one of the the happiest days of my life

Today is one of the happiest days of my life, because The Happiest Days of Our Lives officially goes on sale, starting . . . now. (Well, actually, starting about 96 hours ago, but you only knew that if you follow me on Twitter. Soft launch FTW!)

I love everything about this book. I loved writing the stories in
it. I loved working with Andrew to put them together into something that is more than just a collection of blog entries. I loved working with Sean to design and create the cover. I loved working with Russ to shake the cobwebs off of Monolith Press and restore power to this fully-operational battle station. I love the excitement I feel
right now, as I get ready to share it with anyone who wants to read it. I love the way it reminds me so much of how I felt when Dancing Barefoot was first published.

But what I love the most is
taking back control of my work and releasing it, marketing it, and
publishing it myself. The Happiest Days of Our Lives
is going to live or die based entirely on my efforts to promote it (first note to everyone: It’s not
a Star Trek book), which can be a little overwhelming if I think about
it too much, so instead of thinking about that, I’ve been thinking
about the path I’ve walked to get here, starting six and a half years ago, when I created Where’s My Burrito? at Geocities. As I wrote in Just A Geek,

My life as a husband and stepfather was very rewarding, but a desire to regain the success I’d enjoyed as a child and teenager pulled at me constantly. It kept me awake at night, and was a constant distraction. Like the Not Me ghost from Family Circus, Prove To Everyone That Quitting Star Trek Wasn’t A Mistake slept between my wife and me in our bed, and ate with us at every meal. When I could have been playing with my stepkids, Prove To Everyone That Quitting Star Trek Wasn’t A Mistake and I would sit and stare vacantly at the TV, wondering what could have been.

The weekend after the Hooters Incident (as it came to be known), my wife was out of town and Prove To Everyone That Quitting Star Trek Wasn’t A Mistake and I found ourselves in front of my computer. I surfed the Internet, played Diablo II, created WinAmp playlists . . . I did everything I could to get that Hooters waitress out of my mind.

Yes, that’s how badly it hurt me: I was actively trying to get a Hooters waitress out of my mind. While my wife was out of town.

Somewhere in that day, while I was battling the forces of polygonal evil on Battle.Net, Prove To Everyone tapped me on the shoulder, and said, "Dude. You should make a website, and let the world know that you are still alive, and still acting."

I paused the game and looked back at him. I had wanted a presence on the Web for a long time, but I didn’t have the skills to build a website. I’d been given the names of several designers, but wanted to do the whole thing myself, for better or for worse.

"Oh my god. That’s a fantastic idea! Maybe we’ll even get noticed by Hollywood again!"

"Just make sure you make the website edgy." He said.

"If you were real, I’d cock-punch you for that." I said.

I quit the game, and went to Yahoo! Geocities where I created an account called “tvswilwheaton.” (Get it? "TV’s Wil Wheaton!" Because I’m still on TV, except I’m not.) Because I had absolutely no idea how to write HTML, and I knew nothing about tables, CSS, RSS feeds, or the W3C, I spent the next few hours clumsily learning my way around the Yahoo! Pagebuilder. I used their WYSIWYG editor to Prove To Everyone That Quitting Star Trek Wasn’t A Mistake — ahem — “design” my very first webpage. The result was incredibly lame, but it was mine. I named it “Where’s My Burrito?” after one of my favorite episodes of The Simpsons.

When it was done, Prove To Everyone That Quitting Star Trek Wasn’t A Mistake and I shared a high-five. I was proud of what I’d created and I posted a link to it in a small Wil Wheaton online fan club and wondered if anyone would care.

Boy, did they care! I had over 700 visitors in a couple weeks, without being listed in a single search engine. The response excited me, and I started updating the site quite frequently, by hand-coding “news updates” into the main page.

I soon traded those news updates for this thing called a blog. I liked writing the blog so much, I eventually started my own website where I could update the blog more regularly. Just like Where’s My Burrito? it was lame, but it was mine. On the advice of my friend Loren, I moved the blog to the front page, and eventually made it the centerpiece of the entire site. Neither of us knew it at the time, but with that advice, Loren dropped a pebble into a pond, and the ripples it created have been incredible.

