I am still recovering from the convention this weekend, so I don’t know if this entry is going to make a lot of sense. I think it does, but I’m having a hard time feeling my fingers today, so . . . consider yourself warned.
I always write and talk about the positive aspects of conventions, but I want to open the door onto some of the realities of what it takes for me to give fans what I think they deserve at one of these things:
When I signed on for the Grand Slam convention, Adam Malin (one half of the Big Bosses™ at Creation) asked me if I’d participate in this dessert party thing they do on Saturday night. He said that it was sort of a “meet and greet” thing, where a few actors would spend a little time (no more than an hour) with a few fans, who had paid a little extra for the opportunity to get “up close” with them.
I told Adam that I thought it was silly for me to do that, since I hang out at the con all day, and just about anyone who wants to can get “up close” with me for no additional cost, but he thought it would be cool for me to come to this party thing. The fans would really like it, he told me, and he would appreciate it if I participated, as a favor to him. His assistant told me that all the other actors would also be there, and that it was always a very fun experience for everyone involved.
Against my better judgment, I agreed.
When the dessert party started at 9PM on Saturday night, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. The adrenaline surge that came with and followed my reading, and the eight hours of signing and posing and stuff that went along with it had left me totally drained. In my “emotional well,” I was sucking dirt.
I wrote something about the whole autograph and picture experience in Dancing Barefoot that may help explain why signing is so draining:
. . . I’m ready to be witty, charming and friendly. I am ready to make these fans feel like the autograph I’m currently signing is the only one I’ve signed all day, maybe the only one I’ve signed in my whole life, though the actual number of autographs I’ve signed over the years is probably closer to half a million.
Over the years, I’ve learned something from this [autograph signing] experience: it’s never about the signature. It’s about that brief moment, that brief encounter with a Star Trek cast member, that is so important to the fans. That 30 seconds or so of hopefully undivided attention is what they’re really paying for, and I always do my best to make sure they get their money’s worth. Contrary to popular belief, sitting at a table signing autographs for several hours without a break is hard. It’s not just mindlessly scrawling my name; it’s stopping and listening to the always excited, sometimes shaking, always sweating, sometimes scary dude who wants to know exactly why I did “X” on episode “Y” and would I please sign his picture in silver, because Marina signed it in gold and now he wants the men in silver and the women in gold, and I hated your character and here are 25 reasons why and I expect an answer for each one of them and I’m not leaving until I’m satisfied.
This goes on and on for hours at a time. The fans come down what amounts to an assembly line, stopping at a table, enjoying their 30 seconds of attention and trading a ticket for an autograph. They move to the next table, and repeat.
I personally think that this “assembly line” method, while the only one that really works, has the potential to totally suck for the fans. The first one hundred or so who come through the line will get to see a smiling, effusive, friendly actor, and will leave feeling happy and satisfied. Those unlucky ones who are at the end of the line risk seeing actors who are tired, with cramped hands and degraded signatures. We’ve often lost our voices, and have probably had to deal with at least one scary person. It is a challenge for me, but I always try to remind myself that the last fans through the line have paid as much as the first fans, and they’ve also waited a LONG time, so they are the ones that I need to give the most attention to when I am the most drained.
I’m not always successful, but I do my best. I know that as I get toward the end of the line, my signature degrades, my humor slows down, I feel tired and worn out and I just don’t have what the fans deserve. I know it and it sucks and I work VERY hard to treat the last 150 the same as the first 150, but sometimes, I am simply not physically able.
That passage is from the Saga of SpongeBob Vega$ Pants, and it refers to the traditional set up for signing pictures and stuff at a huge con. This particular “assembly line” method really applies more to headliner guests than it does to someone like me, though.
What I do now is very different: I set up my books and some WWdN junk at a table around a bunch of other actors and I hang out there pretty much all day. Fans come over to visit with me, I sign their books, and their pictures and stuff, and I spend a LOT of time talking to them about WWdN, TNG, and some of my other work. It’s that 30 or 60 seconds of hopefully undivided attention for five or six hours in a row, and sometimes a fan who is . . . uh . . . well, let’s just say “enthusiastic” will hang out for an hour, and manage to ask me every single question I’ve ever been asked before. I really can’t get away, and I knew the job was dangerous when I took it . . . but mothercrap, man, that can suck the life right out of me.
This year I was next to my friend Rob’s wife Alana, and between Ray Park (Nicest guy in the world), Jeremy Bulloch, and about fifteen feet from some Harry Potter kids and Lord Of The Rings actors. Yes, I geeked out when Sala Baker, who played Sauron, gave me an autographed picture. It was very cool.
