In The Sims 4, the Writing skill serves as a vital avenue for creative expression for Sims and more predominantly for income generation alongside some other perks, allowing Sims to craft everything from novels to screenplays and earn royalties from their published works. With the introduction of the Life & Death expansion pack, writing takes on new significance, particularly through the new aspiration, Ghost Historian, which requires Sims to delve into the supernatural. One of the key milestones for this aspiration involves writing a Horror Book in the Sims 4.
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The Sims 4: Life & Death Build/Buy Guide
Players will find a large set of modern and traditional items to enhance their homes, graveyards or funeral experiences with this pack.
It’s worth noting that this genre of book is limited to Life & Death expansion pack as of now, however the way of writing it is surprisingly not so different from other Genres. Here’s how to do it, as the game doesn’t particularly describe how to do so.
How to Unlock Horror Genre Book in the Sims 4
To unlock the Horror genre in The Sims 4, players need to elevate their Writing Skill to level 7. Interestingly, while the skill description doesn’t explicitly state that this genre becomes available upon reaching this level, it is indeed a requirement, unlike other genres that may provide clearer indicators upon levelling up. Once players have achieved this milestone, they can easily access the Horror genre by navigating to the computer, selecting the “Write” option, and then choosing “Write Genre Book” from the pie menu, where Horror will now be included as an option. This allows Sims to progress through the Ghost Historian aspiration.
The Horror genre will automatically unlock for all Sims once they reach Writing level 7, regardless of their progress in the Ghost Historian aspiration. However, since the final milestones for this aspiration requires Sims to write three Horror books and earn a total of 2,000 Simoleons in royalties, it’s highly advisable for players to focus on this aspiration if they plan to complete it eventually. Although completing the Horror book requirement is only necessary for the last milestone, the earlier goals—such as improving Writing and Thanatology skills and befriending ghosts—are relatively straightforward. Therefore, players should consider prioritizing the Ghost Historian aspiration to streamline their progress and make the most of their Sims’ writing endeavors – especially if they’ve already completed Bestselling Author aspiration.
Tips for Reaching Level 7 in Writing Quickly
Boosting the Writing skill efficiently in The Sims 4 benefits greatly from leveraging the Inspired moodlet, reward traits, and various needs-related strategies. The Inspired moodlet increases skill gain in creative activities, including writing, so it’s helpful to start writing sessions with this boost. To get Sims inspired, try actions like the Read for Reference on the computer or viewing inspiring art. You can even place inspiring objects like paintings around their writing area to maintain the moodlet throughout the skill-building session. Additionally, using a high-quality computer helps prevent interruptions due to low fun or chances of breaking while writing.
In the Rewards Store, purchasing traits like Morning Sim or Night Owl gives a skill gain boost during specific hours, while Fast Learner provides an all-around increase in skill-building speed, especially beneficial for intensive skills like Writing. For players who want their Sims to focus on writing as much as possible without interruptions, Needs No One helps keep social needs low-impact, while Steel Bladder reduces bathroom breaks.
Peel back the veil to uncover the secret to richer Sim lives and beyond in The Sims™ 4 Life & Death Expansion Pack. Achieve your dreams in life by ticking items off your Bucket List or pursue them as a Ghost with Unfinished Business. There is a ghastly new world to haunt, a career that’ll bring you closer to Grim, Wills to write, Crypts to explore, and even ghostly skills to master. There are no real endings — only transitions — as you move between life, afterlife, and even rebirth.
KEY FEATURES:
An Endless Journey — Build your Bucket List by collecting goals throughout your Sim’s life, starting as a Young Adult. Items will appear on your list based on your Sim’s traits and family relations, and you can also choose your own. Removing items is possible, but completing them yields powerful rewards. If a Sim’s life ends with items still on their list, they can devote their afterlife to completing their Unfinished Business. The ultimate reward for experiencing everything on their list is the option to be Reborn, though you can still choose to Move On or remain on this plane as a Ghost.
A Ghastly, Gorgeous Life — Make death your life’s work with a career of reaping souls, helping Ghosts, dispersing hauntings, and more as a member of Grim’s team. Or, you could become a Mortician and deal with death more from the perspective of the living. Outside of work, you might spend your days exploring Crypts and building your Thanatology skill for the new Ghost Historian Aspiration. These things — among other dark diversions like bonding with your Pet Crow (careful, provoking it could be deadly) or collecting and reading the lost Tarot Cards of Lady Ravendancer Goth — will have a special appeal to Sims who are Macabre, one of 3 new traits.
Goodbye (For Now) — Different Sims will grieve in different ways. There are 4 types that will tie in with both Sims’ personalities and their relationships with the deceased. Grieving Rituals are customizable and unscripted, allowing you to hold whatever type of event (or events) fits your story. In life, Sims can create Wills which can be used to pass down Heirlooms, assign guardians for surviving dependents, distribute their Simoleons, and more. Sims can honor the departed with a memorial display featuring their portrait and by interring their urns in Crypts or with Custom Caskets and Gravesites.
Friendly or Fiendish? — Linger on as a Ghost, and spend your afterlife helping or terrorizing the living. Ghosts will grow in their abilities as they do everything from assisting with household chores to levitating living Sims and hanging them upside down (fun AND profitable — they may drop Simoleons!). Their interactions with the living can earn them Fear or Goodwill essences, which can both be sold for Simoleons. There’s a lot to do after death; Ghosts can even pair up for a special, spectral Woohoo.
A Town Worth Haunting — The veil between life and death is thin in Ravenwood, a 3-neighborhood town. Visit the countryside and perhaps take a swim by the mysterious face in the cliffs. Or, head into the village where you’ll find some odd goods for purchase near the old Specter cemetery, a haunted house to brave, or a festival to attend. The residents of these first 2 neighborhoods are (mostly) alive, but it’s Ghosts who will feel most at home in the third, where you’ll find 2 more festivals and a spectral support group. Living Sims can use its Baleful Bog to have an out-of-body experience and try their hands at being temporary Ghosts. Well, it’s usually temporary. Don’t overdo it.