Libros Muchos
I spent almost six hours on the phone with my editor, going over the entire 2.0 draft of my book. I was up until just past 2 a.m., and I am dazed this morning.
But I am so happy! For the past few weeks, I've been wondering if it was any good, and felt that there were many places that needed lots of work. Being able to talk with him as we went through it page by page made all the difference: we cut several chapters that just didn't need to be there, generally tightened up the entire thing, and restored my confidence.
Speaking of books, my good friend Cory Doctorow's book Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom has finally been published! Congratulations, Cory! I read his book last summer, and it's one of the best SF books I've ever seen. I'm hoping to write a review of it before the end of next week.
Anne loved writing in the weblog, and appreciated everyone's comments. We may just have to get her a weblog of her own.
Thought For Today:
"Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns."
Comments
Wow -- first comment! Just wanted to say that I really appreciate that quote, though I don't think it's true in the case of the big dumb kids that are sending this country to war for no good reason.
Lick Bush in 2003.
Posted by: Sully | January 9, 2003 10:53 AM
Cool. Can't wait until the book is out.
The thought for the day reminds me of my brother. He's over 40 and still doesn't get some thing.
Posted by: belinda | January 9, 2003 10:53 AM
Wooohooo! First!
Hurry up with that book! We are all eagerly waiting!
Posted by: the dragon | January 9, 2003 10:53 AM
Doh! too slow!
Posted by: thedragon | January 9, 2003 10:54 AM
Thanks for the sci-fi recomendation! I can't wait to read your book too...hurry up already!
Posted by: Miriam | January 9, 2003 10:54 AM
Hey Wil,
Got my William F#%&ing Shatner Briefcase yesterday!!
Thanks!! Very cool . Wish the logo was bigger though. I have a place to put your book when it comes out. Next to my Flash book, and Photoshop, and 3Dmax books etc........
Hope Anne's getting better.....Remember, They only have puppy breath when they're puppies
Fred
Posted by: shrednfred | January 9, 2003 10:59 AM
Definately looking forward to the book, sir. And that's a kickass quote. Go you.
me
Posted by: Clay | January 9, 2003 10:59 AM
Hey Wil, why don't you post the chapter headings for you book? You know, kind of like a trailer, something for us to look forward to.
And didn't someone get there eyes pecked out for all eternity over this fire thing?
If the shoe fits, make sure the other one does too because most people's feet are different sizes.
It has been a long hard day at work and it is definitely showing now isn't it?
Posted by: Nyarl | January 9, 2003 11:10 AM
It's like christmas 2!!!
The anticipation created by your book is quite something if only because i have nothing else to look forward too. *Grins*
Seriously though, I am assuming it will be available at your shop? This would be most helpful so we in the rest of the world can spread the Gospel according to Unca' Willie and crush the infidels with our mighty wit and blue haired fury!!!
Mwahahahahaahahahacoughcough!!!
Why to i feel guilty when i read the quote?
Must ask friends about that one...
Posted by: EnglishBen | January 9, 2003 11:10 AM
Good luck with the book! Can't wait to see it.
I hope Anne is feeling better.
Em
Posted by: Em | January 9, 2003 11:15 AM
Would it make me a bad monkey to say after reading this post I was the most excited about the posibility of an Anne (the wife) blog?
Posted by: jodilyn | January 9, 2003 11:16 AM
Your quote is soooo true. Can't wait for the book to come out. Have a great day!
Posted by: Marie | January 9, 2003 11:17 AM
Congratulations on the confidence-building book session. It sure is hard to go forward with a piece of writing without the editorial process. :) Have a fabulous day...
Oh yeah, I loved Anne's entry! So nice to hear from this wonderful woman you are always letting us know about.
Namaste...
Posted by: Sara | January 9, 2003 11:17 AM
Hi Wil,
I can tell you a good editor is worth their weight in ink cartridges (much more useful than gold). Glad to hear you've got a good one.
And regarding the quote, will the fools go away like the fire if I pee on them?
