For those of you who might not have seen or heard of this award before (and for the sake of following the rules) let me tell you a little about this award. The Liebster Award is given by bloggers to other bloggers. The spirit of the award is to help promote some newish blogs that you feel deserve recognition. The German roots of the word Liebster have many meanings according my searches. But the meaning that best suits the award is favorite. So when you give this award your telling the recipient that their blog is one of your favorites. |
I've been Liebsterized!!!!
I've had the honor recently to be nominated Liebster Award. I was actually given this honor three separate times! That works out pretty great, because I have three different Sim Story blogs. For the sake of simplicity I'm going to do a single post that I'll post on all of my sites. This way I only have to write one post, and my readers that follow all of my sites will only have to read one post!
Big, no HUGE, thanks go out to Jes2G, Lovesstorms, and EchoWeaver for thinking that my stories are worthy of the award.
Jes2G's nomination came first. She nominated my newest site, my central site that hosts everything expect my first two stories. She has a big wonderful site to host all of her Sim stories along with some non-Sims related blog posts. Check out Jes2GStories for a choice of many great reads from a wonderful storyteller.
Lovesstorms nominated my Ana Pringle story specifically. Her enthusiastic comments on that blog have inspired me. I don't always let the talented writers in our community know how much we appreciate their work. I'm going to try to be a little more vocal from no on with my praise, because I know how much each comment left on the forums or on my blogs means to me. Lovesstorms reminded me of this. And I can forget to mention her terrific stories. Links to both the Ramsey Wishacy and There Goes the Neighborhood can be found on her site.
EchoWeaver nominated my Wren's Nest Apocalypse Story. The praise she gave that story on her blog meant so much to me. She's been a loyal reader for quite a while now. I'm going to be adding her Sims 3 Legacy to my reading list very soon. Lucky for me there are 6 generations and hundreds of chapters just waiting for me to dive in. I know it's going to be great. You can check it out for yourself here.
Big, no HUGE, thanks go out to Jes2G, Lovesstorms, and EchoWeaver for thinking that my stories are worthy of the award.
Jes2G's nomination came first. She nominated my newest site, my central site that hosts everything expect my first two stories. She has a big wonderful site to host all of her Sim stories along with some non-Sims related blog posts. Check out Jes2GStories for a choice of many great reads from a wonderful storyteller.
Lovesstorms nominated my Ana Pringle story specifically. Her enthusiastic comments on that blog have inspired me. I don't always let the talented writers in our community know how much we appreciate their work. I'm going to try to be a little more vocal from no on with my praise, because I know how much each comment left on the forums or on my blogs means to me. Lovesstorms reminded me of this. And I can forget to mention her terrific stories. Links to both the Ramsey Wishacy and There Goes the Neighborhood can be found on her site.
EchoWeaver nominated my Wren's Nest Apocalypse Story. The praise she gave that story on her blog meant so much to me. She's been a loyal reader for quite a while now. I'm going to be adding her Sims 3 Legacy to my reading list very soon. Lucky for me there are 6 generations and hundreds of chapters just waiting for me to dive in. I know it's going to be great. You can check it out for yourself here.
Here's the list of things to do once your site has received the Liebster Award.
1. thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog.
2. display the award on your blog
3. answer 11 questions about yourself, which will be provided to you by the person who nominated you.
4. provide 11 random facts about yourself. (This rule hasn't been used all the time from what I can see. My fellow Sims Writers haven't done this to my knowledge. But I'm going to do it just for fun!)
5. nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have a less than 1000 followers.
6. create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer.
7. list these rules in your post (You can copy and paste from here.) Once you have written and published it, you then have to:
8. Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it.
1. thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog.
2. display the award on your blog
3. answer 11 questions about yourself, which will be provided to you by the person who nominated you.
4. provide 11 random facts about yourself. (This rule hasn't been used all the time from what I can see. My fellow Sims Writers haven't done this to my knowledge. But I'm going to do it just for fun!)
5. nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have a less than 1000 followers.
6. create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer.
7. list these rules in your post (You can copy and paste from here.) Once you have written and published it, you then have to:
8. Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it.
The Rules!
My Answers to Jes2G's Questions
1. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hmm... I think I like a variety of food too much to choose. My favorite food is probably grilled salmon, but the thought of eating that every mean from now on makes me slightly nauseous. lol
2. Can you write with music on?
Yes. I don't usually do so, but I can. I usually write in the living room, so whatever my boyfriend is watching on TV is my background noise.
3. How/why did you begin blogging?
I've wanted to write Sims Stories for many years, but I never actually did it. When Sims 4 came out I decided to finally give it a go. And I'm so glad I did.
4. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert without a doubt.
5. Describe your dream vacation.
I'm picturing a semi-deserted beach. A nice warm beach that's not in the least bit crowded. I've been to warm crowded beaches, and I've been to cold empty beaches. It would be nice to experience a warm beach without fighting the crowd.
6. So…you’re a famous author now. What’s your life like? (e.g. Do you write all day? How do you spend your time?)
I'm assuming that since I'm famous, I'm also financially successful. If that's the case I would definitely quite my "day job". I'd have plenty of time for writing and all of my hobbies.
7. Mac or Windows?
Windows. Nothing against macs. I've just never owned a mac computer.
8. Summer or Winter?
Summer.
9. What is your least favorite household chore?
Washing dishes.
10. If you could be any character from a book or movie, who would you be?
I've got to go with Hermione Granger. HP is one of my all time favorites. And I've always loved a strong female character. Hermione fits that definition, plus I always could really relate to her.
11. Does it bother you that there are 11 questions and not 10??
Nope. I love a good prime number. (Than and I'm actually answer 33 questions :P )
Hmm... I think I like a variety of food too much to choose. My favorite food is probably grilled salmon, but the thought of eating that every mean from now on makes me slightly nauseous. lol
2. Can you write with music on?
Yes. I don't usually do so, but I can. I usually write in the living room, so whatever my boyfriend is watching on TV is my background noise.
3. How/why did you begin blogging?
I've wanted to write Sims Stories for many years, but I never actually did it. When Sims 4 came out I decided to finally give it a go. And I'm so glad I did.
4. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert without a doubt.
5. Describe your dream vacation.
I'm picturing a semi-deserted beach. A nice warm beach that's not in the least bit crowded. I've been to warm crowded beaches, and I've been to cold empty beaches. It would be nice to experience a warm beach without fighting the crowd.
6. So…you’re a famous author now. What’s your life like? (e.g. Do you write all day? How do you spend your time?)
I'm assuming that since I'm famous, I'm also financially successful. If that's the case I would definitely quite my "day job". I'd have plenty of time for writing and all of my hobbies.
7. Mac or Windows?
Windows. Nothing against macs. I've just never owned a mac computer.
8. Summer or Winter?
Summer.
9. What is your least favorite household chore?
Washing dishes.
10. If you could be any character from a book or movie, who would you be?
I've got to go with Hermione Granger. HP is one of my all time favorites. And I've always loved a strong female character. Hermione fits that definition, plus I always could really relate to her.
11. Does it bother you that there are 11 questions and not 10??
Nope. I love a good prime number. (Than and I'm actually answer 33 questions :P )
My Answers to Lovesstoms Questions
1. When you write, do you choose the computer or paper/pen?
Computer 99% of the time.
2. Do you write your story ahead of time, then take photos (if you have any)? Or do you take photos, then write?
I take photos in game and then write the story around them. But I do usually have an idea of what I want the chapter to include before hand. My dialog especially takes queues from the expressions I capture with each tap of the "C" button. I also take lots of pictures, so I have plenty of options to choose from. Then I can sort of hear the story in my mind as I look through all the images.
3. What made you want to start writing? A book? Life? A person? Other?
I've always been inspired to write by the Sims community, but until last September I never sat down and actually tried to write a story myself.
I've also always wanted to write a novel, but I haven't attempted that yet.
4. What’s a country you’ve always wanted to visit?
Peru, mostly to see Machu Picchu in person. My boyfriend had that opportunity while getting his Master's Degree. And I'm completely jealous.
5. Outside of the Sims, what’s another favorite game you play?
I love board and card games. Who's up for a game of BS or Spoons, Scrabble, Trivial Persuit? Let's play!
6. When you become disinterested in your story/characters, what do you do?
That's when I flex my builder's muscles. Building in the Sims is one of my favorite things to do, so if I'm finding the story writing to be a bit dull that's what I do for a while.
7. When you write, do you prefer quiet or noise in the background?
I can get pretty intensely concentrated, so background noise doesn't bother me at all.
8. If everyone stopped coming to your blog, would you continue to write and share?
Yes, I think I would. I started writing to tell the stories that I wanted to tell not that others wanted me to tell. I try to keep that in mind. I absolutely LOVE the comments left for my stories, and it would be a little discouraging if they all stopped, but in the end I write because it's something I want to do.
9. Do you have a routine for reading other blogs, like reading until your caught up on one, then moving to the next one? Or do you enjoy reading little bits of many stories?
