luck has left me standing so tall
This will probably be my last weblog entry this week, because I'm in the final few miles of the Just A Geek rewrite marathon.
I was hoping to have it turned in by April 2, but I lost days while I was at the Grand Slam convention, and when I worked on Teen Titans. My mom, dad, and sister gave me a bouquet of flowers last week that included some lillies (my favorite, for those of you scoring at home, are stargazer lillies), and my plan was to have it all done by the time they opened . . . but now I will finish it before the last petal falls to the table, like in Beauty And The Beast.
My rocking editor at O'Reilly was kind enough to give me a few extra days to work on it, and the last 36 hours have been some of the most productive in my short literary life. I was really stuck on a few sections, like there was a dam across the little river of creativity in my brain, but it exploded sometime on Sunday, and the ensuing flood has been amazing. A few days ago, I was seriously worried about Just A Geek. I was happy with the second and third acts, but I thought the first act was total shite . . . well, all that shite was washed away by the flood, and I'm so happy with what I have, it's taking all my strength (and respect for my contract) to not share big chunks of it right now.
We'll all have to wait until June, I guess. I promise that it will be worth it.
Comments
Hey Wil,
Can't wait to pick up the new book later this year. I just special ordered and bought Dancing Barefoot from the local Barnes & Noble here in San Diego. Best of luck cranking out the last revisions. Cheers!
Posted by: Jeff Patterson | April 6, 2004 11:10 PM
Keep up the good work. And dont listen to self doubt. And june is just around the corner, but i cant wait. So inclosing, good luck with the final rewrite, and see you in a few days.
Take some extra time off and enjoy your wife for a day or 2, we will wait and understand.
Posted by: Terry | April 6, 2004 11:15 PM
Plug away, matey.
I've got some ideas that we can use that other piece for yet...
Posted by: Russ | April 6, 2004 11:39 PM
I can't fvcking wait
Posted by: jeff | April 6, 2004 11:39 PM
I have little doubt that it will kick ass Wil!
I'm definitely looking forward to being one of the first people I know to get a copy.
Keep on truck'n.
Posted by: Jeffery Borchert | April 6, 2004 11:41 PM
WOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!
*gets excited and does a happy dance*
i do hope some of us get to order first eds with signatures... i'd pay a small fortune for that...
Wil... you my hero man...dont ever forget that!
hugs
Andrea xx
Posted by: andrea | April 6, 2004 11:48 PM
Excellent, Wil! Just keep hammering away at it, and kick some literary ass! We'll still be here when it's wrapped up, finished, sent off to the publisher, and you've spent some quality downtime with Anne and the boys.
Now get in there and write this one for the Gipper, er...or Gandalf, or someone G-related. or not. damn, I just ran out of steam there...
Posted by: Chris the Tiki Guy | April 7, 2004 12:17 AM
Fantastic, Wil, can't wait to pick up a copy of my very own later this year! How good it must feel when all those blocks on your writing and creativity finally pop, that must be such a high.
Congrats!
Lis in Aus :)
Posted by: Lis | April 7, 2004 12:19 AM
Looking forward to JAG, Wil. Keep up the good work.
Clay
Posted by: Clay | April 7, 2004 01:45 AM
O.o I can't wait. I'm sure it'll be awsome; I'll buy it as soon as I can. Might be a line....where I live there are a LOT of people who want your book.
Posted by: Tasha | April 7, 2004 02:36 AM
hey wil,
keep going!! i can't wait to read JAG! sounds like it's going really well at the minute! keep it up dude!!! YEY!!
take care
rach!
Posted by: rach | April 7, 2004 02:39 AM
you said "dam"
oh man... i'm so lame. hey, it's 4:40am... time for bed.
you rawk, Wil... can't wait to put JAG next to D.Barefoot on my shelf.
Posted by: edwood | April 7, 2004 04:39 AM
Nearly there Wil! Keep going.. :o) (like you were planning on stopping..)
