Now this might be a bit out of date, since Sims 3 came out a while ago, but whenever I create a new household one of them is creative and becomes a writer. I do this every time even though the way the game handles it is quite frustrating: writing enough in one genre unlocks a new genre, as if to become a fantasy writer you first have to write a lot of bad sci fis. Also the writerly Sim always manages to finish every novel, and they all sell. Half the time they're instant hits or bestsellers. While this is very satisfying for my Sim's bank balance, it's quite annoying to contrast the reality with the Sims world. If Sims 3 had it right, the characters would discard the first three novels begun, complete but fail to publish the next two, and only the next one would sell; and it would be another five books before one became a hit (unless you pick the lucky trait for them).
At the same time it annoys me that the game treats writing as work - the Sim's happiness meter goes down as if they were working, and I have to make them paint (!) or play computer games to bring it back up again. In reality most of us write because we enjoy it, and would consider writing something that increases our happiness meter. I consider both writing and painting on a par in terms of enjoyment, so it never made sense to me that Sims don't like writing even when they have the bookworm trait, but love painting.
Where else have depictions of the life of a writer in games, films or TV shows been vastly inaccurate? And where have they been particuarly good? What do you wish was true about being a writer that's really nothing more than a game mechanic or narrative tool?
Edit: oh and I would always name the science fiction books my sims wrote "Captain Starr and the [Muse song title]" so Captain Starr and the Supermassive Black Hole, Captain Starr and the Knights of Cydonia, Captain Starr and the Plug in Baby etc. I had a system for fantasy novel names too but I can't remember what it was.
At the same time it annoys me that the game treats writing as work - the Sim's happiness meter goes down as if they were working, and I have to make them paint (!) or play computer games to bring it back up again. In reality most of us write because we enjoy it, and would consider writing something that increases our happiness meter. I consider both writing and painting on a par in terms of enjoyment, so it never made sense to me that Sims don't like writing even when they have the bookworm trait, but love painting.
Where else have depictions of the life of a writer in games, films or TV shows been vastly inaccurate? And where have they been particuarly good? What do you wish was true about being a writer that's really nothing more than a game mechanic or narrative tool?
Edit: oh and I would always name the science fiction books my sims wrote "Captain Starr and the [Muse song title]" so Captain Starr and the Supermassive Black Hole, Captain Starr and the Knights of Cydonia, Captain Starr and the Plug in Baby etc. I had a system for fantasy novel names too but I can't remember what it was.
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