the happiest days of our lives

The last two weeks have been incredible trip back across the last three years (and in some places, the last fifteen years) as I’ve worked on my Just A Geek rewrite . . . and I’m down to the final scene in the book, which I will finish today.
I sent the 99% completed manuscript to my editor two days ago, and after reading it, he sent back a note, that he asked I share with WWdN readers.

Hello there, friends, fans, and freaks. This is Wil’s O’Reilly editor,
piping in to let you know where Wil has been lately. As he mentioned a few days ago, I’ve been cracking the proverbial whip (well, let’s just say it’s proverbial, to protect the innocent), and figured I’d write something about “Just a Geek” while I’ve got him slaving over a keyboard. First, let me say a “Thank you” to all of you guys, who made “Dancing Barefoot” nothing short of a phenomenon–I can honestly say that signing Wil as an author was made easier by every one of you who plunked down your cash to pick up a copy. It got my attention, and eventually got Tim O’Reilly’s attention, which is why you’re going to be able to buy “Just a Geek” at every store in the nation, rather than having to order it direct. Wil’s quite happy, I hear, as he and his wife were prone to squabbling over exactly how many stamps 100 pages of nostalgia cost to ship in today’s economy.
In any case, all prelude aside, I wanted to say just a word about “Just A Geek”, as I just finished reading the 99% complete manuscript.
It’s incredible.
You want this book.
You need this book.
All brevity aside, you’re all going to be very, very pleased. Without denigrating (yes, I paid a lot of college tuition to use big words like that, thank you very much) “Dancing Barefoot” at all, “Just a Geek” is a highly polished, well-written, wonderfully crafted novel that goes so much further than any of you can imagine. It’s a lot of fun, and that’s after way too many readings. I’m not trying to get you drooling too much (well, maybe a bit), but suffice it to say that the few days you’ve lost Wil on WWdN have paid off in spades. In fact, it’s as if Wil picked up a Queen of Spades on the river to make a gutshot royal straight flush, which is a pretty big deal where I come from.
I’m confident that you’ll start to see bits and pieces of JAG show up here, on oreilly.com, and of course at Wil’s appearances, but I just thought you all deserved to know that this is going to be a killer book. I’m not a flatterer, so take that as high praise. Wil has literally busted his tail to get this done, respond to hundreds of comments, add lots of new material, and generally become a terrific author. I can honestly and happily say that while JAG is great, I expect it to be only the first full-length book; only the initial offering in a long line. We’re excited here at O’Reilly to help you guys get as much of Wil as we can… to squeeze the very life out of him while his family laments what life used to be like before writing contracts… to ensure his mother knows his voice only by memory…
Oh… sorry… I got a little caught up in being an editor again. In any case, we all love Wil here, and expect to see a lot more from him in the months to come. We’ve also got some great surprises coming along, like a potentially mind-blowing foreword to “Just a Geek”, some opportunities for collectible copies, and much more… so stay tuned, right here.
I’ll go let Wil out of his cage … er … office … in a day or two, and you’ll get to read it all here.

Wow.
Thanks, Brett. I . . . don’t know what to say. I’m really happy with the way this book has turned out . . . but I don’t think I can take credit for the entire thing. A lot of people have given me valuable feedback along the way, including you.
I’m really not supposed to do this, but I’m going to share a tiny glimpse of what I’m finishing up today. Don’t tell anyone, okay?