Aside: You know what’s cool? Since I started this site three and a half years ago, each time I go to a convention (and I’ve only gone to two or three a year) the ratio of Trekkies to Readers has shifted dramatically in favor of Readers. That makes me very happy. I’m calling this the Best Grand Slam EVER, because the reading was so unbelievably successful — for the audience and for me. I felt like it was the best it’s ever been, and I’m even toying with turning some of the material into a one man show. Think Patrick Stewart doing “A Christmas Carol,” but it’s me doing “Just A Geek.” There’s enough non-Trek material there to build a show that would work beyond the convention circuit, I think. Well, I hope, anyway.
So I spend all day with people, and I really don’t get a break. I do this for two reasons:
- The convention promoters refuse to accept that I am a “headline draw.” I am working to change that perception, by bringing new and interesting material to every show I do, so I’m not just reciting the same old jokes, and same old stories about working on the show. So far, they are very reluctant to give me time on the main stage these days. This also means that they don’t give me a speaker’s fee(I know that idea of “getting paid for it” pisses some people off, but if you think Shatner is up there because he loves the fans, think again), so if I want to take advantage of the opportunity to support my family a little bit, I have to put in the hours at my table.
- I’ve said this before, but I feel like I spent many years at conventions just being an idiot. I was an unhappy, confused, sometimes angry teenager, and I regret those years. I have an opportunity now, after taking for many years, to give something back to the fans.
I hope the “giving something back” and the “supporting my family” parts aren’t mutually exclusive, but I guess it could be taken that way. It makes sense in my head, anyway.
This is a very long-winded way of saying that by 9PM on Saturday night, when I thought I was just going to “meet a few people and take a few pictures,” I was the Walking Dead. The slow kind of Walking Dead, not the new, improved, Super-Fast Zombies of the last few years. I was so tired, many people commented on it, and I felt a little embarrassed.
I met Adam, and walked into a room with somewhere between 30 and 40 tables, I guess. Each table had about 12 people around it. Adam asked me if I’d go from table to table, and say hello, and pose for pictures. I looked around for “all the other actors,” but I only saw a few people from Enterprise and Dead Zone. It was a far cry from “all the other actors.”
Oh shit. This is going to be really hard.
Everyone I saw there was incredibly kind, and very happy and excited to see me, and I felt compelled to be charming, and funny, and friendly . . . but it was like going to 40 mini-conventions, after I’d spent the entire day at one really big one, and it was one of the hardest, most draining things I’ve ever done. After just a few tables, I realized that I had gotten myself into something very different than what I was expecting, and I told Adam, “I can’t do this any more. I’m so drained and exhausted, I feel like I’m going to cry.” He told me that the pictures were really important to the fans, but if I had to go, I had to go. Somehow, I sucked it up and hit all the tables . . . but I can’t even recall the last 10 or so. To be totally honest, I felt a little mislead, a little taken advantage of, and even though Adam thanked me many times for sticking around on Saturday night and making sure everyone there got what they wanted, I don’t think I’ll do it again.
When I finally got home, and fell into bed, I could still see 500 tiny blue rectangles when I closed my eyes, and I slept badly. It was one of those “wake up every two hours singing songs in my head while my eye twitches and my legs ache” nights. I was over-tired from the day, I think, (and I have a LOT of anxiety about Just A Geek, which is the root of all my sleeplessness and stuff right now, but that’s another post entirely.)
When I woke up Sunday morning, I felt like . . . well, how’s this analogy: The dessert party was the drink that set me over the edge after a night of raising hell with the boys, and I felt “hungover” for most of the morning on Sunday. Does that make sense? Anne says it doesn’t. Check yes or no.
It took me several hours and a big lunch to get my head “back in the game” on Sunday, but by the middle of the afternoon, I felt better. Many, many people came to talk with me about the reading / performance, and many of them had already finished my book. I realize it’s unlikely that someone will come up to me and say, “Your book sucks, Wheaton,” but everyone told me they’d really liked it. People keep telling me that it’s very clear, and very easy to read. A woman told me that she didn’t expect to be so emotionally affected by it. That was cool.
The highlight of the con, however, was near the end of the day on Sunday. Brent Spiner had just finished his talk on stage, and he was coming over to the “photo-op” thingy, which was about 30 feet from my table. I guess they weren’t ready for him, so he came over and talked to me while he was waiting.
“Hey, Wil,” he said. He embraced me as hundreds of flashbulbs popped.
“Hey, Brent. It’s great to see you.”
“How are you doing?”
“Really well,” I said. “For the first time in years I don’t feel like a loser. I wrote a book –”
“Yes! I heard that you have a three book deal! Is that true?”
Holy fucking shit. Brent heard that I have a three book deal! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!
“Yeah. And I think I’m going to pitch two more to my publisher soon.”
“So are you just a writer now?”
I thought for a second. “I think so. I’m so happy, and right now, I have more work than I can handle. I’m riding this wave as long as I can stay on my board, you know?”
He smiled. “That’s fantastic.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out this silver box, that was about 2x4x1 inches. It turns out it was a digital camera.