Not really. I usually read new updates the day they are published. When I start a new story sometimes I binge read, and sometimes I read just a chapter a day until I'm caught up. I've never planned out how to do it I just read what I feel like reading.
10. Do you keep a notepad & pen/phone/tablet by your bed for those late night ideas? If so, do you actually get up and write them down?
No. I keep my tablet by my bed, but not for jotting down ideas. It's my alarm clock. I'm sure I have done it before, but it's not a regular occurrence.
11. When you write, do you just do a quick glance and post? Or do you take a day or two or more and proofread, move things around, delete, re-write, etc, etc?
I do usually hang on to it for proofreading purposes. Usually I try to finish writing a post in the evening and give it a proofread the next morning. I don't do a lot of re-writing, but I find that I do a better job proofreading if I've given myself a least a couple hours between doing the writing and the proofing. And even though I always proofread, I also always miss something. And my inner perfectionist cringes every time. But hey, that's what editing a published post is for.
Computer 99% of the time.
2. Do you write your story ahead of time, then take photos (if you have any)? Or do you take photos, then write?
I take photos in game and then write the story around them. But I do usually have an idea of what I want the chapter to include before hand. My dialog especially takes queues from the expressions I capture with each tap of the "C" button. I also take lots of pictures, so I have plenty of options to choose from. Then I can sort of hear the story in my mind as I look through all the images.
3. What made you want to start writing? A book? Life? A person? Other?
I've always been inspired to write by the Sims community, but until last September I never sat down and actually tried to write a story myself.
I've also always wanted to write a novel, but I haven't attempted that yet.
4. What’s a country you’ve always wanted to visit?
Peru, mostly to see Machu Picchu in person. My boyfriend had that opportunity while getting his Master's Degree. And I'm completely jealous.
5. Outside of the Sims, what’s another favorite game you play?
I love board and card games. Who's up for a game of BS or Spoons, Scrabble, Trivial Persuit? Let's play!
6. When you become disinterested in your story/characters, what do you do?
That's when I flex my builder's muscles. Building in the Sims is one of my favorite things to do, so if I'm finding the story writing to be a bit dull that's what I do for a while.
7. When you write, do you prefer quiet or noise in the background?
I can get pretty intensely concentrated, so background noise doesn't bother me at all.
8. If everyone stopped coming to your blog, would you continue to write and share?
Yes, I think I would. I started writing to tell the stories that I wanted to tell not that others wanted me to tell. I try to keep that in mind. I absolutely LOVE the comments left for my stories, and it would be a little discouraging if they all stopped, but in the end I write because it's something I want to do.
9. Do you have a routine for reading other blogs, like reading until your caught up on one, then moving to the next one? Or do you enjoy reading little bits of many stories?
Not really. I usually read new updates the day they are published. When I start a new story sometimes I binge read, and sometimes I read just a chapter a day until I'm caught up. I've never planned out how to do it I just read what I feel like reading.
10. Do you keep a notepad & pen/phone/tablet by your bed for those late night ideas? If so, do you actually get up and write them down?
No. I keep my tablet by my bed, but not for jotting down ideas. It's my alarm clock. I'm sure I have done it before, but it's not a regular occurrence.
11. When you write, do you just do a quick glance and post? Or do you take a day or two or more and proofread, move things around, delete, re-write, etc, etc?
I do usually hang on to it for proofreading purposes. Usually I try to finish writing a post in the evening and give it a proofread the next morning. I don't do a lot of re-writing, but I find that I do a better job proofreading if I've given myself a least a couple hours between doing the writing and the proofing. And even though I always proofread, I also always miss something. And my inner perfectionist cringes every time. But hey, that's what editing a published post is for.
1. Tell me something that you do with your real life. Career, hobby, life's ambition, anything.
First thing that comes to mind is that I love to knit. I just started a new project with a new stitch, so that's why it's on my mind. Knitting is relaxing and calming. I love it.
2. What's your favorite Sims game in the franchise? Why?
UGH. I LOVED them all for different reasons. I guess the most honest answer is that at the current moment Sims 4 is my favorite. I love the facial expressions and emotions. There are some things that I don't like about how the emotions work, but overall it provides some great opportunities for story telling. And I love the aesthetics of it. But there is still a fond place in my heart for all versions.
3. How do you tell your Sims story? Do game first, then build a story out of it? Do you build the story, then play it out in the game? Are you an observational blogger? Some other way?
I usually have an idea of where the story is going before I play. But I almost always take the pictures before writing.
