I've been meaning to participate in one of these sim_scenes challenges for quite some time now, but this is the first time I've been inspired enough to actually give it a go. It's also an opportunity to create a nice, quick story for your viewing entertainment, since I haven't been able to focus enough time or attention to get anywhere with an actual chapter of S,HWC (though I am picking away at it, here and there).

For those who are unfamiliar with the community, one of the rules of this challenge is that each entry must consist of exactly ten images, without any text. It is an exercise in visual storytelling. Like a drabble, this gives an opportunity to hone that specific skill, which is just as essential to sim storytelling as the writing (some might argue more essential). To remain true to the spirit of the challenge, I will offer no explanation at all for this story, and I welcome your feedback. I'm curious to see how well it comes across without any words.

( I think you'll recognize the family without any difficulty. )

I have two possible versions of my entry for the most recent challenge at sim_mania. 

( Which one do you like better? )

Here's my entry for the latest simstorytellers challenge. Again, this takes place in Veronaville, and involves original characters. It's actually a glimpse at a little pseudo legacy taking place there, and these kids are from generation three. There are connections to other hoods hinted at here, but some of it is pretty subtle (hint: the names are clues).

In my vision of the sim world, the Calientes and the Lotharios come from South Veronaville (the Mediterranean side of town, where the Montys reside). That makes sense to me, since Don, Nina, and Dina are new arrivals to Pleasantview, and they fit in with the feel of that region.

I posted an entry for the latest challenge at sim_mania, if you want to check it out.

Also, check this out... Someone made a simsecret about me. That's pretty cool, but also way less fun than I imagined it would be. That's always the way, isn't it? There's a certain giddy thrill to realizing that someone has written your name on the wall of the highschool washroom, but then you realize that the rest of the sentence says, "...is a slut." (This may or may not relate to an actual event in my life.) Well, what are you going to do? I probably am too obsessed with these characters. I won't deny that. I think I have gotten too caught up in it all, really. It's probably unhealthy. (I'm also feeling that the fact that I've been posted about in a sim secret community might be a sign that I need to return to the real world. I really have fallen down a nerdy rabbit hole, haven't I?)

As for the second part... they must have started reading a different story, since both Jaxy and Ripp still swear like sailors. I don't think I really cut back on that much, if at all. *shrugs* They swear. Some people do. It's not all about them being "bad ass" (though that is a factor, for sure).

I keep intending to submit a simsecret, but I always forget or have trouble coming up with an idea. I considered making a joke secret about the simstorytellers comm, since it's so drama-free, but it never really came together. Maybe next time, I'll think of something.

ETA: I probably won't respond to any of these comments for a while. I have a busy day ahead of me.

I've entered in the second challenge over at sim_mania. It's a swimsuit calendar this time around, so I decided to try my hand at creating a pretty sim photo. I used SnagIt to take the screencap (thanks for the recommendation, saunasims!). It's a nice little program, and I solved my wonkiness problem by changing the format of my screen in-game. I took advantage of Bon Voyage, and did the photo shoot on location at Twikkii Island. The rules for this challenge can be found here.

This way to a pretty sim in a bikini. (Okay, I can't resist... bonus points if you have any idea who she is. It has nothing to do with Strangetown... or does it?)

Here's my entry for this week's challenge from the simstorytellers community. It was another drabble+ this time, and the prompt word was blame. This might end up as the opening to the next update, or it might remain separate. I haven't decided yet. I had another opener in mind, but this might work too. Either way, it gives a little more of Johnny's experience with the abduction than I had intended to get into right away. All will be revealed eventually, but it won't be out in the open for a while. What that mostly means is that Johnny may tell someone about it, but as readers, you won't be privy to all of the details. 

( Challenge 004: Drabble+: Blame )

Here's my response to the current challenge over at simstorytellers . I thought I would post this now, since it's based on the Strangetown, Here We Come, and I won't be able to post the next chapter until Sunday at the earliest. I'm heading out of town tomorrow evening for a long weekend. This drabble+ (slightly longer than a regular drabble, which is exactly 100 words) is related to the next couple of chapters in the story, and is thus a slight spoiler, but I like to think of it as more of an appetizer. I hope the next installment will follow by early next week.

This week's challenge was to create a 150-200 word drabble+, using a maximum of two in-game pics, with "death" as the prompt.

( Challenge 002: Drabble+: Death )