As I write this post today, on a day very much like the one I started writing the manuscript for Just A Geek, which lead to Dancing Barefoot, which lead to writing for the AV Club, which lead to writing for TV Squad, which lead to writing the Star Trek Manga, which lead to . . . well, everything else that I love about my work now, the whole thing feels kind of surreal. When I started that silly little page at Geocities six years ago, I had no idea that it would lead me down the path I walk today. If you’d asked me back then what I thought I’d be doing in six years, my answer would have included something about acting, even though I was having serious doubts in the dark of night about my ability to support my family while trying to be a full-time actor.

I never expected that I’d become a full-time writer, but today, I can’t imagine doing anything different with my life. In fact, as long as I get to keep doing voice acting, I don’t really care if I’m ever on camera again. Telling stories about the things that unite us and celebrating all things geek seems to be my purpose in life. I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile that matters to people, if your comments and e-mails are any indication, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. They say that making a living doing what you love is how you know you’re living the dream. If that’s true, I don’t ever want to wake up.

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71 thoughts on “one of the the happiest days of my life”

  1. Wil, your story gives me hope that I may (a) figure out my dream, and (b) achieve it. Congratulations!
    As an aside, how many copies did you sell during the soft launch?

  2. I was wondering when this would become public. I ordered my copy within minutes of the soft-launch. Sometimes it pays off to be a night owl. 😉
    Congrats on the official release, and I’m eager to read the book.

  4. Woohoo! I may not be one in a million, but at least I’m one in a hundred! ^_^
    I woke up and checked my phone through half open eyes, saw your tweet about the soft launch, and did my own launch out of bed and into the living room to put my order in. Luckily there isn’t much to trip on along that route.
    It’s good to see you sounding so happy with your accomplishments… congrats Wil!

  5. It’s been truly wonderful to watch and read about your life and what you’re thinking about over the past couple of years. You’ve take us readers on a really great trip and it’s interesting to look at how much has changed over the years. I’m listening to Just a Geek: Teh Audiobook right now and it’s taking me back to a time when I was an undergrad and I’d sit in the huge computer lab on campus and read WWdN, SlashDot, and Fark. And then I wake up and realize that I’m at my desk at work still reading WWdN: IX, SlashDot, and Fark… but it’s different. It seems like the world’s changed. At least I hope I’ve changed, not just gotten older and fatter!
    I’m really excited to read this new book. Especially since you are so much more at peace with the world than you used to be (I take it that “Prove to Everyone that Quitting Star Trek Wasn’t a Mistake” is on permanent sabbatical?).
    Well done, Wil. I look forward to reading more of your memories. Thank you for sharing your life and thanks for being part of my childhood memories.
    Cheers!
    -angie k

  6. Congrats Will, I can’t wait to get my own copy.
    When will us across the pond in little ole Europe be able to get to order it?

  8. Wil, are you going to be promoting this book with a signing tour? I would have fun stopping by and purchasing in person and saying hello. You could sign at video arcades throughout the country… starting with the Westwood Arcade.

  10. If I want an autographed copy, do I wait or place my order now? (There’s an asterisk next to “Autographed Copies!” on the order page, but no explanation).

  11. Wil,
    I just have to say that this is, yet again, the type of post that makes me check this site 4-5 times per day to see what you’ve added. I will agree that I do love your writing and voice work. However, I’d love to see you on screen again.

  12. Woohoo!! Just ordered my copy (cause Canadians can!), and I tried to order ‘Dancing Barefoot’ at the same time, but when you click the ORDER button, it brings up this book again – oh well…
    I put that I wanted an autographed copy in the special instructions, so hopefully that will work?
    Thanks Wil!!

  13. I’m not going to be signing the softcovers, kristinalead, because I’m doing the limited edition signed, numbered hardbacks later this month.
    We’re fixing the asterisk, too, Jimbeaux, to say “Signed, numbered, limited edition hardcovers will be available soon.”

  14. As I say to many people when they ask about ROI or how to monetise blogging, you don’t make money with a blog, you make money because of blogging.
    It opens up doors; it changes the way you think; it puts you out in the world and lets people find you. Carry on writing Wil, I love it.