“Look at this,” he said, with the same mirthful glint in his eye that I miss from our TNG days.
He turned on the camera, and showed me several pictures of his son, who is the most adorable little guy you’ve ever seen. He looks just like Brent.
We talked for a few minutes before a convention staffer came over and told him they were ready for him.
“Brent, can I give you one of my books?” I said.
“Wil, I would love to have one of your books.” He said.
“Will you read it?” I said.
He looked puzzled, and said, “Of course I’ll read it!”
“Cool!” I said. “You’re in it, you know.”
“Well, in that case, I promise you I will read it.”
“That’s cool, Brent. I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” He said.
The staffer cleared his throat.
“I have to go,” he said. “It’s fantastic to see you, Willie. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
I should point out right now that Brent Spiner is the only person in the world who can call me Willie without getting a cock-punch, so don’t even think about it.
“Thanks, Brent.” I said.
I smiled as I watched him go, but in my mind, I was throwing the goat.
post script
I wrote the following in the comments, but I know that not everyone reads the comments, and I feel that these are two important points of clarification:
- I was very impressed with Adam at this convention, especially at this dessert party. It was very important to him that everyone who was there was having a good time, and he went out of his way to stop and talk to everyone who had questions, complaints, concerns, or just friendly comments. I think Adam and Gary are working to turn around the reputation they have in some circles of fandom. Since about 2002, I’ve seen two guys who are concerned about running a good show, and making sure that the fans in attendance get their money’s worth.
- I just want to clarify one more thing: the dessert party wasn’t “bad,” at all. Every single fan there was wonderful, and I could tell that they were all having a very good time, and it was really an event. If I hadn’t been doing essentially the same thing for most of the day, I bet I would have really enjoyed it, and maybe even spent some extra time hanging out.
But at the end of a long day, it was just one thing too many. I want to be very clear that I am an adult, and I am responsible for all of my actions. I could have left at any time if I had wanted to, and I am not resentful toward Creation, Adam, the fans, or anything like that.
I was just very, very tired. 🙂
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I just want to clarify one more thing: the dessert party wasn’t “bad,” at all. Every single fan there was wonderful, and I could tell that they were all having a very good time, and it was really an event. If I hadn’t been doing essentially the same thing for most of the day, I bet I would have really enjoyed it, and maybe even spent some extra time hanging out.
But at the end of a long day, it was just one thing too many. I want to be very clear that I am an adult, and I am responsible for all of my actions. I could have left at any time if I had wanted to, and I am not resentful toward Creation, Adam, the fans, or anything like that.
I was just very, very tired. 🙂
I’ve been to a sci-fi convention or two, and I find the damned things tiring as a spectator.
I found it to be a great opportunity for studying people. All kinds were there, for very many reasons. Seeing the stars was an extremely small part of it all I found. Many were there to hook up with friends they only saw at conventions. Some were looking for, well, you know, *it*. Some were there to show off. Some were there to lurk in shadows. Some were looking for cheap drink and partying. Some were looking for the beach.
I’ve never waited in line for an autograph. I’ve never asked for an autograph. I don’t view celebrities as anyone special. But I applaud your efforts to make sure everyone is given their little piece of you.
But I also hope it can be fun for *you* too! I personally recommend the after hours parties in the hotel rooms. I cannot reveal what goes on there and remain a gentleman. Bring your camera!
Wil,
It’d be cool if your books were available on audio tape. I mean professionally recorded as read by none other that the HMIC himself.
You’ve got the voice for it. And only you could put the right emotion into it, since you were there when it all happened.
That would be totally cool I think…
Hope you come east of the Mighty Muddy Mississippi sometime 😉
Wil if you were at a convention here and I was able to make it… I wouldn’t go to see you because you were on trek. I’d go because your a nice guy and a cool one at that. Likely (and hopefully this doesn’t offend you dude) I’d not ask for your autograph but instead simply to shake your hand(well if it’s not cramping by then hehehe)… and maybe hand you something geeky or something to take back. 🙂 Some people think more things on you than immediately trek you know.
Actually I have to ask because maybe I’ve not looked far enough back or something. I wonder if you ever go to geek conventions and not just the sci fi cons.
