October 2011: Symphony

Welcome to the October edition of Rebel Writer’s Nirvana Featured Author!

Karima: Daijah’s been working really hard on designing our new studio, and since some of it is still under construction, we’re going to take advantage of the spookiest month of the year!

Daijah: That’s right, Karima! We’ve got some serious scares lined up for this month’s victim – I mean, guest!

Karima: We’re going to visit some local venues and soak up some of the spirit of Halloween!

Daijah: And believe me, here in Nirvana, we take our Halloween seriously!

Jilly: I know you’re all dying to get started…

Qui: You’re not going to feed us your bad puns all day, are you, Jilly?

Jilly: Of course not, Qui. That would be a grave offense…

Qui: Before one of us does end up in a grave, let’s bring out this month’s Featured Author…

All: Please give a big Rebel Yell for…

 SYMPHONY! 

Symphony: Thanks! It’s great to be here! It’s so exciting to actually meet you guys in person! Feel free to call me Kalene.

Qui: Please, make yourself at home! We have some really great surprises for you today, Kae. 

Jilly: So don’t make yourself scare…ce?

Qui: No, Jilly. Not even close.

Daijah: What Jilly means is, we hope you brought some comfortable shoes, because we’ll be running you all over town!

Karima: But first, we’d like to take a little time to introduce the audience to the real you!

Daijah: Symphony, also known as Kalene, is the amazing and talented author of In Pursuit of Happiness. Though shy, she has been able to share a story that is both detailed and gripping and draws the readers in with each new update. Her characters are profound and each has a depth that is explored to no end. It is a very wonderful journey to experience the lives of these individuals through their daily struggles of love, family and pain.

Karima: Kalene, in addition to your epic story, we understand you’re studying for your bar exam; is that right?

Kae: That’s right, Karima! I’m hoping to be a lawyer soon.

Daijah: So, if for instance, someone were to be accused of something like, oh, I don’t know…murder, would you be able to get them off the hook?

Qui: *Nervous laugh...I’m sure she’s not working to become that kind of lawyer, and besides, a situation like that would never come up, right ladies?

Jilly, Daijah, Karima:  

Qui: Moving on, we’re really glad you could find the time to be with us today!

Kae: I wouldn’t miss it! Besides, I really needed a break from all those books! Tests and studying are really taking up a lot of my time! 

Jilly: Ladies and gentlemen, if you have a legal issue that you would like an answer to, feel free to drop her a line at her blog:

Passionately Pink

Jilly: Kae, thanks so much for agreeing to let us grill you this month…

Qui: So with that, let’s get this show on the road, right after a word from our sponsors!

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Clorox Eye Bleach…the bleach that cares.

Daijah: Here we are at the Nirvana Asylum for the Criminally Insane! 

Kae: I kind of thought you were kidding when we pulled up to the gates, Daijah. Are you sure it’s safe to be here?

Daijah: I thought you'd appreciate the symbolism, you know since Annabella was sorta, kinda in one of these. Who knows, it may inspire you a bit more! Besides you’re a law student; if anything happens, you could always sue for damages…

Kae: If I live…

Daijah: Relax. This won’t take long. Besides it's not a bad stay, you don't hear them complaining do ya? **Points towards body bags** Would you like something to drink?

Kae: Oh my God are those eyeballs? Um. Nope. I’m good.

Daijah: *whispers* Say that now, wait until your interview with Karima. 

**Loud bangs come from the other side of the wall**

Kae: What was that!? 

Daijah: Just a few of the tenants. Don't worry we'll meet them later. 

Kae: How about we don't and say we did? You had some questions for me? 

Daijah: Kalene, What was your inspiration for Pursuit of Happiness?

Kalene: I saw a movie (don’t ask me the name, I can’t remember) where this guy’s jealous ex-girlfriend went completely rogue on his current girlfriend – for no apparent reason apart from the fact that she was completely insane. I liked the insane part – it always makes for gripping entertainment. You never know what that person will do next and if they will do anything – fear of the unknown – always keeps me sitting on the edge of my seat. Thought I’d try writing my story from that perspective. Um..Daijah…Is that blood on that blanket there?

Daijah: Well what do you expect from bleeding bodies? **shakes head** Silly Kae. 

Kalene: I think the chains on those people behind you are loose. 

Daijah: I'm sure you're right. One of them was banging on the wall and that smear of blood didn't get there by itself.

Kalene Can we leave? 

Daijah: Not yet. We’re perfectly safe here, I promise. Just, um…don’t touch anything, and if you see someone in the halls, it’s probably best not to make eye contact. So, what motivated you to begin writing a Sims story? Especially one as gripping and emotional as The Pursuit of Happiness?