What are the chances of some random little country girl from Western Australia being among the first to get JAG? (I'm not even going to think of trying to get it signed.. [*sigh*])
I'm still waiting for shAmazon to get my copy of 'Dancing Barefoot' to me :o(
[*insert image of me tapping my foot impatiently*]
In the meanwhile, I'm just rocking out to U2 - I forgot how damned fine this album is! (I love rediscovering music I own)
Posted by: alasia | April 7, 2004 05:37 AM
And that my friend is the power of 5 minutes past the deadline. I find my best work always comes wither after midnight the night before a deadline or right after I just completely blew a deadline.
Good luck, and hurry it up. Some of us are hoping to actually get to read your book soon.
Posted by: Michael Phillips | April 7, 2004 05:42 AM
I am so proud of you. Keep up the good work, I can't wait to get a copy in June! :)
Posted by: NephraTari | April 7, 2004 06:02 AM
Stargazer Lillies?
Picard... is that... is that you?
Posted by: Alex C. Schaefer | April 7, 2004 06:12 AM
ha i really need to finish sentences before i react. i read "this will probably be my last weblog entry" and i was all whaaat no way. then i see "this week" and was all ohh and returned to my regular awesome and cool self. i really am looking forward to your new book. good luck :-)
Posted by: julie reppert | April 7, 2004 06:29 AM
nothing like productivity, under the gun...it's when the truth comes roiling out of you like a tornado...i am looking forward to the release of JUST A GEEK...i think it's going to be a watershed event in your life...after it's out things will be a whole lot different.
Posted by: d. burr | April 7, 2004 06:30 AM
[Re: deadline extension] Hah! Called it!
So, the people at O'Reilly are as cool as they seem to be. Whoo!
Here's sending you writing mojo [transporter effect]
Good luck! Can't wait to read it.
Posted by: Craig Steffen | April 7, 2004 06:36 AM
Hey wil, this is my first time leaving a comment. I stumbled across your weblog sometime ago and i enjoy stumbling across it time and time again. Good luck with the book, i hope its not going to be too thick to keep the postage costs down when i have it shipped to the UK.
heidi
xx
Posted by: Heidi | April 7, 2004 06:43 AM
Well hurry up. *cracks whip* I guess in the meantime I'll keep occupied reading Dancing Barefoot. Which is currently somewhere in the US postal system. And before that gets here I guess I'll, umm, tidy up the php on my website or something.
Posted by: Angelus | April 7, 2004 06:51 AM
Wil, good luck with Just a Geek, and you're "Liquid Ice: also known as water" comment was on The Best of the Best Week Ever with Regis last night!
Posted by: Emma | April 7, 2004 06:59 AM
Wil, nothing you write could ever be a pile. You know it will be great. We know it will be great. Good luck in the last few steps...wow, what a journey.
Posted by: Abby | April 7, 2004 07:01 AM
I like stargazer lilies, too, actually. The scent is so powerful and it just fills our fairly small apartment with only one or two flowers.
And now, I think, I'll be a heterosexual male again. Just teasing. :)
Posted by: Rob | April 7, 2004 07:34 AM
Keep up the pace! Got to make 4.40!
Posted by: Magus | April 7, 2004 07:43 AM
Hey Wil,
I saw Alro Guthrie in concert once and he said something I really liked which I think you would love. He said that he thought about writing like this:
There is a stream full of ideas and all you have to do is stick your pen in the "water" and pluck out an idea. The only problem is, you don't want to be downstream of someone like Bob Dylan or you're screwed.
So remember, stay upstream of Bob and you'll do great.
Posted by: Kate | April 7, 2004 07:52 AM
Hey Wil, can we pre-order JAG soon? I loved Dancing Barefoot, so I'm sure I'll love JAG even more.
You rock! \m/
Posted by: Kroeme | April 7, 2004 08:39 AM
Stargazer Lilies are SO cool! Great colors! Yeah, I'm a girl.
June seems like a REALLY long way away, but I will hang in there.
Between JAG and Harry Potter, I'm not sure which is more exciting! Oh yeah, its JAG!! Yeah, that's the ticket!
Posted by: angelgypsy | April 7, 2004 09:09 AM
Hmmm...never pegged you to be a stargazer lily-man...regardless, best of luck in your final marathon JAG session, and I'll be the first in line at my local bookstore when it comes out!
