Another old site from my blogging history.

ThatBlog A wallflower in disguise. ASCII artist, Earth Witch, Canadian freelance writer.

At that time I also had my editor profile on Dmoz:

I'm a Canadian freelance writer and columnist, personal blogger and ASCII artist. I started online in July of 1996. I've been a Dmoz editor since November, 1998. HerCorner, for women writers, opened January 1st, 2002.

When I get away from the computer I like to travel (backpacking), sew (crazy quilting), garden (wildflowers and herbs), take long walks and enjoy the outdoors. I like to read about history, art and science.

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. --Eden Phillpotts

Life hasn't always smiled on me, but I have always smiled on life. --Raoul Dufy

My profile on GoGuides (didn't last as long as Dmoz)

GoGuide since: 03 September 2002 Profile: Web developer, publisher and writer. ASCII artist. My favourite things are the outdoors, crafts, history, writing and exploring endlessly.

I was using my married name, Laura Tripp. That didn't last long either.

Written for my About/ profile on the LockerGnome.

Life doesn’t stop for us just because we feel we look fat in everything. Don’t fall into becoming a hermit and letting your goals, your passions and your life itself just slip on by. Grab on!

Having just typed that I have days where I hide behind the front door and just don’t get out. It is handy having the washer and dryer here now instead of going to the laundry mat. I can even order in food when I have the money. But you can’t order in life and all the explorations and adventures you are missing out on.

What are your interests? Mine include rural and urban exploration (old abandoned buildings), ASCII art, pixel art, drawing, cartooning, personal web publishing, writing, reading, photography, philosophy, spirituality, dabbling in web design and web development, small and home business, self help, creative arts, graphic arts, baking, quilting, sewing, embroidery and family.

There is always something new around the corner, you just have to keep looking.

Before I called this column/blog Creative Fat Grrl, or after (I forget which) I had the title:

Blogging Should be Sexy - Blogging should be personal, artistic and sexy. Imperfect, experimental web publishing for free spirits.

I wouldn't use either of those titles now. For different reasons.

I had started a site to post about Sims4 and then changed my mind about the whole thing. Not because of the turmoil going on now with the new owners. But, because in the end, I would just be promoting someone else's product (the game itself and CC and mods from others) and not really doing anything of my own. It just feels kind of feeble, for lack of a better word.

This is what I wrote for my introduction/ about page. I thought I would save that much.

I bought this domain with the impulsive idea to make a site about bad gift choices I found online. But, it never quite found its way. I lost track of exactly the idea I had in that moment. It's not the first or the last time (likely) that I have bought a domain on impulse. Still, after having it hanging around over a year, I decided it would be an ok domain and name for a site about The Sims 4. My own experiences, ideas, CC finds and so on.

I had started writing for a site which posts about The Sims 4 and other related games. It didn't work out. A month or so afterwards, I started getting back to posting about Sims4 finds on my bluesky social media account. Then, I starting thinking about the posts I had planned to write and didn't finish (for that other site). Also, those I did write. I decided not to repost them (as they were/are) Simpler to just rewrite them, same ideas and information but written fresh, with updates and new perspectives. After all, I still have me. I can come up with more ideas and find more content to add to those original posts.

I enjoy shopping for new CC for The Sims. I plan to post my shopping highlights here. But, I will post more finds on social media (see the link above). It's just so much easier to post quick, short bits there than come back here and load images, choose categories and tags, etc. I will work to have good tags so you can (maybe) find something you are especially looking for. But, I'm not a great source for knowing where something in particular is. I have my own favourite lost swimsuit CC file which I've never been able to find again. Deleted by mistake.

I am a Witch, in my own way. So I do like finding Witch content for the Sims but not the goth/ costume content so much. Some of it is fun, and some is just wrong. Upside down pentacles shown as Witch CC kind of annoys me. But, people just don't know enough to understand the mistake. If you get funny ideas - I do not worship the devil. I will have a special category and tags just for Witch related finds, mods and CC.

I do wish The Sims had more evil/ bad options. What we have now seems sadly comical versus what it could be. I'm not saying I want extremes (I tried some of those mods and didn't like them enough to keep). But, Sims should be able to lie, be selfish jerks, make out with someone without being in love, and all those everyday sort of things.

Yes, its all a virtual dollhouse world with paper dolls to dress up and mess around with. But, no one is that perfectly good and altruistic all the time. I like finding others who torment their Sims, at least a little. Playing with Sims is like never having to say you're sorry.

Note: I am not going to filter my opinions about biological women, in particular our safety and privacy. If you don't know what I'm talking/ writing about, don't worry about it. It's not something I get focused about with The Sims but it sometimes pokes its head up. Its one thing that rubs me the wrong way about The Sims. I won't get started right now.

I hope this site will be in markup/markdown, not HTML. I've been learning to use it on my personal site. Also, it seems like a way to avoid the WordPress editor which wants to create so much extra HTML in blocks. More is not always great.

• Markup Markdown
• HTML to Markdown Converter

That's all for now.

Laura

I've got two links to share:

• Markup Markdown
• HTML to Markdown Converter

Both have been great. The Markup Markdown plugin could use some tweaking. Mainly, the editing window does not keep the editing toolbar in view. So, if I need something I have to go all the way back up on my screen and then all the way back down again. Mostly this is when I'm typing in a URL, because it is still easier to have the software/ editor add the code than type it in myself (I don't always catch typos in the code when I do it myself).

I was writing about the game, The Sims 4, for a website. I got paid pennies but it was really not about the money. After all, I've been writing and making my own sites for years and not making money. I guess I want the challenge of regular writing on a specific topic, maybe some recognition (being found at all would be nice) and maybe making some money at some point along the way. So, I looked for the latest advice for game writers online. I found this post, linked at the bottom so you can read the whole thing. Its mainly common sense but it helps to refresh your mind.

Step 2 – Build Your Portfolio This is where we need to talk about the tougher side of things. The major publications are simply not going to hire you out of the blue. You can even be really good at writing and still not be considered because nobody really knows you. Simply put, you have to show editors that you can write professionally, engagingly, and clearly about video games.

Your portfolio is something you need to start building right from the start. You need it due to several reasons, like:

• Clear proof you can write about games
• Showing editors what your style is
• Gaining confidence when it comes to pitching
• How can you build your portfolio?
• Fortunately, there are several options available. Some common ones include:

Start a Medium account or a blog Simply start writing what you want to write. You can write game reviews, essays, or opinion pieces. The trick is to publish consistently. No one might read it but you build writing experience and a portfolio you can show to editors in the future.

Contribute to fan sites and small publications Indie gaming sites and niche gaming blogs always need contributors. While most of them are only going to publish your articles for free, it is still beneficial to be published. You simply have a higher credibility when an editor accepted your writing in the past. Also, there are some indie gaming sites that do pay a little. Still better than nothing.

Join Freelance-Friendly Gaming Sites There are several entry-level gaming sites that actually pay new writers. Some of the better-known ones are:

• The Gamer
• Game Rant
• Screen Rant
• Hardcore Druid
• Into The Spine

Even getting like $15 for a 1000 words article is good when you start on this career path.

Write Different Types Of Articles Do not write just game reviews. Add a feature, guide, an opinion piece from time to time. The truth is editors love to see versatility. And it is better for you to present yourself as a more complete gaming journalist.

As an extra tip:

Remember that quality is better than quantity.

How To Become a Gaming Journalist (And Get Paid to Write About Games)