I had my final costume fitting the next day, and the day after that, I found myself at the Melrose Avenue guard shack, half-an-hour early for my 8:30 am call time.
“ID, please.” The guard said.
I pulled my driver’s license out of my wallet, and gave it to him.
“And where are you going today . . . ” he looked at my license. “Wil?”
“I’m working on Star Trek.” I said.
“Enterprise or Nemesis?”
The Next Generation.
“Nemesis,” I said. “I play Wesley Crusher.”
He looked up at me. “Oh my god. You are Wesley Crusher. You look so . . . ”
Washed up?
“. . . grown up.”
“Yeah,” I said. “It’s been a long time.”
“Do you know where to park?”
“Yeah. But I don’t know where our dressing rooms are.”
But I do! I do know where our dressing rooms are! They’re trailers on the street in front of stages 8 and 9. Mine is filled with Warhammer 40K figures and GURPS books. It’s right next to Brent’s trailer. It’s 1989, and I’m back. I’m back home.
“Okay,” he said, and gave me directions to an area on the lot where I’d never been before.
I parked my car, and picked up my backpack. Inside was my script, a notepad, and a few tapes: Only A Lad, Music For The Masses, and Squeeze: Singles 45 and Under . . . all of them music I listened to when I was working on the series. I remember, when I put them in my backpack, that I thought to myself, “Maybe I can sit in my trailer, listen to ‘Never Let Me Down,’ and imagine that I never left.”
I locked up my car, and walked toward the dressing rooms. Other than the addition of a back lot, Paramount hadn’t changed in any substantial way since I was on the show, and my thoughts drifted as I walked down those familiar streets on auto-pilot.
That’s where I met Eddie Murphy when I was sixteen . . . Hey! I crashed a golf cart there when I was fifteen . . . There’s the mail room . . . There’s stage six, where the bridge set started out . . . I almost got up the courage to kiss that girl at the Christmas party on that stage in . . . there’s the stage where Shatner told me, “I’d never let a kid come onto my bridge” . . . this street feels exactly the way it did when I worked here . . . here’s where my trailer used to be . . .
I stopped, and tears filled my eyes — tears of joy: It’s so good to be here, mingled with tears of sadness and regret: Why didn’t this happen years ago?
Because I wasn’t ready for it to happen. I walked a few more steps, and looked into the foyer that led into stages 8 and 9. Enterprise lives there now. At least they kept the stage in the family.

Okay. Back to work.

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155 thoughts on “the happiest days of our lives”

  1. “I have been a fan of yours for some time, but I don’t quite understand why you hate William Shatner. Is it personal or just on principle?
    Emily
    Posted by emily at April 14, 2004 01:53 PM”
    Emily:Another WW fan here who ponders that himself because I have not purchased or read Dancing Barefoot and I have not read all of WWdN blog entries. From what I’ve gleaned from context, reading between the lines, plus the tidbit offered in today’s sneak preview post, WFS apparently treated WW with arrogance and contempt and hurt his feelings badly, so it’s pretty personal. But I have also heard and read that WFS has proven himself to be uncool and not nice to various other people over the years. I did read WFS’ book called “Get a Life!” which was WFS attempt to go on record saying that in the past he did not “get it” and that at some point a light went off in his head and suddenly he “got it”. (Please don’t hate me for reading WFS book; I did not buy it and it was before WWdN came along and it meant nothing to me, it was just a little fling. It’s pretty funny actually. Sorry for my heresy here.) Supposedly WFS used to hate the Cons, did them anyway, but hated them and could not understand what the big deal with Star Trek (all gen’s) was with Trekkies, Trekkers, fans in general. But he claims that at some point he began to understand the deep fanship and what Trek means to so many people. My question would be, was WFS so personally arrogant to WW before or after WFS wrote his book? Was it before or after he claims to have had this major change in attitude? Maybe it doesn’t matter, and maybe WFS truly was a jerk then and will always be a jerk. I will never know since I’m not inside his mind, but I’m curious nonetheless. Even though this is not the shark-like environment of FARK where posters seem to enjoy eating each other alive (for spelling and grammar even!) I shall not be terribly upset if or when someone better informed and in better command of the facts takes the time to correct my entry here, but I hope it answers Emily’s question a little bit until said clarifications appear.
    Ciao

  2. That’s f-ing fantastic Wil! Get down with your bad self ^_^ Can’t wait for this one to hit the stores, and mad congrats on the high praise. You’ve gotta be on Cloud 9 or somewhere close to it. Well done and well deserved.

  4. That entry was well worth the wait. I’m dying to read JAG. I had to physically restrained from buying yet another copy of Barefoot, when I saw it on the shelf at Barnes & Nobel last night. Keep at it!