Posted by: Clint | January 9, 2003 11:23 AM
With that being the definition of a fool, I've qualified at least a couple of times. ;-\
Wil,
Pending publisher restrictions, are you nearing the point where you could consider posting some small juicy chapter excerpts to tort^H^H^H^H tantalize us?
-J
Posted by: Jonathan | January 9, 2003 11:29 AM
Cool. I really can't wait to read the book.
Perhaps it's time to register www.annewheaton.net, just in case?
:)
Posted by: ionicus | January 9, 2003 11:31 AM
Oh, and Cory's book looks good. I'll read it when I have time.
Posted by: ionicus | January 9, 2003 11:33 AM
Looking forward to the book, Wil. Are you gonna name names?
Hope all is well.
Posted by: Drakensykh | January 9, 2003 11:58 AM
Congrats on the progress of your book Wil!
Posted by: mcfoo | January 9, 2003 12:00 PM
I appreciate the quote too, Wil. Keep up the good work..
Chris
Posted by: Christopher Feyrer | January 9, 2003 12:08 PM
***EVEN MORE BOOK MOJO***
Take care, Wil. Can't wait to read that sucker when it's finally done!
Posted by: marrasaff | January 9, 2003 12:10 PM
Hi Wil,
Glad to hear the book is coming along so well. I am waiting anxiously for the book party. How many monkeys can fit in one room?! (Sounds like the beginning of a dirty joke, no?)
Anyway, awesome quote... should it be attributed to you or to someone else?
Have an awesome day!
-Jocelyn
Posted by: jozjozjoz | January 9, 2003 12:52 PM
"Anne's OWN weblog MOJO"!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bluecat/redblanket | January 9, 2003 12:53 PM
Good luck in the final rounds of book editing! I wrote and published a book just a few months ago, and editing it -- even with the help of two professional copy editors -- nearly drove me insane. Having written, rewritten, and revised/re-revised/re-re-revised the manuscript over about 9-10 months, it got to the point where I felt allergic to looking at the same damn words over and over again. Now that the thing is published, I wish I could have gone back and done even MORE editing -- several pages could easily have been trimmed...
It's not easy, at times bloody difficult and exhausting. Writing is all the more painful because it is so very confining -- unless you're working with a collaborator -- and for every minute you feel you have something good, there are hours and days where you're convinced it's a failure...
Posted by: Adam McDaniel | January 9, 2003 01:01 PM
Cant wait to pre order my copy of your book Wil. You are a hell of a writer.
Posted by: Jake | January 9, 2003 01:02 PM
I am completely stunned!
I went to high school (S.E.E.D. alternative) with Cory Doctorow and I haven't heard anything about him in a couple of years.
It is great to know he is doing so well. Although anyone that new Cory at all back then was sure he would be a great success.
How is it that our HMIC knows Cory I wonder.?
I can't wait to contact some of my old class mates about this. Six degrees of seperation and all that!
Posted by: Haley Comet | January 9, 2003 01:04 PM
The quote was very timely for me, thanks, Wil.
Now, get back to taking care of Anne. ;)
Posted by: synchronicity | January 9, 2003 01:06 PM
Yayness! Congrats!
Looking forward to your review of your friend's book . . . I like the title.
Posted by: Reena | January 9, 2003 01:17 PM
Can't wait for the book man. I am half-way through Magic Kingdom and highly suggest it to anyone out there. Very good read. Publish that book Wil.
Posted by: Matt | January 9, 2003 01:17 PM
Haley Comet wrote, "I went to high school (S.E.E.D. alternative) with Cory Doctorow and I haven't heard anything about him in a couple of years." and "How is it that our HMIC knows Cory I wonder.?"
I think I knew someone at SEED once. Does the fact that I (as a Torontonian) have never heard of Corey mean that I've been living in a bubble? And yes, how does Wil know him and does he know him in person?
Posted by: delphine | January 9, 2003 01:25 PM
I've already posted, but couldn't resist replying to one of the later comments:
Haley Comet,
Speaking of six degrees, my sister temp'd at SEED a few years ago. Isn't that odd?
Em
Posted by: Em | January 9, 2003 01:31 PM
This may have been mentioned before....but are we going to be able to buy your book here on the site? And if so, might they possibly get autographed???
btw...long time reader, first time commenter.
