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September 14, 2005
Do You Want Kids With That?
Welcome to the shiny new Do You Want Kids With That? department,* where I'll track and discuss progress on my next book, which is surprisingly close to completion.
A famous author, (I think it was Harlan Ellison or James Ellroy,) once said something like, "Don't just write what you know. Write what you love, and wish there was more of in the world." Well, I love short stories I can relate to, like the ones I hear on This American Life, and I wish there were stories about the little and not-so-little victories we stepparents have, that help to balance out the tough stuff that comes with the territory. As a bonus, this also happens to be what I know.
So Do You Want Kids With That? is a collection of stories about being a stepparent, with a focus on those moments (with the kids and with my wife) that make the whole thing worthwhile. It's not an advice or HOWTO book (or a Star Trek book, or a celebrity bio), but other stepparents may find a kindred spirit between the covers, and all you WWdN readers who have wanted more family stories will probably like it, too. (There's only one poker story in the whole thing ;)
It is similar to Dancing Barefoot in a couple regards: it's about the same length, and it's a collection of material that originally appeard on my website. I took the entries that I liked the most, cleared out the blogcruft, reflected upon and rewrote most of them, and divided them into different thematic sections (one of them is tentatively titled "My Stepgeeks," which I just love). My wife, Anne, has agreed to write down her thoughts and reflections on the entries, and I may even be able to get some commentary from Ryan and Nolan, which would be way cool. Do You Want Kids With That? will be released by Monolith Press later this year (but much, much sooner than you think.)
*I know that the category links don't work. It's on my list of things to fix.
That sounds excellent, Wil. Having purchased both Dancing Barefoot (Hmmm...I wonder who I lent that too?) and Just a Geek in the last year, this one will be on my list as well. Keep on keeping on...your work is appreciated by many.
Posted by: WaywardSailorGirl![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wilwheaton.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 14, 2005 10:13 AM
I'm not a parent of any level, but I am a step-kid. The books of Wil's that I've bought so far I've loved.
I'll be waiting for the announcement. This time, I'll buy directly from Monolith Press instead of from bloody Amazon who caused me to not get a first ed of Dancing'. I learned my lesson. I'll try to get one of the first ones out the door, you watch me.
Posted by: Craig Steffen
at September 14, 2005 10:25 AM
Looking forward to it Wil
Steve
Posted by: Timeframe at September 14, 2005 10:28 AM
Is it okay to be disappointed that there's only one poker story ;-)
Of course Social Services might pay you a visit if it's a bunch of stories about teaching kids to gamble!!!
Posted by: CJ at September 14, 2005 10:30 AM
By the way, hearing Nolan and Ryan's (and Anne's) thoughts would be too cool! That's a great addition.
Posted by: Craig Steffen at September 14, 2005 10:36 AM
Obligatory questions: When does the book tour start for DYWKWT? (obligatory acronym-usage)? And how soon will the tour be coming to [insert your hometown name here]?
But seriously, I'm looking forward to the book. I hope Monolith Press can somehow strike a distribution deal to get the book into stores, so more people will know about it. Internet selling is great, but brick and mortar stores still flourish and if you can be in them, it couldn't hurt. Of course, I'll be ordering it directly from Monolith myself, unless I get lucky enough to buy it from you in person on the Big Book Tour! :-)
at September 14, 2005 10:40 AM
Great news, Wil. I've been looking forward to this book. Can't wait for the release!
Posted by: AmyO at September 14, 2005 10:43 AM
Maybe when I win the Red Cross Benefit tourney this week, I can request an autographed copy of the new book ;)
Posted by: PASteve at September 14, 2005 10:47 AM
what up wil...?
on a whim i've come to see your blog and to tell you that i knew all along that you'd eventually become the greatly-read prophet that you are today. i'm being only half facetious/facecious (sp?). about 17 or 18 years ago, you had that "when there's a 'wil' there's a way" column in bop or tiger beat, or 16...one of those teeny bopper magazines, of which i was a voracious page-tearer-outter (their pinups were fabulous!). well, i wrote a letter to you once and you responded...it was published! of course, then i had to supplement my entire family with copies of bop. i just wanted to share that thrilling memory with you. uhm, i don't read those magazines any longer so i'm sorry to say i have not kept up with your column.
at September 14, 2005 10:51 AM
Can't wait for the book, Wil! It sounds great!
I'll also point out that seeing an ad for "Nolan Ryan Memorabilia" on Bloglines at the bottom of this entry was HIGHLY amusing!
Posted by: Pokerwolf at September 14, 2005 12:09 PM
I'm particularly interested in this one. I've a stepfather to a 14, 13, and 11 year old (girl, boy, boy respectively). I'm a geek, very close to Wil's age, and I'm starting to deal with "pod people" no less. I'd love to hear some of the trials and successes in the book, maybe learn a bit from Wil (either by example, or things not to do :)). Or maybe just feel like it's not just me that thinks this the hardest job I'll ever love...
