Note: For those who are interested, the SimStorytellers LiveJournal community conducted interviews in 2006. You can read my answers to the interview here. And for even more info, there's also my bio page.

Q: Are your sims available for download?
A: I'm sorry, but none of my sims are available for download.

Q: Where did you get [insert item here]?
A: I download often and from so many places that it's almost impossible for me to say. If I can remember it, I'll usually post it. If not, it's probably a better idea to check out my CC links page.

The following are my replies to emails I've gotten. Since they more or less were asking similar questions, I thought I'd post the answers here; I'll be answering all similar, general, emailed questions here, from this point on.

Q: Are you going to keep writing your stories?
A: Yes, for as long as possible. :)

Q: Why does it take you so long to update your stories?
A: Several reasons, the major one being that I have other (non-Sims 2) writing commitments. Also, since I prefer to do everything myself --- the simming, searching for props, photo manipulation (where needed), writing, revisions, proofreading --- it can take anywhere from several days to several weeks before I can complete something. Add to those two reasons real life responsibilities and there you have it. This is basically a one-woman show, but if it weren't for the moral support and tips I get from close simming friends, plus the efforts of talented creators/modders out there, the work would be next to impossible. I'm very grateful for their presence as well as their generosity. :D

I have to add that in 2006, I barely got any story updates posted due to several months worth of computer and game-related problems. After my game stabilized, I just didn't have the energy for anything more complicated than a photoshoot.

Because this game is a hobby, I also allow myself to get easily distracted by new projects.

The way things currently stand, I can spend only weeknights and weekends for simming, so weeknights are for working on the to-do list while weekends are for playing the game purely for fun. 'Course, lately, that hasn't been possible --- playing on the weekends, I mean.

Q: What graphics program do you use?
A: Paint Shop Pro 9 is the program I use the most.

Q: Are you a professional writer?
A: No, though I hope to be one soon. As of this writing (February 2007), I'm continuing to work on a collection of short stories.
Update, 22 May 2007: There have been recent, exciting developments in my writing career! ;)

Q: Are you a professional artist? Where can I buy your work?
A: Yep, I am. I used to dabble in the business as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator (this was a long, long time ago), but retired early. At the moment, I have a storefront @ CafePress whose items are not Sims 2-related.

Q: What are your computer & graphics card specs?
A: Computer: Intel Pentium 4, 3.4 Ghz, 1GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive*. My card is an nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GTO with 256mb of video memory. I'm using the latest nVIDIA drivers. I used to have the older ones installed and they worked fine --- but only up to a point.

Update 07 July 2007: In June 2007, my hard drive failed and I was forced to buy a new one.

Q: Can I send you my sim!self so I can marry your sim and start a Legacy Challenge?
A: I'm sorry, but because of time constraints, that's not possible.

Q: Can you make a sim for me?
A: I'm sorry, but because of time constraints, that's also not possible.

Q: Can we chat?
A: I'd love to chat about The Sims 2, but unfortunately, I don't use any kind of IM programs.

Q: What's the big deal about privacy?
A: I'm a private person and I don't believe in bringing personal, offline stuff onto the Internet.

Q: Why do Matt and Emil look the same?
A: Emil is Matt's son. Unfortunately, he was the only one in that large batch of born in-game sims whose features didn't show more of a blending between the parents. Believe me, once he grew up, part of me was dismayed that he was --- is --- the spitting image of his father. To see some old pictures of the St.Adalards, click on the links below:

http://my-sims-reality.livejournal.com/70814.html
http://my-sims-reality.livejournal.com/71585.html

Q: Why does Matt look like one of the stock Maxis faces?
A: Because I took one of the Maxis faces (it's the first one, I think) and gave it a few tweaks. For the story An Hour In Eden, An Eternity In Hell, I needed a boyish-looking priest for the lead; in my eyes, that Maxis face was the one that came closest to the vision in my head.

Q: Which of your sims were characters before they became sims and which of them were sims first before becoming characters in your stories?
A: lol Wow, that's a long question --- I'll see whether I can answer your question in a coherent manner.

Of all my characters, Andre is the only one who was already living inside my head before I began playing The Sims and The Sims 2; The Wife is another. The rest were sims first.

Q: Do you really "live" with your characters inside your head?
A: Yes. They're as real to me as anything I can touch, see, hear, and smell. And just like real people, they reveal things about themselves at their own pace. At the moment, Emil and Kit have the strongest and most vocal presence.

Q: Who of your characters do you get along with the most?
A: Rick and Andre, Matt, Emil, and more recently, Kit (He was too cocky for me in the beginning.)

Q: You mentioned having different continuities for your sims. How do you manage them?
A: Heh, I don't. *grins* I often have problems keeping those continuities straight (and separate). ;)

Q: What skintones and eyes do you favor?
A: I use many, but one of my favorites is an old skintone set by Navetsea (no longer available) and the other is Lin's (Nihilin on MTS2) Edition of Louis's skintones. For eyes, I often use Helaene and Barcelonista eyes.

Q: What is the nature of the relationship between Emil, his wife and Kit? Why are they always together?
A: Emil and Kit are best friends who both love the same woman. Emil was the one who ended up marrying her though --- that's all I can say about that. ;)
Update 20 Nov 2007: I'm rewriting this part of their history.

Q: What attracts you to The Sims 2?
A: I love the fact that I can build the kind of houses I would like to live in but will never be able to afford; it also allows me to recreate the houses I've lived in. The game is fun and addictive because it allows the player to play a pixel form of "dress-up." For some there is the fun of playing God. In my case, I apply that only to townies and NPCs who piss me off. :p

Q: What are the Domestic Affairs updates all about?
A: Most of my "Domestic Affairs" posts at my main journal/site are just straightforward reporting of what's going on with the families I'm playing. However, the latest set involving the St. Adalards has developed a storyline of its own so I decided to run with it (see this post and this post.)

Q: Are you a professional photographer? Will you teach me how to make pictures like yours?
A: I'm not a professional photographer nor have I taken any lessons for it, whether that's from a book or workshop. As for taking pictures: I rely mostly on instinct, by what I feel would make a pleasing picture, reinforced by what I've learned about painting and drawing composition since I was a kid. I don't know how to explain it, but whenever I take a picture or work on it (sim picture or otherwise), I just have a gut feeling about what works and what doesn't.

Q: I'd like some of your stories to go on indefinitely.
A: I'm very happy that you feel that way! However, with the exception of my legacy-type updates (Domestic Affairs), my stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, primarily because I'm really in love with shorter forms of fiction. :)

Q: What do you have in store for us?
A: To be honest, I have no idea because my list of Sims 2 projects keeps getting longer and longer as new ideas pop into my head. As of this writing, I have enough to keep me busy for quite a few years --- that's a lot of future updates!

Q: What advice do you have for new storytellers and sim bloggers?
A: The important thing is to have fun, whether it's writing a sim story or having a sims 2 journal of your own; have fun regardless of the outcome.

Q: Where do you get the music you use in your videos?
A: I have a varied collection of CDs: Billy Idol, video game music, opera, classical, classic rock, pop, movie soundtracks (like the one from Henry & June) --- just to name a few. I also buy music from iTunes (I bought R�yksopp's Meloday AM album from there, for example).

Thanks for reading and for bearing with me in this long post. Additional questions, suggestions, and constructive criticism are always welcome. :)

This site is not endorsed by or affiliated with Electronic Arts, or its licensors. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Game content and materials copyright Electronic Arts Inc. and its licensors. All Rights Reserved.