories are like serial comics

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Thought for the day: Sim stories are like serial comics

Remember how I said I thought sim stories were more like graphic fiction than novels or movies? No? Well, I did. I think they're often sometimes like television shows too, in their serial nature, but the format speaks more to the comic medium (if we're talking about text and image sim stories, and I am).

The latest issue of Bitch magazine came in the mail today, and I was reading the review of Alison Bechdel's The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For (a GREAT read, in my opinion - you should check it out). At the end of the review, they quote her as saying, "A comic strip, like life, is a novel that never seems to get anywhere." It really reminded me of sim stories, especially mine. They just soldier on, perhaps with an end in mind, perhaps not, and that's just what I like about it. That's why I enjoyed DTWOF too. I came to really feel for the characters, and I was content to see them going through their day to day dramas, or even just cooking dinner (laced with politics, which makes it even more interesting). With sim storytelling, I'm writing (and playing) instead of reading, but I enjoy the feeling of following a set of characters as they gradually grow. Is it the same for you when you play and create? Or read, for that matter?

Of course, if I'm going to compare my story to a specific comic, I'd probably lean more towards Strangers in Paradise, which does have a plot, but it's really not nearly as important as the ongoing development of relationships between the characters. I love that series, but it's introspective to a fault, just like S,HWC is. It's obviously something I enjoy. In fact, when reading SiP, I often find myself going "yeah, yeah... crime stuff, plot... where's the next scene where the talk about that awkward kiss they shared?" Yeah, I may have a problem (I'll look into getting the help I need). SiP even ocassionally features pages and pages of lyrics, which is something a lot of us sim storytellers indulge ourselves in (it's super indulgent in the most teenagery kind of way - I know this, but still I just can't resist at times).

Anyway, I just wanted to share my musings. Feel free to add your own two cents or three.

(Is this what they call a meta? A baby meta, maybe?)

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It wasn't until just recently that I started thinking of my story more as a tv series (I notice it the most when I have to break a story--I think of it as a commercial break).

I still pause when sim writers use movie type jargon (like "scene"). Yes, it is a scene but I just don't think of it that way.

I DO THAT, TOO!! I've actually thought about inserting little commercial breaks in there for my own amusement. I won't do it, though, because my legacy is probably too serious for that.

I often have ideas for several different scenes before I start writing the chapter, so I sometimes write them before I know where they're going to go. I just figure out the order that they need to go and copy/paste till my heart's content. I almost have to call them scenes. I don't know what else they'd be for me. Sometimes, I even storyboard. My hobby has slowly bled into my real-life work. I've gained a new respect for the techies of the stage and screen. I'll write the chapter in Word or Celtx with idealistic idealistic, visionsary version of myself and then end up pissing off the visual/tech director self. I can see tech-Stacie now. You want me to show (insert complicated to film with sims here) and I have this to work with? Okay, maybe if I angle the camera here...

Someone did a reality show type sim story once (like a top model thing) and they did put commericals in. It was hilarious.

I don't like actually WRITING ahead of myself. I can think up anything I want but once I write it down (even if it's just a random note) it changes the way I think about it (which usually means the final version is NOTHING like that note). OR (and this frustrates me more) if writing ahead makes me want to stage a lot of pics (with special sets and such) and I find that miserably tedious (I do pose stuff a bit here and there but big productions don't suit me).

I often write my updates in scenes like that too, and it's usually all dialogue before I add anything else.

It's still more comic-like for me, though, because when you're writing for a comic, you also use a script format. I do make notes about what's going to be in each "panel" so I know what to look for when I create the images, so this comparison really works for me.

I can certainly see the comparision to a TV series. It's the pacing and the way it's given to us in installments, and it's similar to what I'm seeing with the serial comic thing too. (What you said about A and B storylines really reminds me of a TV show too.)

It's the fact that you're "shooting" photos that makes it feel like a movie and television to me. You set the scene, and then choose the camera angle, etc. It's still images, sure, but you use the conventions of film to convey your information. It's just as confusing to "cross the line" in a sim story conversation as it is in a movie.

(Of course, if you're not too concerned about all that, like you said about your own sim photography, it's less so. I wouldn't sell yourself short, though. You've composed some very nice sim photos.)

So, to refine my statement, I think the format is like graphic fiction in its balance of image and text (which varies, but is always present, just like in comics), but the way the images are created is very filmic or at least photographic. It's an interesting way to tell a story. It uses elements of all sorts of different mediums.

But that's more about format. My original statement was only meant to really relate to the serial nature of comics and how that resembles most sim stories.

That's just it, to me I don't really feel like I'm "shooting" the pictures (most of the time). I think the sim aspect of the game (meaning that you're writing something from a game you're actively playing while writing--at least that's how it is for me) is where the confusion/blurring comes in. We joke that the little pixel people are actors but they're really not (in the case of the more "write as you go" folks).

Add to that "write as you go" feeling the fact that you are (for the most part) writing to a niche market (if you will) and it feels more like I'm simply documenting what's going on. Since the niche market is aware of some of the limitations of the sim medium, I play with the pictures more to keep them from being too repetitive then out of any sense of artistry (that's my major motivation--keeping myself from being bored).

