A second interview from my View From the Bottom series, this time featuring the fan favorite, Verkur/Paradox. A good friend of mine, and a collaborator as well, it was my extreme pleasure to have this time with him.

 

Sic: Awesome, Verk, thanks for giving me this opportunity

Verk:  No problem Sic

Sic: Firstly, you have characters in both branches, Navy and Army. Is it difficult to write for both simultaneously while also having personal stories up?

Verk: Yes and no. There are days when I can easily write up a decent post for all of the stories I am currently in. And then there are days were it can become a bit overwhelming

Sic: I can understand that, trust me. You’ve been in the VE for enough time to know the great things, and the bad. In your opinion, what are the best things, as well as the worst things about the VE?

Verk:  I would have to say, the best part of the VE is the community on which it thrives. If it wasn’t for the people who dedicate their time to write the posts for the stories we partake in, or the time to setup events and add new features, the VE would not be what it is today. As for the bad, I have not really experienced anything that I really disliked. However, if viewed from my position as the ASL of Jester, one of the things I dislike most can be the lack of interest of some of the new recruits. For instance. Reports are can become an annoying issue to deal with, yet it only takes a few minutes to complete. Reports help not only the squad leaders, but it helps the command staff to know whats going on so that fun events such as competitions can be planned accordingly.

Sic: Ah, yes, recruits, we love em and hate em. Now aside from your duties with the Army and Navy, you also are the co-founder and writer of Sith Reborn: Path of the Fallen, as well as Life of an Assassin. How do you go about planning a collaboration?

Verk: Well, the first, and most important part of any story is how it starts; with an idea. For Life of an Assassin I wanted to give others an insight into the past of my army character. Each post will be it’s own story, and each a new assassination. So after I think of an idea, I try to build up details around it. Some of these include where I am going and who the target is. Most of my planning does not even take place at my computer. Most of the time I am going about my day, and when a thought pops into my head, I try to tell the story to myself, sometimes as if I truly was my character and I was doing the things I write about.

Sic: The Army and Navy are truly quite different, do you prefer one to the other? What do you like most about each?

Verk: I prefer the army. Mostly because I have been there longer. I think though, that as time progresses, I will come to enjoy each equally. One thing I really enjoy about having a charcter in both divisions, is the fact that it keeps me busy, and I can usually find something to do, whether it be a personal story or a squad story. On top of that, I also get to write alongside not only some of the best writers, but some of the best writers from both divisions.

Sic: Where did the name Verkur come from?

Verk: Most of the time I am able to come up with names by myself. Then there are times where my brain just won’t comply, so I find myself some help. In my search for a name I liked, I decided to go to an online translator that has served me well in the past. I picked a language to translate to, and then just dropped in a few words to see what happened. In the end, I came across the name Verkur, which in icelandic means pain. Pretty fitting for an Imperial name in my opinion.

Sic: As do I. Verk, you’ve climbed the ladders of the Army, working your way up to ASL. Tell me, how much responsibility comes with being a high rank. What do you like and dislike about it?

Verk: Well I wouldn’t call Corporal a high rank. As for the responsibility part, I help Kami, the squad leader of Jester, run and manage the squad. One of my main things I have become accustomed to as ASL of Jester, is handing in an unpgarded version of the normal Report. This “upgraded” Report gives the post count for the story our squad is currently in, who has handed in their reports, and any suggestions I might have. One thing I really like about being ASL, is that I can take a more direct approach with advancing the soldiers in Jester. A sort of min project I started with the squad is trying to get everyone to create their own wiki page. Yet, even with this responsibility, I have yet yo find anything I dislike about my position.

Sic: Alrighty, we’ll finish things up here. Do you have any future plans, or certain goals you up to reach in the upcoming future?

Verk: One of my major goals for the future is to join the Dark Jedi Order. That is one goal I would really like to see come true, and I will do whatever is necessary to get accepted….

Sic: Sounds good. Favorite band?

Verk: Disturbed, Just like me =P

Sic: Not bad, thanks for the time Verk!

Verk: Don’t put that last part in there {laughs} No problem Sic, glad I could help