Tuckered from the Tour ... But Feeling Blessed
Friday, August 28, 2009
So, Gary says to me this morning, as Marge and Mable were spooning us in a loving, and not creepy whatsoever, way: "You are officially done with your book tour. How's it feel?"
I feel ... tired. And blessed. And emotional.
This has been a bittersweet summer, highlighted by the success of my memoir, underlined by the death of my mom.
I remember talking to her over the phone when she was in the hospital, as AT LEAST IN THE CITY was being talked about on The Today Show (I had seen it an hour earlier ET). "My son on the Today Show!" she had said. I will never forget that moment.
In June I traveled to Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis. This month, I headed to northern Michigan, and did events in Petoskey, Gaylord, Traverse City, Holland and Saugatuck.
I have done radio and TV. Gotten great reviews and bad. And been greeted by mega-crowds at nearly every bookstore where I've done an event. Gary has been by my side the whole time, supporting me, helping me, entertaining the crowds. He is not only half my life, he is half my act. I am blessed.
But now it's time for a little routine. I love a good routine ... same foods (Kashi and a latte, please), exercise, and, most importantly, writing.
My fourth memoir, WHY IS SANTA TAKING DADDY'S LIPITOR?, a holiday memoir, is in the can, and awaiting a pub date from my publisher. And now I will begin working on my fifth, tentatively titled: "ME, MY MOM & ERMA: How I Learned to Live with Passion and Laugh through Tragedy from Two Great Women." It's about my mom and Erma Bombeck, and how their humor and zest for life buoyed me through every critical juncture of mine. I am also working on a TV pilot based on AT LEAST IN THE CITY.
"How's it feel?" Gary asked me again this morning, as our mutts sighed and nuzzled a bit closer.
"Like a dream," I said, before adding, "And like it's time to get back to work."
I feel ... tired. And blessed. And emotional.
This has been a bittersweet summer, highlighted by the success of my memoir, underlined by the death of my mom.
I remember talking to her over the phone when she was in the hospital, as AT LEAST IN THE CITY was being talked about on The Today Show (I had seen it an hour earlier ET). "My son on the Today Show!" she had said. I will never forget that moment.
In June I traveled to Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis. This month, I headed to northern Michigan, and did events in Petoskey, Gaylord, Traverse City, Holland and Saugatuck.
I have done radio and TV. Gotten great reviews and bad. And been greeted by mega-crowds at nearly every bookstore where I've done an event. Gary has been by my side the whole time, supporting me, helping me, entertaining the crowds. He is not only half my life, he is half my act. I am blessed.
But now it's time for a little routine. I love a good routine ... same foods (Kashi and a latte, please), exercise, and, most importantly, writing.
My fourth memoir, WHY IS SANTA TAKING DADDY'S LIPITOR?, a holiday memoir, is in the can, and awaiting a pub date from my publisher. And now I will begin working on my fifth, tentatively titled: "ME, MY MOM & ERMA: How I Learned to Live with Passion and Laugh through Tragedy from Two Great Women." It's about my mom and Erma Bombeck, and how their humor and zest for life buoyed me through every critical juncture of mine. I am also working on a TV pilot based on AT LEAST IN THE CITY.
"How's it feel?" Gary asked me again this morning, as our mutts sighed and nuzzled a bit closer.
"Like a dream," I said, before adding, "And like it's time to get back to work."
posted by Wade Rouse at
8:47 AM
6 Comments:
Wade:
Just wanted to say how much the book made me laugh and also how impressed I am by your honesty and ability to approach serious topics with just the right blend of humor and gravitas. My husband and I moved from the city to the middle of nowhere 2 years ago and totally identify with so many scenarios described in your book. I hope you'll come read in the D.C. area sometime or better yet in my small backward town of Front Royal, VA. The guys at Southern States would love you! The hubby and I, who are a mixed race couple, also write a blog about trying to survive life in the Shenandoah Valley at http://www.shenandoahbreakdown.wordpress.com
Cheers, Heather
Wade,
Keeping fingers and toes crossed for the potential tv pilot. Do keep us posted on how that's coming along. Also can't wait for the next memoir. And for the wish list? Come see us folks in Northwest Arkansas on your next tour. Rest up, my friend. The best is yet to come!
Best wishes from the Ozarks,
~Alan & Mary
TV pilot?? Wow! That is exciting stuff! I'm glad your tour was so successful. I just wish I'd had a chance to attend a signing. Maybe next time:)
Enjoy your R&R....it's well deserved, that's for sure.
;),
Jessica
Thanks, Heather! I checked out your and your hubby's blog ... we have MUCHO in common, I think! Keep writing, and best of luck with your poetry and projects! I'll keep reading!
And thanks Alan and Jessica for the good wishes ... I'm no longer on the road but will be kicking my writing into high gear (in PJ's) tomorrow a.m.!
xx,
Wade
i love you! this post keeps getting shorter since i've accidentaly lost it twice already. lets see i'll wrap it up in the short version. your great, never heard of you til i met you in t.c. couple weeks ago. only approachd because the 2 of you were adorable and i wanted to squeeze your heads off. knowing your voioces makes you book so fun to read, i'll be a lifelong fan.hmmmm, what else? tonight i freaked out and drove "to town" (traverse city) with 4 kids cuz i needed to buy anything so badly(feel your pain!) actually left them in the car with some groceries while i begged a lady to let me shop for the last 5 min. they were open. GOD how very wade rouse of me. anyway theres no way a gay man trapped in a somewhat womans body(me) can get through this life without books like yours and my other friends carrie bradshaw and the girls of wisteria lane, so thanks!
ps. is it wierd that last night i had a dream that icalled your place and gary told me most of mis-haps in your book were made up and then when i asked him if at least you stayed at turkey run when the book was done? he said "HAAAAALE NO, right back to the city!" i was crushed, like when wade found out thoreau was only at walden for 2 years.
pps if you are ever looking into having a child i'd be happy to help. i have ridiculously cute kids, easy pregnancies,and healthy babies that are hilarious by nature! just let me know i'm getting to old to pushing out babies much longer. almost 35
peace.
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you affordable website design
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