Posted by: Winona | April 7, 2004 09:16 AM
I can't wait to read it! Good luck with finishing it!
Just a curiosity though...do you know what your cover is going to look like yet? I just hope that you wouldn't have a simple picture or a mug shot of yourself on it. I think it'll be more creative with some special art that represents you or something.
Posted by: teth | April 7, 2004 09:24 AM
*MUCHO MOJO FOR WIL*
Posted by: JediJaina | April 7, 2004 09:37 AM
I'm uploading Writer's Mojo version 3.0 to you. I'm also sending Writer's Block antivirus, just in case. :)
Posted by: Brandi | April 7, 2004 11:06 AM
Best of luck in wrapping it up, Wil! I wish my dam would explode sometime soon.
Posted by: Jules | April 7, 2004 11:24 AM
Get to work and meet your deadline for crissakes!
And don't worry about JAG being worth it to us. We know it's a masterpiece. We've been with you too long to be dissapointed.
Now, get back to work!!
Posted by: Tommy | April 7, 2004 11:25 AM
go ahead wil, we'll be here when you have time to play. :)
Posted by: zettgrl | April 7, 2004 11:29 AM
Man, that is SUCH a good feeling.
I hate to tell you, that block/panic happens to me every time, but it's (usually) worth it for the Dambusters(*) feeling.
Posted by: jwordsmith | April 7, 2004 01:08 PM
mmm. gold by spandau ballet. delicious.
Posted by: wilhelm | April 7, 2004 01:20 PM
Good luck knocking out the last of the revisions Wil!
I'm very much looking forward to reading the finished product.
Posted by: Beth | April 7, 2004 01:31 PM
\m/
Rock! JAG is almost done! Awesome news!
See you next week, Wil. Good luck, and may the force be with you... Always...
Posted by: Eric | April 7, 2004 01:41 PM
I'm glad you work well under pressure. Keep it going Wil. You make me proud! We can all relax and dance barefoot when JAG comes out.
Posted by: Lorraine | April 7, 2004 02:34 PM
Wil,
Don't eat too many chocolate bunnies.
Have a HOPPY Easter.
Freeman :)
Posted by: Freeman in Louisiana | April 7, 2004 02:54 PM
Good Luck on finishing your book Wil and a Happy Easter to you and your Family :)
Posted by: Dan L | April 7, 2004 04:00 PM
*** Reading these comments warms the cockles of my heart! ***
My copy of Dancing Barefoot came in today! I feel so priveleged, now. I'm prolonging the suspense by carrying it around without having yet begun to read it! It is definitely the high point of my day to have purchased your book. Makes me feel good. It's something nice in this sometimes crazy, stressful world, y'know?
Stargazers are obviously a high end flower! They are beautiful, long-lasting and fragrant while at the same time, classy. Just like you! ;-)
Anywayz....
Posted by: seasnail | April 7, 2004 04:38 PM
When JAG comes through, I will get my Linux distributor to stock it.
It will be read!
Posted by: Matt | April 7, 2004 07:58 PM
I wonder if Jack Horkheimer likes stargazer lillies also, considering he is a "stargazer".
Just curious.
"Keep looking up!"
Posted by: TJC | April 7, 2004 08:41 PM
Hey Wil, first time commenter here.. Was just checking the blog (which one of my friends so kindly informed me of just yesterday actually) to see what was going on. I'm excited about your new book and ya know what? You should look at the bright side.. Even if you wouldn't have had a breakthrough, people still would have bought it! ;) (Just noticing all of the "Can't wait, Wil!" comments :)) I'll join the gang.. Can't wait, Wil!! :)
Posted by: Nora | April 7, 2004 11:35 PM
I understand that feeling, when the creative dam bursts. It gets frantic. Ideas pop up constantly, and your fingers barely keep up with your thoughts, if at all. It's like a flood pouring through your brain. You dip your hands in the flow, and keep pulling out the bits. There's this emotional/physical charge. You feel full of energy. It's rather wonderful.
