I get these e-mail updates when someone registers here as a new user. For months, I see one or two every couple of days, and e-mail subscribers are holding steady just under 14,000. I feel like I’m in a bit of a growth plateau, which is a thing that happens.
Weirdly, yesterday morning, new user registration emails started pouring in, and didn’t stop all day. It looks like roughly 250 new accounts were created, which is a m a z i n g … if they are real people and not weird bots. So… are you a newly registered reader? If yes, would you Introduce yourself? Don’t be alarmed when the system tell you that I need to approve your comment; that’s by design. Thank you.
And now, on to the post.
I am profoundly scattered and distracted, on the verge of total overwhelm, because I’ve been working my face off on an audiobook that’s been as much fun as I expected, but is leaving me exhausted at the end of every session. It’s been interesting to note how my vocal fatigue starts to creep in right around 4 hours, about half an hour after my mental fatigue begins to do its thing. Somewhere in the world, there are a lot of recordings of me just hilariously messing up words because my brain can’t keep up.
It can sound ludicrous to anyone who works a 9-5 when I say that after 4 hours of work I’m damn close to both physical and mental exhaustion. It sounds ludicrous to me! But that’s a long time to be performing without a break, and I honestly can’t even imagine what going to six hours or more would feel like. I know people do it, and I tip my hat to them.
The work has been satisfying. The story and the characters are such a fun sandbox to play in, and it feels good to walk out of the studio every day feeling happily exhausted, and creatively fulfilled. I presume that most of you reading this know my whole story, so you know how hard it is for me to feel like I’m worst at what I do best, and it isn’t even something I ever wanted to do in the first place. Narrating audiobooks has opened up this whole amazing world to me where I’m pretty good at what I do best, and I love every second of it. I am so grateful that I have been able to take something that was imposed on me (being an actor), and pull something out of that that truly belongs to me (my narrative voice and skill set).
I feel like this is a good moment to pause and promote a little bit of that. I have been told that I have to promote my work so much I feel like it’s the only thing I do, that it’s way too much, that everyone is sick to death of hearing it … and then do a little more. Good lord. I remember when I thought that making the thing was the hard part; turns out that just letting people know the thing exists is so much harder than I remembered or anticipated.
So.
Here’s Still Just A Geek — currently on sale at Audible for $7.99 — which is roughly 24 hours of you and me sitting together on a long car trip while I tell you my life story to this point. My publisher tells me that it continues to outsell the print version, which is nearly sold out all over the place and is apparently becoming something people are collecting.
Uhhhh… okay? That’s not what I expected but thank you? That’s amazing.
Here are two stories I recently did for John Scalzi that I can confidently recommend to literally anyone whether they already like his work or don’t even know about it: Starter Villain and When The Moon Hits Your Eye. Both are a whole lot of fun, a little silly, light and easy without being empty calories, featuring characters who were deeply satisfying to discover and voice. (I mean, the dolphins. IYKYK).
Right now, Cory Doctorow is touring Picks & Shovels, the second novel in what I hope is an ongoing series that never ends, featuring a character named Martin Hench. I did this, and Bill Gates’ memoir, Source Code, and When The Moon Hits Your Eye, while I was doing the first season of It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton and —
Dang. When I put it that way, I sound much more employed and accomplished than I feel. That’s probably a good thing for me to be aware of, so I can recalibrate my internal sensors to be more reliable.
Anyway, this work of the last four or five months is significant to me, and significant in my career. It’s a moment when I massively leveled up without even noticing that it was happening. It’s kind of like in Fallout 76, when I’ll be out in Wes Tek farming Super Mutants with my fun new “make everything explode” perk, and not even realize I’ve leveled up to a new perk pack. I wasn’t paying attention to the XP, because I was having so much fun doing the things that generated it, and now I have all this fun XP, new perks, and a better build than I did before. I can do things now that I didn’t know I would ever be able to do before. (That’s just for whoever is in the me and Fallout 76 Venn Diagram. The rest of you can safely move on, or ask someone who knows).
It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton news and updates.
This week’s episode ends the first season, which is a major bummer because I feel like we’re just getting started, still introducing the show to the audience, still reaching for that tipping point. I originally planned to do ten, but we could only get seven, and I had no idea that three would be such a big and meaningful number. Let this be a lesson: listen to De La Soul, people. They know what they’re talking about.
Here is an obligatory link to the podcast homepage.
Here is a link to the podcast Patreon.