4. Do you mod? If not, do you have a reason? If you do, what's your favorite mod?
I use mods sparingly. As a general rule I don't find CC or mods to be worth it, because I know it can be some work to keep it all updated. But I have used for certain purposes. For the S-GAS I needed to be able to host a large number of Sims on a single lot so I used a mod to increase household capacity, but I took that mod out as soon as I was finished with that story.
And I used lots of CC when I wrote The Prettiest Flower, the short story in memory of my grand mother. I felt like I needed those special pieces to really recreate her home the way I wanted. But again as soon as I finished writing that story, I removed the CC. Although I do have it sitting and waiting in another folder for when I want to go back to that save.
5. What is your most favorite sim you ever played? Why?
UGH. I'm soooo not good a picking favorites. I did have a legacy found in Sims 3 named Patience that I still remember fondly. I've been thinking about bringing her back. I guess I'd say her. LOL I can't pick a favorite from those that I've been writing stories for, because I almost feel like that would be picking a favorite child.
6. What is your favorite part of playing Sims?
I'm a very creative person, so I love that I can just do whatever I feel like doing with the game. I can make it my own. That's why I love to build in the game, but that applies Live Mode as well.
7. What's your favorite part of the Sims community? Do you have forums where you like to hang out?
I love how supportive and encouraging all of the other Sims writers I've met are.
8. Do you blog for laughs or dramatic moments? Both? Neither?
Both. Most of my stories have had their fair share of tragedy, but I hope I use those moments in an effective way. I want the sad moments to show my characters strength and emotion. I also hope the dramatic moments help the lighter moments seem all the happier.
9. Have you ever given up on a challenge without finishing it? Have you ever actually finished one? Inquiring minds want to know.
I've finished some shorter challenges, but I have never finished a legacy length challenge. Although I hope that changes starting with Wren's Nest. I hope writing that challenge keeps me motivated and interested in completing it. I also have my fingers crossed for a bug/glitch free game when I start getting to later generations.
10. (Stolen from Shannon) Who is your favorite author?
I guess if I have to pick a favorite it would be J.K. Rowling. HP is really my all time favorite. I'm not a kid any more but it will always be my favorite story. I'm in awe of how many details she pulled together in the course of seven books.
But I love reading in general, so there are many many more authors that I love just as much as her.
11. (Stolen from Kate) Do you write other stories/poems/lyrics/etc.?
I have occasionally written poems, but not often and those are definitely kept close to the heart. And I have began writing non-Sims stories, but have yet to finish them.
First thing that comes to mind is that I love to knit. I just started a new project with a new stitch, so that's why it's on my mind. Knitting is relaxing and calming. I love it.
2. What's your favorite Sims game in the franchise? Why?
UGH. I LOVED them all for different reasons. I guess the most honest answer is that at the current moment Sims 4 is my favorite. I love the facial expressions and emotions. There are some things that I don't like about how the emotions work, but overall it provides some great opportunities for story telling. And I love the aesthetics of it. But there is still a fond place in my heart for all versions.
3. How do you tell your Sims story? Do game first, then build a story out of it? Do you build the story, then play it out in the game? Are you an observational blogger? Some other way?
I usually have an idea of where the story is going before I play. But I almost always take the pictures before writing.
4. Do you mod? If not, do you have a reason? If you do, what's your favorite mod?
I use mods sparingly. As a general rule I don't find CC or mods to be worth it, because I know it can be some work to keep it all updated. But I have used for certain purposes. For the S-GAS I needed to be able to host a large number of Sims on a single lot so I used a mod to increase household capacity, but I took that mod out as soon as I was finished with that story.
And I used lots of CC when I wrote The Prettiest Flower, the short story in memory of my grand mother. I felt like I needed those special pieces to really recreate her home the way I wanted. But again as soon as I finished writing that story, I removed the CC. Although I do have it sitting and waiting in another folder for when I want to go back to that save.
5. What is your most favorite sim you ever played? Why?
UGH. I'm soooo not good a picking favorites. I did have a legacy found in Sims 3 named Patience that I still remember fondly. I've been thinking about bringing her back. I guess I'd say her. LOL I can't pick a favorite from those that I've been writing stories for, because I almost feel like that would be picking a favorite child.
6. What is your favorite part of playing Sims?
I'm a very creative person, so I love that I can just do whatever I feel like doing with the game. I can make it my own. That's why I love to build in the game, but that applies Live Mode as well.
7. What's your favorite part of the Sims community? Do you have forums where you like to hang out?
I love how supportive and encouraging all of the other Sims writers I've met are.