(oh, and back to your original point, I do agree that the serial nature of sims stories--with their picture dependancy--does give them a comic vibe)

Well, I suppose that part varies. Not everyone plays as they go, and the degree of documentation of the gameplay varies. Most of us do include something from the game that way (unless it's totally pre-planned and posed), but there are a lot of liberties taken too.

I really do use the sims as "actors" most of the time. I don't record things all that much while I'm just playing them up. I do take note of some things that happen to use in the story, but unless it's really interesting and photo-ready as it is, I usually respin it and re"shoot" it.

You're right about the niche market thing. People are here for stories, like in other fandoms, but they're also looking to see those little game things (most of the time). Again, not always - I don't imagine the readers of Deception Pass (to use a well-known example) care about seeing sims heart fart or doing idle animations at amusing times.

I do like seeing that stuff in stories, in moderation. I prefer it when it's an ocassional nod to the game. When I'm in the mood for that, I'd usually rather read a commentary legacy.

That's just it. If a big moment happens (like one sim meets another and I never thought of that happening) I don't re-do that moment. I get what I can get in the way of pics for THAT moment and go from there. Now I will set up meetings after the fact (by teleporting people onto the lot and such).

Agreed on the sillier stuff from the game. But I'm not one of those that's hell bent on removing all the conversation bubbles and all that. I like the challenge of working them into the story (many a good conversation has come from a well timed--and not set up--conversation bubble).

(*snerk* I've never read Deception's Pass--looked at it once but it's such a huge thing I just couldn't go back and read it all)

Sometimes I grab the "happening" as it happens, but usually I pose the scenes. My RR legacy installment is a good example of when I just documented the happenings (though I was very story-minded in how I directed the sims).

I've recently taken to using the showheadlines off cheat, because I'm just sick to death of the conversation bubbles and plus signs getting in the way of a decent shot. The conversation bubbles can be amusing, but I think I'll a little "over it" in general.

(I think we are similar in our abilities to catch up on older epics. I fail at it pretty badly too, though I really should make an effort. Worst SST mods ever. Oh, and speaking of that... maybe we should, ummm, give it a kick in the arse?)

Ooh, I HATE when the damn plus signs get in the way of a picture. *shakes fist* But I don't think I'll ever get tired of conversation balloons (or thought balloons, though I run hot and cold with them).

SST? Huh? What? *snerk* You're the only one even trying to me modly over there, shining your author spotlight and all.

*snicker* Remember SST? No? It's been so long.

To be fair, plenty of other comms that were on the go in our time have faded in a similar fashion, but it's such an old, undying comm, we really should revive it once more.

I have had a couple of weeks where I totally didn't announce interviews, but I doubt anyone noticed. I'm still slowly hacking away at my list, though. (And I comment on them all now too, so I deserve some credit, right? *pats herself on the back*)

So, I'm thinking we need to regroup on this one. We could have one last hoo-rah befor ethe comm dies away. Should we open the floor to suggestions for features?

AND your commenting on every one? You just don't want anyone getting all secret on your ass, huh?

I'm open to just about anything you want to do with the comm. I was thinking it might be fun to reach out to drabblegroup. shewolfe (I think that's the right user) just posted some new prompts. Maybe a little "hey, check this group out--you don't even have to write sim stuff if you don't want" might be fun.

I did take the advice of that secret, since it was decent advice, even if the delivery left something to be desired.

Would you like to ask a mod of drabble group if that's okay? I've always gotten an invite-only vibe from it, and I only worked my way in by doing a "can I play too?" outside the playground fence (music_simbol's journal, actually). But if it's okayed, I think it's a great idea.

We should have a meeting again about STT (maybe just in an lj post), to discuss some ideas. I think an open invitation to the comm to ask what they want to do. I'm also thinking we should recruit a new mod. I have someone in mind, but we can discuss it (and maybe ask for volunteers? I'd personally rather ask someone, but maybe we ought to be more democratic).

Eh, I always feel weird suddenly commenting on a spotlight if I've NEVER interacted with the writer before (I feel like the writer's going to feel patronized).

I'll PM laridian and shewolfe (or whoever it is) and see if they mind us pimping drabblegroup on SST.

Agreed (to the "need to meet"). Your journal or mine? (I don't care either way, just say what you want--it it's in mine it's going to be locked just FYI).

I think the mod thing is better as an invite then a cattle call (and I'm super curious to see who you have in mind--I'm bored today, can you tell?)

I doubt anyone would feel patronized. We're not THAT touchy as a comm, are we? (Sometimes I wonder...) I don't attempt to comment on story stuff that I'm not familiar with, just the general simming routine/opinion questions, and maybe some of the pic stuff. I think people generally appreciate it, or at least don't mind. Really, why would they?

Okay, sounds good.

I can post it, if you want. I also have a SST group I can use, from before. There's no need for everyone to peer into the inner mod happenings.

I agree. Cattle call would result in too many (or am I being too hopeful here?) and we have a good idea of what sort of person we'd want. I prefer a dictatorship.

Yeah, they probably like the feedback but I've already established my ~ status so I have to keep up appearances. *snerk*

I haven't heard back from the drabblegroup mods. I'll just go ahead and post the "check it out" SST thread if I get a green light from the drabble side.

Dictatorship? Nah, we just want to keep out the riff-raff. (JOKING--should anyone else be reading this)

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Thought for the day: Sim stories are like serial comics

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