  6. Someone already said it, but it bears repeating: Your editor deserves some sort of poetic punishment for using the word “literally” when he means “figuratively.” It is his job to NOT butcher english.
    But yeah, I’m all excited about JAG and I keep checking here daily for that “I’m all done” post we are all expecting. I even refrained from sending Wil the link to the “Guinness is a health drink” news story that ran last week so as not to interrupt. But that is what you should hoist in celebration.

  7. hey wil,
    that was so amazing. as so many other people have written, i was totally there with you! i really cannot wait for JAG to come out…i hope it’ll be available over in the UK faster than Dancing Barefoot?!
    anyway…
    good job man,
    take care
    rach

  8. Wil!
    Hihi! Its wonderful to hear that you are almost done with the new book. Its good to see that you are already getting such high praises as well. It amazes me to pull up the comments and look through them and see that in one day you already have this many comments. It also amazes me to see that you can inspire such emotion within people. I wont lie, Ive been a fan for a long time, but I never really knew what did happen to you until recently. I am really happy for you and hope that life keeps bringing such wonderful things your way. I am hoping to get a copy of dancing barefoot, and I really look forward to JAG because of that excerpt. If money allows it I will certainly try to get both books. Good luck to you!!

  9. Very awesome Wil! I am looking forward to JAG with anticipation.
    To bad you are going to make it to Penguicon in Novi, MI this weekend. I was looking forward to seeing you.
    -steve

  10. Oh frell, you’ve just taken me way back. “Squeeze: Singles, 45’s and under” was my favourite long playing record.

  12. I’d buy you a beer, but I’m underage. So buy me one, k?
    Muahaha. Excellent work, dude. I know where a chunk of my next paycheck is going.

  13. So, after this book is a huge success, who do you think’s gonna play Wil in the movie version?
    Oooh…Just A Geek: THE MOVIE.
    Can I play the role of the wildly attractive young journalist who interviews Wil at a Linux convention?

  15. Wil,
    WOW !! What a fantastic report from your editor, Brett. Please thank him for recognizing us (your fans) as contributing to the success of your book.
    And for those of us who do not understand your relationship with William F’in Shatner, they will just have to read Dancing Barefoot (pp. 46-48).
    I’ll guess you used at least 10 stamps to mail your work to the publisher.
    Can’t weight, I mean WAIT, for JAG.
    Your fan, Freeman 🙂

  16. Rock on, Wil! \m/ It couldn’t have happened to a nicer, more all-around talented guy and fellow geek. I’m already queued up to buy Dancing Barefoot and am chomping at the bit for JAG! Congratulations, and – geeks represent! 🙂

  19. man…what a long way you have come!…i remember those days…at least those days as you related them on WWDN…the sadness in you was palpable…the pain was hidden in between almost every line…and sometimes not hidden at all…i could feel the disappointment you felt through the words that you wrote here…and that is something you do well…bringing people into your world…not only to read about the life of WIL WHEATON…but also to share the feelings that have made the stories you tell so much more than just another showbiz rundown…we got to watch as you approached the crossroads of your life…and made your choice…i for one think you made the correct one…from now on things will be much more interesting…i’m looking forward to reading all about it…good luck with the book wil…may it be everything you imagined and more.

  22. took a few times to finally stop and read it, but it was deffidently worth every second. great stuff Will. still as happy for all the success your getting as ever.keep it up my friend.

  23. Oh my GOD! I cannot wait to get my hands on JAG. So glad to hear from you again. Been going to WWDN every day hoping for a post.
    Is it going to be really everywhere? O’Reilly taking pre-orders yet? I have DB, but need a signed copy of JAG for sure. 🙂 O’Reilly was a great hook up for you, Wil. They have been a super supporter of our Mac User Group over the last year, I can only imagine how great they must be for their authors.
    Looking forward to kicking back with JAG soon. And I have Guinness in the fridge for the occasion.
    Best of luck. So proud of you.