Here is where I tell you that I’m doing an AMA about these stories and everything that we did to bring them to you, a week from tomorrow (that would be Tuesday, May 6) for everyone who is in the Book Hound tier. I’m trying something I’ve heard on other podcasts: you can ask me questions in the voice mail format, that I can listen to and answer. I expect it will be fun to interact this way, and if it goes well, and I do more episodes, I’ll make it a monthly thing, maybe even weekly. The link for that will be posted to the show’s Patreon by the time this post goes live.
Finally, a teaser for this upcoming episode:
“It’s a ghost story, it’s a love story, it’s a gorgeous monologue that cries out to be staged in the real life theatre where the titular play is set … so I invite you to take your seat, because the house lights are coming down and I’m about to begin.”
Thanks for reading, and thanks for listening. I’m glad you’re here.
Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET
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I’m glad to be here, Wil. Been around a while, and I’m not going anywhere.
Clinton the Trekkie
I think I subscribed twice, the 2nd time being yesterday as I was trying to find the discord link. Loved the talk with Anne and you!
Have a better day
Janice
I too was looking for the Discord link which was mentioned on the Sunday talk. May I ask, did you find the link? Thanks
I’m not sure if my question posted. I too was looking for the Discord link. Did you find? Thanks
It’s in a different post, but the link has certainly expired by now, so here’s a new one: https://discord.gg/52hjPKvp
Hey Wil, Big Al Stonebender checking in. Been here. Will be here. You are helping.
I’m not new, but I often read your blogs straight from my email. For some reason this didn’t come through with the full text, as they often do.
Anyway. I’ve been reading your blog since like.. 2012? It’s one of the newsletters I send to my “real” email address and not the one I use for junk mail and coupons. Ha! Thanks for writing!!
That’s weird. Where did it cut off for you? (And thanks for being here!)
I’m a new (non-bot) subscriber! 🤘🏼 The short story podcast is fantastic and ties me over when I finish one audiobook and can’t decide what to listen to next. Thank you for doing that type of show!
Welcome!
Hi Wil!
Recently registered, non-bot reader. I enjoy your content.
Thanks, buddy 🙂
I listen via PocketCasts. Are all signups counted?
Thank you for being who are and doing what you do 🙂
Wave Hi, I’m Devon! I signed up about a month ago after having a weird dream with you in it.. Anyway it made me curious about what you were up to and decided to give you a follow 🙂
I havent played Fallout 76 yet but I’m currently hyperfixated on Fallout 4 so I get your reference without directly being in the Venn diagram.
I’m enjoying your blog so far and I think I’ll check out your audiobook. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’m waving to you from wayyyy over in the SFV. Thanks for listening!
Lmao! Hi neighbor! I’m also in SFV the Glendale/Burbank area. I work for the mouse. It’s good times 🙂 and np! Looking forward to hearing more
It’s 2am and I’m doomscrolling. I normally get your stuff from Substack but now here we are. You are now the third American allowed into my inbox!
Mike in France
I am honored, Mike. Vive L’France!
Hi, Wil: I subscribed a couple of months ago, but it never occurred to me that I could leave a comment until you asked folks from this new wave of new subscribers to comment. I just wanted to tell you I’ve been enjoying “It’s Storytime” SO much. I can’t believe the season is almost over. Thanks for these stories and for bringing them to life while I listen. I’m 46 years old, so TNG was my introduction to Star Trek and the series I will always love the most, and I loved your work. Of course, I didn’t know then how hard things were for you. I’ve enjoyed your work for most of my life, and I’m so glad you found your way in adulthood to enjoying your work, too! Lisa
I’m a new subscriber but not new reader. After the Stands event yesterday I subscribed. Unfortunately the Frost lost their game but I did join the Patreon for the podcast because I’m super excited to see if it grows to getting user submissions.
Katie
Aw, rats! The Kings lost, too, and I think they may have lost the series last night.
I listen to a long-running British radio drama (they hate the term ‘soap’) on BBC4 called The Archers, and recently heard an interview with actor Wilf Scolding who also works in TV and film. He’s new to narrating audiobooks and said it’s incredibly challenging and exhausting because it’s just you talking/acting instead of the usual dialogue in a scene, never mind the preparation. It’s not unlike being Scheherazade, except perfectly on point with no mouth noises 🙂
Hi, I’m Ed and I appreciate the updates, bummer that this week is the Season finale, but really loving the stories and will look forward to the return. Keep being you. 🖖🏻
Hi Ed! I’m glad you’re here!
I’m real, not-a-bot!
We’re glad you’re here too, Wil. 🫂
Starter Villain was a whole lot of fun and must have been a fun project for you. Will have to check out When The Moon…. 👍
Not a bot!
