I wrote this at 1am local time last night:
I’m in New York.
I’m jetlagged. I have to get up in six hours for an important meeting and then an important shoot.
I’m trying to fall asleep, and I’m thinking about how I can rewrite the first few paragraphs of my novel, because while I was proofing it today, I kept feeling like it could be better. Like, it’s fine, but I can be better, you know?
So I’m finally starting to drift off to sleep, and my brain goes HEY HERE IS THE WAY TO CHANGE THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY, SO YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT.
And I go, “Fuck, brain, I have to get up in seven hours and I’m finally starting to fall asleep. Can you remember this for me and we’ll do it in the morning?”
And my brain is all, “I can’t make any promises, bro.”
So I am all, “Don’t call me bro. Ever.”
And my brain says, “Sorry. That was a joke that didn’t land.”
And I say, “Okay, so you’ll remember this for me in the morning?”
And my brain is all, “I’m going to have to wake you up a whole bunch so we can keep this particular idea alive until you write it down.”
So I sigh, reach over to the table next to my bed in this hotel, and pick up my laptop. I open it up, turn the brightness all the way down, and write the idea that I had.
And it’s good. It’s really good. It’s *better* than what was there before.
I’m glad I dragged myself out of near-sleep to write it down, but now I am wide awake and I still have to start a long day in six hours, and I’m kind of fucked.
But I don’t care, because I wrote down this thing that’s really good, and I feel good about it.
And this is how I know that I am a writer, and that being a writer is what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Your conversations with your brain remind me a little of Homer Simpson’s chats with his brain. And I’m excited to read the book when it comes out!
This was great to read, as I loved dead trees give no shelter and I look forward to reading the stuff you’re going to write in the future!
You know what I love most about this post? That you sound genuinely happy.
Yes, Sir, you ARE a writer.
I’m hoping you’ll read an excerpt from your book (or frankly anything you’ve written) on the StarTrek cruise in January 2019.
Hey, just another person saying I miss you on twitter. Yes, its stupid, but it was good to hear your thoughts.
When I was young, I always wanted to be a writer but I didn’t/don’t have the creativity. I’m very happy for you Wil & wish great joy & success in this endeavor.
As far as I’m concerned, you’ve been a writer since you started your blog back in the Internet Stone Age. I’m so glad that it brings you joy.
<3 That’s how I knew I was a writer too, and that I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. It’s such a great feeling!
I am a frustrated writer, and judging by a recent repeating dream of being a secret superhero (shapeshifter) assistant to the President (no not that one, my brain chose Alan Alda), I better keep my writing to my day job of movie reviews. However Wil Wheaton is a creative writer who should publish more often.
It’s about three moles in an open relationship who open a dermatology clinic in Santa Fe Springs.
How close did I get?
I wake up to fap.
What’s my career path?
Do you have a publication date yet?
Not yet. As soon as I do, though, you can be assured that I won’t stop talking about it.
Hey Wil – I read about why you got off Twitter and then Mastodon. I enjoyed your tweets but yeah… TWTR sucks.
This may be a little out of left field, but I wonder if you might be interested in learning a little about something I’m building. It’s a new kind of social media designed to fact-check all online news in real-time, and elevate the public discourse. In fact, I’m designing a new feature right now – a “troll-filter” slider bar that lets each user decide how much bullshit they’re willing to see at that moment.
This is a demo of us winning a social impact award a couple years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9si1GoyawbY You can use the public beta right now at Fiskkit.com.
You’re smart. You give a shit. And as you said, you’re a writer. I think you could do a lot of good with a tool like this and a following of good, conscientious nerds.
Anyhow – ping me if you’re interested to learn more. Or just take solace in knowing that there are totally viable solutions and in the end we win, because math… and the fact that there are more readers than writers of bullshit.
Have a good one.
John
I honestly want to cry, because I’m so glad you sound happy. You talk about cutting back on social media, and I worry that you won’t continue to post in your blog. Good luck!
Awesome post man. Thanks
Looking fwd to reading it, Wil!
Looking forward to seeing you at Bubonicon 😉
I’m so excited for this book! I loved your short story dead trees give no shelter &im so glad you found something to be passionate about. You should come back to New York for comicon 🙂
You didn’t fall asleep watching The Flaming Globes of Sigmund did you ?
I genuinely want to hug this post. Not a consoling hug but a burbling giggle, share the happy type hug. You, sir, are awesome.
I absolutely love this. I love more than anything being a writer too
Witty! 😄
Also, almost everyone I guess has the same issue with our brains! They bring up ideas just when we are either held up in some work or when ready to sleep! Nd it’s never easy to get hold of that idea again if you chose to hold it down for a few hours! So good call!
Great post, Wil!
I am not a ‘writer’ in the ‘got check, payed bill’ kind of way, but what you have written is extremely relatable!
You DO NOT wait for the morning.
Cheers!
Now that’s the kind of definition that can stick with you, motivate you. Motivates me. Just read a quote, poet is not a profession but a state of being. Now that’s the zen of writing, knowing you’re a writer because of the thoughts and words stirring in your head, waiting to get out.