  16. Congratulations Wil!
    It’s been a fun ride so far. I regret that I wasn’t an early beta-tester of WMB, and I only heard about wilwheaton.net from slashdot. But I copied your idea of myname.net rather than .com, and so now about 1 of out of 387,000 people who search for stuff that I’m interested in land on my site.
    Thanks for writing, and I’m looking forward to the new book, to go alongside my copies of Dancing Barefoot and Just a Geek.

  17. I third the questions regarding “how do us guys in [insert country here]” get our copy?”
    At least have mercy and ship the signed, numbered, limited edition hardcover overseas…then I’ll buy it in an instant! 🙂

  18. Happy dance! I ordered mine in the soft launch, which of course made me feel very insider-y and special. You have a knack for that, Wil 🙂

  20. Wil,
    Minor note, the FAQs on the Monolith Press site refer to Dancing Barefoot, Not to Happiest Days of Our Lives. It might be confusing as they seemingly apply with the new book, like:
    Are you going to do a book signing tour?
    It’s very likely that a tour will be organized this summer. If you’d like us to visit your town, find an appropriate venue (an indie bookshop is perfect) and have them send us an email.
    Will you ship to [insert country here]?
    We now ship limited international orders. Please refer to the orders page or you can go to Amazon.com and place your order there!

  21. Don’t you love days like this? I think I felt like you do now when I made my first dollar doing something completely on my own. There is such a feeling of empowerment one gets by breaking free of expectations and stereotypes and succeeding on your own terms. It’s like you can change the world. And literally BE whoever you want to be.
    Incidentally, a mutual reader Gye Greene inadvertently inspired me to blog-feud with you. (ok, it’s more of a “you want US to care about your D&D and we want YOU to care about our P&P rant, but you get the idea.)
    I read you back in the 1.5 days and am glad to have rediscovered you. Keep on bloggin on!

  22. I coulda swore someone told you a handful of years ago that you were just some author who thought he was an actor.
    Maybe I’m wrong…

  23. do i have to wait for the autographed version or what? what is the dilly? or do you have a head shot laying around that i could get you to sign? then i would hang it up next to the pictures of my kids at work. my man-crush doesn’t scare you does it? har. snicker. har.

  24. Hey Wil, I’m so glad that your book is coming out. I was one of the people who bought mine during the soft release and I can’t wait until I receive it! Congrats on everything Wil!!!
    ~~TARA~~

  26. “I’m not going to be signing the softcovers, kristinalead, because I’m doing the limited edition signed, numbered hardbacks later this month.
    We’re fixing the asterisk, too, Jimbeaux, to say “Signed, numbered, limited edition hardcovers will be available soon.”
    Posted by: Wil | October 01, 2007 at 12:41 PM”
    Oh darn… guess I have to order a hardcover later… ;)-

  27. Hi Wil! Question:
    The order page says, “Please note: Choose the shipping location below. If your ship-to address does not match the method you have selected, we will reject your order and you’ll have to start it all over again, and that’s not ever much fun.”
    When I ordered mine in the soft launch I didn’t see anywhere to select a shipping location. (Other than my address information in PayPal.) And no refunds for improperly placed orders? Will you let us know if we ordered improperly or if we never get a book should we assume we did it wrong?
    Thanks! Looking forward to getting the book in the mail! 🙂
    Cheers.

  28. Congrats Wil! I can’t wait to order a copy. And, for the record, no-one cares that there isn’t any Star Trek in it. You’re your own man now.
    I hope you make a tour up to Western Canada (or somewhere close to the border) soon!(?) It’d be worth driving all day to meet you. 🙂
    Also, worth driving all day and night to see if I could get you to personalize a copy of “Happiest…” for the woman I love. 🙂 But, yanno, that’s secondary to meeting the legendary Uncle Willy. 😉
    Anyways, ‘grats, I can’t wait for payday so I can order!

  29. Congratulations! I’m currently in cubicle hell, looking to make my way doing crafty things…it’s good to have hope! Thank you!!

  31. what a great entry 🙂 isn’t it nice to have the blog and be able to look back at the six years and see evolution taking place? right in front of you? i recently celebrated 4 years with my blog and i’m amazed at what’s taken place in those 4 years! i can’t wait to read your book.

