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So I’ve been keeping to a strict once-a-week schedule for gen 2 so far and I’m overall enjoying it. So far, I think gen 2 is way better than the first and I’m enjoying writing it and hearing your speculations and commentary. Up until now, I’ve been ahead with my chapters as you guys might have seen on my chapter listing. I like that. But as you can guess from my wording just now, I’ve been ahead until now. I’m not anymore. The next chapter isn’t written. I know the title of it (it’s in the chapter list, after all), but besides that, I don’t have any photos I’m happy with and I’ve already scrapped one version of it.

So, here’s the thing – I refuse to go back to haphazardly writing the chapter two days before, or the day before, or even the day of posting. It’s what I did with gen 1 and I’m incredibly unhappy with large sections of it. It doesn’t help that I’ve been in a funk of feeling super bad about myself and my work, and it also doesn’t help that I’m pretty muchΒ onlyΒ working on MVS. The sequel to CoM is entirely on hold. I tried to force myself to work on it and that failed. Another story idea I’ve had is mostly just in my head and my notebook. I don’t have any illusion that work on other stories will go much faster just because I take a break from posting MVS, but it can’t hurt.

The next chapter, thus, will not be this Saturday, nor will it be the next, but on the 13th of October, I’ll be ready to post the next chapter, if everything goes according to plan. I just need a little while to have some more buffer chapters, to find space in my brain for my new story, and just to… kind of relax. I’ll still be around to read and comment. In fact, I just finished one story, so I’m off to read another now, which’ll be great. But posting the story is on hold for now.

Thanks for the continued support and for reading my stuff. I’ll see you in the next post – at the latest on October the 13th.

Cheers!

P.S: That’s not a sneak peek image, btw. It was a photoshoot that I’m not happy enough with that I want to post the rest. Hope you enjoy this little bit of it anyway and maybe I’ll post some more from it if I feel like re-shooting some pics.


29 Comments

magpie14031983 · September 24, 2018 at 7:09 pm

Take all the time you need Lou! We’ll all be here waiting to see the next part of the Regenzo drama unfold 😁 it’s no fun for us if it’s no fun for you!

    NotJustaBook · September 24, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    I’m glad to hear it, Mags πŸ™‚ Posting stuff I’m unhappy with is no fun for anyone!

Lila Remonn · September 24, 2018 at 8:36 pm

Take all the time you need! Refresh yourself and have a nice rest ❀️

    NotJustaBook · September 24, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    Man, I just DO NOT understand WP sometimes – found this in spam.
    Thanks so much, Lila πŸ™‚ taking the pressure off for a couple of weeks is already making me feel refreshed πŸ™‚

Jowita · September 24, 2018 at 9:24 pm

It’s understandable. How could I be the one to throw the first stone? It’s totally not like my story’s been on hold for 4 weeks. πŸ™„ You see, I refuse to even talk about when, because each time I feel as if I was getting closer, I find the other thing to be considered about and postpone it even more. So, definitely no judging from me.
We’ll see you on October 13th, then, 6 days before my birthday. πŸ™‚

    NotJustaBook · September 24, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    I completely understand why you don’t want to set a date. Personally, I like having a deadline, but if I get closer to the date and don’t have 3-4 chapters ready I’ll probably push it a bit πŸ™‚ I think it’ll be okay though – taking some of the pressure off already makes me want to write more πŸ™‚
    Indeed, I’ll be back! πŸ˜€

      Jowita · September 24, 2018 at 10:47 pm

      Well, setting a date is like putting a ring on to me. So much commitment! After gen. 5 I guess I’m just too scared that I will push it, so I want to be 100% sure that I’m ready for this step, but maybe I never will. I just, for once after all this time, want to be satisfied with my work, but I just keep stressing it and overthinking the same old ideas and holding onto them, and then doubting them continuously (constantly telling myself they’re too basic and I need something better that I can’t come up with). I feel stressed that the longer I wait, the more progress will need to be seen and God, is this stressing me out some more. I just want to improve so many things at once. I also helped Darren and edited his chapters for him, his story is now finished. I also published all leftover Sims and played my game. So much stuff eating up my time. And then I just want to dump it all because of self-doubt, but I can’t because I’m too committed to all my characters.
      The struggles of a kind of a writer that I am…
      Sorry for the spam, I just… I guess I’m happy not to be the only one on a break right now.

        NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 5:58 am

        He, he, maybe that’s where I differ – I do want boyfriend to put a ring on me at some point πŸ˜›
        I understand all of these fears and doubts, Jowita, I really do <3 And I'm so sorry you're stressing about it. If you ever need it, you can always just talk to me about it - you at least know how to find me on FB πŸ™‚
        You're definitely not the only one who's struggling with all of these thoughts. I hope it gets better for you soon, friend <3

          Jowita · September 25, 2018 at 7:57 am

          Oh no, I didn’t mean it in that way. I actually thought about non-committal people, not myself in particular.
          I know I’m not the only one, it’s just that it sometimes gets really hard.

simnights · September 25, 2018 at 12:01 am

I’m shocked that you’ve been able to keep it up this far! Just from my own experience, I’m down to trying for once a *month* per update, lol! Have a good rest, we’ll be here.

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 5:55 am

    Ha, ha, I think many of us have been there – I also used to just post whenever, but since I’ve been having boyfriend beta-read and such, I’ve enjoyed writing the story so much I haven’t really been able to hold back on posting πŸ™‚ Thank you! <3

amyqueen · September 25, 2018 at 1:41 am

The fact that you’ve been posting so consistently for so long is admirable as I’ve especially enjoyed staying awake late at night to read the new chapters that appear like clockwork :3 I feel like this is a sentiment most of us are feeling all too well at the moment, so it’s beyond understandable. Take all the time you need! <3 That photo is gorgeous by the way πŸ˜€

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 5:59 am

    Thank you Amy <3 and conversely, I really enjoy getting up early on Saturdays to post for you guys and then wait all day for comments, lol πŸ™‚ But everyone needs a little rest now and again.

socallucyfan · September 25, 2018 at 3:30 am

Rest, you deserve it!!
Take all the time you need, as we will always be here. There is no reason to sacrifice your sanity over this. If you are not happy with a chapter, be it the writing, the pictures, or both, then don’t feel like you are obligated to post it. It makes me so sad when I see writers commenting on how they feel obligated to the readers. I just want to shake them and say, “no, it should be the other way around!!” This is suppose to be fun. Writing and taking pictures, and “playing” the Sims is suppose to be fun. And when it starts stressing you out, and stops being fun, then it is time for a break.
You know that I think you are so very talented, and your pictures make me green with envy. But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what I think. It only matters WHAT YOU THINK!!!! And if you feel like you need to take a break, then by all means do so!!

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 6:05 am

    Thank you, Stephanie <3 πŸ™‚ Aaaaall of what you're saying here is so true. Fortunately, up until now, posting this gen has never felt like a chore or something I'm obligated to do. I have a lot of fun with the story and I want it to stay that way while also keeping up quality. That's more important than just posting for the sake of posting. I'm also always happy to post and to hear you guys' thoughts - it even changes the story at times, which I think is incredible and giving πŸ™‚
    Thank you so much for the kind words and the support πŸ™‚ You're always so sweet <3

audreyfld · September 25, 2018 at 10:08 am

It’s always sad to see the struggles of putting yourself out there and the pressure you put on yourself. Like someone else said, if it’s not fun for you, it’s not fun for us. Selfishly, I am sad because I just found your story and enjoy your work very much. ❀️ I do hope you know that you are definitely your worst critic! We will be here when you decide to return to your story. Or, even if you feel like you need to abandon it and start fresh with a brand new project. Your mental and emotional well being are the most important.

I would offer a small piece of advice before you decide to abandon it, because it seems like you haven’t quite got there yet but are very close. Think about bringing it to a conclusion with Gina. It may require rethinking the ending, but talented and imaginative people like you are probably up for the challenge. Then do it in less chapters. And, instead of abandoning it, you will have finished it. That is a feeling of accomplishment that never gets old. ❀️❀️❀️ However, if you don’t have it in you, and you are truly done, then moving on to the next project is probably what you should.