Posted by: Erick | April 8, 2004 01:11 AM
I have been reading your blog for a while now and have been really impressed with both you and your writing. You are funny, insightful, self-deprecating (in a funny, insightful way), and, well, just a good guy.
I've just ordered Dancing Barefoot and will order a copy of JAG. I guess I'm starting a Wil Wheaton book collection, so now you have the rest of your life to continue adding to my already overloaded bookshelves!
Thanks for sharing your life with the world.
YOU ROCK!!!
Posted by: Abigail | April 8, 2004 05:31 AM
Spandau Ballet in the subject line. Nice. Now I'm going to have to break into my archives to fetch my copy out for the rest of this week's commuting music.
Posted by: James Landrith | April 8, 2004 08:44 AM
Hey Wil,
Loved Dancing Barefoot - can't wait for JAG :-)
Keep up the good work,
Jim
"don't let it bring you down, it's only castles burning, just find someone who's turning, and you will come around..."
Posted by: Jim | April 8, 2004 12:51 PM
'Glad you are stopping to smell the flowers while you are working so hard. It's also cool that you said it, too. It doesn't take anything away from your manhood to say that you like flowers, that's for sure. What's wrong with appreciating a little of the beauty in the world? For the record, there are some tulips at the church next door that stop me in my tracks every time I walk by.
Posted by: synchronicity | April 8, 2004 02:09 PM
Hey Wil, I don't know if you're aware of it, but Annalee Newitz ("Wil Wheaton is a dick") just plugged Dancing Barefoot in her recent column. Looks like your getting all the right kind of attention man. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: wurdjunky | April 8, 2004 09:00 PM
I hope people find this post here, what with Wil finishing JAG and all and there being no recent posts to draw us in. Those of you non-Farkers out there should check out this resounding enorsement for Guinness. Seems like the old slogan "Guinness is good for you" really is true! Yippee!!!
Posted by: geoster | April 9, 2004 10:18 AM
Good luck, Wil! I can't wait to buy my own copy AND HAVE YOU SIGN IT????? (hint, hint) (book tour, booktour)
:)
Scott
Posted by: Scott T | April 9, 2004 11:19 AM
Wil, I live and work onboard a cruise ship but when I'm home on my vacations, I see my wife go through the same motions as you. She is a devoted writer as you and very much enjoys the moments when her mind opens up with so many ideas and directions to take her characters to--so I know how you must feel as I have seen her hunker down and write write write.
Take a moment to reflect on the flowers that you received as it'll help clear your mind of everything except your writing. It's kinda like writing with a pencil... after a while it dulls and you need to sharpen it.
Also wanted to say that I enjoyed your work in Stitch (I believe that's what it was called, was so long ago)--I thought it was a cool movie at the time and I think I have it on tape back home someplace.
BTW, your fans miss you on TextAmerica and hope you'll come visit us there soon.
If you're ever in San Diego by the bay area, you'll see the Monarch of the Seas every Tuesday which is where I am now until June ... would love to walk with you guys.
Posted by: Vishal Duggal | April 9, 2004 01:08 PM
*listens for the sounds of Wil typing away*
tappity tappity tappity
I smell smoke...LOL
Posted by: Lawless1 | April 9, 2004 04:48 PM
You have to visit this guys site and leave a comment: http://www.timgoldsmith.com/
Thanks.
Posted by: Rus | April 10, 2004 05:24 AM
http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/me/article/0,1626,ECP_2256_2792775,00.html
Thought this might excite you.
Posted by: Adelaide Lee | April 10, 2004 04:36 PM
w00t! First Easter Post! Happy Easter Wil, Anne, Boys, and all WWdN folk! Remember: Marshmallow Peeps are good... In moderation...
White Chocolate Bunny, here I come! \m/
Posted by: Eric | April 11, 2004 02:00 AM
Wil,
The book will be fine. History has prooven that people like your work. Wheather, you ever like it or not is another story.
FG
Posted by: Fabian | April 11, 2004 10:22 AM
Good news, everyone!
Wil's movie Deep Core will air on the Sci-Fi Channel this Saturday (the 17th of April) at 9pm.