Posted by: Chris Kessel at September 14, 2005 12:59 PM
Don't knock your poker stories. I'ma ctually kinda bummed they aren't here anymore. I really enjoyed them and the last thing I need is ANOTHER blog to put in my RSS reader, so I haven't really been reading them on whateverthatsiteiscalled (see, I can't even remember the poker site you write for).
I wouldn't mind at least the occaisional link from here to your latest entries over on whateverthatsiteiscalled.
But It's Your Site And You'll Do What You Want To (do what you want to, doooo what you waaant to!)
Book sounds great. Even though I'm not married, have no kids and no stepkids, I'll have to pick it up. It sounds like a great read and if it's even half the book Dancing Barefoot or Just A Geek was, it'll be way worth it.
Posted by: Jason (xtra-rant.com) at September 14, 2005 01:08 PM
Awesome. I've been missing some of your longer, personal blog entries (though I can totally understand why you might be holding back a bit), so I'm looking forward to reading your book. No kids of any sort here, but I love to hear how you relate to Ryan and Nolan. And it would be VERY interesting if you were able to include Anne's and their commentary as well!
(Oh, and add this to your list of things to fix -- "Preview" in the comments section is totally, uh, whacked. I included some HTML in a comment a couple days ago, and it looked great in the Preview, but then made me look like an idiot when it actually posted. Doh.)
Posted by: Christina at September 14, 2005 01:22 PM
I am so excited for this.
Posted by: Nata at September 14, 2005 01:39 PM
I would LOVED to have had a stepparent that I felt comfortable with, or even liked. As it turned out, I got landed with a step mother who hated my sister and I. I never got a stepdad. Not yet anyway...
Posted by: VeronicaRobinson at September 14, 2005 01:51 PM
Cool news to hear there is another book in the works, Wil. The PokerPlayer has been getting a workout, and The Actor sounds like he's been exercised (exorcised?) recently, so it's only right that the The Writer get his turn at the wheel.
Your mention of Anne, Nolan and Ryan potentially raises a question that has occured to me a few times when I have read your blog entries with a personal subject. Do they read your blog? The Anne I read about in this blog is the sort of woman that would support her man in all his endeavours, and that would include reading your blog. And what a way for her to be reminded of just how devoted you are to her than to read you telling the whole world? The same goes for the boys. You are so proud of them and are never afraid to say it here. You work so hard to be a good father to them. And yes, I consciously left the "step-" off of there. You don't try for second best, stand-in, replacement or pinch-hitter; you're the real deal.
Course that then brings up the rest of friends, family and extended family. I seem to recall your mom posting here, any comments filter back to you from the rest of your little world or theirs?
Posted by: Alerius at September 14, 2005 02:45 PM
I am glad you are getting back to life stories rather than poker. I read this everyday on my bloglines and when the poker entries were going on I was completely lost. (I didn't understand the symbolic language or the game)
I look forward to reading more entries like the one where one of the kids was saying "goodnight" to everything in the room and then wandered down the hall and became a voice for you and your wife to say "goodnight" to. It had me cracking up at my desk.
Looking forward to the new book!
And by the way, did the Family Guy people get in touch with you about that episode at all?
at September 14, 2005 03:13 PM
WOO WHOO! This is very exciting news.
Can't wait to read it....and, it may be on my gift giving list for the winter holidays!
You're an excellent writer Wil. I look forward to your books almost as much as a Stephen King release!
Posted by: frecklebeach at September 14, 2005 03:35 PM
I'm a parent, and a geek, and a proud fan/supporter of all things Wil Wheaton.
My fiance is a step-parent, and the anti-geek, and doesn't understand the whole geek thing. She is, however, a fan of your work in Stand By Me.
I'm getting her this book when it's availabe. Hopefully it'll bridge the gap between geek and anti-geek by giving her something to relate to as we have no step-parent friends.
Posted by: Chaz at September 14, 2005 03:36 PM
Wil,
Your book idea is fantatsic. As a stepparent myself I can understand the heartbreak and the joy you've gone through. Both my stepson's are grown with kids of their own now. I had a similar incident as the "winner" comment you got from Ryan. When you realize that the things you thought just bounced off your stepkids actually took root and grew, that's when you grow up as a stepparent. It's wonderful and frightening. You start to try to remember all you said to them and worry about what else you may have told them that hurt. I wouldn't trade that for the world. There's so little in this world that you can have some tiny bit of affect on that it's all worth while. Looking forward to the book. Especially Anne's comments. Nancy and I have had some very interesting discussions about our stepkid viewpoints. All the best to a kind heart.
John
at September 14, 2005 03:56 PM
I'd write stories about being a step-parent but nobody would believe them :-)
Seriously though, it sounds like an interesting read you've probably been through much the same stuff I have. I have three step-children 2 girls and a boy as well as two children that my wife and I had together.