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 11:43 am

    Oh, I’m afraid I must have bungled my writing here, because I can assure you with 110 % certainty that I’m NOT abandoning my story. Not at all! πŸ™‚ I love it, and I particularly love and enjoy this generation, which is going much better than the first. There’s no question of leaving it here, at all – I already have ideas for gen 3! πŸ™‚ If I were to stop writing MVS I would, as you suggest, finish the gen I was on and then move on. It’s why I leave these gens self-contained so that I always have an out if I’m not feeling it anymore. But I still adore writing this and I’m getting to all the good stuff, so I’m definitely not done with it. As for me looking into another project, I sometimes have two stories I write at a time. I’ve been low-key working on a new thing for a little bit. It’s a project I’d be posting alongside this – not instead of it πŸ™‚ I’m multi-task-ey like that!
    So no worries – I’m not anywhere near abandoning this, at all. I just really need a break to write some more chapters (and I want to take my time to assure the quality!) and I also want to work a little more on my other story πŸ™‚ You will *definitely* be reading the ending of at least this gen, I promise πŸ™‚
    Thank you so much for being so kind, though, Audrey πŸ™‚ It means a lot that people like you have come along and are reading as I write, and to have support when I’m feeling a little bad about myself. You’re very sweet <3

      audreyfld · September 25, 2018 at 11:51 am

      Ahhh yay! ❀️. Sorry I misinterpreted how you were feeling. Having each gen self contained is a wonderful idea. Good luck.

        NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 12:55 pm

        No worries, Audrey <3 It just seems to me like you care about both the story and my well-being, which is lovely to feel. Thank you :) <3

freja64 · September 25, 2018 at 11:19 am

There’s no way you can write on command, nor escape RL. These are facts I beleive everybody understands, so, yeah, go ahead and rest. We’ll get notified when your next chapter is up, there’s absolutely no stress… After all, there’s no RL deadline to live up to! πŸ™‚

greencatssims · September 25, 2018 at 11:30 am

Definitely a good idea to give yourself time to put out something with which you’re really happy. LOVE that picture by the way! πŸ™‚

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 11:35 am

    I think it’s a good idea as well – forcing oneself to post is never good.
    And thank you so much <3 :D

lazysunjade · September 25, 2018 at 11:36 am

Never feel bad for taking a break! I think everyone hits a point where they need one, or just need to recharge. Take as long as you’d like, I’m sure we’ll all be here still when you get back! And sneaky me, this gives me more time to catch up on your story! I really hope you will start to feel better about your work. Your pictures and poses are gorgeous, and your story is great too (and I hear gen 2 is even better!). Sending you positive vibes, hope this autumn season will help to refresh you. Relax and enjoy yourself for a while =)

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 11:44 am

    Thank you, Jade πŸ™‚ Yeah, I think it’s really natural to just need a few minutes now and again. I really love this story, but at times it takes up so much brain-space, I barely think of anything else. I need to recharge my creative batteries a bit πŸ™‚

Kymber · September 25, 2018 at 12:36 pm

I totally understand, Louise, and like everyone else, I just want you to take all the time you need. I’ll always be here, too, like the others. Please don’t feel bad about your work because everything about it shows such an artistic eye and your writing is superb. I’ve really been enjoying your characters so much and how you write them.

Recharge, have some fun and get some rest. πŸ˜€ <3

    NotJustaBook · September 25, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Thank you, Kym <3 You're so kind, so is everyone else :) I don't really feel bad about taking this break, because I know everyone's so understanding and warm. Hands down the best community I've been part of :) <3

      Kymber · September 25, 2018 at 8:22 pm

      Same here! <3

sempreviva · September 29, 2018 at 11:24 am

Although super late again, I’m also here to express my immense admiration for you being able to stay on schedule for so long, and of course my support! You should rest and take this time off to relax, refresh and find the motivation you seek! I hope you will soon feel better! <3 <3 We will be here <3

    NotJustaBook · September 30, 2018 at 7:21 am

    Thank you very much πŸ™‚ <3 Admittedly, it's really nice to be able to take things at my own pace. It really jumpstarts the creativity, even if I really miss posting!

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