Posted by: Joseph | January 9, 2003 01:52 PM
...and confused? You and Anne should share this site, you writing in black, as always, and Anne is a different color or font. Just a suggestion.
Posted by: ze-mag | January 9, 2003 02:00 PM
Congratulations Wil on your book!
... and 3 cheers for Anne getting a blog of her own.
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! :)
~Janece
Posted by: Janece | January 9, 2003 02:23 PM
Wil,
Looking forward to reading your book. You are a terrific writer.
By the way, it was an interesting quote.
I agree with others that it would be a great idea for Anne to do a weblog.
Posted by: Deejay | January 9, 2003 02:24 PM
Fire.... BaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAADDDD!
Posted by: The Chauffeur | January 9, 2003 02:29 PM
Weblog for Anne is a great idea. Definitely be cool. I cannot wait for your book. I'm sure it's going to be great. corey has a brilliant idea about promotion.
Posted by: angry penguin | January 9, 2003 02:57 PM
Wil,
Great job on getting that book done. Nice quote.
FG
Posted by: Fabian | January 9, 2003 03:27 PM
Congrats on how the book is turning out!
I also like the idea of Anne getting her own weblog. I know I'd visit! :-)
Posted by: Angelwwolf | January 9, 2003 03:45 PM
Wow!!
How cool that others have heard of SEED. It was a great high school and I am glad to hear that it is so well known.
I left SEED about seven yrs ago but I am curious what your sisters name is Em. It is possible that I have heard of her.
Delphine... Don't feel bad that you haven't heard of Cory. I don't know how well known he was out side of the SEED circle at the time.
I can't wait to check out his new book!!
And of course yours as well Wil!!!
Posted by: Haley Comet | January 9, 2003 03:46 PM
Perhaps you should let Anne take a crack at that book draft. Thank gawd she cleared up all those questions I had about the "shitty" encounter of the doggie kind by her succinct, clear, intelligent, detailed and non-verbose description of the incident. Don't feel bad, tho - you're account was more dramatic with Dick Clark, OJ and the guy on the ventilator. The same incident from two points of view was interesting. Get that lady her own weblog, Wil-ya?
Good job, Anne - if ya can't beat'em - join'em. I can see the post from Anne now: "Wil - are you coming to bed or should I just slip the toothbrush under the door?" - posted by the wife at January 9,2003 02:10 AM
Posted by: JeffNTx | January 9, 2003 04:16 PM
just chiming in with the rest of the posse..cant wait for the book either big guy!..seriously looking forward to reading it...
likewise the down and out in the magic kingdom...i've been hearing about that all over the place now, and apparently its one hell of a great read....
think i'll be picking it up shortly...
cheers, and like all the rest, i hope anne is feeling much better and healing fast.
all the best wil
cheers
tyson
Posted by: Tyson | January 9, 2003 04:37 PM
Like the thought for today :o)
Posted by: Jen Glasser | January 9, 2003 04:51 PM
Go Wil Go Wil Its your birthday its your birthday! I remember when i was younger I always wanted to write a book! When jurassic park came out I loved the movie so much that I wanted to write a book for a part 2. I remember writing a lot of the book but I do not really remember what happened to it after I go so far haha. I even wrote another alice in wonderland I have no idea why though haha. But I hope your book does well wil. Do you know what it is going to be called yet or did you already tell us and I just was not paying attention.
Posted by: Steve Z | January 9, 2003 05:24 PM
OHHHH YEAHHHH! Anne THANK GOD your ok and doing well happy everything is running smoothly.... smootheee operatorr haha just playin happy healing :-)
Posted by: Steve Z | January 9, 2003 05:32 PM
Had another flash - OK - the good news is, the book will be a big success and the book tour will start with a Katie Couric interview on "Today".
The bad news is, during her introduction of you, she will play the clip from SBM where Gordie says, "Fark writing, I don't want to be a writer, It's a stupid waste of time."
You gotta watch her, she's tricky like that!
