Fanmail Q&A: Convention Adventures

Pat,

I know you just did some touring around. You hit a bunch of conventions in Indianapolis, Chicago, and Seattle…

Why don’t you tell us about your trips? Not a lot of us can make it to your events, but we’d love to hear some cool stories from the road…

What was you’re favorite part of your travels?

Joe.

*     *     *

Joe,

The truth is, I always mean to write about my conventions/readings/adventures when I get back from them. Because honestly, something interesting always happens.

(What happens in Austin, stays in Austin.)

The problem is, when I get back from these things, I’m exhausted. Plus the travel has usually put me behind on a bunch of other projects. So I spend a couple days answering e-mail and trying to get caught up with things. By the time I *am* caught up, the convention has usually been over for a month. Or two. Or ten.

In fact, when I was at Gencon, someone asked me a question similar to yours. Except they asked about the book tour I did last year. 21 events in 21 days, all over the country.

“You never wrote about it on the blog,” she said.

“Oh sure I did,” I said.

“A little,” she said. “But not much at all. And I should know. I just recently found your blog and read the whole thing.”

“Wow,” I said. “Seriously?”

“Yeah,” she said. “I twisted my ankle so I couldn’t go hiking. It took me about three weeks and I kinda I read it all. The baby ducks. Your Aslan Story. The  Gaiman-Day unit of coolness…

I thought about it for a second, and realized that while I had *planned* to write blogs about some of my road adventures, I’d probably never gotten around to it.

Alternately, sometimes I start writing a blog, and never finish it because other things come up. I have a blog titled: “why people kill themselves in hotel rooms” that I’ve been trying to finish for more than a year now….

“So what was your favorite part of the tour?” she asked.”What was cool?”

I thought about it for a bit. Then told her the truth: There were a lot of cool things that happened. I met a lot of lovely readers. I got hugs and cookies and whiskey and knives…

And a plush unicorn Pegasus kitten.

I did a midnight reading in San Fransisco for the people that couldn’t fit into my earlier reading. Much to everyone’s surprise, more than 300 people showed up despite the ridiculously late hour.

My first signing was over 600 people. So many that I couldn’t take a picture of them all at once. So many that they filled two levels of the bookstore. I got to read in the Library of Congress. I met people that actually squeed with delight.

I met someone who had my name tattooed on her arm…

…which is a level of devotion that is equal parts flattering and terrifying. Especially given that book two wasn’t even out yet.

I got to do a reading at the Library of Congress. People dressed up in costumes….

But honestly? My favorite part came right at the end of the tour, when I met up with Sarah and Oot right at the end of the tour in Boston. I hadn’t seen them in a long while, and I missed Oot terribly.

Oot was barely a year an a half old at that point, so me being away for three weeks was a big deal. I got to see him at various points in the tour, but it was only for an hour or an evening at a time. And as I’ve made clear on the blog, when I’m away from him for a long period of time, I start to lose my shit. Around day five I become a wretched weepy thing, unable to go out in public without embarrassing myself.

It was even worse back then. He was so young. I was worried he wouldn’t remember me. Worried that he’d be shy of me….

So the first morning after the tour was over, we hung out in the hotel. We cuddled a little, and when he got bored with that, I asked him if he wanted to make a pillow fort.

He did. So we made a fort using the ridiculous number of pillows that those posh hotels feel obliged to put on your bed.

To all you parents out there. If you’re not making pillow forts with your kids, you’re really missing out. You don’t need a lot of pillows. Three or four is plenty. In some ways, it can be better without a lot of pillows, because then you can make yourself *part* of the fort. If your kid isn’t a big cuddler, you can get some clandestine snuggling that way.

Sarah and my dad went out for breakfast. Oot and I didn’t. We stayed in the hotel room and continued to made forts.

I told Oot that he better be careful, because there was a creature called the Goonch that would nibble his feet if they were hidden under the pillows. Then I would sneak my hand under the pillow and tickle him.

It has been more than a year since I started that little game, and it still hasn’t gotten old. Not for either of us.

He had a few plush toys with him, and I thought that maybe they would try to break into the fort. Add some drama to the game.