Actually it does make sense on the hungover feeling. Bizzarely tho I’ve never had a hangover(despite nearly getting alcohol poisioning but anyhoo)… If you get exhausted enough you can’t get proper sleepy your body stays in exhaustion mode awhile and you ache and feel like crap.. Don’t know if you get a chance for it but try a bath with some bath salts it might help that feeling go a little easier.[shrug]
Sound like your friend took a bit of an advantage of you. You need a good LART… May I recommend a walrus penis bone?(ask JD he could hook you up with one likely) Eh don’t know if you saw the pick of Gregs(Kickstart) that he got from toxin.(UF) But that would make a statment… “step away from me with the pr rant I’m tired… fear the walrus penis bone of wrath!!”(fyi it looks like a baseball bat and is about 2ft long and used as “inuit ivory”)
Wil,
I am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel fan. I have gone to a few cons, mostly to see James Marsters. At one of these cons, there was a banquet dinner where the stars had dinner with those of us who bought a ticket. James had spent ALL day signing autographs…way more than he was even contracted to sign. He was informed he would be at this dinner an hour, but once he was there he was wisked around to every table for pictures, just as you described. Upon reaching our table, he informed “the people in charge” that he couldn’t do it. We were like table 10 and I would say he had about another 50 to go. He was talked into staying, but I felt horrible for the man. He was obviously exhausted, but I believe he was made to feel responsible for every single person in that room…and felt the need to please them all. I felt personally guilty for what he was being put through, even though I had no idea going into the dinner that they would be taking him table to table.
I think sometimes guys like James and yourself are not seen as people, but as objects. It’s sad and I feel bad that you too had to go through that. I have another Con coming up in June, but it will be much smaller…only 800 tickets are being sold. I have a whole new view of the stars and how they should be treated.
Now, to get to a convention to meet YOU! ;=)
Just wanted to add another vote for the “feeling hungover” making sense.
In fact, as a person with extremely low alcohol tolerance, I often find that I feel -more- hungover from being extremely tired than from drinking too much.
Jet lag, staying up all night with crying babies and pulling all nighters on nothing but coffee to finish midterms have all felt roughly the same to me. That muzzy-headed feeling … the incoherent thoughts … the world doing strange perspective jaunts.
Anyway – thanks for the insight into how much hard work cons can be for actors.
It gives me a whole new perspective on why Karl Urban looked completely wiped out when we bumped into him at DragonCon on the last day of the con and had a brief talk about LotR before the first film came out. Also makes me appreciate doubly the time he took to chat with us.
You know how you can tell the difference between a good guy and a not-so-good guy? Check out the blog comments…95% of folks in the entertainment industry would get reamed for describing their rough days, as if having a higher profile profession means everything is gravy. I admit to checking the comments specifically to see if some crapbag had done just that, but people know good people when they see ’em, and Wil, you’re good people. To quote a master…Wil Wheaton is “one hoopy frood who knows where his towel is.”
while on the subject…thoughts on Mos Def as Ford Prefect in the movie?
I realize it’s unlikely that someone will come up to me and say, “Your book sucks, Wheaton,”
Oh, yeah? How many people come up to you and say, “I hated Wesley”? Don’t underestimate the ability of people to be rude and obnoxious.
That being said, the bigger and more objectified the icon and the more fanatical the fans, the more they feel they own you. My point being, I believe a Trek fan will be more likely to act this way (like you have less emotions than a Vulcan), whereas your book/web fans will be more likely to treat you like an actual human being (ie – with a modicum of decorum).
Speaking as someone who has stood in line to get a picture/autograph/handshake with a celebrity, I want to thank you for your enormous efforts in this area. I always feel a little guilty for imposing myself and am always appreciative when the person is gracious and acts interested in seeing us (see neilgaiman.com for more examples of professionalism with fanboys).
It sounds like the after con dinner thing needs to be re-worked. Maybe they can have an auction and narrow dinner down to a smaller group of high bidders. Or they could make it the next day, so you could have a break. I know, you don’t make these arrangements, but you could make suggestions that the powers-that-be could consider so you don’t have to say “no” next time.
Anyway, love your site. Keep up the good work. And I finally know what this is \m/!
Ross
ps – I hated Wesley, but I’m becoming a big Wil fan.
Although I haven’t always followed her directions, my mother taught me that it is important to send a thank you note when someone has done something nice for you, so here goes:
Dear Wil,
I had the pleasure of meeting you on Saturday at the convention (my first)and you were beyond kind to me and my friend Tom. We saw you at your table fairly early on in the afternoon, and I noted to myself that you were maybe tired (already) or just a super mellow guy. You said that you hadn’t even had breakfast, yet, and proceeded to quickly chomp down a granola bar, so you could graciously accomodate me when I went fangirl on you and asked for a picture. You poor thing! The only other food you had on your table was a banana and some sort of beverage. I’m totally impressed that you had any energy for your reading, with what little you ate!
Which brings me to my next thank you. Your reading was an amazing experience for me; such incredible storytelling – I was captivated.
So personal, so poignant, so damn funny! I kept wondering if it were painful for you at times. If so, then thank you for sharing that gift of yourself with us. (I totally second the guy who suggested that you do a book-on-tape thing. I’d buy it!!) I was supposed to meet up with friends at 3:15 to hear William f-ing Shatner in the other room, but I was riveted by your performance, and not even the distinctly barnlike aroma coming from the two TNG uniform-clad doggies sitting near me was enough to make me leave! As you described in your prior blog entry, the vibe in that room between you and us 35-40 people still there at 3:15pm was a tangible thing. Wow!