Kalene: It took me some time (and a lot of lurking) to get the courage to start writing my story. With so much talent over here I knew I had to come up with something interesting enough so that people would want to read it – and continue to read it. Also, lurking soon made me realize that you guys really don’t bite – I think mostly what motivated me was the encouraging comments made on other people’s stories.

Daijah: What draws inspiration to your stories?

Kalene: Television shows, movies, books, music, everyday life events – personal experience. A little bit of everything – you mix it up a bit to make up your own unique story. Also, I’m sure everyone makes up little side stories while playing their game – the match-making, how they meet … each time you make your sims do something or in some cases make them stop doing something is so that they follow your master plan for them – everyone has a story – and with the sims you have complete control of how that story turns out. Daijah.? Do we really have to interview around um...them? I suddenly don't feel so good.

Daijah: You don’t look so good, either. Why don’t you relax on that gurney and we’ll finish up with this segment.

Kae: Yes, lying down would be good right now…just, keep those rusty medical tools away from me.

**Drops scalpel**

Daijah: I wasn't even looking at them! So how did you create your characters?

Kalene: Starting off with Annabella, I knew exactly what I wanted her to look like – she had to be a bit of a drama queen and she had to be evil and of course a little insane (mostly for picture-purposes because of the way the insane ones pull their faces most of the time) – she very closely resembles someone I used to know – who also had similar traits.

Daijah: Interesting! Anyone we know? 

Kalene: Um... **looks around nervously** Graeme I created as a teenager – I wanted to see what he would look like when he aged up. I think that’s my favourite part of the game – seeing the kiddies age-up and what they look like – the element of surprise. His character had to be one which describes a boy who, despite his popularity in school chooses to be with a girl such as Annabella – showing strong character unlikely to be influenced by peer pressure.

Daijah: The hot jock with a mind of his own. WIN/WIN!

Kalene: Shauna’s character had to be strong – she had to look good in a business suit – and she had to have above-average looks. It’s funny though – everyone is supposed to like her – epic fail! I’ll have to spend some time on her character – a solo chapter perhaps ……

On Dr Drake I didn’t spend much time on in the looks department – I didn’t think he would feature again after Annabella checks out – but turns out he will make a few appearances again – what can I say, we’ll just have to bear it – they can’t all be pretty.

Annabella’s father was a character I had to come up with to make the reasons for and the build-up to her suicide attempt more believable. What drives a person to that point? I would imagine it’s different for everyone ….. but I had to make sure she felt devastated before she sees Graeme – which would be the last straw. He didn’t have to look exactly like Annabella – but he had to have some features – I paid some attention to the eyes and the nose – that’s about it. His age was an issue too – he had to be old enough to be her father, but young enough to run for office – I figured “adult” with a few gray hairs would do the trick.

As for the rest of the characters, I didn’t really pay much attention to their looks if I knew they weren’t going to feature a lot. I spent quite some time creating Chris – he had to be a looker – it had to compliment his personality – everyone had to fall in love with him – he had to be a gentleman and everyone had to believe that Annabella would feel comfortable with him and that she could fall in love with him despite her feelings for Graeme.

Daijah: So you had a real-life inspiration for Annabella? Any other characters?

Kalene: Annabella’s character is based on someone I used to know. I’ll just be adding a little Symphony-spice later on in the story so her character will be compatible with my story line. As for the rest – not so much – maybe some are based on personalities I would like to know.

Daijah: That brings us to the end of our first segment with Symphony, aka Kalene. We’re going to take a short commercial break, and we’ll be right back with Karima in the Nirvana Haunted Diner!

Kalene: Haunted?

Daijah: Did I say that out loud? We'll be back!

Karima: Do you always wonder what to serve when your vampire friends stop by for a bite? Why not try the drink the astronauts have whenever they arrive on a strange planet inhabited by blood sucking aliens…

Fang!

Fang instant drink mix will satisfy the thirst that knows no bounds. Next time you party with the undead, make sure to have plenty of Fang on hand…because if you don’t, they will!

Karima: Welcome to the Nirvana Haunted Diner! We’re going to enjoy some of the holiday cuisine here with our special guest, Kalene. Let’s start with some drinks first while they prepare our table.

Kae: I’ve had a Bloody Mary before, but this looks a bit more...bloody?

Karima: That's because it's made with real blood!

Kalene: Karima, you’re such a kidder! *nervous laugh

Karima: Um…sure. Let's say I'm just kidding.  
So Kalene, You've made drama an art form with Pursuit of Happiness. Will you stick with drama, or might you try a different genre in the future? If so, what might the next one be?

