author's note: thank you to @crownsofesha, @housekonig, @bridgeportbritt, and @simming-in-the-rain for sharing screenshots and headlines with me to fill out the news!
I’m often asked about tips on starting a royal story and I see more and more popping up which is great! So, I thought I’d compile all my tips into another tutorial! More tutorials here.
Storytelling Starters
So, I’d figure I’d start with just starting a story and then dive more deep into the royal parts of it because at the end of the day, your royal story is simply a story. I’m no expert on storytelling but I’ll tell you what’s helped me tell my story for the last two years along with tips I’ve picked up from some great storytellers here on simblr!
Let’s break it up into the 2 major things your story needs - plot and characters.
Plot
Plot is the story in which you want to tell. The thing I love about storytellign on simblr is how your plot can evolve in many different ways. Many of us have no plans to stop telling our stories, so the storylines grow and change with our characters.
To get started with creating a plot, I have an outline that I create for each chapter of my story. I use Google docs and simply write out the scenes and color code them based on if I’ve taken screenshots, drafted posts, or published a post. You don’t have to do it that way but that is what works for me. Others use tools like Milanote, some do their outlines in a notebook. Find what works best to help you work out your plots.
If you need inspiration, there are so many amazing stories here on Simblr. You can find the Royal Directory here. But, you can really get inspired anywhere - tv shows, movies, even from real life. That’s the beauty of inspiration, it can come from anywhere.
Characters
It’s hard to say whether to start with the plot or the characters because they are both so essential to the story. The best thing you can do for your story is to understand your characters. From their personality, likes and dislikes, what makes them tick, what their background is. Stuff that makes a person who they are.
Those attributes that you give your character will work together with your plot. How your character reacts to certain situations based on who they are can even drive your plot. Which is why establishing them both is really important.
Again, inspiration can come from anywhere, simblr, media, or real-life. You can also Google character building questions to help you.
Now, let’s get Royal storytelling specifically! Since this is getting long and will only get longer. I put the rest under the cut!
Royal Storytelling Starters
Okay, let’s get into the Royal stuff, shall we? There’s quite a few things you want to establish in your story if you’re focusing on a Royal family. Please note that you can always change things as you go and make things up as you go along, but I will say that establishing some things earlier on will help you in the future.
Your Country
The thing about royal families is they govern a whole country of people, usually a country that is completely made up. So, if we’re making up countries, we’ve gotta establish the things that make that country, that country. Here’s some places to start:
1. Names - What is the name of this new land? Does it have other countries, states, cities, capitals? Those also need names. It’s common for a lot of things to have names such as palaces, historical buildings, objects like tiaras. If you struggle with naming things, you can always try a name generator!
2. Geography - What kind of land is this? How big is the land? What about the climate? What kind of seasons does it have? Are there any natural landmarks like mountains, rivers, etc.? I’m terrible at this kind of stuff and made a lot up as I went. And that’s okay! There are even map generators that can help you!
3. Society - What are the people like who live here? Is there anything that bonds them together on a national level? Think state colors, flags, holidays, etc. What’s the population? Are they educated? What kind of work do they do? The best part about this is you can go as in-depth or not as you like!
4. Economy - What kind of system do they use? Capatalism, socialism, etc. Do they import and export goods? What’s the average income? What kind of money do they use? Dollars, pounds, simoleons, etc? Is the economy doing well or poor?
5. History - Your country had to start somewhere. Maybe your story starts at the beginning or hundreds of years later. How was the land founded? How did it go from what it was to what it is today? How old is the country? Are there places where people can learn about the history? Museums, monuments, tv shows, movies, etc.
Now, don’t let these things scare or overwhelm you! Trust me, sometimes these things develop with time and you don’t need to figure it all out before you start. Get a comfortable head start and worldbuild as you go!
Your Government
Alright, let’s move onto government which I felt had to be it’s own section because there are Royal sims after all. Your country’s government system is important because it will impact your family. So, here’s a few things to consider:
Your Government System - Your probably doing a monarchy system, but there are even different types of monarchies. So it would be a good idea to do a bit of research on which one yours falls under. Keep in mind, that you can even make up your own kind of system. You don’t have to follow what’s already established.
Political Affiliation - Many countries have some sort of party system (ex. Americans have democrat and republicans and a few smaller parties). I know that most people don’t want to get political, but in some instances you may find it neccessary. But, still keep in mind that you can totally make this up.
Laws and Such - Who establishes the laws? Who enforces them? These are some things you need to think of. Is it your royal family or monarch? Do you have some sort of parliament system. This kind of falls within the government system part, but mainly you want to establish the role of your monarchy and those they work with to govern your country.
Your Royal Family
Alright, let’s get to the fun parts - Your Royal Family! This is why you’re here. You want to slap some tiaras on a sim and send them to the next gala! But, hold on a second. Let’s establish a few things in our families first:
Titles - When it comes to royals, titles are very important. Some titles are given based on land ownership, family heritage, birth, etc. You want to give your royals titles and establish how they are styled (ex. Her Majesty or Her Imperial Majesy). You also want to create a system for titles such as if someone dies, who gets their title?
Dress code - You’re going to soon find out that dress plays a huge role in royal sims. Many have strict dress codes. Your dress code can look however you want it to look. You may also want to keep in mind traditional or national type outfits based on your country.
Roles - What exactly does your royal family do for your country? Support causes through engagements, engage in political lawmaking, host foreign diplomats? It’s really up to you. You can create some interested storylines based on duty, as well!
Religion - I added this to Royals because I realize that a lot of Royals base their pretty much entire existence on religion. So, I think it’s important to note. Of course, like politics, it’s a touchy subject so you don’t have to do it. Want to make something up? Go for it! I’ve been using the Jacoban religion from the Sims Medieval which has been much easier! You can find my guide on that here.