So, after that emotional roller coaster, you still had hours of meet & geet to do before the dining experience. I think you should be proud of your stamina. You remind me of the Disney Face Characters. I’m taking a year (or two) out of the workforce to be a full-time mommy, after an approx 7-year stint in Disney Entertainment. What you did Saturday night was just like the Face Characters (think Snow White…er, maybe Mad Hatter, as opposed to fuzzy, like Mickey, Pooh, etc.) at Character Dining. Some of those folks would go all day at college, them work till 10pm going table to table doing meet & greet at Goofy’s Kitchen. Or, they’d do an in-park shift, smiling and autographing all day, just to get extended into dinner shift, because someone else called out sick. They’d suck it up and give each Guest good Show, because, like you, they realize that they just might be making someone’s dream come true that day. I’ve seen them get punchy Backstage, with the exhaustion and repetition of it all (especially when Scheduling calls to say they really need to come back in a 6am the next day to do the breakfast shift), but if you feel like that, I hope you take to heart the comment by the person above who said they were at the last table you saw Sat night, and how special it was to them to see you.
What I’m currently impressed by is that you’re actually responding back to comments above at 8:35 pm.! Its now after 11pm. If you’re still up…then, go to bed!! (I’m such a mom.) You don’t want another hangover unless its actually from your friends at Guiness. And, for gosh sakes…eat someting, man! You’ll need your energy for all that cock punching and goat waving.
Thank you, again,
Valerie S
PS My husband & I enjoyed reading The Cult of the One-eyed Cat. I’m proud to be the third-ever onwner of a printed copy. That Kathleen is off the clock!! ROCK
PSS At the risk of going scary on you, I just have to say it. Your eyes are amazing – even more beautiful in person, than on screen. Your wife must need a life preserver every time she looks at you, just to keep from drowning in their depths.:)
PSSS Sorry to everyone that this message is so damn long. I must have gone fangirl, again!
Wil, you’re an inspiration.
PS. I actually liked Wesley
Will, in case you have any doubts, you are a writer. You have “it,” that magical gift for not only written but audio storytelling, as everybody who visits this site will agree with. In short? You da man.
Also, an apology is in order. I have to confess that during your appearance in the Little Theater, I’m the one who plunged the room into darkness when I accidentally hit the lightswitch at the end of one of your stories. The humiliating part is that I backed into the buttons and got hooked onto them with the back of my bra. Damn breasts; it seems like these things, and the various pieces of equipment used to tame them, are always getting in the way. (I’ve got a whole rant on the troubles that they have caused me, as they tend to interfere with every activity from exercise to sleeping. I’ll spare everyone here the details, but let’s just say that during a brief jog, two entire lanes of traffic once stopped on their behalf. With a deafening squeal.).
So all I have left to say is, please… excuse my breasts.
On the bright side, the timing of that mini-blackout was good. It was a perfect “lights out” moment, as we say in improv.
i am sorry, but BOO HOO man. so you exhausted yourself at the convention and couldnt sleep well that night – well buddy come work my factory job and come home like that 5 nights a week, to an empty house and cold pizza.
go to my job and bust your ass and never receive any praise, go to meetings where the suits tell you that the collective YOU needs to really kick it into high gear for the company, while they whittle away the profits on golf weekend meetings in vegas.
sure you were exhausted, i will buy that. but you got no sympathy from me bro.
What is most admirable is how rare it is for somebody to be truly honest and genuine. For anybody to doubt themselves, to put so much energy into something, and to be able to write it in words is simply a good trait. The best advice I would give to be even better is to take time for yourself at any expense…this would mean have a good meal, a moment of meditation, a little something special for yourself. After all you do for others, in the end, you should do something for yourself. I have been told “don’t be so hard on yourself” While I recognize that, it’s not easy to change it. I often stop myself and say, “I would rather put 100% into doing a few things great, rather than put 50% into doing 20 things that I’m not as proud of”, thus I slow down to take a deep breath and review the situation. I admire anybody that shows frustration, because it shows that they care and that they exude some passion. Superman even has some weaknesses!! Great to know that there are others out there that don’t always know what they want or how to react to every situation. Continue to be honest and speak your mind and you will be rewarded with the company of others who respect and practice the same.
(Just some random thoughts)
Wil,
Reading your blog is so much fun… it’s like correspondence from a distant cousin: makes us happy and so proud of your achievements… 🙂
Keep writing!
