Interview [Issue 61] Meet the New Reporters!

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

New additions to the reporter team symbolizes a fresh start or reset for the team. Energy is always heightened as new writers come in. This time around was no exception and the tradition of interviewing the newbies shall not be forgotten. The following reporters have already started writing and publishing articles in the paper. Introducing...

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Yisroel.Rabin

 

A character that many could recognize from around the forum, Yisroel.Rabin never shy's away from an interesting topic. His work hardly seems like work as he plots his next humorous article. His wit and class is always on center stage in his content.

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Viking: Hey there Yisroel. You've been a member of the team for a little while before this is being published, you've published a few articles yourself, how has your experience been so far?

 

Yisroel: It's been quite great so far, especially in terms of intersecting with the other reporters. I'm proud of myself for being able to do what I've done thus far, and I've had more than enough fun chats with the reporters. Of course, there are those chats where I've made fun, more than had fun, but it balanced out; I get made fun of a bit too. :ph34r:

 

Viking: It's just our right of passage... oh, uhh.. I mean, it's not normal for reporters to make fun of each other. As I understand, like many reporters nowadays, you joined the team after being in the AWC; walk us through that progression from writer to reporter.

 

Yisroel: Well, no one made fun of me, I'm not being bullied, just the fun, everyday disses. :P

 

Anyways, although I was in AWC before becoming a reporter, I don't think that the AWC had anything to do with my desire to become a reporter, nor did it affect my application. I was a writer before AWC was born, although not much in Tanki. I wrote a few, very cheesy articles back in the day, with the exception of my modeless spectator guide, which I'm rather impressed of. But my real writing, before me joining the reporter team, resides in my elementary school newspaper, which I became the so-called "admin" of.

 

Viking: Elementary school newspaper? Do tell! What does an elementary paper write about? Which aspect do you think prepared you for this writing job better, the writing itself or the organization aspect as a whole?

 

Yisroel: Well, what does an elementary school newspaper write about? Let's see, there were always those interviews on "important people" who visited the school, like the local firefighter (although I doubt that guy was actually a firefighter), and then there were random article on things like "How *name of our school* Came To Be", and obviously the occasional humorous articles, implemented by yours truly.

 

Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday: "The best ways to destroy "the name of our school" and "Guide to Deal with Bullies and How to be One".

 

But to be honest, that newspaper didn't prepare me that much; I had horrible English knack in the day (I only learned to read and write English in 3rd - 4th grade, actually - Long story), which was fortunately fixed by the admin (I was only admin in my final year of elementary), and my "wannabe hilarious" jokes made me the hilarious joke. However, I did get better in my later years (7th and 8th grade), and although some of it was thanks to the newspaper, I think it was mainly because my passion for writing grew, hence, I wrote better, and with more passion.

 

And with better jokes, I hope.

 

Viking: Interesting title within the context of an elementary setting, I'm sure the content was still a part of you and your style of humor. To get a better picture of your long story, I'd like to know more about you in general; tell us about yourself.

 

Yisroel: Well, I'm going to assume everyone knows about what I do on Tanki, so I'm going to tell y'all a bit about my real life background (yes, I have a life).

 

I live in Canada (you've always gotta start these kinds of things off with where you live), I like it a lot here. Canada's a nice place (it's just north of corruption). However, contrary to popular belief, I wasn't actually born in Canada, I was born in Brooklyn (in the country of corruption), but I moved to Canada when I was three. Nonetheless, I really enjoy visiting my hometown from time to time.

 

My hobbies include art, and writing (I know, I know: Yisroel? Writing? What?!). I don't exactly know why, but those are always the go-to hobbies when someone asks you what your hobbies are. So, just to not be some predictable, I'll tell you another strange hobby of mine: sports.

 

Never mind, still lame and predictable.

 

I'm older that everyone in my class, and somehow as a result, I have the best jokes, so I never fail to make my classmates laugh. In school, I'm an average student, 80%s are my norm and 100%s are my "Oh'ma'gad, we gotta hang dis on da fridge!"

 

Viking: *gasp* You traitor, you're supposed to submit to the corruption. What do you enjoy most about your hometown? How does it compare to your new home?

 

Yisroel: Interesting question. I love my hometown, even though I don't have many memories of it, every time I go back to visit it I have a certain warm feeling. It's connected to me religiously as well, as it's home to a religious "headquarters", so to speak, but that parts rather complicated, so I'll leave it out.