Royal Sims Community
There is an awesome growing community of Royal Simmers! All of which help us tell our stories, collaborate, and overall have fun. So, here’s a few things of note!
If you’d like to join the royal sims discord server, send a message to myself, @thealbionroyals, @whitmoreroyals, @trentonsimblr, @thebaillieroyals, or @royalhouseofcarrington. There are 5000 more tips and tricks in there plus it’s where we all hang out to talk about royals, get feedback, and collab!
In Conclusion
This post is so long, but I thought I’d give some parting advice as you start your journey into the crazy world of Royal Sims!
1. Get a Process Going that Works for You
When it comes to storytelling, it’s probably a fun hobby for you that you want to dedicate time to. My biggest tip is to find a storytelling process that what works for you. I recommend something that allows you to be focused without stifling your creativity. And it’s okay if it changes or if you do things differently from time to time.
2. Take the Pressure Off
It’s easy to put a ton of unneeded pressure on yourself. But, it’s always been important to me to have fun and use this as a creative outlet. Creativity is very fluid. There is no right or wrong way to be creative. Perfection does not equal creativity. It’s also really hard to be creative when you’re miserable.
3. Interact and Find Your People
For me, this one is the hardest one to do and took some time but I’ve made a lot of great friends here! It started with me following their stories and engaging with them, then I started my story and we’d engage with each other, then I headed over to discord for more interaction. And through that process I’ve found a lot of cool people who motivate me and inspire me daily! Don’t be discouraged by people having their own friend groups or feeling like an outsider. All friendships take time to form but if you put the effort in and connect with people genuinely, it’s really awesome and makes storytelling even more fun!
4. Have fun!
I can’t stress this enough! Actually have fun with what you’re doing. Don’t make this creative outlet a job or set ridiculous expectations for yourself. Don’t think your blog needs to be like anyone else’s to fit in. I think most people here can agree that they very much don’t fit in which is why they’ve turned to a space like this. You will go longer and be less bored when you have fun and not pressure yourself.
8. How are members of your royal family styled (e.g., His Royal Highness, Her Royal Majesty, etc.)
The King is styled as Their Majesty, the same as the Queen. The Grand Princess, who is the King's spouse, but doesn't have the same power as a Queen, is styled as Their Royal Highness. The Grand Princess was also styled as Their Grace until King Edward I changed it to Their Royal Highness. Princes of Esha are all styled as Their Royal Highness. same with their spouses, the Princesses. Grand Duke's are the children of the monarch, but have been given a dukedom after they have reached the age of majority, so they are also styled as Their Royal Highness.
King/Queen - Their Majesty
Grand Princess - Their Royal Highness/Their Grace
Prince/Princess - Their Royal Highness
Grand Duke/Grand Duchess - Their Royal Highness
13. Can journalists and public figures criticize or insult the monarch or the monarchy? Do journalists or news agencies face penalties for critiquing or insulting the monarch or royal family? Are those penalties enforced?
Journalists and public figures are free to criticize and insult the monarchy, it is the public itself that they would face consequences of. It is seen as uncouth since you can air your grievances out officially. There is a portion of the government that takes complaints and tries to show you how to solve them with in the system already or points you towards official routes to solve the problem.
A couple actual rules that news agencies have to follow so that they can be published in Esha is no speculating on pregnancies, no price checking outfits (the clothing that the royal family buys is from their own money, all tax dollars go towards bettering the lives of the people), and you are only allowed to publish facts, no speculation.
These rules are enforced with fines and if you have repeated offences then public ridicule follows, as well as banning the paper in Esha.
28. When and how does your royal family announce births and the names of newborn children?
The Royal Family announces the start of the labor, then when and if the baby is health, but not the name of the baby until after the 8th day of the baby being alive. A naming ceremony takes place in a Synagogue at 9 am. The ceremony is televised, the Royal Family invites those to take part in the joy of inviting a new life into the world. The name is announced during the ceremony.
Here are my candidates for @bridgeportbritt ‘s next KBE model. I made two models cause I’m an indecisive Gemini and I love them both.
Annabeth Jackson, 27
Annabeth is a 27 year old architecture student from New Avalon, Eulmore. She’s been modeling since she was 13 and has worked with some notable brands over the years in Eulmore and it’s neighboring countries. Before she was scouted Annabeth used to feel insecure about both her blonde hair and vitiligo but now wears them proudly as her signature features. Annabeth brings a confident feminine energy with her to every shoot and is a natural when it comes to flirting with the camera. Modeling for KBE would be a dream come through for her as well as the final stepping stone in sealing her name as one of the best on the scene.
Vi Harris, 25
Meet Vi, or Violet if you feel like getting punched, a 25 year old boxer & Twitch streamer from Charleston. She recently got into modeling via her girlfriend Annabeth and quite frankly has been loving it. Due to her boxing background Vi has big energy on camera and really shines in dynamic poses. She also tends to nail her shoots within the first shot. Being a newcomer in the scene modeling for KBE would give her the international attention she needs to further her career as well as a chance to hone her craft to it’s fullest.
Hey there! I hope your day is going well! WCIF the table and flowers in this awesome post? Thank you! https://royaldevilliers.tumblr.com/post/647304979746553856/hello-and-welcome-to-i-am-procrastinating-part-2
hiii!! om yes i am havin a nice day thank you ❤️ the tables are the Cabinet du Conseil Table by jim07 you can find here, the deep pink/white bouquet is the Buckingham Bouquet by The Regal Sim you can find here AND the gold flower vase is this base game vase:
and with moveobjects on i placed the bouquet on top like this !