Paulinhakz
Sao Paulo, Brazil
You know, I was going to jokingly say, “Wil, you suck!” but it appears someone beat me to it and he appears serious. I say to Mr. Dave that if his job sucks so bad, he can always quit. It’s a free country. >
To you, if I ever make it to a con that you’re at (I usually stick to LARP cons and occasionally anime cons) I’ll wait in line just to not ask for an autograph. Not trying to sound like weird-creepy-stalker-type, I’d ask if you (and Anne, if she was at the con) would be amenable to doing something (anything) without having to be surrounded by drooling fanboys. I don’t know, kind of like when Bob Harris in Lost in Translation goes out with Charlotte’s friends in Tokyo. Only I’m not Japanese, karaoke sucks and I’m not a real big drinker. We could get get some Groucho glasses and replace you with a cardboard cutout of Wesley and escape before they realized it wasn’t you.
Oh yeah, I’m supposed to tell you that my girlfriend had crushes on you and Brent during TNG.
Awesome. Although I’ve never been to a Trek Con (mostly because I think those who go are just a little too “enthusiastic,”) if you ever come to one in my area… I will go.
Just to shake your hand and congratulate you for making it through all the crap you had to endure to make it.
Good job Wil. Keep up the awesome work, dude.
Dude, you know that thing that didn’t happen that one time at that one place? Now I totally understand so much better.
Thank you for really sharing what the con experience is like in its most true sense.
I knew that the con experience was draining, but I had not idea it was THAT draining until now. I think I understand it a bit better than I did before.
You don’t get paid for doing a talk? I honestly thought that you did. I’m actually pissed that you don’t. Do you not sell tickets? Do you not make people happy? Okay, I’m done. I’m still pissed though. Oh, and I agree with Eva, don’t give up acting, you never know when your going to need a break from writing, not that I’m trying to discourage you, just, you never know.
OMG… I’m tempted to call you “Willie” if I ever see you, just so I could say “I was cock punched by Wil Freakin’ Wheaton!!!”
PS – One man show == good idea++… bring it to Toronto, I’ll totally come and see it.
Hey Wil,
The analogy TOTALLY makes sense…. And I’m always so impressed to read about your fan experiences. I hope that you’ll do a convention in the DC/Baltimore area so that I can see you someday.
–And of COURSE Brent is going to read the book. –It’s a good read!
-AT
Oh, and try Tylenol PM…. I owe many restful nights to the stuff, particularly after stressful days.
Wil, I at first felt guilty for not attending the convention and showing my support for you, but after reading how draining it was for you to meet and greet everyone, I’m relieved that I didn’t add to that. Whew, get some rest, dude, you really deserve it.
Jeff
The “hangover” from keeping yourself going on adrenaline too long makes perfect sense.
What doesn’t make perfect sense is that you speak as though the readers group and the Trek fans group are mutually exclusive; surely you have many readers, both of your blog and your books, who were longtime _Trek_ fans and who started reading your work out of curiosity, fandom, or crushes hanging on since adolescence, and stayed for your witty, intelligent, and entertaining commentaries and writing style.
Brent Spiner is the only person in the world who can call me Willie without getting a cock-punch
Haha! There’s just something hilariously funny about Wil cock-punching people. I have the image of a Wil Wheaton Rock’em Sock’em Cock-Punching Robot.
Hey! Maybe that could be another Disney series for you: Rock’em Sock’em Cock-Punching Robots Go!
Of a dark Scottish lake? (great song!)
I’m sorry you weekend was so draining, but you undoubtably brought immeasurable joy to your fans. Even just reading your Brent Spiner anecdote made my day! Thanks!
I was so glad to hear this. When I approached you (and was a total goober, by the way) I knew you were someone special because you were so kind. I felt honored, although I didn’t know about your writing yet. After checking out your website and reading your work, I felt honored even more.
However, a couple of your blogs made me wonder if you really appreciated fans of your previous acting work? Now I know that you do. Yaay! You are the person I thought you were :)! Not that my opinion matters much :). You are a very genuine person and you deserve all the success in the world.
Wil,
Vis-a-vis Brent Spiner hearing about your book deal — you know the old saying about how a butterfly’s wings flapping in China can whip up a storm on the other side of the world? Never underestimate the power of “gossip” to get around.
ANd, “Just a writer now”? You handled that well. No disrespect to Brent because he’s a cool dude who really seems to have his head on straight, but it kind of reminds me of when astronomers meet each other and one says, “I just wrote a book… ” and the other says, “So you’re just a writer now?”
Which means that we all play many roles in our lives, wear many hats. You’re wearing the writing hat, but that doesn’t mean the actor cojones are shriveled. They’re still there and use them when you need them. You use the writer ones when you need those. You use the “Dad” ones when you need those (figuratively Will… 😉 ) and so on.
Great read today!
Haven’t been to a convention in years, but the highlight was seeing J. Frakes smile when I told him (after he asked me how I wanted the autograph), “Actually, I’d rather just shake your hand and say ‘Thanks.'”
While not entertainment industry related, several jobs I have had required me to be “on stage” for over 12 hours at a stretch making sure that the first person gets the same treatment as the last. As I read your post, it was nice to know where you were coming from.