 

On the other hand, I love where I am currently, I love it so much that when my mother, my siblings and I moved out of it I felt a connection had been broken and as a result, returned back to it. So I guess what you can say is that I chose a city over family. Not the biggest thing ever, but for me, either way, was a difficult situation.

 

Viking: As humans, we create emotional connections with the people, places, and objects we attain, cities are no different. Where does your humor originate? Did it come about naturally or do you have some favorite comedians?

 

Yisroel: Well, I never really considered myself a "funny person" to begin with (although, compared to my fellow reporters and classmates, I'm beyond compare - that's how unfunny my friends are). Nonetheless, I guess it's safe to say my humor is natural. I have read a bunch of joke books, and have a few comedians I like, but they have no relation to my sense of humor.

 

To name a couple; Michael  McIntyre, Gabriel Iglesias (Fluffy), Kevin Hart, and a few more.

 

Viking: I'd think it's safe to say your content at least squeezes a smile out of the readers, many of whom may agree. Great stuff in AW section like the girlfriend guide and quitting tanki guide. And now your play on classics like If the English Community was ... and The Dictator. Great start to your career, what else do you have planned or are interested in doing in the future?

 

Yisroel: Well, I wanna try and bring the appropriate amount of humor to the project. At first glance, articles of mine just seem like big jokes, but there's a bit of logic behind it too. So, in simpler words, as long as my interesting brains keeps functioning differently than most human beings, and keeps producing random content to put out for the whole of the EN community to see, my plan is to do just that.

 

Will I ever write serious articles? I don't know, you tell me - Am I a serious person?

 

Viking: I've seen you around the forum and worked with you on a project or two; I think you are a serious person but you use the humor to bolster that logic in order to get people to think. Thinking -- people will do when they read your work. Thanks for taking the time, Yisroel. Best of luck!

 

Yisroel: You too! It's my pleasure to participate in this interview. Thanks, Viking, and thank YOU, the reader, for reading this hopefully interesting interview. Buh-bye!

 

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Blackdrakon30

 

A newer face around the community, Blackdrakon30 embraces the hot topics of the game. Talk about a burst of energy, he is never lacking in that department. A principled and driven writer, nothing less.

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Viking: Hey Blackdrakon, as a candidate reporter for the Tanki Online Newspaper, how does it feel and what has it been like?

 

Drakon: I must say that it's a tad surreal. I never really expected to become a reporter since I had no plans of applying, yet here I am! It's been an awesome workplace so far, and I definitely don't regret the decision. Working with AWC is an opportunity that I love, and I also really enjoy contributing to various Newspaper articles behind the scenes. All the reporters have been really cool about it all, and I thank them for that. I haven't needed to do too much upfront writing yet, as part of the Special Issues team, but I don't doubt that you'll be seeing some of my writing in lieu of some recent hints in the V-Logs.

 

My favorite part is the i34|\|T3R though.  :P

 

Viking: Our banter is quite legendary, am sure other staff groups are jealous. How does one "not plan" on applying and then suddenly apply; could you expand on your road to where you are now, I take it through the AWC?

 

Drakon: Well, I definitely owe it to the newspaper that I began writing again at all. A while back, long before I began playing Tanki, I wrote a little bit but never expanded it much because I never felt like my family would approve of the quality. I did some assorted bits and pieces of writing for a while, but nothing large. 

 

One day while playing Tanki Online, I saw a little section in the announcements about the Newspaper. I decided to check it out and began entering some contests because I needed crystals badly. I met a close friend through mutual contest-winning, and then AWC began soon after. I avidly participated in AWC, loving it as a place where I could showcase and receive feedback on my writing.

 

I multed around in AWC for quite a while. The decent reviews of my Amateur Writing section articles lead me to continue writing the occasional piece. Eventually, I began my Flash Flood series that was designed for the audience who wished me to write more Tanki-related pieces. When my first Flash Flood article received really positive responses, I chose to continue the series The second Flash Flood article was deemed good enough to be used as an actual Special Issue article, which is what got me entangled in all this reporter business. :ph34r:

 

Soon after, Goldrock asked me if I ever considered becoming a Reporter. We talked about some issues, and I eventually accepted his invitation to join the Reporters team. My application wasn't done in the most traditional sense since there wasn't much formal information-transfer involved. Originally I was going send an application in perhaps in June since I was concerned about time requirements, but it was definitely not a priority. But hey, an opportunity appeared and I took it. Good things are gained for those with the initiative.  :P But yeah, that's how someone who had no urgent plans of application suddenly became a reporter.  :ph34r:

 

Viking: That's awesome to hear, so many writers are being found through AWC nowadays and are offered a role in the actual newspaper team. As you joined, you were filed under the "Special Features" team; what led you to that side of the newspaper? What do you think the series you created, "Flash Flood", stands for?

