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Faster novel writing - Customizable
SCREENSHOTS
Customize.jpg - width=1024 height=768
HowToEdit.jpg - width=940 height=782
Front.jpg - width=1059 height=756
Created by gummilutt
Uploaded: 16th Jun 2015 at 7:24 PM
Updated: 26th Jul 2017 at 1:33 PM - Fixing PB picture
Updated: 26th Jul 2017 at 1:33 PM - Fixing PB picture
I decided I wanted to mod the time it takes to write a novel, as it's too long to be productive, and I found write novels faster by Squinge which offers a 4 hour version and an 8 hour version. Great! Except it didn't work in my game.
I investigated and looked at other mods, and I managed to find the problem. Freetime changed how novel-writing works, and the code controlling time required is now different. I've tracked it down, and made a new version for those games that uses the new code.
What does this mod do?
This is a global mod that changes how long it takes to write a novel. In FT/AL/M&G the default time required to write a novel is roughly 15 hours. I have made three versions with a shorter duration. As a nod to Squinge, I've made one version where it takes roughly 4 hours to write one. I've also made a 7,5 hour version, and a 10 hour version, for those who want it to take a bit longer. You can only use one of them, so decide which duration you want and only use that one
But the best part is, this is super easy to edit yourself! So whatever duration you want, be it faster or longer, you can edit it and make the duration exactly what you want it to be.
When should you use this and not Squinges version?
Freetime, Apartment Life and Mansion and Garden uses the altered code. If you have either of those games, you should use my version of the mod. If you do not have any of those, you should use Squinges version.
I have set FT/AL/M&G as required, but you do not need to have all of them. If you have either one, then you should use this mod and not Squinges.
How do I modify this then?
You will need SimPE, but I promise, it's really easy so don't get scared by that!
Click here for instructions
You will be editing a so called BCON. It's basically a set value that the game uses for different things. I assume a little bit of familiarity with the layout in SimPE, but don't worry. There is a picture that you can look at, and if you are confused, you are very welcome to ask and I will clarify further.
Open the package file with SimPE. In Resource Tree to the left, click BCON to see only BCON. Click the SG - Tuning - Write Novel line that appears in Resource List, and the BCON will appear in plugin view below.
Step 1. Select the line 0x1 Time Required to Finish.
Step 2. One hour translates to 25, so decide how many hours you want and multiply that by 25. Enter it into the Dec-box. In the example, I have set it to 4 hours, so the value is 100.
Step 3. Commit File to make the change you made stick.
Step 4. Save the package, to save your changes. If you forgot to commit, SimPE will ask you if you want to do so. Say yes.
Done!
If you can't get SimPE to work or you don't want to try this, then you are welcome to request a duration and I'll make it for you
Bonus feature
While trying to figure this out, I also found the lines that control how quickly Sims gain creativity skill and film/literature enthusiasm. I have not changed these in the mods offered here, but I've labeled them for those who would like to edit those aspects as well. I haven't figured out the exact rates, but if you lower the number the gain rate will be slower, and if you increase the number it'll be faster.
Conflicts
None that I know of. It will not conflict with Squinges mod, but there is no reason to have Squinges mod if you have FT/AL/M&G because it won't do anything, so if you use this then you don't need Squinges.
Any mod that alters time required, creativity/enthusiasm gain, and possibly amount of money gained from novels, may conflict with this.
Policy
You are very welcome to edit this for your own personal use, but kindly don't upload it elsewhere. If you'd like to share your edit, you can upload it in the comments of this thread
Credits
Squinge for making the first mod to shorten time required.
MogHughson for her Become an author ... without a computer-mod that I used as help to figure out the code.
I investigated and looked at other mods, and I managed to find the problem. Freetime changed how novel-writing works, and the code controlling time required is now different. I've tracked it down, and made a new version for those games that uses the new code.
What does this mod do?
This is a global mod that changes how long it takes to write a novel. In FT/AL/M&G the default time required to write a novel is roughly 15 hours. I have made three versions with a shorter duration. As a nod to Squinge, I've made one version where it takes roughly 4 hours to write one. I've also made a 7,5 hour version, and a 10 hour version, for those who want it to take a bit longer. You can only use one of them, so decide which duration you want and only use that one

But the best part is, this is super easy to edit yourself! So whatever duration you want, be it faster or longer, you can edit it and make the duration exactly what you want it to be.
When should you use this and not Squinges version?