  24. Man, Wil, the tears welled up just reading this entry, and I wasn’t even on the bloody show! In fact, I have never been on any show, yet for some reason I feel like I can relate. I can’t wait to read JAG. I know, I know, I keep saying that – I guess I am a sentimental old slob – but mostly, I am a person who loves to read good writing, and I am looking forward to reading yours. And hey, don’t forget the book tour in Canada, eh?
    Cheers…Deborah

  25. Never in my life have I “thrown the goat”. Not because I’m some freak who sees is and shrieks “Satan!”, I’ve just never been compelled to do it. However, after reading the excerpt and the praise from your editor: \m/ Rock on, Wil.

  26. While I certainly am planning on buying your book, while I certainly admire your accomplishments in writing, and while I absolutely respect you for your courage in being as “out there” as you are with this blog and all your public appearances, I have to say that the blatant push-the-book entry from your publisher is not necessary. I’m sold, already, okay?
    (You had me at “Hello.”)

  27. Best Sneak Peek Ever.
    Wil, your JAG entry has whetted my appetite. I haven’t looked forward to anything like this, since LOTR in 2001. Already bought Dancing Barefoot, and looking forward to Just A Geek. Bring it on!

  29. . . . the blatant push-the-book entry . . .
    You know, I almost didn’t post it because I was afraid of that perception . . . but I don’t think that was Brett’s intention. I can understand how some people would take it that way, though.

  31. Wil,
    Once again.. you have captured my imagination, and i thank you!
    i cannot wait to read JAG and i hope it will be readily available in the UK, *holds out for a special copy*
    hugs and love to the family
    love ya man!
    Andrea xxx
    P.S. WFS is an ass..he always has been and always will be… i dont like the guy and i didnt like him when i was a kid *long before i realised the universal dislike and Wils dislike* i guess he just makes people want to hit him… he is an oaf!

  33. Its going to be available in the UK though Wil? Right? *twitches* you wouldn’t hold out on us would ya buddy? *another violent twitch* Come on buddy! I need another fix here!!!!!

  37. Nice piece of work!
    I do have to say though… doesn’t editing and rewriting suck? I find that the initial draft comes out so easily and then it takes three times as long to polish it and make it fit for human consumption… maybe it’s just me!

  40. TEASE!!!!
    Oh my, Uncle Willie sure knows how to keep a girl wanting MORE! (She said in a deep sultry voice) >
    Can I have some more? 😉
    Seriously tho – awesome, wonderful, stupendous, fantastic……..golf clap ensues…panting with anticipation.

  42. Welcome back! Congrats on the manuscript completion, and thanks for giving us something to read. I was going into withdrawal!
    -AT

  43. Well yet again I was there with you Wil, as you drove into Paramount and you felt those emotions, and experienced those memory’s. You manage to inspire me, wow me and utterly amaze me, with your writing skills and ability to tell those story’s so wonderfully.
    Thank you Wil
    K

  45. So, what does a girl have to do to get a signed copy of JAG? Seriously, I missed the boat on Dancing Barefoot, and I’d like a signed copy. Just say the word!

  46. Wil, will you now allow yourself a rockstar moment? Or will you wait until the book’s release? Will you now proclaim yourself a fucking writer and stop(at least for a while) being so damn modest about all your success? Man, I just want to hear you proclaim, “I’m the greatest!” that’s all. I want to see some swagger in your step. I want to see that famous Wil Wheaton attitude everyone else talks about. In short, I want to see this go to your head-but not for long because then you might forget about us and that would not be a good thing.
    I’m totally happy for your success,man. Your book will be a monster hit and I look forward to seeing you promote your hard work on the talk shows.
    Trying like hell to be,
    Tommy

  50. Welcome home, my friend; yes, you have been missed.
    Congrats on the great words from your editor; I hope that if I ever finish a project, I get an editor half as awesome as Brett seems to be.
    Payday today; guess it’s time to bite the bullet and hit Amazon.com to order Dancing Barefoot (and a few other choice O’Reilly titles from the User Friendly collection), then plan to camp out in line overnight for JAG. Really looking forward to it!

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