20 Questions with Syrana of Sideshow and Syrana

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20 Questions is a regular feature where Brigwyn of The Hunting Lodge and WoW.com interviews the people behind the different World of Warcraft players, blogs and podcasts.

This week I’ve been honored again with having the opportunity to interview another great member of our Blog Azeroth community, Syrana.  Syrana is one wonderful tweeps that I affectionately call the “WoW Twitter Babes” (WTB).  Wonder why? Check out her hot avatar on Twitter!  Or better yet, go check out her blog Sideshow and Syrana.

So with out further ado, let’s meet Syrana and get to know her and see what she has to say in this weeks 20 Questions.

Now, I know you from Twitter, but many of the readers may not.  So can you give us some insight as to who you are?   For example, how long have you played WoW?  How about, blogging? What’s your main, server home, etc…?

Let’s see… I first created my trial account back in October of 2006.  Sideshow had already been playing for nearly a year before he got me interested in trying it out.  Within those first few hours, my mind was already made up to upgrade to a full account.  Lucky for me, Sideshow paid for it for a bit. *snickers*  I’d say I really got into playing more after TBC was released, which is when I rerolled on an RP-PvP server.  I hadn’t made it to level 60 prior to TBC being released (plus with the reroll) so I didn’t have my first level capped toon until July 2007.  Over a year ago I transferred back to my very first server, Eitrigg, to finally have a high level character on the same server as Sideshow.  So Eitrigg is my main server (again).  Syrana, my warlock, has been my main for about a year and a half.

As for blogging, oh boy.  The current blog (Sideshow and Syrana) started last December.  While that’s our first WoW/Gaming orientated blog, Sideshow and I used to blog back in college about random life adventures.

Thanks! That’s great! Now that we know you a bit let’s get to the 20 Questions.

Let’s do it.  (Are you sure I didn’t bore them enough already with the intro? )

1.   You play a Blood Elf Warlock as your main, what attracted you to play a Blood Elf much less a Warlock?

At first I created a Blood Elf just because it was a new available race with a new starting zone.  I’ve rolled at least one toon of each race (both Horde and Alliance) and have played through all the starting zones.  I really identify with the Horde side for some reason *ducks* so it just seemed to make sense.  I really, really love the Blood Elf architecture in their zones and the ease of their starting quest hubs.  From there, I rolled a few too many more Blood Elves.  I don’t know, maybe it’s just my inner elf trying to come out?

And why a warlock?  Because I love to devour souls.  Chocolate covered soul cookies, to be exact.  *devious grin*  Seriously? I really like playing casters.  My first loved class was the hunter, so it felt natural to have a companion of sorts at my side.  When I first created Syrana, I was actively roleplaying in game, and a warlock is so right for an evil, mischievous character.  I grew to love the playstyle.  I’ve even been the same spec (affliction) since day one with Syrana.

2.  What is your playstyle? Altaholic? Raiding? RP? All of the above?   In other words, what attracts you to the game?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one aspect of the game that I enjoy.  I’m a bit of an altaholic, but honestly don’t play my alts enough to fully embrace the altaholic lifestyle.  I used to enjoy RPing in game, but now keep that mostly to writing.  Raiding I’m sorta indifferent about.  I enjoy it here and there, but it’s not my main focus.  I really enjoy questing, lore, and the scenery within the game.  I’m pretty laid back when I play and like to enjoy myself.  I also love coming up with social events within the confines of the game mechanics.  That really tests my creativity.  That reminds me… we’re about due for another event…

3.  Speaking of the game and interests, you seem to find fun outside of WoW?  What are some of your other games of interest and why?

Oh goodness, I think it’s good that this question is coming now when I’m not finding myself gaming quite as much as usual or I’d take up way too much space answering that! I dabble in a variety of console games (mainly Xbox 360), some Free 2 Play games, and PC games.  I really enjoy playing Rock Band because I like music and the blending of it into a rhythm game is fun.  I’m also playing The Sims 3. It’s different, but gives me a chance to mess around with simulated people, designing houses, decorating, feeling in control *devious grin* and come up with stories for them.  I was playing Luminary and Free Realms for a bit, but haven’t logged into either of those for a couple months.  I like to keep my options open.  Heh, I’ve also found myself strangely obsessed with some iPhone app “mmo’s”… don’t ask… >.>

4.  You’ve been doing some creative writing blending Sims and the struggles of a family.  What was your inspiration for this series? And how much of the stories are based on real life or is it all Sims?

Ever since I started playing the Sims ‘back in the day’, I’ve had fun coming up with little storylines for them.  Certain things I would try to accomplish with them (careers, hooking up with another Sim, kids, items, etc.) or just come up with humorous captions for various screenshots.  This is a fairly widespread interest among the Sims Community.  There have been different contests over the years for Sims storybooks and movies.  There are also several other blogs that chronicle Sim life in various ways.  Just another outlet for my creativity!  The Sims storyline I have going right now is all Sims.