 

Drakon: Originally I began the Flash Flood series as my audience wanted me to write more Tanki-related articles. The series began as a way of reporting large updates and additions to Tanki with blazing speed. The Tanki Online newspaper didn't cover the new topics particularly fast, and neither did AWC. I realized that I would have a unique niche role in AWC if I could get an overview about updates released near-instantly before anyone else did.

 

I went ahead and named the series Flash Flood; which reflects the suddenness of the article release and the (ideally) large quantity of information contained. To me, the Flash Flood series means reporting the actual current events of Tanki as they happen and while they are still relevant. It also means some sleep loss and intense research, but that's the trade-off. Once part of the newspaper team, I decided to continue the series because I can write quickly when needed, and now am fairly fond of the series. Additionally, this way I don't have to force my writing very often. I work better when writing something that I am inspired to create, or when writing something I need to create.

 

Viking: I love the concept of the series; the name, content, and purpose really adds to the newspapers' plethora of articles. Keep doing what you're doing and we look forward (oddly enough) to more Flash Floods. Switching gears, now that we've talked a bit about you and the newspaper, let's get to know you. Could you describe yourself and perhaps a few of your hobbies?

 

Drakon: To be honest, I don't know how I'd describe myself. I've been called wise, smart, kind, blunt, prideful, loud, helpful, and a few other adjectives. It really just depends on how you perceive me since I act differently as needed for different scenarios. So go ahead and judge me by my actions that you see, rather than who I say I am. However, above all else, I value truth and trying to make the right choices.  In my free time, I like to write, play Pokemon and other strategy games, build Lego creations, and mult around on Tanki (duh). As for facts, I'm a 16-year-old Christian dude from Chicago, and I'm currently studying in high school. I'm not sure what job I'm going for eventually, but it will probably be related to writing, whether that be journalism, law, or being an author.

 

Viking: Something related to writing.... Interesting. The TO newspaper can't be your only influence in this field. What other experiences have you had to lean you towards that general area?

 

Drakon: Reading. I began reading really early on and loved it so much. Once I actually missed a quiz in 3rd grade because I was reading a book and not paying attention.  :ph34r: The stories that I read made me realize how writing can make people laugh when they are feeling down, guide them when you can't be there in person, and aid someone who is hurting and needs help the most. I decided that I want to be able to impact others through writing as well, although I would never use writing to hurt or scare someone. That's why I have yet to write a horror story, and never will if I can avoid it.

 

I didn't have many plans for writing in my future after hating to write essays and narratives back in my earlier school grades, but then I discovered how much I enjoyed writing when it wasn't forced. I began investing a little more time into it, but I didn't begin writing a significant quantity again until I became part of the Amateur Writing section.

 

Viking: Fantasy does require a lot of thought. Have you contemplated writing some short fiction for the newspaper? Or are there any other potential ideas you'd like to write out for the paper in the future?

 

Drakon: I have a few concepts planned for future Newspaper writing, and possibly some short fiction pieces. I tend to write as the inspiration comes rather than dedicating to a specific genre, so I don't even really know where or what I'll end up writing in the future.  :ph34r:

 

Viking: And that's how we'll leave it, a cliffhanger in regards to Drakon's content. Thanks for participating, best of luck with your writing career!

 

Drakon: Thanks, it was fun talking with you!

 

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Great guys, am I right? I hope you check out their work and welcome them to the position. I hope you enjoyed my rendition of this classic ritual for new reporters. If you're feeling inspired by these success stories, check out the Amateur Writing section. Check out budding talent or write your own original content for your peers to critique.

 

We are always welcoming of suggestions to make the newspaper better; don't forget to drop them at the Newspaper Requests topic.

 

Last but not least, applications are always open for new reporters. If you think you got what it takes, fill out the application thoroughly.

 

Hope to see you soon!

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2017 by Vikingsrallentando

[TTK_229 1,080]

*reads part of where yis is from* i feel hurt inside

jk, everyone knows Dolan Turnip is corrupt.

[Guest Maserati]

:o