Interview With Rippaverse Assistant Editor-In-Chief
Our Lore Masters uncover the mysteries behind our A-EiC
- Social
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Jen & Sylvia Soska
S: Hello Carrow! For those who aren’t familiar with you and your work – who are you, and how did you get involved with Eric July & the Rippaverse?
My name is Carrow and I am Eric’s Assistant – assisting him with whatever he needs done. Sometimes, I conduct job interviews; other times, I drive a truck to a convention. Whatever he needs done, I make it happen. If I don’t know how to do it, I learn it thanks to the power of the internet.
When not helping Eric, I oversee the daily operations of the Rippaverse, checking in on employees and projects, responding to folks wanting to interview Eric, and sometimes telling folks to take breaks and drink water.
S: Congratulations on your promotion to Assistant Editor-in-Chief. What are the duties of that position?
Primarily, I work as Eric’s first set of eyes on the script, and if I see something that needs to be addressed, I bring it to his attention first before discussing it with the writer. After that, I comb through scripts and interiors to make sure it is the very best we can do.
S: You are a fantastic writer yourself with multiple released books. I’ve enjoyed reading Carrow’s Tarot, a unique take on the art of reading tarot with powerful personal anecdotes, and Queen of Swords and Silence. What inspires your writing?
Storytelling is very important to me since the longest way how we taught lessons to each other was with stories. I always think there is something in a story that is meant to be reached to a reader, and I hope that I can do that.
And I also get pissed off by poorly written books that get book deals and turned into movies. Seriously, what is up with that? #disgruntledwriter
S: What stories are you currently working on?
I challenged myself this year to do one short story a week to put up on my website, but my big project is [redacted] with a client and wrapping up the last three books that follow Queen of Swords and Silence. I have sat on that series for a long time and am ready to finish the tale of Ghost and her sassy, stab-hungry sword, Silence.
S: Do you think we might see you sharing your writing talents in a narrative for the Rippaverse?
I currently do a lot of the evergreen articles for the website, and I also write some of the stuff in the RippaZine. Andrew made me delete everything else I typed after that. 😉 – Editor’s Note: Yes, he did.
S: I love your inspiring fitness updates. How do you motivate yourself?
I treat it like leveling up in a game with gamification methods. I have a whole system I created titled ‘lvl up’ where I work on improving my personal stats—STR-DEX-CON-WIS-INT-CHA–so I can be a better person. Hearing how it helps other people go to the gym and seeing their progress is a bonus. I hope we can all be 1% better than yesterday together.
S: What advice would you have for those on their own fitness journeys?
Do what you can. If all you can do right now is walk to the mailbox and back, then do that until you are ready to do more. The habit of working out is more powerful than the workout itself.
S: Thank you for your service in the American military. Can you tell me about the experience? What drew you to enlist? What are your greatest takeaways from your service?
I grew up in a military family and wanted to be an On-Site Engineer on Sikorsky MH-53 (Pave Low) helicopters like my father was, but when I signed up, the recruiter told me that they were going to retire the aircraft and I didn’t see the point in going to tech school for years only to have to switch to something else. Instead, I went in as personnel and learned how to be a super-admin. I learned a lot about bureaucracy and that I have a low tolerance for it.
My biggest takeaway was after 9/11 when we were being briefed, and the presenter said, “We will not make choices out of fear.” The meaning at that time was that we wouldn’t let terrorists change what we do and how we do it because we were afraid of what they would do if we didn’t. It always sat with me, and I still refused to make choices others tried to intimidate me into making.
S: You have two beautiful rescue German Shepherds, Kissy and Ranger. Tell me about them and what inspired you to give these angels a forever home.
Ranger, I got from a group after he was hit by a truck and left unconscious on the side of the road. He got a head injury and busted leg from it, but he is one of the best dogs I have ever had. I saw his picture and knew he was coming home with me. He’s very sweet and affectionate but sadly has a bite record because when I told a guy, “No, you cannot pet my dog,” he tried to do it anyway…Ranger bit him.
Kissy, I adopted after I could see Ranger was lonely months after our other dog crossed the rainbow bridge and thought we could try to get another dog. I saw Kissy’s sad picture in the local shelter, went to meet her, and brought her home. But let me tell you…this dog catfished me. The sweet and gentle girl at the shelter is probably the biggest pain in my ass between her waking me up at 3am to her becoming manic when trucks drive by. But she gives great cuddles and is very affectionate. I guess I’ll keep her.
S: What advice do you have for those who are interested in adopting shelter dogs?
Interview the dog at the shelter and see how they are with you or things in your living situation, and don’t be surprised if their real personality starts to surface after they stay with you for a month. Most dogs are nervous and anxious when they are in a new home, but once they understand their surroundings and you, they’ll teach you about them. Also, consider attending dog training sessions. If not to help you and your dog, do it so you and your dog can make friends at the training session. Everyone wins.
S: I love you and your husband. You have a 20-year wedding anniversary coming up. What is the secret to such a long loving relationship and finding the right partner?
‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way, and many forget to do it over time. I never take for granted what my husband does, and we are always grateful when one of us does something for the other – even the dishes. We don’t disrespect/embarrass each other in public – but will tease each other – and always stand united in challenging situations.
As for finding the perfect partner…I can’t really answer that. Everyone is different and what they are seeking in a companion is based on their needs. Not to mention, the way dating works now is very different from when I was doing it. It will happen, and you’ll feel it in your bones when the right person is before you.
S: At the Rippaverse, you are an ally to every artist and employee, ensuring we are putting our best work forward. What does a day working at the company look like to you? What is your favorite part of working for the Rippaverse?
Daily work? Oh, man.
Everyone at work will tell you that I wake up too early, but I do that because anything I have to get done needs to be done before Rippaverse wakes up for the day. Once everyone is up and at work, my focus is on them and making sure everything is running smoothly while also taking care of items Eric sends my way. My day can get very busy depending on what is on the docket and where we are in the release schedule. I have done everything from website triage to consoling employees, editing, trolling Brandon, double-checking contracts, and running after Eric to remind him what interview he needs to go to. Once 4pm is around, I try to dip out to make dinner and spend time with my husband and make some time for myself –but I’d be lying if I didn’t mention I keep an eye on work.
My favorite thing is our growth—not just in the sense of the company getting bigger, but everyone within the Rippaverse. Everyone here has tough skin, so when we say something can be better, we all listen and adjust. More than that, we want to be better and help each other do that. It’s really refreshing to be in after working with individuals who take criticism as a personal attack.