Kalene: That’s such a sweet thing to say. I’m not really a very dramatic person – writing Annabella’s part is exhausting (and a little depressing) to me. The story still has some way to go and the intention is to play around with different characters and personalities to see which ones I am most comfortable with – I like the light-hearted Christopher’s character the most at the moment, so maybe next time I’ll try a romatic-comedy – however, anything that has romance in it always has some form of drama attached to it. It seems there is no escaping drama.

Karima: Table's ready! Let’s check out the buffet! I don’t know about you, but I’m starving!

Kae: Are those…

Karima: Why yes! We’ll be dining on eyeballs, fingers, tongues and ears and for dessert a bloody cake! What would you like first? "Finger" foods are great appetizers!

Kae: Yeah...I’m kind of watching what I eat; maybe I could just have a salad?

Karima: OK, but you don’t know what you’re missing!

Kae: **whispers** Which is why I’ll be able to sleep tonight…

Karima: Hmm...salads. Yeah they may have some of those.

Karima: What was that, Kae?

Kae: Oh, I said my cable TV won’t make a peep tonight – because I’ll be so exhausted from all this fun, I’ll sleep like…

Karima: The dead?

Kae:  Um, suuuure. Did you have more questions for me, Karima?

Karima: By the way, I'm pretty sure the cake is red velvet...pretty sure.

Kae: I'll take your word for it!

Karima: So Kal, do you have another story on the back burner waiting for when Happiness is finished? If so, can you tell us about it?

Kalene: Not at the moment. I don’t have too much time to play Sims or write stories – so I’ll probably run one little project at a time – too much pressure would take all the fun out of it – I want to try and avoid that.

Karima: Is it hard for you to find time to write your story? Do you have other pursuits? 

Kalene: I usually only have time to write on weekends. Studying part-time means I have to study in the evening – so no playing during the week – I also work full-time for an advocate with a very busy practice and I’m a single mom to a 9-year-old. I’m juggling quite a few things at the moment so, I do find it hard sometimes to find time to write the story and that is why I can only manage one story at a time.

Karima: Besides Sim Social, what else do you do in your free time?

Kalene: Lol. I don’t really play Sim Social that much – keep running out of energy. I don’t really have much free time, but when I do I like reading, spending time with my son – see movies etc, go out with friends or just relax at home – love gardening and cooking.

Karima: So you'd be interested in trying out new recipes? I think this diner has a cookbook for sale!

Kalene: Actually I like knowing what's in my foods and I don't really use exotic ingredients. Thanks though.

Karima: That concludes this segment with October’s Featured Author, Symphony! We’ll be right back after this word from our sponsors with Jilly in a special surprise location!

Kae: Surprise? After today, I’m not a big fan of surprises…

Jilly: Are you sick and tired of sunlight and fresh air? Well relief is here, my friends. EA Games brings you the latest Sims 3 adventure, Beach Life! 

In Beach Life, your sims will once again be able to swim in the ocean, get a tan, and build sandcastles under the pixilated sun! All you have to do is download the new patch from the EA website, and your sims can….

BEEP>>>>>>>>>>Beep!!!!

Oh, that was unexpected.  

Well friends, EA will be back soon with a patch to fix their patch, and your sims will be frollicking on the beach in no time! 

EA Games…Epic Fail for Epic Prices! Now back to our show!

Jilly: Welcome back to our show! We’re on location in the Nirvana Eternal Rest Cemetery with our special guest, Symphony! So Symphony, how do you like our little town so far?

Kae: It’s, it’s very…unique.

Jilly: Awww. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself!

Kae: I don't remember saying that. But yes, enjoying it so much. It’s getting pretty dark; we should probably get on with the questions…

Jilly: But don't you want your picture taken with our friend here?

Kae: After tonight, it's burned into my memory so...that's token enough.

Jilly: Are you cold or something?

Kae: No it's actually not bad. Why? Oh my clothes? Well when I heard where our next stop was I figured I should be loose in case I needed to...ya know...move quick or something.

Jilly: **laughs** Smart thinking, but I'm sure you won't need to worry!

Jilly: So Kalene, In Pursuit of Happiness is a very realistic drama. What are some examples of other mediums, books or movies, for instance, that inspire you?

Kalene: I had to do some research on Annabella’s psychological condition on the internet so that I at least have some idea of how to get her character across as accurately as possible. I enjoy watching movies with “crazy” characters in them – you never know what their next move will be. Their characters are very unpredictable. Movies such as “The hand that rocks the cradle”, “Seven”, TV shows like “CSI” and “Law and Order” – the latter because I can relate to the content.