Posted by: JeffNTx | January 9, 2003 05:47 PM
Wil,
You gonna watch your old pal's new show?
I wonder if it will be as good as Anna-Nicole's!
http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/07/people.watn.feldman/index.html
Posted by: Cory | January 9, 2003 05:55 PM
Yes, Yes, blog for Anne!
Also, I saw your entry over at wken's "I Love..." exhibition. Nice to put some faces (or backs of the heads anyway) with the names.
Posted by: Sunidesus | January 9, 2003 06:18 PM
hmmm, :: gets ready to leg it ::
How about, WilsBetterHalf.Com ? ;)
Rob! x ;O)
Posted by: Rob | January 9, 2003 06:22 PM
YES! I want an AnneBlog!
Because, dude, Anne is smart and funny and the cutest thing ever. I want a wife like Anne.
Posted by: Jenny | January 9, 2003 06:22 PM
Awesome news on the book. I too wish to become a published author someday... when this university thing is over and I have some time (will I ever?) to get back to writing as I'd like too.
Will definitely check out Cory's book.
As for Anne getting her own blog: I dunno... what happens if hers becomes more popular than yours? I mean, look at how many ppl replied to her entry... and this is *your* blog!
nah, really, I think it'd be awesome.
Posted by: Karina | January 9, 2003 07:30 PM
Nothing to do with anything, but Corey Feldman!
http://people.aol.com/people/features/wherearetheynow/0,10950,403025,00.html
Welcome to Planet Hollywood in Minneapolis, MN. Over here, we have the clothes from "Cocoon: The Return." And here we have Corey Feldman.
Posted by: Will | January 9, 2003 08:11 PM
congrats on the book progress. And yes, Anne needs her on site. Come on Wil, help her get started, we need to hear from her, as much as we hear from you.
Posted by: terry | January 9, 2003 08:11 PM
Hey Wil, nice site. Your wife sounds like a sweetheart and I'm glad she has not taken it personally against dog. Also, congrats on the $4,000 you helped raise for the shelter. I foster dogs all the time to help out, they can't help themselves.
I have a favor to ask. Can you e-mail Drew and find out when Fark will be back up?
Great site, and good luck on the book.
Posted by: AhGodUsmellThat | January 9, 2003 08:34 PM
And by the way, that whole Fark-Drew thing was a joke.
Posted by: AhGodUsmellThat | January 9, 2003 08:49 PM
((((Anne))))
Im so sorry you got hurt but so impressed you didn't let it scare you too too much and you were able to go to the shelter to check out the dogs there.
GL on the book writing Wil. I look forward to reading it once it's out and about (if it ever makes it's way to Alaska LOL).
Posted by: Rachel in Alaska | January 9, 2003 09:26 PM
I will definitely read your book when it comes out. And I just saw ST: Nemesis tonight and I was glad that you were at least in a few scenes, even if you didn't have any lines. And tell your wife I know that nervous feeling when looking at a pet dog after being attacked by another dog. She sounds like a great woman. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Mandy | January 9, 2003 10:02 PM
Oh my! It seems you mispelled a word on page 48. It is in the second paragraph.
Now lets see now. I can't seem to remember which word it was. Oh now I remember;
THE
Posted by: Keith in Montana | January 9, 2003 10:07 PM
Glad to hear the good news about the Book, Wil. I hope the book hits the best seller list and you make lots n lots of money on it and then you could take Anne on a nice long cruise and relaxing vacation and buy her all sorts of expensive gifts and flowers and...and...
Oh! hehehe sorry ;}
Seriously though, much Successful Book MOJO to ya!!
And it would be totally cool if Anne were to have her own Blog. Reading her point of view to some of the topics you write about would be extremely intriguing! (did I spell that right?!) Heck, maybe she might decide to write her own book too! >;}
Since there has been a lot of talk about dogs lately, check this story out. (found it at Fark) I kinda hope the family's lawyers kick major butt in court!
http://www.local6.com/orlpn/news/stories/news-187947320030109-110148.html
Posted by: WebNuT! | January 9, 2003 10:14 PM
*Wants Ferris to start his own Weblog. Now that would be a neat trick!*
Posted by: Snorklepuss | January 10, 2003 01:15 AM
Congratulations on the progress, WW.