But Oot thought that if they wanted to come in the fort, that was fine by him. That made me unreasonably proud. No pointless antagonism. No warmongering. He just wanted to hang out in his fort with his friends.

So it went for about two hours, until Sarah and my dad got back from breakfast.

That was my favorite part of my book tour….

[Editorial note: I just searched my computer for an hour, looking for the pictures I know I took of little Oot in his pillow fort. I can’t find them and it breaks my heart a little.

Instead, please accept this picture of comparable cuteness]

(Click to Embiggen the Cute.)

I know we’re all programmed to think our kids are cute, but seriously. Look at him.

And that hair. I can’t bring myself to cut it. He’s just too pretty. About 80% of the people who meet him think he’s a little girl because of it. But I love it. Plus  can’t help but feel that will probably be healthy for him in the long run. Maybe if folks think he’s a girl for another couple years he’ll be slower to absorb some of the gender bullshit that’s constantly fucking up our culture.

*     *     *

Anyway Joe, I hope that kinda answers your questions. For one, it’s not that I try to keep these stories secret, it’s just that I tend to be busy and forgetful.

For two, generally speaking, my favorite part of these adventures is coming home to my little boy.

Rest assured that I’ll be sharing at least one cool story from Gencon in the semi-near future. One that Scalzi has already mentioned on his blog.

In the meantime, here’s one cool thing that happened in Chicago.

I wore a tux:

Oot wore a tuxedo shirt. We were quite the dashing pair….

Later all,

pat

This entry was posted in book two, conventions, emo bullshit, fan coolness, Fanmail Q + A, Oot, Surreal enthusiasm, Tales from the Con. By Pat60 Responses

60 Comments

  1. Posted September 12, 2012 at 6:36 AM | Permalink

    This MAY be a good reason to finally join twitter. You can post tiny nuggets of goodness as they happen or that night at least. The 140 character limit removes the pressure to fill up space to make a standard blog post. I see your name mentioned on twitter by other creators at the group events but your perspective is always missing.

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:11 PM | Permalink

      Yeah. I’ve had the same thought.

      I have some plans for having some fun when I finally join the world of Twits. Hopefully we’ll be seeing that happen in the next month or so…

      • mgwa
        Posted September 20, 2012 at 10:42 PM | Permalink

        If you join Twitter, I hope you’ll do whatever it is that sends your tweets to your facebook account as well, for those of us who like to read you but aren’t yet twits ;-)

  2. Albender
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 6:46 AM | Permalink

    Agree, coming back and spend time with kids owns everything. Really, everything.

    Pat dedicates a decent amount of his time for fans (including this blog) More time than many other writers methinks.
    We should thank him for that and be grateful, he’s nice and all that ;-)
    We fans are like Ewoks, we always demand more and more, can’t expect a frikin’ awesome blog entry everyday :-)

    Albert

  3. j9isawesome
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 6:53 AM | Permalink

    I just have to say out of every author I’ve met, you were by far my favorite. I was at that midnight signing in San Francisco, because I didn’t hear about the earlier one until it already sold out. Despite already doing one huge event that night, despite talking for over an hour in front of a room full of strangers, despite it being 1:30 in the morning, despite missing your little Oot terribly- you were so personable and still seemed genuinely thrilled to be meeting all of your fans. I remember thinking that was pretty remarkable at the time and think so even more now hearing about your “homesickness”. Thanks for being awesome!

  4. BlackWyrm
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 6:59 AM | Permalink

    Hey, I recognize that last photo. You’re two levels up from the dealer hall at WorldCon. I regret that I wasn’t feeling up to the Hugos that night, and had to miss seeing you and Oot all dressed up.

  5. LionsRampant
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 7:02 AM | Permalink

    Haha, that picture of Oot makes me think of the main protagonist from the rpg Ico. You should feel very proud Mr. Rothfuss, Oot has a bright future of rescuing princesses ahead of him, perhaps some of them from sleeping barrow kings.