Well, except for the Darcy and Brian Sims.  Those are based on us in looks, traits, and names.  Other than having those 2 Sims married to each other, the rest is all make believe.

5.  You mention several times over on Sideshow and Syrana about a novel or book.  So is there a scoop? Are you working on a book?

Haha, I wish I had a scoop! I know throughout the Sims series I’ve mentioned the Sim of myself working on writing novels, but that’s just something she does in the game.  A couple people commented on some WoW RP posts that they would read that if it was a book.  To me, that was a huge compliment.  I tried to do a little research about the restrictions and limitations of publishing fanfiction, but it really doesn’t look like I’d be able to do that.  Well, at least not for profit.  So, I guess I need to develop my own fantasy world so that I could get published… *ponder*  At any rate, I plan to continue writing stories based upon WoW for enjoyment for myself and others at the cost of nothing but time.

6.  Going back to your blog, it’s an interesting blend of Real Life, Fiction, WoW, Sims and other stuff. Is there any one thing you just won’t write about?  And why not?

I don’t really write about work.  A few times I’ve written about work in WoW terms, but that was more for fun and stress relief.  I like to provide entertainment in the majority of my posts, so I try to stay away from doing a lot of ranting, especially about real life.  Of course there’s some, I just try to be cautious on how I present it.  Plus, who needs coworkers and bosses finding that kind of stuff? (And I do have a coworker or two that read my blog for the RP story… even though they don’t play WoW!)  I also steer clear of bad mouthing guildies on my blog.  If I’m frustrated with something guild related, I try to find a different spin (such as “what I learned from this…”) if I absolutely have to write it out.  No need to create unwanted tension based on posted words.  Frustrations and emotions can come and go, but those words are posted for all to see.

7.  What are some of your tips for other potential bloggers and writers out there?

1. Write what you want to write about and have fun with it.  If you aren’t comfortable in a niche and are writing in it because you think you are supposed to, it will show and seem forced.
2. Join in the blogging community (no matter what your subject area is).  Do this by reading and commenting on other blogs and/or joining up with community forums (such as Blog Azeroth for WoW).
3. Don’t focus purely on the number of visitors.
4. Just have fun!

8.  Speaking of tips, are there any writers that have inspired you?  Who are they?

Writers that have inspired me… Stephen King, John Grisham,  Scott Turow, and Lisa Scottoline to name a few.  Many of my fellow bloggers have inspired me as well in a variety of ways whether it be topics, styles, or knowledge.  They just don’t always know it when it  happens.  Then again, I can’t always pinpoint my source of inspiration, but I try to give credit where it’s due.

9.  Let’s talk a bit about family.  Who is Sideshow in your life?  I see a lot of Syrana, but I haven’t seen much of Sideshow.  Is he real?  Where is he hiding?  Who is this mysterious Undead guy that gets top billing?

Sideshow is my husband IRL.  Sideshow is NOT Syrana’s husband in game.  (If you knew Syrana’s RP profile, that would be so wrong and creepy in ways that are illegal in most states – heck, countries!)  But,  yes, Sideshow is real! I swear! I haz pics to prove it!  Sideshow  doesn’t post much to S&S for a couple reasons: he’s busy posting on his  genealogy blog, he has a special trend for post titles, and I talk enough for the two of us most of the time.  Sideshow takes care of the  technical side of the site while I provide most of the content.  He gets  top billing because he keeps us running.  Well, actually, he got top billing by chance… we didn’t want the site address to be wonky with a double “a” (syranaandsideshow).  I was trying for “Syrana’s Sideshow” but I didn’t win.

10.  Couples tend to either play WoW together or in separate isolated bursts.  What about you guys?  Do you guys get to play together? Or is WoW more of a “My time” adventure?

WoW is all of the above for us.  Gaming, in general, is that way for us.  There are “my” games and “his” games.  (Examples: Me – Harvest Moon; Him – Saints Row)  Then there are games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero that we’ll play separately or together, depending on who feels like doin’ what.  As for WoW, it’s an assorted mix.  We often play at the same time in the same room, but not necessarily /with/ each other in game.  There are times we do dailies, level up “our” alts, raid, or run 5mans together.  There are other times we’re doing completely different things or we’re on different servers at the same time.  Now, if only watching TV “together” could work like that…

11.  So, you’re going to BlizzCon.  What are the things your looking forward to hearing more about?

I’m looking forward to the whole experience.  This will be our first time going, so it’s hard for me to narrow it down because I want to experience all that I can! I’m interested in Warlock discussions, of course, and plan to pop my head into a few other panels as well.  I’m really hoping there will be an expansion announcement.  I’d love to be there for that.

