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Fans visiting blogs.starwars.com have the chance to not only read blogs from fans -- or start one of their own -- but they can also read exclusive entries from a number of people directly related to the Star Wars family such as official artists and comic book illustrators, authors, actors, crew members, editors, Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic staff and more with our lineup of VIP blogs. These VIP blogs give fans a chance to get a glimpse into the minds of the people who make the Star Wars saga so much fun. Here are a few reasons why our VIPs love to connect with their fans through blogs.

"It's like having open house, minus the coffee (and the stains on the carpet)," author Karen Traviss explains. "You can kick off the conversation with an idea, an anecdote, a news story that grabbed you, a joke...anything. Then folks roll up and start discussing it. Somehow it feels more informal and cozy than a message board, and of course folks know you're going to be there so they can look out for you. It's a handy place for all those random thoughts that cross your mind and you want to say to someone, 'Hey, have you heard this?' We tend to ramble a bit, so any topic throws up all kinds of discussion, Sometimes I keep a blog entry going over a number of days because my responses section fills up fast."

"I use my VIP blog (Cannon to the Right...) to kick ideas around; to get people thinking, especially about writing, because most readers never get to talk to writers and find out how they do their job; and to stay in touch with fans" Traviss adds. "It's grown into quite a community."

Droid wrangler and long-time Industrial Light & Magic fixture Don Bies recently just began his VIP blog and he's already gotten addicted to posting personal stories of past Star Wars films. "I'm relatively new to the whole celebrity thing and I'm still amazed anyone would be interested in anything I have to say," Bies laughs. "The fans whom I have met over the years are very supportive and seem to enjoy hearing 'behind the scenes' tales, so I'm happy to oblige when the urge strikes. I'd like everyone to get a sense of what goes into making a film -- and especially something as big as these films. I was always fascinated with background stories, and I hope there are others out there as well. I'd also like to talk about my other interests and break out of just being 'that R2 guy -- no, not Kenny Baker, the ILM model guy..."

LucasBooks editor Sue Rostoni enjoys her VIP blog as a way to keep eager fans posted of the latest news about upcoming authors and their work. "Apart from the convention and Celebration panels, it's one of the few opportunities I get for interactive discussion with people who really care about Star Wars," Rostoni says. "I want to get folks excited about upcoming books and comics, tease their curiosity, and make them beg for more. And send me chocolate."

Along with Rostoni, LucasBooks' Keeper of the Holocron (Continuity Database Administrator) Leland Chee likes to use his VIP blog to keep fans interested in the ever-growing content in the Expanded Universe. "As a frequent poster on the starwars.com message boards, I initially wanted to use the blogs as a way to consolidate all of my previous postings," Chee says. "Through the use of blogs, I could make additions and changes to things that I had commented on in the past. Blogs are also one of the few ways that fans can provide me with input about what they like and don't like about Star Wars continuity. Plus blogging gives me a chance to inform everyone about the latest developments in the Star Wars EU from an insider's perspective."

Dark Horse comic book author John Jackson Miller has a blast chatting with readers on his VIP blog and getting their reviews of his latest work. "Having written for Star Wars: Empire and then creating the new Knights of the Old Republic ongoing comics series for Dark Horse, it was pretty clear to me I'd be talking a lot more with fans in the future, and this is a great place for it!" Miller says. "It's good to get feedback there on the comics that I'm writing -- and it gives me a nice platform from which to answer the questions about my work."

As the VIP bloggers continue to write and chat with fans, they also encourage fans to carve out their own space on blogs.starwars.com by starting a blog for themselves. "It's a good place to learn to express your thoughts in a structured and entertaining way," Traviss says. "Nobody's marking you or judging you, and you can pick up lots of good habits from other writers. Everyone's on the same playing field there - authors, artists, fans, Lucasfilm staff -- so you really get to know people."

All fans are welcome to read the blogs, but to leave comments with the VIPs, or to write your own Star Wars blog, you have to be a Hyperspace member.

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In the first episode, Sansweet invites guests to take their first step into the larger world of Star Wars collecting, which includes everything from vintage action figures and pencil pouches to pressed tin lunchboxes and sculpted bronze statues. Be sure to read the full article for all the details. You will need to be a Hyperspace member to access this content.