Also, you say 4-4.5 hours of audio book work doesn’t sound like a lot, but honestly, that’s essentially two Shakespeare or Broadway musical main character vocal performances back to back with no intermission, so, sounds like a lot of work to me and makes complete sense.
Hi Wil! Super glad to be here! Long-time fan who really appreciates your insight, humor, and your Real-ness.
Wil, I am not a bot and love your new podcast. You really do have a great voice for reading audiobooks and pick really interesting stories. I am a big fan of you and love to hear your stories, keep up all your hard work, there are lots of us routing for your success and happiness!
As a kid who grew up on Next Gen (and who loved Wesley Crusher for being a smart kid who held his own with the adults) and Reading Rainbow (but was that kid who knew Levar Burton as Geordi first and foremost), listening to the first episode of your podcast was like a warm hug of nostalgia mixed with the joy of finding something new to love!
I love that. Thank you.
Actual human – not totally new subscriber but can’t remember how long. I got emails leading up to the release of the first story.
I’ve been worried about falling behind on my stories and now I’m going to need to savor them!
I’m real, you prolly got a lot of people from the Momentous talk. Glad I got to see that – I was on the JoCo Cruise for the first time last month, and I was saying to myself* “The only thing I’m missing on this cruise is Wil Wheaton.” And then I got an email from Stands and there you were! Best hour of my life in a while.
We love you, and whatever that teaser is, I want to stage manage that play. Sight unseen.
*not in any way a criticism of one of the best weeks I’ve had in YEARS
Hey Wil,
Just wanted to let you know I saw your call to comment. I’m looking looking forward to seeing you at Rose City later this year. Hard to believe it’s been 7 years since we’ve last been in the same space. A lot has happened since I left Microsoft.
I am so excited for Rose City! I haven’t been to PDX since the last time I went to that con, and I’m way overdue for a visit.
Just wanted to say that i have really been enjoying your podcast 🙂
PS one of your Patreon perks should be a reel of your audiobook bloopers. (I used to buy audiobooks for my library back when they were on CASSETTE TAPE, and my audiobook rep had a crush on me and gave me a blooper tape they made for the company. I still have it, that was fun.)
I believe we have some bloopers and outtakes from the sessions. I’ll check on that.
Hi I’m new and my name is jacquline. I read some article about your parents and starting thinking holy shit balls I thought my parents were the only ones!! Thank you for making me feel not alone.
Thank you again for making at least me feel not so alone in this world. Common sense and all.
Hi, Wil! New subscriber, but not a new reader, and a fan since 1988 and the TNG days. I just listened to last week’s episode of Storytime, and your voice is so soothing! I hope that there will be a Season 2 soon!
Oh sadness at only 7, you may not be able to answer this but timeframe estimate for season 2 if stars align for it?
Audiobook work – to me, anyway, – feels like acting, so four straight hours of that is a lot. Enjoy your breaks. Take them when you can.
Well now I’m wondering if I can do justice to “That’s Amore” at my mom’s (former) AL/MC facility’s next karaoke Sunday! Gonna have to practice that, but it’s always nice to have a new piece to perform.
I wonder if most jobs just require 8 hours of physical labor, or 8 hours of mental labor, and not 8 hours of both. Each type demands the entirety of your stamina, and performing is an equal mixture of both, which would explain why 4 hours could max out your reserves.
Hi Wil, Not new, not a bot. But you said something that just made me want to tell you that you are VERY good at what you do. I have been an Audible listener for a loooong time and one of the things that will make me immediately spend my credits is a book that you have narrated. Especially if it’s also written by you. I hope you always have lemons and honey in the pantry, because your voice is a national treasure. Thanks for all the hours of great stories.
Debra
Thanks, Debra. You’re so kind.
Hi, I’m Heather and have been on this earth for almost 50 years. I’m a huge geek/nerd, and I admired you when I was a teen (sorry Sean Astin was my fav, but I had you on my wall too!), and I’m happy to say that I like and admire today Wil as much as I did that Wil. You’ve given me courage and confidence to take on my childhood trauma and work through it, and I will always be thankful to you for that! Love and light to you and the world!
That’s Super Awesome
My first thought when you mentioned doing a new audiobook was, “Wait! Scalzi and Doctorow have already released books this year, what is left for Wil to narrate?” (Knowing full well there are plenty of other authors out there, but I do love you on their books.) I was late to the party on both those authors, but took a chance since you were doing the audio, and so glad I did as I’ve since taken a deep dive on both. So, thanks, for not just bringing these stories to life, but also introducing me to “new” (even if well established) authors. (Also – LOVE this aspect with your podcast!)