  6. Jiyuu
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 7:09 AM | Permalink

    Naw, you’re immeasurable pride over Oot’s cuteness is not a genetically programmed reaction. Oot is honestly cuter than average kids by a substantial margin. (Cat-eared Oot, I nearly squeed at work). Every time I reread your description of Auri’s hair, I imagine Oot’s hair. Not sure if that was what you had in mind but if there ever was hair that looked like rays of sunshine, it’s Oot’s hair.

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:14 PM | Permalink

      Boy. Now that you mention it. It is pretty much the right consistency for Auri’s hair. It’s very fine….

  7. Marcus Cox
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 7:16 AM | Permalink

    Man, I miss my kids so much when I’m at work for nine hours, I can only imagine what spending weeks away from them would do to me. Also Oot has fantastic hair. I wouldn’t cut it either.

    One last note, I really don’t think it’s uncommon for a fan to read through the entire blog archive. I first heard of you when George RR Martin posted a link to your “Concerning The Release of Book Two” (https://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2009/02/concerning-release-of-book-two/) post from early 2009. Based how entertained that post was I bought The Name of the Wind that day. About a week later I finished the book and lent it to a friend. I didn’t take into account that I really wanted to read it again. To tide me off until it was returned I read through your blog archives. Granted there was only a few years at that point, but it still took some time to get through. It’s a very entertaining collection of your thoughts.

    • Marcus Cox
      Posted September 12, 2012 at 7:20 AM | Permalink

      I noticed this right after posting but didn’t want to do an entire new post but, I love the fact that your son’s pass thing in tux picture says “Oot Rothfuss”.

  8. Posted September 12, 2012 at 7:29 AM | Permalink

    I saw you in Boston, with your lovely wife and adorable son! He’s even more amazing in person, and so well behaved. Well, he was very well behaved that night. It was an unexpected treat to get to meet them too.

    And on a side not, I have a friend whose father told her that if her toes peaked out from the covers creatures that lived in the walls would come and nibble on them. These creatures were called cantaloupes. You can image her reaction as she went to a friend’s house an they asked her to get the cantaloupe out of the refrigerator.

  9. Posted September 12, 2012 at 7:38 AM | Permalink

    If you wanted our intimate moment to stay in Austin, it may have been wise to keep it off the blog.

    However, my bearded super ginger and I were pretty pumped to see this… as a large, hairy, nerdy internet man, few things have made me giddier. (is that a word?)

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:16 PM | Permalink

      I have to say, that’s one of my favorite pictures from all of the readings I’ve done.

      And he really is a super-ginger, isn’t he? I don’t think I’ve ever seen hair like that before….

      • Posted September 13, 2012 at 8:26 PM | Permalink

        I just won the Internet again!

        Seriously though dude, I can’t even begin to tell you how much of an inspiration you have been. Thanks for making cool shit and sharing it with the world!

        His nickname is Gingersnaps, I threw up in his car once.

        • Posted September 14, 2012 at 3:16 AM | Permalink

          And that was officially the best thing that I’ve read all day….

        • Little My
          Posted September 14, 2012 at 4:36 AM | Permalink

          “Nick’s a real name. Nick’s your buddy. Nick’s the kind of guy you can trust, the kind of guy you can drink a beer with, the kind of guy who doesn’t mind if you puke in his car, Nick!
          Oh, vomit. I’m sorry. Vomit. “

          • Posted September 14, 2012 at 5:55 PM | Permalink

            Actually, I ate two burritos in an eating contest, then to solidify my victory I went to Ben & Jerry’s… That was the fatal flaw

  10. itsjusthim
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 8:03 AM | Permalink

    1 There is SO MUCH BEARD in that one photo. Also that man has really awesome red hair.
    2 TOP HAT! You’re the best seriously!
    3 If anyone wants more Pat follow him on facebook. There are always nice posts. There are more Oot stories, and they’re always adorable!

  11. SevenWords
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 9:40 AM | Permalink

    Same thing happens to my son. I love his hair, it’s awesome, it’s messy, it’d be a real shame to cut it.
    It’s me against the world in the topic of haircuts, but I will not give up on the fight for his hair to be unruly, quirky and weird for as long as it remains cute!