  34. Squeeee ….Love the love Wil ;-), gonna love getting my autographed h/copy too!
    So, when do us poor unfortunate Antipodean fanboys and girls get our chance? I’ve got the “hardly waits” here!
    Also a Geocities acolyte (circa 1996) …. wonder how many geeks/geekettes got their start on a Geocities web site?
    Cheers CST

  36. Woohoo! Grats Wil! I too saw the soft launch but decided to hold off for the autographed hardcovers, I don’t really feel like waiting until next years PAX to get you to sign it. 🙂
    I recently started taking some online college courses that I should have taken about 6 years ago, one of which is a Critical Writing/Reading class. When asked to introduce myself I had the great privilege of stating “My favorite authors include Diana Gabaldon, Sherman Alexie and Wil Wheaton.” (awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww) Seriously though, thank you for writing. The only problem I have is that I fly through your books! I feel like I’m listening to a friend tell a story and it’s hopelessly addicting. Thank you, thank you!

  37. Wil,
    I’d love to wait for a signed copy! However, I’d like to know if you will be announcing it on your blog, or will there be another soft release first? I’m not able to check your site very often during the work week, I’ve got some internet monitoring fascists where I work! If I know that I won’t miss out on getting one, then I’ll pass on the softcover to get the extra special signed version, filled with extra special geeky signed goodness!

  39. Long time reader, first time poster. Been a reader for years now, just too damned exciting to stay quiet. Keep up the good work man! I am very excited for you. I can’t wait to read this book.

  45. It’s been a long road – getting from there to here.
    It’s been a long time, but …
    I seriously can’t continue with that post. Seriously.
    Congratulations, Wil. Both on the book and at finding such a great place in life.
    (And the book is a fantastic trip down memory lane. It triggered very vivid memories of my own from the same time period. I highly recommend it. Seriously.)

  46. Hi Wil
    Before I comment on your this entry, I have to ask when and if this book will be available in the UK, I went to Monolith Press as soon as I received the text through Twitter and found to my dismay that it is only available in America and Canada, but then hope appeared when I found out that the signed copies weren’t ready yet. Will UK deliveries be ready in time for the signed hardcovers? This is something I really want Wil and some good news on this subject would be welcome.
    I glanced over my over-read copy of ‘Just a Geek’ before writing this and I saw the clear difference in writing style and confidence that comes across in that book and your blog today, you’ve come an extreme distance in such a small period of time, there was a time when you would sugar coat your blog to say what you wanted to think, how you wanted to appear, I don’t get the impression that you do that any more. The content and confidence that comes across (mostly, you like all of us have you bad, moments) is refreshing and great to see. However even if I take out that what you do is very public, any of us who read your blog would be lucky to have the career development you’ve had in our own career and life, then when we match it up with your personnel commitments and family, (just the parts you let us in to) your a role model for all of us.
    Okay since I’ve wrote the above I’m now allowed to officially complain. Several weeks ago you gave us all a tease on a Picard rap, we got the impression that we would be seeing the full article in hours, maybe days, but weeks we can’t wait that long, TV have dampened our ability to hold expectation for this long, where is it, you didn’t delete it and start again did you, please post your next STNG review!
    (Hey man, he’s been very busy lately isn’t that obvious with this book launch.
    I know he has but he can’t give us a teaser like that and expect us to wait.
    Your just be selfless.
    Hey shut up you’re the side of my brain demanding a signed copy.
    Well it’s not like you don’t want it either.
    I’m just happy with a copy of the book.
    You didn’t just say that… take it back.
    No you take it back
    Sorry this might take a while…)

  47. Got mine during soft launch! Whoo-hoo!
    Impatiently waiting by my mailbox 🙂
    Oh, and I can’t wait for the limited edition, signed, hardback either…. or the audio version….or the Acme production, or the indepent film version…I could go on but I won’t. Congratulations! I will be getting copies for my friends and family, too. Just want to give others the chance to get theirs first.

  49. I’m going to wait and get an autographed hard cover. I have yet another question about international shipping… I’m in Ireland and will be paying with my Irish paypal account, but will have it shipped to an address in Florida. Will the monolith site allow that or will the billing address have to match the postal?
    Also, if anybody else outside of the US & Canada want to get the book, I had my copy of Just A Geek ordered through a local bookstore here in Dublin, just give them the ISBN number.

  50. Could the hard cover copies be gold plated, too?
    That would be just great. Stephen King does that I think.
    Can you make it happen?

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