If you have a passion for the Expanded Universe and like to read blog entries that ruffle a few of Boga's feathers, then don't miss the latest entries from the VIP blog Only Sith Deal in Absolutes by author Abel G. Peņa.

Fans may already recognize Peņa from his various articles including the History of the Mandalorians, the Dark Forces Saga, and Droids, Technology, and the Force: A Clash of Phenomena.

"I've been a Star Wars fan since I was two or three years old when I first saw the film," Peņa recalls. "Watching A New Hope is one of my earliest memories that left an enduring mark on me."

The Star Wars films left such an impression on Peņa that as a writer he finds himself focusing on all things Jedi. His articles can be found in such magazines as Star Wars Gamer, Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Fact Files, and Dungeon/Polyhedron, as well as the websites starwars.com and wizards.com.

His blog, Only Sith Deal in Absolutes, not only focuses on his opinions as a fan, but also as a published writer who's passionate about the Expanded Universe of Star Wars encompassing the books, comics, television and roleplaying game elements. His knowledge of philosophy also kicks into high gear in a few entries.

"A fan visiting my blog can expect a healthy dose of wit, insider details, and intelligent discussion related to Star Wars," Peņa says. "One of my degrees is in philosophy --- real-life Jedi like Socrates and Ludwig Wittgenstein, true warrior-philosophers who fought on the battlefield and probed the most complex human issues, intrigue me, and have a strong influence on my blogging. I'm not the biggest fan of idle musing without a point (though I'll take the Obi-Wan oath on that), so I like to dish up information with a clear focus and in coherent chunks, even when dealing with as ridiculous a subject as how I became a so-called message board prophet."

"This blog has given me a way to interact with the fans that is very direct, yet distinct from the message boards I frequent," Peņa continues. "To me, a blog is like a letter, as opposed to the instant messenger-like, back-and-forth crossfire of the message boards. Though not prohibited, by their nature message boards discourage long responses and thus thoughtful discourse. Come across a long posting, and often times your response is, 'Ugh. I'll just skim it.' Thoughts tend to be expressed in sound bites. A blog can be much of the same if an author so chooses, but it can also take its time, delving into topics deeply and with belligerent gusto."

Fans will recognize his blog title, Only Sith Deal in Absolutes, as the line spoken to Anakin Skywalker from his angered Master -- Obi-Wan Kenobi before their epic duel ensues on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. But what fans might not realize is that the title has further meaning.

"By default, it's also a reference to what's known as the Liar's Paradox, first uttered by the sixth century B.C. Cretan poet Epimenides who claimed that Cretans are liars," Peņa explains. "Obi-Wan and Epimenides both end up implicated in their own accusations. I have a strong interest in writers like Sextus Empiricus, pseudo-Dionysius, Friedrich Nietzsche, and the late Jacques Derrida -- smart guys who all explore themes of paradox and anti-dogma. When I heard Obi-Wan taking Anakin to task in Revenge, yelling, "Only a Sith deals in absolutes!" my first delighted thought was: paradox! My next thought was, well, that's not the last time good ol' Ben will try to sell us a bill of goods."

"But I really identify with this aspect of the character," Peņa continues. "Obi-Wan's really trying to do his best with Anakin in the prequels and with Luke in the classic trilogy, but he gets put into these ludicrous situations where he has to make hard and spur of the moment decisions about how to handle these powerful, budding pupils without crushing their identities, and brother, the guy's only human. Teaching and mentoring is an extraordinarily difficult job, and I have tremendous sympathy for him. This may seem odd in light of my first blog where I really go to town on Obi-Wan, but I feel I have the right to pick on him given how much I love the character."

In his blog, Peņa explores not only Obi-Wan, but other flawed Jedi as well like Master Mace Windu. In his entry, "The Tragedy of Mace Windu and The Death of The Jedi Order," Peņa explores the idea that maybe, just maybe, Mace made a mistake; which of course, generated quite a reaction from fans reading his blog.