12.  Are you planning anything special?  Meet-ups? Parties? Disneyland raids?

We are going to try to make it to the WoW.com meetup on Thursday night.  No promises on that one since we’re flying in after 7pm that night.  By the time we check in and all that (and hopefully no delays *crosses fingers*) it’s hard to say.  Plus, my body will think it’s 2 hours later than it will be in California.  We are for sure – most definitely – going to be at the TNB meetup on Friday night.  Other than that, no solid plans other than the Con.  There are a few guildies we’re going to try and meetup with during our time there.  No time for Disneyland or other touristy stuff since we’ll be flying back out Sunday morning.  (Little rest for the wicked.)  I’m excited and looking forward to meeting fellow bloggers, twitterers, and gamers, but a little nervous too.

Let’s talk a bit more about you and the game and get some standard questions out of the way.

13.  Goblin/Worgen or Murloc/Naga? Which race would you like to play and why?

I have to pick only one?  Eesh.  If I have to pick only one then I would say Worgen.  I don’t know enough about them and the Hallow’s End masks look spiffy.  If all were available, I would roll at least one of each, then probably find a favorite from there.  I although I really detest Naga and Murlocs….

14.  Favorite color, word, ice cream?

• Color: blue and purple
• Word: Sweetness (That was a tough one, I just went for the first thing that came to mind, haha)
• Ice Cream: Blue Moon or anything with chocolate and peanut butter.

15.  Out of all your achievements, which are you most proud of?

That’s a tough one, but I’m going to have to go with “2000 Quests Completed.”  I love questing and the lore.  I really want to complete 3000 quests and get “the Seeker” title.  Unfortunately, I have around 800 more quests to go so I’m not in the home stretch yet!

16.  What are the 3 things you like most of about WoW? And why is that?

1. NPC interactions.  There are some very amusing conversations that take place between NPC’s if you stop and check it out.
2. Questing.  As I mentioned before, I really enjoy the lore and I actually read the quests.  (*gasp* I know!)  That is one reason why I like to quest solo most of the time, so I can read and re-read to my heart’s content.
3. Options.  The game really does provide several avenues of play and it accomodates a wide range of playstyles.  I don’t claim that it’s the perfect set up, but WoW really does have a lot to offer.  Plus, I like switchin’ it up here and there.  I feel the need to melt faces? PvP it is.  I feel like pickin’ flowers and dillydallying? I can do that too.

17.  Okay, now let’s flip it.  What about the three things you’d wish they would change? And why is that?

1. Soul Shards.  Just look at ‘em.  They need changes, lots of changes.  Make ‘em stackable, make ‘em be more useful.
2. Embroidery on bags.  I’m a tailor and I’d like my craft to be a tad more desirable to other players.  Why not embroider bags to give some stats/buffs?
3. Debuffs or tracking for number of dishonorable kills.  In another game, that shall remain nameless, if your level is too high above the RvR level zone, you get turned into a chicken for a period of time.  Some other games mark players that ruthlessly gank lowbies.  Even though I’m back on a PvE server now, I’ve leveled 2 characters to cap on a PvP server.  While ganking has it’s time and place in world PvP, I do have a dislike for those that spend hours upon hours hanging out in lowbie zones on their level capped, epic’d out toons to do nothing but slaughter players 20+ levels lower than them while they try to quest.  Have I ganked? Sure.  But I was more of the “red = dead; kill ‘em once and move on” mentality… at least for characters that posed no challenge for me.  If they are within a few levels, then by all means, have a night long war!

18.  What is the one thing you’ve done in the game that has you shaking your head and turning red?

Erm, falling off the end of Outland and dying while in ghost form… trying to retrieve my corpse that fell off the edge.

19.  Ever danced on a mailbox?  Really?

No, but I’ve danced in the bank in my lovely black dress before.  A friend gave me a copper.

Well, here we are, last question.  Are you ready?

20. When Blizzard releases Faction changes would you ever think of changing your?  Why or why not?

No, I wouldn’t… err won’t.  I shoulda been quicker on the answering before the patch dropped, eh?  I don’t really have a problem with that being offered, but it’s just not for me.  I am not about rushing to level cap, so if I want to play a toon of the opposite faction, I’ll roll one.  Plus, Horde is just so ingrained… I could never see Syrana crossing over “fulltime” to the other side!

There we go. See not that bad.  I really want to thank you again for your joining us here and doing the 20 Questions.

Now here’s your chance to turn the tables and I ask if there’s anything you’d like to ask or add.  So do you have anything to ask or add?

Not really.  I doubt anyone is left with any burning questions about Syrana at this point, but if they are, send ‘em my way!

Alrighty then. Take care and thanks for joining us for another round of 20 Questions!