Jilly: Oh! Before we go on, I forgot something really important! We need to lay some flowers on the graves of the oldest residents of Nirvana, you know, as a sign of respect. They are letting us use their place, after all.

Kae: Letting us use…Sure. Sure – let’s get those flowers over here!

Jilly: Oh great founders of Nirvana, please accept these flowers as a token of our gratitude. Thank you for letting us use your final resting place to entertain our special guest, Kale-

Kae: -You know, they really don’t need to know my name or anything, I mean, I’m sure they won’t remember me after tonight. Right?

Jilly: Oh, the dead never forget. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Kae: Um…Thank you for letting us borrow your beautiful place – we won’t be long. And, um…Please don't get up on my account...and uh, sleep tight!

Jilly: OK, back to our interview… Kalene, What else do you like to do with sims besides writing? 

Kalene: Just mindless playing – I like free-will – it’s very interesting to see how naughty these little toons can be at times – and stupid – and very, very funny.

Jilly: Do you ever write stories without using Sims? If so, which do you prefer?

Kalene: In Pursuit of Happiness is my very first attempt at creative writing. I started Chapter 1 of In Pursuit of Happiness – around March this year.

The only writing I usually do is legal drafting – which has to be clear, unambiguous and very much to the point and leaves very little or no room for creativity.

Jilly: Yeah, I can see where they might frown upon that. What genre do you appeal to most when choosing a book to read?
What stories are you currently reading?

Kalene:Crime novels – James Patterson is my absolute favourite at the moment.

And then of course I always make time for Stephen King novels – the scary supernatural stuff. Spirits, vampires, werewolves and the like intrigue me.

I’m not currently reading anything – I have another 4 weeks of intense studying to do – which includes reading law reports (yawn)

Kae: Um, Jilly? Is it getting colder?

Jilly: Oh, don’t mind them. They love to have visitors.

Kae: Them? Holy crap!

Jilly: Everyone? This is my friend Kae- Hey! Where did she go?

Jilly: Well, it seems that concludes this segment with our October Featured Author, Kalene! We’ll be back with Qui in the interviewer’s chair right after this word from our sponsors! 
*You guys, Kalene can get to the car on her own – you can put her down now.

Qui: Christmas is coming, and everyone has a lame gamer in their lives! You know, the person who can’t tell a joystick from a dipstick? 

This year, coming to all the major consoles just in time for the gift-giving season, ActiFiction brings you…

Guitar Zero! That’s right, for the person who failed the kazoo in 1st grade music class, it’s Guitar Zero! 

Guitar Zero comes with a perfectly smooth piece of plastic in the shape of a guitar, but without the hassel of strings and chords. 

It's pure air guitar, with no sound whatsoever to ruin the illusion of being a Rock God. Do you know a legend in their own mind? Get them Guitar Zero! The neighbors will thank you!

Now, back to the show!

Qui: Welcome back, Kalene. Today I’ve brought you to the Nirvana Day Spa! While I ply you with questions from our viewers, you’ll get a lovely relaxing spa treatment!

Kae: Really? Are you messing with me? Will it be a massage from a zombie?

Qui: *laughs. Oh, No. The others are all into that stuff. I lied and told them we were going on a haunted hayride. They have no idea I detoured us here.

Kae: You know, Qui, you were always my favorite.

Qui: I know. Now, Speaking of favorites, what was your first Sim game, and what's your favorite expansion?

Kalene: Sims2 Double Deluxe, and my favorite?
Ooooh Late Night – the vampires are just awesome. I love them. I like World Adventures too, but if I had to pick one then it would definitely be Late Night – minus the glitches in Bridgeport.

Qui: How often do you play Sims?

Kalene: Not as often as I’d like to. Each time I finish my semester exams I do a lock-down weekend – I tell everyone I’m out of town and then I play Marathon Sims. Very little sleep is at the order of the day. Bliss.

Apart from that I only really play weekends.

Qui: What's the one thing you cannot live without?

Kalene: My son of course. On a lighter note however I don’t think I could ever survive in a world where chocolate doesn’t exist. Unthinkable.

Qui: I'd have to agree on both of those!

Qui: All this talk is sure exhausting! How about a nice soak in the hot tub while we finish up?

Kae: Will you marry me?

Qui: I’m sorry, I missed that.

Kae: I said let’s hurry, I saw a honey bee.

Qui: Oh. Sure thing! Grab that bottle of wine. I'll get more glasses.

Qui: Now this is living. Where were we? Oh yeah. How did you find out about the sims?