No need for you to apologize on the money issue, you have a talent, you are brining something to the show that others are making money off of and you def have the right to support the family. Besides, you give plenty of “free samples” out here.
At some point Wil, you’re going to have to stop saying “I no longer feel like a loser” because you really haven’t been a loser for awhile now. You’re actually going to have to answer the question “How are you doing?” with the response “Kick ass, as usual.”
20 million wwdn fans can’t be wrong…
I can still call you Uncle Willie though, can’t I?
Please?
/or is that Wilie?
Wil was Never a Loser…to his real fans *wink*
OK WIL! You totally made me geek out this morning and i’m not that much of a geek!!
SALA BAKER…… that guy is a god to me…spent so much time with him… *asked him out for a drink* two weeks and a bit ago… Also Met Brent… DUDE is soooo sarcastic… especially about you… sorry! couldnt resist! i totally relate to your words.. i can place myself there i dont know how you exactly feel, but i understand! i’m contradicting myself! ah feck…. Sala Rocks! he is DA MAN!!! Wil… i love you man!!
Andrea x
I have two comments, because I’m feeling a bit plucky today…
Wil, you are great. Period. And I loved Wesley and was disappointed the writers never expanded his character more.
Dave, dude, get a grip. We all are tired, we all work hard. With an attitude like that, no wonder you go home to cold pizza. This is Wil’s blog, wanna bitch, go get one of your own.
Like I said, plucky, baby!
I’m glad that you had a good time, and sorry to hear about the misleading coaxing to the dessert party.
It’s great that you’re getting all these writing gigs, and I agree with everyone that they are well-deserved.
In answer to your analogy question: Yes. It does make sense. 🙂
Wil:
You are awesome. I always loved the roles Wesley Crusher played, I think your a great actor/writer.
You have the work ethic of a camel dude. No water, but you just keep on pushin through till you make it to the next oasis.
We are poles apart politically, but you are still a hero of mine.
Man, I wish I’d been there…
I can totally relate to the “hangover” feeling; I got those occasionally when I’ve had a really busy, productive, yet stressful day at work. Not so many of those since I went to part-time, but still have the occasional moments.
Does Brent play poker? I could just picture the two of you on “Celebrity Poker Showdown”; that would absolutely rock.
Wil – any plans to come to a con out on the east coast? We’d love to see you out here!
–*Rob
For what it is worth,
I always liked the Wesley Crusher character – at least as much as any other character. I usually enjoyed the plot lines centered around you, and thought he brought a lot to the show. I’ve never understood why ‘uberfans’ ask the actors all these arcane questions about the show. I would think that the answer would be pretty much the same every time: “It was in the script.” I mean christ, the show was entertainment, not a paper on Cold Fusion. Obviously there are going to be huge holes.
You came across during that period as a sweet, earnest kid in every role I ever saw you in. You seemed to have handled the transition from “incredibly marketable child” to “less marketable adult” extremely well. I enjoy reading your blog, and look forward to viewing and reading your current and future endeavors.
“Cock-punch”? I don’t really wanna know…
Wil, man, what a drag about that “party” thing. It’s funny, I used to be this huge Trek fan. I mean, I don’t think I was ever one of the scary dudes you mentioned. I just loved TOS, TNG and DS9, and liked going to the occasional convention. I even did the GS with some friends back in ’94 since it coincided with Spring Break and I had disposable cash at the time (stupid me never though much about saving up for the “real world”).
Those days were fun, but since VOY and ENT have come and mostly sucked, I just have’t cared abot this stuff much. It doesn’t help that companies like Creation overcharge the fans, and pretty much treat us like herds of cattle. Who needs it? Sounds like you give the fans their money’s worth, and that’s probably a rare thing. Once JAG is released, I hope you’ll consider doing some actual author tours to support both JAG and DB. I think you’ll find more people who would just like to hear and maybe meet Wil Wheaton, Author and not have to deal with all the fannish stuff. I mean, people like me who are (or at least *were*) Trek fans will still come out, but they’ll be the fans who have read your book and honestly care about the writer.
Besides, if you ever head up my way I’ll set ya up with those Grateful Dead bootlegs you mentioned months ago (assuming you still want some). Either way, keep up the good work! Increase the peace!
Fame…ain’t it a bitch?
So I’m reading this story, and first I’m being drawn into the exhausting experience, feeling the utter despair. Then the shared thoughts & comments on his work & love flow in, and my eyes begin to fill up, slowly but steadily. And I start thinking, I’ve never met this guy and I probably never will, and he’s certainly never even seen me, but I feel so close to him right now. Wow, he’s meeting up with his old friend, Brent…
And then, when I’m thrown totally off-guard, the cock-punch comes in.
The whole block must have heard me laughing.
Wil, once again, your writing is absolutely brilliant.
Thank you.