  12. chaelek
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 9:46 AM | Permalink

    That tuxedo picture may, in fact, be the finest thing ever. In the history of all time. It has irrevocably brightened my day. And that’s saying something, I have a cadaver lab later.

  13. Thanoseid
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

    I thinks it rocks that you so obviously love your son. Enjoy these years so you have something to remember when he refuses to acknowledge you much less admit that you are his dad :)

  14. lizzylizletitgo
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 10:40 AM | Permalink

    Thank you for being a feminist and loving dad. And for writing amazing books.

  15. justajenjen
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 10:50 AM | Permalink

    Don’t cut his hair. It really is beautiful. My son also has beautiful long curly blonde hair and I can’t cut it, eathier. Lots of people think he’s a girl, too. I don’t care. He’s 3, it won’t scar him for life and he looks pretty adorable with a Hero Squad figure in one hand and one of my old Barbies in the other. Three cheers for little boys with beautiful hair who challenge gender role expectations!

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:26 PM | Permalink

      I really enjoy that he doesn’t get the whole gender thing yet. Sometimes he calls Sarah my boyfriend. I have to keep people from correcting him, because that series of questions quickly leads to “what is a boy?” and “what is a girl?”

      I mean, he knows that Sarah and I have different parts. “Dad, you don’t have the right sort of boobs.” But there’s a lot more to “what’s a boy?” than a discussion of parts. I’d rather wait until he’s a bit more rational before we started to dig into that stuff.

      • Oatmeal
        Posted September 13, 2012 at 1:37 PM | Permalink

        My son is 7 and has only recently decided he wants his hair cut. At least part of the reason is that people keep calling him a girl.
        I’m sad, his hair is beautiful. :o(

  16. Amrai
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 11:08 AM | Permalink

    No, Oot is cute on an epic level. This is all aided by the little stories of awesomeness that you have scattered throughout the blog which multiply his cuteness factor exponentially. One of the first things I noticed when you posted pictures of Oot (aside from his extreme adorableness) was his hair- hopefully it stays that colour as he grows up.
    On a side note, I really do wonder what Oot will think about thousands of people knowing about all of his childhood antics once he’s old enough to really understand.

  17. Redmeanie
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 11:43 AM | Permalink

    He does look like he’s expecting you to produce a rabbit from that hat! Gorgeous gorgeous son you have.

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:27 PM | Permalink

      He actually asked me if it was magic hat. I wish I had that conversation on tape….

      • jayh
        Posted September 12, 2012 at 3:08 PM | Permalink

        yeesh, you said Magic Hat and all I could think of was Beer. Number 9 specifically.

  18. JohnnyDiscard
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 11:56 AM | Permalink

    That’s a whole lotta beard in pic 1.

    I’ll admit I only read your blog on occasion, so I’ve missed a whole lot. But I’ve now managed to read two Oot posts, and it’s posts like that make me reconsider being Sprog-free. At the very least, I admire the hell out of your fatherliness. I don’t even care that spell-check thinks that’t not a word.

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:34 PM | Permalink

      I was anti-sprog for a long while, and I have to say: it’s so worth it.

      Not to elevate the sappiness level here, but he’s straight up the best thing in my life right now.

      You how bad I’ve got it? This morning he came into my room and said, “Daddy, we’re here to wake you up!”

      You should know that I’m a bit of a bear in the mornings. What’s more, I’d only been asleep for three hours. But he gave me a kiss right on my forehead, and suddenly I was all, “Y’know. I suppose I could get up. It’s not that bad….”

      Beats the hell out of an alarm clock. I’ll tell you that for free.

      • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:34 PM | Permalink

        Gech. I need to channel all this jittery caffeine energy into something other than blog comments. I’m off to write….

  19. IvoryDoom
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:11 PM | Permalink

    I like Oot’s hair like that. It looks adorable, and thats pretty much all babies have to do, so he’s on top of things. LOL. Although I have to admit I think the Cat Ears are definitly +1 to Cuteness or something…

    Another great Blog – I love the ones with lots of pictures and you talking about your family. It’s so relatable. (Which I think is what a lot of people find very endearing about you) Although, I will admit, I am always sort of wondering what Sarah is up to…I think she should write her own blog LOL. Everytime you write about her she seems so very witty and relaxed.