Kalene: Started playing a really annoying game on facebook years ago (I can’t remember the name now), very similar to Sim Social where you could also build your own apartment and friendships with other Sims through friend requests and gifts – always running out of energy and not really a lot of options to choose from – a friend of mine suggested I try playing the Sims. So I did – been hooked ever since. You can take your time when building and decorating – no rush and a lot more options to choose from. Turns out I now play more and spend very little time on building and decorating.

Qui: I can see where that could get addicting! That's why I try to avoid FB and Sim Social!

Kae: That's a very smart idea!

Qui: Well, I'm out of questions. Should we wrap it up?

Kae: Do we really have to go already?

Qui: Oh! Did you hear that? I think our hay wagon just got a flat tire…

Kae: Did I mention that you’re my favorite?

Qui: I never really get tired of hearing it. Mention away….

Qui: Well, that concludes this segment with our Featured Author, Symphony. We’ll be right back with an awesome costume party wrap up! While we’re getting set up, please enjoy the banner to celebrate our Featured Rebel, Kalene!

Daijah: Welcome back to the final segment of our interview with our Featured Rebel, Kalene! In the true spirit of the holiday, we decided some costumes were in order…

Jilly: Does my dh know you took this out of my house?

Daijah: What?

Jilly: Nothing...I love it! I never had anything so wicked in my life - I swear it! Um, are these rented, or can we keep them?

Qui: I’m pretty sure no one is going to want these back after we’ve worn them.

Karima: *giggles Who'd ever believe I'm an angel? Daijah, how are you keeping that tail on?

Daijah: I have a tail?

Daijah: SO.... here we are in the Nirvana Pumpkin Patch. We’re going to pick a few pumpkins and have a little carving contest while we wrap up Kalene’s interview.

Kae: You mean pumpkin carving, right?

Daijah: Well if you want to talk specifics...sure

Kae: Don't think I didn't see that scalpel earlier!

Daijah:  I'm sure your mind was just playing tricks Kal

Karima: Kalene, How was it taking the bar and did you find school challenging?

Kalene: I’m still a law student at the moment. You have to complete 40 modules to get your degree – then 2 years articles and then you get to write the bar exam to practice as an attorney. I have done 24 modules so far – so I still have some way to go. I work for an advocate and he gives me what he calls in-house training – (sounds a little dirty doesn’t it?), but it’s actually practical experience which is an advantage.

Studying law is very challenging – especially part-time and it takes a lot of effort and dedication.

Jilly: Is this something you've always wanted to do?

Kae:I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. 

Qui: And do you have any futher dreams you want to make true?

Kalene: Totally unrelated to the sims my ultimate dream is to practice law, hence the studying asylum!

Dai: What made you choose law as your career branch? Are you more interested in prosecuting or defending?

Kalene: Life throws you little curve balls – you’re inevitably forced to make life-changing decisions – let’s just say, I made a few bad ones which resulted in my life taking a couple of detours. What finally made me decide not to give up my dream is that I never want to feel as helpless as I did during that time - and for that matter I don’t want anyone else to feel as helpless as I did during that time.

You don’t really get to choose between prosecuting or defending. But if I could I’d probably lean more towards prosecuting – although defending is pretty interesting too.

Dai: Well, now that we all have some great pumpkins, let's get carving!

Kae: That's a really big knife...

Dai: It's my favorite. I carry it everywhere.

Kalene: Everywhere?

Daijah: Sure, doesn't everyone?

Daijah: Great job on those pumpkins, guys! Very scary, but 
I think we can call Kalene the winner! Since we don't want to waste all these wonderful pumpkin guts, Jilly is going to take them in the kitchen and whip us up a little snack!

And while we're waiting...Kalene, we just want to thank you once again for taking the time to tell your many fans a little about yourself.

Kalene: It's been...interesting.

Jilly: Pie's done! Kal you get the first slice!

Kae: We don't really have to eat that, do we?

Jilly: Don't you want to know what your hard work tastes like? 

Kae: Let me guess: eye of newt, lizard skin, sheep balls and dirt?

Jilly: Now you're just being silly! The ingredients are over there on the counter: eggs, milk, sugar, flour and pumpkin guts. I tell ya what, we'll just pack it up and you can take it home with you!

Karima: Well, that’s all the time we have for today! Kalene, I hope you had as great a time as we did having you! In honor of you being named Featured Author for October, we’d like to present you with a couple of gifts. 

First, a little something from your wish list at the SimStore. 

And of course, the Rebel Writer’s Nirvana Featured Rebel T-shirt for your simself! 

Our thanks once again to Symphony for joining us today! Tune in next month for our exclusive interview with November’s Featured Author! It may just be you!