I'll check out your friend's book.
Has anyone read Orson Scott Card?
Posted by: Kevynn Malone | January 10, 2003 02:51 AM
6 Hours on the phone?
Can I interest you in great long distance sav..
[click]
[boom]
Posted by: Alan | January 10, 2003 04:45 AM
COooooL! A weblog for Anne would be cool or maybe a section of your website just for her would be nice. Call it "Anne's Nook"
Posted by: artisticspirit | January 10, 2003 06:15 AM
Dear Wil,
FYI, I read about Cory's book on you blog, followed the link and was fascinated by the concept of offering the work for free on the net. Funnily enough the subject tied in beautifully with a current theme on the only other blog I read, that of Neil Gaiman. There had been discussion on the subject of Author's rights, e-books in libraries, and receiving royalties for work, etc. (Jan 7 & 8). So I sent him a note about Cory's book. And he posted it! See Below. ( 15 seconds of fame and all that!)
Anyway, I thought you might like to know (and pass on to Cory) that NG (an author *I* hugely respect!) thinks it's a great idea and said some very cool things... to his 6 figure blog audience!
Now that he posted my email, I'm terribly annoyed with myself that I didn't mention WWDN. Buggerit! Sorry Wil. :o(
Debby
~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Neil,
On the subject of licensing of an Author's work, I happened across this today. I thought you might find it interesting. I have not read the book in question, but I suspect that giving away his work for free is either going to be a brilliant move or his downfall. Which do you think?
http://www.craphound.com/down/archives/2003_01.php#000018
Regards,
Debby
PS Am about to start a borrowed copy of "American Gods". Lack of funds precludes me buying my own right now. Horray for friends who can read!
I think it's a brilliant move by Cory Doctorow and by Patrick Nielsen Hayden, his editor. Cory does the wonderful Boingboing.net, and Patrick's excellent blog is at http://www.nielsenhayden.com/electrolite/ (and is, in a lot of ways, the nearest thing out there to the feel and texture of the long lost Genie SFRA online community, or at least Patrick's bit of it). Cory has a wide online presence, boingboing exists at the centre of a lot of nexii (oh all right, nexuses), and getting the novel out in electronic form is fundamentally a promotional action, and a good one, for Cory as a novelist. It's a taster. People can read it, send it to each other, try it out. If they like it, word of mouth should spur sales of the paper copies. It's a story for the newspapers and the magazines and the online journals and the bloggers.
I'm as impressed with Patrick making it happen it as I am with Cory coming up with it. It's relatively easy to explain to your editor why you want to put your book up on the web in all formats as it's published, free. It's much harder, I suspect, as an editor, to explain to the publishing house you work for why they should allow the author to give away what he's given you the rights exclusively to sell.
URL: http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/journal.asp
Posted by: Debby | January 10, 2003 07:24 AM
I love the quote, but I would love to know to whom to attribute it? (dang that awkward grammar...)
Posted by: DivaKitty | January 10, 2003 08:19 AM
Wil - I'm an editor by profession, and know that many writers *hate* having their work edited. The fact that after spending six hours with your editor you report being happy speaks volumes about your editor (we're not evil - in fact, we're on the writer's side!) and your work relationship.
Can't wait to read the book.
Posted by: Tracie | January 10, 2003 08:32 AM
Yeah, but ignoring those "Big Children" is also like ignoring fire....Impossible to do.
Tip of the day: Lighten Up
Posted by: Fats Vernon | January 10, 2003 09:16 AM
3 Things:
1 - Looking forward to the book? When? When? When?
2 - Mark down another vote for a weblog for Anne
3 - A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Clinton the Trekkie | January 10, 2003 10:00 AM
Just thought I'd throw up yet another support post for Anne to get her own site, go for it Anne, you know you want to.
Also I'll add my name to the many that can't wait for your book Wil, and would be stoked to see you offer autographed copies on your store page.