    Anyway…enough yammering…glad you all had a safe trip and got to do some fun stuff.

  20. WhyShapiro
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:43 PM | Permalink

    Your signature is actually tattooed onto someone’s flesh now. That’s crazy!
    I’m curious: can anyone tell which author’s name is tattooed on the other (left) arm?

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:47 PM | Permalink

      It’s Jim Butcher’s

      I would, however, like to point out the Jim’s tattoo is on her left arm, while mine is on her right.

      I think that’s significant. Unless she’s a leftie. Then it’s probably not.

  21. Posted September 12, 2012 at 1:01 PM | Permalink

    If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a story about your coming to Beaverton, Oregon for a book signing at Powell’s. You were on your 21 day tour I think, at the release of Wise Man’s Fear and we were stop number 2.

    I had just recently been introduced to Name of the Winds by my friend Jeff, and had read your book in less then a week. I was very excited to meet the author. When I got to Powell’s, there was standing room only. I think we had a crowd of 300-400.

    When you started talking and answering questions for the crowd, I noticed something that resonated very clearly with me. Despite all the attention you were getting, you still sounded very much like, “one of the guys.” You got excited about geeky things, you didn’t answer any questions condescendingly, and during the signing you gave each person a lot of attention even though that meant we were all there till way passed midnight.

    At one point during the Q&A someone asked you if you would sing. A really weird request I thought, but I am a singer myself so this actually tickled me. Not only did you agree to sing, but you had the entire bookstore singing, You Are My Sunshine. It was one of those moments were I was a very surreal moment and you actually sounded quite good. And then when we were all done singing you continued on to the second verse of the song and sung it solo. It was an epic moment and one that still is with me today.

    You made a devoted fan out of me that day and I’ve been following you on your blog ever since. Please keep being cool, and don’t ever let the haters get you down. You are awesome Pat. Keep singing, and keep writing. Can’t wait to see you the next time you make it to the Northwest.

    • Posted September 12, 2012 at 1:04 PM | Permalink

      Wow. I’m sorry I should have self-edited before I posted that. Lot of grammar gone wrong there. Sorry about that.

  22. Lorraine
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 1:22 PM | Permalink

    While scrolling through this post, my 12 month old son glimpsed Oot’s photo. The one with the big green ears. He sat up straight and leveled his finger at the screen.

    Him: Oot!

    Me: What?

    Him: OOT!

    Me: Do you know him?

    Him: *grins one of those ear to ear grins, points again* OOT! OOT! OOT!

  23. Cielle
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 3:24 PM | Permalink

    You, sir, have a very cute Oot.

    And here’s a good reason not to cut his hair… odds are, the lovely soft curly parts will never grow back! That baby-fine hair, if cut, will grow back as regular, straight, kid hair. I should know; I managed to raise four to adulthood, somehow. And I wish I had never cut their hair!

    Besides, you could always put Oot’s hair into a manly club, or queue, as Jacqueline Carey would say, if you wanted to. But I wouldn’t. He’s adorable just the way he is!

    • justajenjen
      Posted September 14, 2012 at 5:02 AM | Permalink

      When my son was smaller and learning the whole feeding himself skill and I was trying to keep his hair out of his face so that I might have a hope of jjust wiping him off and not having to take him out back and hose the food off of him, I would put his hair in a manly topknot, like a samurai. Not Pebbles Flintstone, thank you very much, dear sister of mine. Pebbles had all her hair up on her head and a topknot is just the front and side portions. Yes, the fact that he’s blonde with green eyes is so not an issue with the fact that he was totally a samurai. :)

  24. erinm
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 3:33 PM | Permalink

    I work at a grocery store in Stevens Point, and occasionally see Sarah and Oot shopping (and you too! Thanks for gracing us with your coolness/business). I never approach because I think that would be weird and inappropriate, but on the couple times I’ve walked past, I’ve noticed that Oot is also a very well-behaved child, and trust me, I see a LOT of not-so-well-behaved children.

