The Lightsabre Interview

Bob Vitas

 

Welcome to Lightsabre.  Our latest guest is unique in that we originally interviewed him back in April 2006 for our Webmaster section, and now here he is two years later in our Star interviews section.  Please welcome back to Lightsabre one of the writers of the Second Edition of the Star Wars Encyclopedia, Bob Vitas.

 

Q -Bob, great to have you back on Lightsabre.

 

A - Glad to be back!

 

Q – You've made the step up from being a fan like the rest of us to being officially involved with Lucasfilm via the encyclopedia.  How does that feel?

 

A –  On the one hand, it feels great! The first time I saw my name on the Random House web site, it was kind of surreal. (For that matter, so was the first set of notes I exchanged with Steve Sansweet... I thought for sure it was a scam!) On the other hand, it hasn't quite sunk in yet. I'm still the same guy I was before... at least for now.

 

Q – The Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia has a great reputation for its accuracy and detail.  How did the offer of working on the new, vastly expanded encyclopedia come about?

 

A –  Well, it was quite out of the blue. One afternoon, I found an e-mail in my inbox from Steve Sansweet. As I said, I thought it was a scam, so I did a little research and determined that it really was him. He basically said that he and Pablo Hidalgo were under intense deadlines to get the new encyclopedia done, and that one way to help make the work go faster was to use my text (in some cases, verbatim) to fill in some of the gaps between this encyclopedia and the first one. Of course, I agreed almost immediately! Since then, we've been reading and editing the new content letter-by-letter. It wasn't alphabetical, though. The very last letter (I just sent it back to Steve) was J.

 

Q – There's a lot of new stories coming out right now.  Of the new tales, which grabs your imagination the most?

 

A – Hmmm... I liked the opening pages of "Coruscant Nights I - Jedi Twilight", with the descriptions of Coruscant's environments. I'm not that excited about the story, however... so far, it hasn't grabbed me. I'm interested to see how the new "Millennium Falcon" novel plays out. I guess that I'm most interested in "The Force Unleashed", because I have remained relatively spoiler-free with regards to that project.

  

Q – Given your official status, how will that affect work on the CUSWE? 

 

A - That was the first question I asked Steve Sansweet before I agreed to work with him. I wanted to be able to continue the CUSWE, even though some of the content was now "official". Steve said that he (and, as far as he could tell, most people) at Lucasfilm had no problems allowing the CUSWE to continue as a fan resource. This was a great endorsement for me, and allows me to continue to keep fans up-to-date in between this edition of the official encyclopedia and the next one. (In case Steve is reading this, I'll sign up now to work on the next one!)

 

Q – I can well imagine the answer to this question, but when you had confirmation of your involvement in the encyclopedia, what was your initial reaction?

 

A – Well, as I mentioned, it was a bit surreal. As I mentioned, I thought the initial e-mail from Steve Sansweet was a scam. After I had exchanged a couple of notes with Dan Wallace, though, I knew that it was for real. The "official" first thing I saw was the Random House web site, after several friends and CUSWE readers got wind of it. At that point, it all become more real for me, because I knew that I had no relationship with Random House... they couldn't be faking it! Since then, it's been a fun experience, working with Steve and Pablo and Dan Wallace on different aspects of the new encyclopedia. 

 

Q – We all have a favorite character, ship and location, but of all the stories and events in Star Wars history, which is your favorite?

A – Well, my favorite character is Qui-Gon Jinn, but R2-D2 comes in a close second. (I am building my own version, after all.) In terms of stories, though... Hmmm, my favorite novel was "Children of the Jedi" because it was so weird and out there. "Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice" comes in second, since Karen Traviss used the alien race I created for the "What's the Story?" feature on the official web site. My favorite in-universe event would probably be the Battle of Hoth. Unlike most stories, that battle showed the heroes being utterly routed by the Empire, and set the stage for the heroes to overcome their various adversities.

 

bigger, better and a darn site heavier...

 

Q – What projects have you got lined up next after the Second Edition Encyclopedia?

 

A – Personally, I will continue to work on the CUSWE. I don't have anything lined up with Lucasfilm, but I'm hoping that will change soon!

 

Q – The Clone Wars takes us back to the prequel era, KOTOR thousands of years further back and Legacy forges on into the future.  Do you think we will ever see the gaps filled in and explored?

 

A – My encyclopedic side yes "I hope so", while the rest of me says "Let's keep some mystery in the universe." Given that there is over 25,000 years of (recorded) history in the "Star Wars" universe, I don't think that we will be lacking in eras for exploration. The big question is whether or not writers can create character and stories in these other eras that grab us like the current set of stories does.

 

Q – Given those gaps, and looking ahead somewhat, where do you think Lucas will take us after The Clone Wars?

 

A – Hmmm... If we keep things somewhat connected, I would guess that the period between "Legacy of the Force" and the "Legacy" comics would be the best place. Not so much to follow the established characters, but to branch outward from them as the galaxy unfolds toward the rise of the New Sith Empire.  

 

Q - What do you foresee for yourself and the CUSWE in the future? 

 

A – Well, the CUSWE will continue to grow and expand. I'm fast approaching 62,000 entries, and the new content from Lucasfilm is still coming and coming. Personally, I'm looking forward to actually making my R2 unit move about under radio control. Right now, it's just a 90% finished shell of a droid. It needs motors, lights, and other stuff to make it real.

 

Q – We've asked before but there's been some changes around here.  What do you think of the new  Lightsabre, any comments?

 

A – It's much more vibrant than before! It was a little bit harder to find things, which was weird because the main page is so un-cluttered and clean. I guess I like things a bit messy! Beyond that, everything is much easier - and faster!

 

Q - It's been another great interview, and thanks for being our guest again on Lightsabre.  Just one final question.  You, Stephen Sansweet, Pablo Hidalgo, Dan Wallace, Mary Franklin, Josh Kushins and Chris Cassidy are asked to write another book for Lucasfilm, this time on the subject of Howard the Duck.
There are six sections to the book - 'Murder Most Fowl', 'Great Ex-peck-tations', 'Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Beak No Evil', 'Kill Bill', 'Daffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Quack to the Future'. 
But who writes what chapter?

 

A –  Thanks for having me back. Now, there's a question out of left field! I think Steve should have the "Hear No Evil..." section. I'll let Dan have "Quack to the Future". I'd be interested in "Daffy the Vampire Slayer". I guess I'd let the others fight it out for the rest!