And may the gods at Grand Slam reward you for your future work, for you deserve the best.
Quit doing Cretin Cons’… you will be happier if you did more cons’ like WORLD CON or NASFIC or even DragonCon… creation is in it for the money and not fan interest. I know that doing a cretin con pays some bills but, you may not feel good after one. I have heard many horror stories about thos MEDIA (read cretin con) conventions. I have been part of putting on a cretin con and if you want an idea what it was like just ask Jeff Coombs, Mark Alaimo and others who were there. THEY WERE PISSED!!!! not to mention the Con chair person now owes over a half a million dollars now. if you want more info just ask…
Hey Wil, My name is Logan. Anyway, Ive read most of your book, Dancing Barefoot, its awesome, and I just wanted to say, your analogy, “The dessert party was the drink that set me over the edge after a night of raising hell with the boys, and I felt “hungover” for most of the morning on Sunday” is completely understandable. Just wanted you to know that. Oh, and yes, I suffer from the rare syndrome Geekus Maximus, and I am sort of a Trekkie.
Logan
Wil –
You are certainly not “just a writer”….as much as I enjoy Brent Spiner’s work, I’d like to see him write a book 🙂
What you are doing now is so much more than playing a character on tv….you are being yourself and sharing your life’s experiences with strangers. How cool is that?! We all get to live vicariously through you.
Don’t you ever feel like you’ve ever been a loser…you’ve been blessed. How many people get to do and be what you are?
You’ve got quite a national fan club building up around you, and it doesn’t have much to do at all with what you’ve done as an actor.
Best wishes from Austin…
Wil, you have a great attitude. You try to be good to people even when exhausted. Just like Brent made you happy, that’s the effect you have on some of us. Some kid who shakes your hand and has your 30 seconds may be telling his grandchild years from now “I met Wil Wheaton. And he smiled at me!” 🙂
Hey Wil,
Ive never been to a convention but im making an effort to read your book(s). I really liked you in SBM but not as Wesley (largely due to the fact that adolescents dont always discern between actors and characters). I’m not saying that to bring you down but to point out what a HUGE impact your blog had. You really come across to the reader, and few people have that talent. I would not be reading ‘Dancing’ if it werent for your tidbits of writing on this website; you really do touch people emotionally. Also no one is “just a writer” or they wouldnt have anything to write about. Anyway felt compelled to respond to this entry because there is a very large segment of the population that im sure can relate to it. Anyone working with the public- at a company, as a waitperson, teaching etc. knows how draining it is to always be pleasant and “on.” It takes a lot out of you, but it makes an enormous difference. And it’s what makes you such a kick ass guy. If you stop by NY give a holla.
whoops ok first time and i just got off work. i have to amend the previous post – with respect to “making an effort” I did not mean to imply anything negative about your writing – I just am on a severe time, money, energy budget here. Your prose is delightful. Also I have a technical question – isnt acting similar to being “on” at conventions, or is it more draining because youre being genuine?
Fun blog! I’m gonna hafta check out your book, you have a very compelling writing style. I side with the majority that you’ve got much to be proud of with both your careers and what seems like a healthy, solid family life.
Gang, don’t go too hard on Dave, having a truly tough, demanding job surely takes its toll. Its easy to forget that your own brand of hardship is not the only kind! His attack was DEFINITELY misplaced, but who knows what kind of crappy day/week/life led up to that burst of steam?
Dave, there’s always someone with a much harder life than yours and a much easier one as well. Wil was merely commenting on one exhausting experience and his attempt to NOT be an ***hole about it, he wasn’t trying to say his was the worst trauma ever to happen to a human being! He was merely telling a story in a humble, totally non-whiny manner!
Geez, where did that soap box come from? Anyway, thanks Wil for your anecdotes!
Two things:
After finally watching LOTR in one go (two extended DVD’s, one feature movie) I can totally relate to the hungover feel. I had to spend a day recovering from this masterpiece, it had drained me completely.
And somehow, you left the impression before that, had you been a porn star, you would have gone by the name of Sweet Unca Willie. Of course, that was before your O’Reilly writing, cock-punching days.
Thanks! You just made me piss myself laughing when you said “cock-punch”, so now everyone in the office is looking at me. Like I said, thanks.
Hey Wil,
Been reading the blog for about 1yr now. Recently been off work due to an Op on my feet and your book and archives kept me amused for many hours!
I checked out ST.com (after reading your report, naturally!) to see how the convention panned out, and you’re written up in the convention report ABOVE WFS, haha! It’s here if you feel so inclined to peruse.
Without meaning to sound to cheesy (I am English after all – we have this “stiff Upper Lip” thing to keep going!) you’re an inspiration, for writer’s, blogger’s, actor’s and anyone having a crappy day, week, month or eon. Thanks for sharing.
Bex:)
P.S Just to join in on this – what the heck is “throwing the goat”?!