  25. Mitchell Hundred
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 4:44 PM | Permalink

    Kind of ironic that you should make an offhand comment about gender like that, considering that this (http://jezebel.com/5942221/is-this-bestselling-fantasy-author-sexist) just showed up on the Internet the other day. Just goes to show how wildly off-point it is.

    • He without a clever name
      Posted September 12, 2012 at 9:26 PM | Permalink

      Wow. Just wow. How is giving a fan that asks for a hug a hug semi creepy?

      Can’t believe that Jezebel blog. Internet anger.

    • cjkoger
      Posted September 12, 2012 at 10:05 PM | Permalink

      I rather imagine it went like this…

      Hmmm, I need something to write today.

      (Trolling random likeminded blog)

      Someone mentioned that this author guy might be kind of sexist. He’s a NY Times Bestseller so people might know who he is. Perfect. Google “Patrick Rothfuss.” Ok, he has a website.

      *Hack*Hack*Hack*

      (Six minutes later.)

      Annnnd, post. Well, my job is done for the week.

    • lizzylizletitgo
      Posted September 13, 2012 at 12:37 AM | Permalink

      I really lost my mind after reading that article today. I couldn’t think of anything else. Please join jezebel so that you can comment and tell Katie J.M. Baker how wrong she is.

      • jayh
        Posted September 13, 2012 at 7:00 AM | Permalink

        The best revenge is…..

        I like the name, Lizzy, and it’s a good path to take. Considering that some bloggers supplement their livelihood from clickthroughs and such, do you really think it’s a good idea to broaden her membership base just to defend Pat, who’s record speaks for itself ?
        By having the Hordes of Rothfussians ( who have t0 join just to comment) descend upon her it means her membership increases. When she uses the amount of membership to validate herself she really doesn’t need to mention that half of them were haters who took exception to something she said. And that doesn’t address whether she sells her membership list to marketers and such.

        Just something to think about. This is a perfect example of the credo, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity”.

        Jay

    • IvoryDoom
      Posted September 13, 2012 at 11:37 AM | Permalink

      Yah…obviously this women has no reading comprehension. Or just plain didnt read the novels at all.

      Because it was so sexist when Kvothe’s Gailet – a Women – Kicked his ass at sympathy and relatively owned him throughout the entire series so far. Not to mention had the gall to piss off Elxa Dal….

      Also totally sexist when Hespe – a female mercenary – saves a good chunk of her party from Felurian’s grasp…

      Or when Vashet (and basically every other Adem women) were better and more battle ready than the men of their culture….

      I could actually keep going….but Yep…totally fuckin’ sexist man.

      From what I read, this women has some serious sexual issues of her own to work through. She’s raging out because chicks make porn and it’s generally hot….which I’m pretty sure they do willingly and on purpose….and then Pat used it as an analogy…I personally think its more closed minded and sexist on her part to think the way she does. She act’s like women are forced into this shit….or like men dont make porn as well…

      Not to mention lines like:

      ” he constructs an awkwardly long Madonna/Whore analogy”
      In which she labels said imaginary women and Rothfuss does not and notice she does not label the male that would obviously probably be involved (thought not really focused on) in the analogy…

      Or when she pretty much incorrectly states:

      “Just yesterday, Rothfuss announced plans for a new calendar that will include characters from fantasy and sci-fi works by some pretty big (and mostly male) names”

      5 females to 7 males is what I saw…and thats not really a substantial difference…more males write fantasy than females…thats just the facts.

      God…I just hate stupid people who dont take the time to do any research and project their own issues on to normal humans. And, yes, I am a female. I just happen not to consider men being explicitly interested in women as sexist….

  26. crystalku
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 10:12 PM | Permalink

    Holy crapamolies. Your kid is cute. Very sprite like. VERY CUTE. No wonder so many women offer to spawn your babies.