8. Do you blog for laughs or dramatic moments? Both? Neither?
Both. Most of my stories have had their fair share of tragedy, but I hope I use those moments in an effective way. I want the sad moments to show my characters strength and emotion. I also hope the dramatic moments help the lighter moments seem all the happier.
9. Have you ever given up on a challenge without finishing it? Have you ever actually finished one? Inquiring minds want to know.
I've finished some shorter challenges, but I have never finished a legacy length challenge. Although I hope that changes starting with Wren's Nest. I hope writing that challenge keeps me motivated and interested in completing it. I also have my fingers crossed for a bug/glitch free game when I start getting to later generations.
10. (Stolen from Shannon) Who is your favorite author?
I guess if I have to pick a favorite it would be J.K. Rowling. HP is really my all time favorite. I'm not a kid any more but it will always be my favorite story. I'm in awe of how many details she pulled together in the course of seven books.
But I love reading in general, so there are many many more authors that I love just as much as her.
11. (Stolen from Kate) Do you write other stories/poems/lyrics/etc.?
I have occasionally written poems, but not often and those are definitely kept close to the heart. And I have began writing non-Sims stories, but have yet to finish them.
My Answers to EchoWeaver's Questions
11 Random Facts about Carewren123
1. I'm a part time Science teacher/ substitute teacher.
2. My mom is my best friend.
3. I played the flute when I was in school.
4. I love to learn new things. Better yet if I can teach it to myself with a little help from the internet.
5. My middle name is Amy.
6. My favorite color is Green.
7. My mom is the oldest of seven kids.
8. My dad is the youngest of eight kids.
9. I have a HUGE extended family.
10. I'm a procrastinator and I'm messy. I'm working on improving in both of these areas.
11. My favorite number is one-hundred twenty-three, 123. :)
2. My mom is my best friend.
3. I played the flute when I was in school.
4. I love to learn new things. Better yet if I can teach it to myself with a little help from the internet.
5. My middle name is Amy.
6. My favorite color is Green.
7. My mom is the oldest of seven kids.
8. My dad is the youngest of eight kids.
9. I have a HUGE extended family.
10. I'm a procrastinator and I'm messy. I'm working on improving in both of these areas.
11. My favorite number is one-hundred twenty-three, 123. :)
The award has been spreading like wildfire in the Sims Blogs I follow. I've been on a bit of a hiatus for a couple of weeks, so I'm not entirely sure who has been nominated or not. I'm just going to go ahead and nominate the people I thought of and if you've already been nominated then just know that lots of people love your stories. Feel free to go ahead and answer my questions or ignore them as you wish :)
AkramA/Markarch : Fletcher Legacy and WonderChild Challenge (Plus other sometimes random posts)
RachelRosebud: Gather Ye Rosebuds Blog : A delightful neighborhood rotation
JadeEmma: The Wynngarden Legacy: This legacy seems to be on a bit of hiatus, but I hope that changes in the future, because I loved reading it.
Candy_Ellen /littleblackcat: Mint Legacy: Short, sweet, and humorous updates are characteristic of this story which also seems to be taking a bit of a break.
Simmerville: Simmerville's Sims: Gloomville Diaries is the story that made me start ready Simmerville's stories, but she has many more.
AkramA/Markarch : Fletcher Legacy and WonderChild Challenge (Plus other sometimes random posts)
RachelRosebud: Gather Ye Rosebuds Blog : A delightful neighborhood rotation
JadeEmma: The Wynngarden Legacy: This legacy seems to be on a bit of hiatus, but I hope that changes in the future, because I loved reading it.
Candy_Ellen /littleblackcat: Mint Legacy: Short, sweet, and humorous updates are characteristic of this story which also seems to be taking a bit of a break.
Simmerville: Simmerville's Sims: Gloomville Diaries is the story that made me start ready Simmerville's stories, but she has many more.
My Nominees!!!!!
My Questions to You
1. If you could meet any one fictional character who would you pick?
2. How long have you been a writer?
3. What is one big hope/dream you have in life?
4. What was your favorite book when you were a child?
5. Do you sing in the car? If so, what type of music do you sing to the most?
6. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
7. What is your dream job?
8. Cats or dogs?
9. What is your favorite food?
10. What is one food that you dislike?
11. If you were a Sim what traits would you have?
2. How long have you been a writer?
3. What is one big hope/dream you have in life?
4. What was your favorite book when you were a child?
5. Do you sing in the car? If so, what type of music do you sing to the most?
6. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
7. What is your dream job?
8. Cats or dogs?
9. What is your favorite food?
10. What is one food that you dislike?
11. If you were a Sim what traits would you have?