Posted by: Ana | April 11, 2004 02:04 PM
Did you also notice that in the SciFi commercials, Wil gets top billing? Mind you, that's billing above Terry Farrell. Either Wil's become more popular, or just has more sex appeal.
Posted by: John Reiser | April 11, 2004 07:43 PM
Your literary career is off to a great start so keep it up. So what if you can't post on wwdn right now. There are more important things in life than a web log. Your'e young and full of ideas so keep on going. I just wish I had taken my high school english teachers advice and started writing 35 years ago instead of going into the printing industry.
Posted by: bronzeman | April 12, 2004 12:58 AM
Wil! You're slacking off. I expect one blog entry per day, to help me get through work. :P
Posted by: Dave | April 12, 2004 07:24 AM
Yeah! "Starring WIL WHEATON!!!... ... ... (and Terry Farrell)"
Posted by: Ana | April 12, 2004 07:52 AM
A sign of a true geek - exponentially increasing productivity as a function of decreasing time before deadline.
-Scott
TwoPeanuts.com
Posted by: TwoPeanuts.com | April 12, 2004 10:00 AM
How's it going, Wil? Your loyal fans miss you... and we want to read the damn book already. So, if you finish, we'll all be happy!
Plus, there will be more time for D&D!
Posted by: Niki | April 12, 2004 04:34 PM
Wil will also be on The Screen Savers on TechTV with "Dancing Barefoot" on Wednesday, April 21 at 4pm.
Posted by: Swan | April 12, 2004 07:35 PM
hehe
Posted by: steve | April 12, 2004 08:11 PM
Not entirely related, but I thought you might like this.
Posted by: gozo | April 13, 2004 06:02 AM
I was browsing the internet for Star Trek related stuff and I stumbled upon your site. I'm glad to see you are not the dumb Trek character >:)
You have a kewl personality, I hope you do great with your book, keep up the good work. I will browse your site a bit more and see what else you have there.
Cya!
Posted by: Juan | April 13, 2004 06:34 AM
Hi Wil,
I'm just writing to let you know that I share your stress in finishing up your manuscript. I'm in a graduate program, I work full-time, and I'm trying to finish up my thesis (in the *spare* time I have each night). Every day it seems as though there's another thing I have to change, another edit I need to make. I'm a perfectionist and this "completion" process is enough to drive the sanest of us, completely nuts.
I empathize with your passion and focus and I hope that in the next few days, you'll have some sense of relief and great pride in your accomplishment. The same kind of pride I'm hoping to have when I finally defend my proverbial "manuscript" in two weeks. Good luck to you.
Best,
Michaela
ps. I'm really amazed at all of the support you're generating for the Leukemia walk. I lost a friend when I was 12 (she was 13) and one of serious passions is helping to fight the spread of cancer, whether childhood or adult. Keep up the fight and know that so many are counting on you and you make their fight worthwhile...
Posted by: The Girl | April 13, 2004 07:27 AM
Wil dude,
Take a break from the book and blog something during Letterman. You gotta throw these worshipful kids a bone before they hang themselves or defect ot coreyfeldman.com
Posted by: Billy Reno | April 13, 2004 08:02 AM
defect to...sorry.
Posted by: Billy Reno | April 13, 2004 08:04 AM
Hey Wil,
Neil Gaiman on his blog said he was looking forward to meeting you and disappointed that you weren't going to be at Penguincon! Dude! Is it too late to change your schedule? :)
-Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | April 13, 2004 09:45 AM
What happened to the front page? It's all skinny.
Posted by: Mike Bailey | April 13, 2004 10:54 AM
"The OBEY WWdN button is currently on vacation." The alt. text is wider than the normal image, which stretches the side column and shrinks the main column. I'm assuming Wil will, at some point, fix this. Maybe after he gets his head out of his book. :-)
Posted by: Chris | April 13, 2004 11:28 AM
oops.
fixed it.
back to work, now. Almost done!!
Posted by: wil | April 13, 2004 11:44 AM
Yeah Wil!!!! I thought I had crossed into some bizarro world of the morbidly(?) skinny.Now, get back to work!!!!/Cracks whip...
