My favorite Star Wars stories I've ever written
A peek behind the curtain of being an entertainment journalist for the last decade.
I’ve officially been a journalist for a decade. Well, over a decade, actually. I got my first byline in 2012, I think. The story was about new English classes at my alma mater. Rivetting stuff. So, 13 years — my career is a teenager! Anyway, a year of therapy has me motivated to do this thing where I celebrate myself more — my accomplishments, yes, but also the little wins and the big moments in past me’s journey. What better way to do that here than to share my favorite Star Wars stories I’ve ever written?
I’ve talked a lot about what got me into Star Wars and reading Star Wars — my dad introducing me to the movies and me reading Heir to the Empire and Lost Stars. But what kickstarted my entertainment journalism career was The Force Awakens. The movie was the first Star Wars one in 10 years, and everyone was pumped. Including us features staff reporters and nerds at my local newspaper. We wrote articles about the best order to watch the Star Wars movies and new Force Friday merch, as well as my colleague waxing poetic about the Expanded Universe books. We bought tickets for one of the first showings of The Force Awakens. I went on to see it three times opening weekend.
I wish I could give my younger self a hint as to what amazing Star Wars things are going to happen to her. Covering the opening of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World and writing for Star Wars Insider are among the highlights.
My favorite Star Wars stories — that I’ve written
Doug Chiang interview for ‘Star Wars and the Power of Costume’ exhibit: In 2017, “Star Wars and the Power of Costume” brought Jedi robes, lightsabers, droids, and more film-used props to the Museum of Fine Art St. Petersburg. It was a big deal at the time, and even more so now considering the history I saw up close and who I interviewed. I was a baby Star Wars fan at the time, so I didn’t understand the magnitude of interviewing Doug Chiang — now the VP and executive creative director at Lucasfilm. I just loved that I got to ask him about recreating C-3PO for The Phantom Menace.
The war in Star Wars: I started writing for digital space and science magazine Supercluster in 2021, just a few months after quitting local news to become a freelance writer. My first story was a spinoff of my master’s thesis research into Disney’s impact on the early space program. But my favorite story is this one diving into all the poignant political statements Star Wars makes — based on reading The History and Politics of Star Wars and interviewing author Dr. Chris Kempshall, who recently wrote The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire.
The enduring myth of Boba Fett: Another Supercluster story, I also had a fantastic time exploring the history of Boba Fett and interviewing some of his biggest fans from the Boba Fett Fan Club. This story came out when The Book of Boba Fett was airing in early 2022.
Galaxy’s Edge opening at Walt Disney World: I’m not proud of the way I begged to cover the opening of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World, but I am proud of everything I wrote and shot during that 13-hour day. I wrote a list of key things to know about the new land and I helped reveal Rise of the Resistance and was one of the first people to step inside the First Order hanger full of stormtroopers. I did a full video tour of Black Spire Outpost and the Droid Depot experience. As media, I also got an amazing video of me piloting the Millennium Falcon on Smuggler’s Run. This makes me miss Galaxy’s Edge so much.
Ahsoka review and fan event at Disney World: A week before Ahsoka premiered on Disney+, I was invited to Disney World for a special fan event to celebrate the new Star Wars show. We spent half the day at Galaxy’s Edge riding both rides, making a droid (Chopper!), and shopping. Then, we watched the first two episodes of the show before being handed Ahsoka’s twin white-bladed lightsabers for a photo op in front of the Millennium Falcon. Truly, a magical opportunity and one I hope happens again.
Star Wars Insider stories: To me, writing for Star Wars Insider feels like both a culmination and the next big step in my writing career. I’ve written three stories for the official Star Wars magazine, with three more on the way this spring. I’ve worked hard over the last five years to build up my reputation as a voice of authority and engaging storytelling in the Star Wars writing community. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, and I’m excited to see what comes next. If you want to read my work, check out issues 219 (interview with Zoraida Cordova), 220 (interview with Lydia Kang), and 225 (The Phantom Menace 25th anniversary feature). And see below for what’s next.
Star Wars Insider updates
Make sure you’re subscribed (or get the issues from your library or Libby) to Star Wars Insider so you don’t miss my stories in the next two issues.
Issue 230, out on Feb. 26, has my story about Star Wars video game tie-in novels. I talked to Christie Golden (Battlefront II: Inferno Squad), Sam Maggs (Jedi: Battle Scars), Alexander Freed (Battlefront: Twilight Company), and Mark Oshiro (Hunters: Battle for the Arena) for this story.
Issue 231, out on April 23, has my story The History Writers — interviews with some of the biggest names in Star Wars non-fiction books, including Chris Kempshall, Kristin Baver, Cole Horton, and Amy Richau. This one’s the highlight of my Insider career so far.
But wait, there’s more!
Issue 231 will also have my interview with Charles Soule, author of the first book in The High Republic and the last — Trials of the Jedi, which comes out in June. This one was emotional for me because of how much The High Republic means to me and my career. I really wouldn’t be where I am now without Light of the Jedi, and I made sure to thank Charles for that. It’s bittersweet saying goodbye to The High Republic soon, but I’m proud to have done this author interview.
But wait, there’s more — part 2!
Interviews with all of the other High Republic authors are in the works. Every author and comic writer from every phase. I’m intimidated but so excited.
Writing updates
I will finish my book this spring and I will finish it soon — relatively speaking. The motivation to keep going is still there even as I fight the tendency to get so overwhelmed that I avoid researching and writing. But I’m finally going on my long-awaited trip to Kennedy Space Center and the Space Coast of Florida this week. I’m only a few hours away on the other coast, but hurricanes and life have been getting in the way since the fall.
I’m visiting for three whole days — all of which are packed with places to visit, tours, and searching for obscure space history sites to include in my book. Of course, I will also check out some local bookstores, comic book stores, and thrift shops for Star Wars stuff.
This week’s Star Wars releases
Feb. 19
Ahsoka #8
The High Republic: Fear of the Jedi #1