Joe
Posted by: Joe | January 10, 2003 10:41 AM
Since it was mentioned here earlier by a couple of people, I guess I'm only mostly off-topic. I watched The Surreal Life last night and was stricken by how Corey Feldman was so iconic an example of "how to screw up your life the Hollyweird way." So I wanted to talk to you all about it and relate it to Wil in some contrasting way...but...
Then I realized that if it were me, I might get kind of annoyed by being forever associated with some knob just because I did some work with him once. OTOH, living with Wesley is probably bigger than living with Corey. Why can't we fans let go of the past? Oh, its just me??? Sorry.
Posted by: theothercourtney | January 10, 2003 11:56 AM
If the books is as funny & entertaining as Bruce Campbell's was I'm all over it!!!
Posted by: RetroRandy | January 10, 2003 12:24 PM
Congrats on your work on the book - can't wait to read it! I'll definitely check out the SF recommendation!
I hope Anne is feeling better - still sending get-well-soon vibes her way.
Posted by: Chewie | January 10, 2003 12:26 PM
Hey Wil,
Just wanted to let you know that I was quite surprised to find a link to your blog on Monte Cook's (D&D Designer Extraordinaire) website today, in his Line of Sight Column. http://www.montecook.com/lineos.html
Two of my all-time favorite Geeks together...most excellent.
Simone, gaminggirlgeek
Posted by: Simone | January 10, 2003 12:27 PM
Hi Tracie,
Oh yes, all editors ARE evil.
Just kidding. But I know that my only input from my own editor this past year was nagging to get a new chapter done every four days. Ugh. My co-author started referring to her as SATAN (he reads this blog, too, so he might add to this).
Posted by: synchronicity | January 10, 2003 03:18 PM
Yay! Book! That'll be a book I definiely wanna get. It's on my "to buy" list along with your friend Cory's book. :-)
I also think it'd be a great idea for Anne to have her own weblog.
I really enjoyed your thought for the day. Is it yours or who do I attribute it to if I want to quote it somewhere? (if you don't mind, of course)
Posted by: Jenny Finster | January 10, 2003 04:30 PM
I would love it if Anne has her own blog...my boyfriend and i have matching web sites too, and people seem to enjoy it :)
great work, and let us know if you set one up for her!
Mesha
Posted by: Mesha | January 10, 2003 07:49 PM
Wil, love the site. Even commenting for first time. But seriously: please no more quotes for fortune cookies. For the love of God. What ever happened to nuance? [sigh]
Posted by: Matthew | January 11, 2003 03:31 PM
In response to the quote, please may I add one of my (or should that be a friend of mine) own.
"We may grow older, but we blatantly REFUSE to grow up!"
And now back to our regular programming...
Posted by: Foxychik | January 11, 2003 06:21 PM
Nice quote, indeed. It would be nice for Ferris to havea website. howard has one at littlehoward.com.
Posted by: Melissa | January 11, 2003 11:51 PM
I'd love to read the weblog of anyone who wears an "I Love My Geek" t-shirt with pride.
Mary, geek-collector
Posted by: Mary | January 12, 2003 11:17 AM
Speaking of Anne, I dreamt last night that you and I worked together, and for some reason you drove me to your house where I met her. I told her I enjoyed reading her on your site and asked if she was going to get her own blog. Before I read this. Strange...
Posted by: Lisa | January 12, 2003 11:17 PM
Hey, you know Cory! Holy small world. I am now one degree away from everyone. If you see him, say hi to him from Hamish from Toronto (who now lives in Scotland). Before we both moved, I was part of the eeny-weeny writer's circle that saw the first draft of his book.
My first book's not really available, but you (and whomever else reads this) might want to check out one of the other members, Jim Munroe. He's a self-publishing whiz, and his books are a fun read with lots of postmodern, anticonsumerist points to score (www.nomediakings.org).
Congrats on finishing you own book. I hope it does great things.
Posted by: Hamish MacDonald | January 13, 2003 03:35 PM
Wil, you should do a 'author's cut' online version of your book! Some of us fans wouldnt mind to read the extra chapters you edited out ;)
Posted by: maciej simm | January 13, 2003 07:26 PM