Posted by: Mike Bailey | April 13, 2004 01:24 PM
Now I feel guilty for ordering you about only because I SO looking forward to the new book. I know! To atone, I will force myself to watch the President's address tonight. That ought to be punishment enough./I'm a good person. The voices tell me so...
Posted by: Mike Bailey | April 13, 2004 01:27 PM
Is it soup yet?
Wil's on TV saturday I think, Movie, Core something?
Posted by: dennis | April 13, 2004 03:59 PM
The President's address--I almost forgot; thanks, Mike. Will have to interrupt Star Trek to catch the President.
Later.
Freeman :)
Posted by: Freeman in Louisiana | April 13, 2004 05:08 PM
Go Wil!
Posted by: Ed | April 13, 2004 05:22 PM
I found this and thought you'd be interested. You're (sorta) the punchline to this lego cartoon.
http://www.dangermouse.net/cgi-bin/comic.pl?comic=242
Posted by: Susan Earley | April 13, 2004 07:38 PM
Hey, I'm crunching on my O'Reilly book right now as well, so I can really relate.
Hey, I just saw a SciFi channel promotion for Deep Core with the voice over "starring Wil Wheaton"...
And yes, I'm TiVo-ing it. :)
Good luck, best wishes, and kick-arse, my man.
Posted by: Will | April 13, 2004 09:11 PM
Dude, best of luck with the rewrite. I hope you managed to squeeze a happy Easter in there somewhere.
Meanwhile, come back already!!
Posted by: Ros | April 14, 2004 02:03 AM
I'm having withdrawl...is there anyway that WWdN could come in an IV form??
Posted by: Abby | April 14, 2004 06:47 AM
Wil--where are you? I'm sure you're working your butt off doing the writing/acting/stepdad/husband/just-being-yourself thing, but it'd be good to hear how you feel about your final rewrite.
We here in Pennsylvania are rooting for you bigtime.
Posted by: Abigail | April 14, 2004 06:49 AM
Dude! Neil Gaiman was looking forward to meeting you at Penguincon!
Posted by: Julia | April 14, 2004 07:05 AM
hey will, you fucking bastard. you little fucking punk ass piss ant. every movie you acted in sucked. Patches the movie, oh Oscar material... no not at all.
68.2.173.152
Posted by: the jerk | April 14, 2004 09:23 AM
Re: W.'s SpeechBwahahahaha.Re: JerkAnd what movies have you acted in? Just so you know, ones with a sheep as the lead character don't count./OWNED!!!
Posted by: Mike Bailey | April 14, 2004 09:42 AM
Hey Jerk, Hot Topic called. They said you can have your job back if you promise to stop tossing off in the back room...
Posted by: Lawless1 | April 14, 2004 10:02 AM
I'm curious as to how you became a geek? See, Wil, normally, one must write actual code. Installing Movable Type does not count as it is not writing code.
Which programming languages do you know? Which open source projects have you led or, at minimum, contributed?
Why can't you simply be happy as an actor and writer?
Leave geekdom to those that push the bits around so you can peddle your books.
Posted by: Gern Blanston | April 14, 2004 11:49 AM
@Gern Blanston: why did you post that dumbass post? I'm sure you have done many great and wonderful things in open source. But honestly who cares?? So what he calls himself a geek..I have called my self a geek for many years but didn't contribute code to anything until last year. Where are the rules and requirements for being a geek. I need to make sure I pass them as well before the geek gestapo, of which you must be a flag waving member, come and take me away. Dude, lighten up, turn off your computer once in a while and go outside and soak up some sun. Maybe that will balance you out a little..
And why can't you be happy letting people be and worry about yourself...
Posted by: Jake | April 14, 2004 12:26 PM
Sorry. I'll change everything to read "I'm a geek, but not as big a geek at the best geek of them all, Gern Blanston.
Someday, I hope to be as big a geek as the real geek, Gern Blanston, but until that time comes, I'll just have to dream."
How's that?
--------
Posted by: wil | April 14, 2004 12:43 PM