"The fan reaction to my blog has been slightly shocking," Peņa admits. "It's the quality and depth of some responses that has surprised me most. One fan thanked me profusely for calling out Mace in 'The Tragedy of Mace Windu' for the way he handled Chancellor Palpatine's arrest. Another sent me multiple nostalgic reminiscences about his bygone Star Wars roleplaying days after reading the Halagad Ventor blog. Another grateful fan thanked me after reading the Revenge blog, wondering if the lives of his wife and child had been threatened as Anakin's were, would he have acted any differently? My Star Wars blog has allowed me to reach out to fans from Venezuela to Australia in one-on-one exchanges. Short or long, in agreement or not, the exchange between fan and author is unmediated and sweet. The whole experience has turned out to be profoundly touching."

"Now, all that said, hands down I got the most feedback for the blog I wrote cataloguing the various curses authors contributing to Star Wars have come up with," Peņa adds. "I guess everyone can use some harmless kriffing fun every now and then."

Of course, when chatting about sacred topics such as the intelligence of one Jedi over another or various Expanded Universe topics, Peņa finds himself stirring up controversy among the fans and that's fine by him.

"I can't help it; I believe the only things really worth talking about, worth writing about, are the things that people have difficulty expressing or repress," Peņa confesses. "Counter-intuitive thinking is the name of the game. That's why you see me laying into noble Jedi like Obi-Wan and Mace in my blog, while forming some sort of apologia for Anakin Skywalker and eliminating Emperor Palpatine as a ready scapegoat. It's so easy to applaud Mace and Obi, so easy to dog Ani and Palp. Nobody gets nothing from that kind of superficial scrutiny, but try to find the bad in the good and the good in the bad and you just might learn something. Some people will say that literature is only there for entertainment, and that's fine, but frankly, boring. Literature can change lives, and for millions of Star Wars fans, it has."

Another genre Peņa relishes in is roleplaying games, now published by Wizards of the Coast. So as a special treat, he'll often gives fans a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to contribute to the roleplaying universe as a Star Wars writer.

"My blog entries based on Star Wars Dark Forces are popular simply because the video games they're based on are so wildly beloved," Peņa says. "In those entries, I try to give readers a taste of what it's like creating material that will become part of the Star Wars mythology, what goes into getting that material approved by Lucasfilm Licensing, and a glimpse into the way my own peculiar mind works and how that shapes the writing. Behind the scenes info is some of the juiciest stuff for any aficionado, and I do my best to inform fans of what that process is like for a Star Wars writer."

As more and more fans discover Star Wars Blogs, Peņa says he hopes that they will take their blogs as an unique opportunity to become Star Wars writers in their own right -- publishing their thoughts and debate-worthy comments that will spark passion in the hearts of fans all over the world.

"For the average Star Wars fan, the promise of the blog is remarkable," Peņa says. "It gives anyone the ability to in essence publish him or herself not only instantaneously but globally. You think you've got something important to say or a unique and interesting voice? Hit 'submit' and POW, you're mouthing off in 200-plus countries. Not a bad way for hopeful writers to make their bones."

Be sure to read Only Sith Deal in Absolutes regularly for more of Peņa's memorable experiences with the fans in person and online, as well as a blog entry congratulating newly-anointed fan authors of the official website's "What's the Story?" contest, as well as his thoughts on the Ewoks, the Dark Lady of the Sith Lumiya, and hints at a Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings showdown.

Don't miss Peņa's writing in Vader: The Ultimate Guide from Star Wars Insider, as well as the article "The Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe" in issue #83 of Star Wars Insider.

Click here to read the VIP blog Only Sith Deal in Absolutes by Peņa. And be sure to check Star Wars Blogs for other exciting blogs from cast, crew and Lucasfilm VIPs like actor Daniel Logan, Lucas Books editor Sue Rostoni, and set diarist Pablo Hidalgo.

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