Changing the subject, there's less than two hours left to the next poker torunament, hopefully I can get past the first table this time.
at September 14, 2005 04:50 PM
Hi Wil, glad to hear the book is almost finished! I'm thinking it might be a good gift for my stepfather who I gave a lot of grief as a child. Also I'm looking forward to reading it so that I can say I did that and that...
Posted by: starfleetcaptainrob at September 14, 2005 06:08 PM
ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboy!
Posted by: jubalation at September 14, 2005 06:29 PM
Yay! I can't wait to have my boyfriend buy that for us. :p We're not parents of any type, but we love your work!
Posted by: Crissie at September 14, 2005 07:54 PM
As a first time reader of "Dancing Barefoot," I look forward to reading about your adventures in step-parenting. I enjoy your writing style. It reminds me of SNAIL MAIL letters back and forth between good friends because I can identify so much with it. I'll be on the lookout for your new book. Have a good evening!
Posted by: changelingkat73 at September 14, 2005 07:56 PM
I can't wait for this book. I've been thinking in earnest about the possibility of adding a stepfather to my son's life, and hearing anecdotal stories to that effect might help me formulate more questions and answers for our hopeful family unit.
Posted by: jhankins at September 14, 2005 08:31 PM
Well, I'm a parent (not a stepparent granted) but I think this will be a very interesting and entertaining book.
You've just sold me a copy, Wil! Can't wait!
Posted by: Gabby at September 15, 2005 03:41 AM
I, too, enjoy the poker stories, though (obviously) not as much as some of your other readers. For me, a non-poker player, it's too much like trying to read a technical manual (What the heck is this guy talking about? I thought that a river was a body of water!). I know that I can find English to Poker translators on the web, but I'm too lazy. I've been reading those posts the way I read "A Clockwork Orange"... without looking at the glossary. I really do love the family stories, though, and look forward to buying this book to place on a shelf next to DB and JAG.
Posted by: Mr. Lizard at September 15, 2005 04:55 AM
Hey Wil,
Just a thought, but it the book is about being a stepdad, then you already *chose* the kids... would the title be a bit more clever in the past tense?
"So Did You Want Kids With That?"
Posted by: BetterThanJimbo at September 15, 2005 05:43 AM
Harlan Ellison writes what he loves? Yes, I believe he probably does, the sick little monster...
But seriously, I'm glad to see a book forthcoming about your family. I thinks its some of your strongest work. Looking forward to it.
Posted by: Robert in Austin at September 15, 2005 05:48 AM
Hi. I'm new to your site. I'm a Wheaton fan, a STNG fan and a blog fan. I'm also a stepparent (although I'm not a fan of that at the moment).
Posted by: Alyx at September 15, 2005 08:06 AM
I'm looking forward to the book because I have one of the finest stepmother's out there. And she put up with my teenage years, too. I started read WWdN when I found it on my friend Liza's blogroll and while I'm a poker know-almost-nothing, I enjoy many of the poker stories. I especially enjoyed the story about meeting the teenager and his mom and your advice to him. I've quoted it to lots of folks since then.
Posted by: Leta at September 15, 2005 08:46 AM
I have been reading your blog for a while, and I've found myself becoming a pseudo-stepmom for an 8 year old boy (my boyfriends) who I love very much. I love to read your stories about what you share with your stepkids, and I'm sure the problems you have I'll share with you.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and I'll be sure to pick up the book.
Posted by: LuckyLady at September 15, 2005 08:59 AM
I forgot to mention that I will be looking forward to getting your new book. Though I am not a parent I always love good family stories. All of your books have inspired me in some great way and that is what I like best about your books. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: JCade at September 15, 2005 09:28 AM
Wil, I'm really excited to be reading about your new book. I've only been reading your blog for a few months, but I've read enough to know you're a gifted writer, and I definitely feel the need to check out your other books too!
My mother married a man with kids when I was 7, so they were both playing the step-parenting game with each other's kids. My stepdad passed away in May, pretty unexpectedly (they were married for 18 years), and one of the first things my mom told me after he died was that she was scared that his kids wouldn't visit or keep in touch with her anymore, now that their dad had died. She's been overwhelmed with their love and support and is thrilled that this hasn't happened, and as soon as you started writing about this book idea, I knew I wanted to get it for her. It won't be so much for advice (because my step-sibs are grown), but just for a reaffirmation of the step-parenting thing from another who's been successful at it. Go you.
Posted by: hermes501 at September 15, 2005 12:47 PM
New book from Wil! woot!
:insert homer going in circles on the floor here:
woot woot woot woot woot
wooooot woot woot woot woot woot
wooooooooooot woot woot woot woot woot
better stop - I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it.
at September 15, 2005 03:03 PM
Outstanding idea for a book Wil. I'm looking forward to that one!
Posted by: drdrew at September 15, 2005 10:50 PM
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