I’m real! I’ve followed several of your projects over the years, and just recently began listening to your take on Randall Munroe‘s books.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t know if they would work well as audiobooks- they can get…dense…and the humor cuts just so.
But I’ve been loving the experience. I can tell you put in the work. They’re understandable, funny, and a joy to listen to. You make the big words and big concepts land. That is not easy.
I’m grateful that your journey led you to audiobooks and storytelling. You have a unique talent in those areas and I’m glad that you keep putting that out in the world.
I appreciate this so much! Thank you. I worked very diligently to strike the exact tone you noticed! It’s a much more narrow band than I think anyone would expect, and landing — and staying — there took focus. I’m glad it made the difference for you.
I’m a fairly new subscriber, but I’ve been reading your blog for over 20 years [wow – I hadn’t realized how long its been. I was reading the blog for a year or two before Just a Geek came out – (Wil, I assume you remember me; when you signed my copy. I gave you a present as a thank-you for all the words you gave me via the blog. You hesitantly accepted it.]
In the past I had a folder of links that I checked every morning [comics, columns, blogs, etc.], but recently I realized that it was better to subscribe and filter the blog posts into the super-duper-Wil-Wheaton-isolation-chamber in my email reader – – now there is no chance of missing one.
Funny to hear you talking about 4 hours talking (I would be exhausted) vs 6 hours of something else. It all depends on what you like to do, I think. I always wondered how actors deal with the wait, now act, now wait, now act, now voice, now promote, you get the point.
Hi Wil, 100% Human Bean here! I’ve been a fan since Stand By Me, Toy Soldiers and I wasn’t the only one at my high school with a crush on Wesley. Rent-A-Pal was great! Take care of that beautiful voice of yours. I love listening to anything you’re in. Please consider releasing some blooper reels. Keep being you!
-Melissa
Hi there! I’m Kelsey, and I’ve been a reader of the blog for a couple of years now, I think? I didn’t realize I wasn’t already subscribed, so I’m glad I rectified that error yesterday after the wonderful event with you and Anne! I live in Jackson, WY, but I grew up in Minnesota. I really appreciate your commentary on justice and democracy, mental health, hockey, and kindness. I first heard your audiobook work on The Martian, which was my very first sci-fi book about ten years ago, when I read the paperback on a whim and upon finishing it, started it right over again. It quickly became my favorite genre, just as you have become my favorite narrator.
I think this work is a lot harder than people realize and you are extremely good at it, and it is obvious how hard you work at it. You led me to the wonderful John Scalzi, and his work is often dense or bureaucratic, yet you also make it funny and playful, just as it feels like he intended. I have been saving Storytime for when nothing else will do – music is too grating, I can’t focus on my book, my shoulders won’t relax. So far, it has done the trick every single time, so thank you for that.
P.S. There are studies that show that most office workers can do about 4 hours of actual work per day before getting mentally fatigued, so it sounds like you’re right on target. We are humans, not machines, and I try to remind myself that we are all just doing our best under capitalism.
seen somewhere else:
Q: How many people work at your office?
A: About half.
Just a very short note to say that your narration of Starter Villain was perfect. What a fun, enjoyable listen.
Hi Wil, just a new subscriber from France, I’m here because you left Facebook (and good on you!) and I wanted to keep reading your work. I’m glad I’m here!
Also a real person. Long time Trek/cult TV viewer, but interested in many things. Always find your posts on various platforms insightful. I’ve refered some of your recent posts to someone close to me who has also suffered through what I’ll obliquely refer to as parental issues, which has been helpful. Subscribed so I can keep seeing your stuff.
I absolutely second that recommendation for Starter Villain and When the Moon Hits Your Eye. The stories are a bit wacky with great characters (cats!) and Wil is an amazing narrator 👍🏻😁
Hello, I’m a new subscriber from England, who thought ‘Wil’s been quiet lately. Where’s he gone?’, then remembered you left FB.
Thanks to the above, I’m now aware there’s a podcast too, so the promotion you’re doing is working. Looking forward to catching up on the pod.
…annnnnnd now “That’s Amore” is going to be playing in my head for the next six or seven hours. Dang.
Focusing on something for 4 hours is a lot. Speaking for 4 hours is a lot! I think about the privilege of being a “knowledge worker” and focusing on the same thing for 4 hours gets exhausting. We all need the breaks that let us recharge and be at our best!
New reader here! Glad to have stumbled upon someone who loves their creative process so much. Your line of work is so interesting!