  27. Kiroi Liu
    Posted September 12, 2012 at 10:25 PM | Permalink

    “clandestine snuggling” as always you just know how to use words to make me laugh, smile and squeed, among other things… yeah, Oot is deeply cute but the way you describe him and the situations around him makes him look thousand times cuter… I guess thats okay because you’re his father.

    Hope you start writting about the conventions AND create a twitter account, that way we (your fans/readers) will now what you’re doing in a very good way of describing it, whatever it is that you’re doing, reading, making, etc

  28. Gavin
    Posted September 13, 2012 at 12:35 AM | Permalink

    Well not every child is lucky enough to have both an awesome father and world renowned writer for a parent Mr. Rothfuss I salute you.

  29. Shadow
    Posted September 13, 2012 at 1:36 PM | Permalink

    Oh man pillow forts take me back to when I was kid…. My brother and I didn’t just use pillows to make a forts though, we used all the blankets off both our beds, some towels and what ever else we could get our hands on to turn the reckroom into a huge mulitroom fortress. They were soo fun and not just to play in but to make and then demolish :D

  30. jordan
    Posted September 13, 2012 at 1:49 PM | Permalink

    I once loaned a copy of NOTW to a friend on his way to Africa. I made him promise to mail it back to me in NY when he returned to his home in CA. Months passed and my attempts to retrieve it were shot down because now the roommate was reading it, etc. I lost hope. Over a year later I got a package in the mail. My book. “Jordan, Thanks for spreading the word – Patrick Rothfuss” was signed on the title page. Imagine my delight as I embiggened the large group picture today and saw my friend right in the center. Holding MY book!

    • IvoryDoom
      Posted September 13, 2012 at 3:09 PM | Permalink

      Heh.
      Good story and Good Friend. Now you cant complain about loaning him books ever again LOL.

  31. RiddleMeThis777
    Posted September 13, 2012 at 3:26 PM | Permalink

    When you mentioned Oot’s exceptionally adorable hair I was impressed—but not surprised—that you were so unconcerned about his gender-neutral look. It reminded me of this article (http://jezebel.com/5942221/is-this-bestselling-fantasy-author-sexist) I read on Jezebel the other day, which suggests you write “icky sexist” posts. It’s pretty much complete bullshit. I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now, and I’m continually impressed by your thoughtfulness and compassion. If I recall correctly, you’re also a feminist. It’s awful that Jezebel has portrayed your character so inaccurately, and I thought you deserved to know about the article and to have a chance to respond to the author’s accusations.

    (I sent you a message about this on facebook too, so sorry for crowding your inbox, but I realized belatedly that you were more likely to see this here than there.)

  32. Desert rat
    Posted September 14, 2012 at 3:35 AM | Permalink

    Just want to confirm your impression of Oot as Seriously Cute beyond the norms and boundaries of ordinary charm. As a connoisseur of cute little kids (mom, bona fide aunt, and would-be grandma) he certainly aces cuteness.

    As for the Jezebel piece…they really stepped in it, didn’t they? Meh. Now go have fun playing with Oot.

  33. ashley_capes
    Posted September 14, 2012 at 8:34 AM | Permalink

    Cool!
    I am really looking forward to the hotel-death-blog – in a morbid way that’s a fascinating question.

  34. Beej
    Posted September 14, 2012 at 2:53 PM | Permalink

    Regarding that picture at the signing. The fire marshal is holding for you on Line 2. ;)

  35. mgwa
    Posted September 20, 2012 at 10:44 PM | Permalink

    I was at the reading in Boston where Oot joined you, and I can vouch that he’s every bit as cute as you say he is! My son was once that age, and Oot asymptotically approaches his cuteness (because we all know that no one can surpass the cuteness of a toddler to his mother, so it’s a Platonic ideal of a measure).

  36. Posted September 23, 2013 at 2:53 PM | Permalink

    “Plus can’t help but feel that will probably be healthy for him in the long run. Maybe if folks think he’s a girl for another couple years he’ll be slower to absorb some of the gender bullshit that’s constantly fucking up our culture.”

    Dear Sir,
    if more parents were as conscious about such things as you actively seem to be, the world would be somewhat a better place.

    Plus, Oot really does look dashing in long hair. :D

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