Freetime, Apartment Life and Mansion and Garden uses the altered code. If you have either of those games, you should use my version of the mod. If you do not have any of those, you should use Squinges version.
I have set FT/AL/M&G as required, but you do not need to have all of them. If you have either one, then you should use this mod and not Squinges.
How do I modify this then?
You will need SimPE, but I promise, it's really easy so don't get scared by that!
Click here for instructions
You will be editing a so called BCON. It's basically a set value that the game uses for different things. I assume a little bit of familiarity with the layout in SimPE, but don't worry. There is a picture that you can look at, and if you are confused, you are very welcome to ask and I will clarify further.
Open the package file with SimPE. In Resource Tree to the left, click BCON to see only BCON. Click the SG - Tuning - Write Novel line that appears in Resource List, and the BCON will appear in plugin view below.
Step 1. Select the line 0x1 Time Required to Finish.
Step 2. One hour translates to 25, so decide how many hours you want and multiply that by 25. Enter it into the Dec-box. In the example, I have set it to 4 hours, so the value is 100.
Step 3. Commit File to make the change you made stick.
Step 4. Save the package, to save your changes. If you forgot to commit, SimPE will ask you if you want to do so. Say yes.

Done!
If you can't get SimPE to work or you don't want to try this, then you are welcome to request a duration and I'll make it for you

Bonus feature
While trying to figure this out, I also found the lines that control how quickly Sims gain creativity skill and film/literature enthusiasm. I have not changed these in the mods offered here, but I've labeled them for those who would like to edit those aspects as well. I haven't figured out the exact rates, but if you lower the number the gain rate will be slower, and if you increase the number it'll be faster.
Conflicts
None that I know of. It will not conflict with Squinges mod, but there is no reason to have Squinges mod if you have FT/AL/M&G because it won't do anything, so if you use this then you don't need Squinges.
Any mod that alters time required, creativity/enthusiasm gain, and possibly amount of money gained from novels, may conflict with this.
Policy
You are very welcome to edit this for your own personal use, but kindly don't upload it elsewhere. If you'd like to share your edit, you can upload it in the comments of this thread

Credits
Squinge for making the first mod to shorten time required.
MogHughson for her Become an author ... without a computer-mod that I used as help to figure out the code.
Filename | Size | Downloads | Date | |||||
GummiluttFasterNovels10Hours.zip
Size: 364 Bytes · Downloads: 845 · 16th Jun 2015 |
364 Bytes | 845 | 16th Jun 2015 | |||||
GummiluttFasterNovels7,5Hours.zip
Size: 366 Bytes · Downloads: 1,599 · 16th Jun 2015 |
366 Bytes | 1,599 | 16th Jun 2015 | |||||
GummiluttFasterNovels4Hours.zip
Size: 362 Bytes · Downloads: 5,073 · 16th Jun 2015 |
362 Bytes | 5,073 | 16th Jun 2015 | |||||
For a detailed look at individual files, see the Information tab. |
Key:
- - File was updated after upload was posted
Install Instructions
Basic Download and Install Instructions:
1. Download: Click the download link to save the .rar or .zip file(s) to your computer.
2. Extract the zip, rar, or 7z file.
3. Place in Downloads Folder: Cut and paste the .package file(s) into your Downloads folder:
1. Download: Click the download link to save the .rar or .zip file(s) to your computer.
2. Extract the zip, rar, or 7z file.
3. Place in Downloads Folder: Cut and paste the .package file(s) into your Downloads folder:
- Origin (Ultimate Collection): Users\(Current User Account)\Documents\EA Games\The Sims™ 2 Ultimate Collection\Downloads\
- Non-Origin, Windows Vista/7/8/10: Users\(Current User Account)\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads\
- Non-Origin, Windows XP: Documents and Settings\(Current User Account)\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads\
- Mac: Users\(Current User Account)\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads
- Mac x64: /Library/Containers/com.aspyr.sims2.appstore/Data/Library/Application Support/Aspyr/The Sims 2/Downloads
- For a full, complete guide to downloading complete with pictures and more information, see: Game Help: Downloading for Fracking Idiots.
- Custom content not showing up in the game? See: Game Help: Getting Custom Content to Show Up.
- If you don't have a Downloads folder, just make one. See instructions at: Game Help: No Downloads Folder.
Recommended
The creator also recommends the following uploads:
Squinges original mod for all games except FT/AL/M&G
http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,7043.15.html
http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,7043.15.html
Also Thanked - Users who thanked this download also thanked:
by Nopke
Packs Needed
Base Game | |
---|---|
![]() | Sims 2 |
Expansion Pack | |
---|---|
![]() | Free Time |
![]() | Apartment Life |
Stuff Pack | |
---|---|
![]() | Mansion and Garden |
About my creations
--- Currently retired from creating due to health reasons ----
--- Hanging out in Sim Crafters discord group ---
--- No longer sharing content on MTS ---
I hope to return one day but for now consider me retired, and my uploads unsupported.
Hello! If you ever downloaded something of mine, thank you! It's a great feeling seeing something you spent time on be useful to someone else in their game, and with all the great CC out there I'm very flattered you would choose to get something of mine.
I do not take requests! Please don't PM me with requests, I won't respond. I do sometimes make things for people, but only when I see someone wishing for something on the forums and I feel like making it for them. So if you have a mod you wish would exist, make a post in Hacks and CC that you'd like to see!-thread. That's what it's there for after all! :)
A shoutout to VioletPadfoot for inspiring me to try creating, long ago. You gave me the nudge that got me started, and I'm very grateful. I'd also like to thank all of the wonderful experienced creators (gdayars, justJones, maybesomethingdunno, NixNivis and many more) out there that wrote the tutorials I've used, or that has answered my questions when I've gotten stuck. You guys are what makes learning fun, and what inspires me to keep expanding my knowledge with new projects. Special thanks to Michelle who has helped me a lot when it comes to objects and recolors, and BoilingOil who taught me some modding basics that I needed when I started modding more seriously.
Policy
For my mods (global mods/modded objects) I would like to be asked before you share something based on my work. I'll probably say yes, but I'd still like to be asked :) If I'm no longer around, then you are free to do whatever you like, but as long as I'm still active I'd like to be asked first. If the mod thread itself says policy is open, then that specific creation is open and you are welcome to do what you like with it.
Because I suck at making textures for recolors, I mostly edit things that already exist. Thank you to all you creators out there with open policies that allow me to do so. If you want to use something of mine for an unrelated project and I based mine on someone elses texture, please make sure you check their policy too. With my own textures you may use however you like. Exception to this rule are default replacements. Do not make default replacements using my creations. You can PM me and ask permission, but the answer is most likely no.
Other sites
Only share content on tumblr now. Still retired though so probably nothing, but if something new comes out, that's where it'll be. You can find it linked here on my profile.
--- Hanging out in Sim Crafters discord group ---
--- No longer sharing content on MTS ---
I hope to return one day but for now consider me retired, and my uploads unsupported.
Hello! If you ever downloaded something of mine, thank you! It's a great feeling seeing something you spent time on be useful to someone else in their game, and with all the great CC out there I'm very flattered you would choose to get something of mine.
I do not take requests! Please don't PM me with requests, I won't respond. I do sometimes make things for people, but only when I see someone wishing for something on the forums and I feel like making it for them. So if you have a mod you wish would exist, make a post in Hacks and CC that you'd like to see!-thread. That's what it's there for after all! :)
A shoutout to VioletPadfoot for inspiring me to try creating, long ago. You gave me the nudge that got me started, and I'm very grateful. I'd also like to thank all of the wonderful experienced creators (gdayars, justJones, maybesomethingdunno, NixNivis and many more) out there that wrote the tutorials I've used, or that has answered my questions when I've gotten stuck. You guys are what makes learning fun, and what inspires me to keep expanding my knowledge with new projects. Special thanks to Michelle who has helped me a lot when it comes to objects and recolors, and BoilingOil who taught me some modding basics that I needed when I started modding more seriously.
Policy
For my mods (global mods/modded objects) I would like to be asked before you share something based on my work. I'll probably say yes, but I'd still like to be asked :) If I'm no longer around, then you are free to do whatever you like, but as long as I'm still active I'd like to be asked first. If the mod thread itself says policy is open, then that specific creation is open and you are welcome to do what you like with it.
Because I suck at making textures for recolors, I mostly edit things that already exist. Thank you to all you creators out there with open policies that allow me to do so. If you want to use something of mine for an unrelated project and I based mine on someone elses texture, please make sure you check their policy too. With my own textures you may use however you like. Exception to this rule are default replacements. Do not make default replacements using my creations. You can PM me and ask permission, but the answer is most likely no.
Other sites
Only share content on tumblr now. Still retired though so probably nothing, but if something new comes out, that's where it'll be. You can find it linked here on my profile.