The Drunken Rogue at Forty: A Drunken Prognostication

It's hard to believe that just a month ago today, I started a series of auto-biographical blogs, entitled, "The Life and Times of the Drunken Rogue." Since then I've added a significant number of subscribers, and my daily hit count has more than doubled. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the response to this series in particular but, all the stuff I write. Thanks for reading, commenting, and especially thanks for the kudos.

But I come not to praise "The Life and Times of the Drunken Rogue" I come to bury it (at least until I do some more interesting stuff). Today's post is in fact (for the time being) the last in that series. It's a look forward, at where I think Ella and I will be in 15 years. In fifteen years (and a month and a half if we want to get technical) I'll be turning 40. That's sort of the point in your life, where you are supposed to be on top of things, career-wise, family-wise, etc. So where are the Drunken Rogue and his lovely wife in the year 2021? Let's find out.

The Cover story of the Life Section of USA Today, August 8, 2021.

The Drunken Rogue Hits Hollywood

What do you think of when you imagine a big-shot writer, on the set of his first feature film? It's probably not what I see when I meet Joel, or the Drunken Rogue as legions of his fans know him. Joel is dressed casually, khaki shorts that used to be pants, fraying at the cut, a polo shirt and a bandana tied under his flowing hair. Joel didn't get to Hollywood on his looks, but on his humor. The author of three best-sellers in the "Drunken Rogue" series, and a prolific MySpace user, Joel is the hot new thing in Tinseltown. We visited with him on the set of his first feature film, "Violet Panties."

USA TODAY: The title of the film is well, interesting.

Joel: It's actually an idea I had in college, it started as an exercise, evolved into a short film and then about ten years ago I rewrote it with one of my best friends and collaborators, Kyle, as a feature length film. I started pushing it immediately but it was only after the book series took off, that people started paying attention.

USA: Let's talk about the book series. What came first, the "Drunken Rogue" character or your MySpace blogs?

Joel: Drunken Rogue started out as sort of an alter ego. I was sort of a party animal in college, and adopted that name from a role I'd played in "Twelfth Night." When I started blogging I thought it made a good screen name, the actual character came a little later.

USA: Why start out on MySpace, and Blogger? Why not more traditional outlets?

Joel: At the time, there was no better place for young writers to gain experience, and find a following. I started blogging in March of 2006 and before the year was out I had received 10,000 total reads. It got me excited, and my output just skyrocketed.

USA: You were working as a Dj then, correct?

Joel: Yeah, in Ruston, Louisiana. In the first couple of years I was writing, it was the radio business that paid the bills. But eventually I made the jump from a freelance writer to a columnist and then I finally got someone to look at my novel.

USA: "The Drunken Rogue Finds Love." How much of the character is you?

Joel: I think any writer finds it hard to write things that are alien to them. But Burt isn't really me. He's the me I wish I was. Some of the best parts of me, combined with the best parts of my friends, people that I aspired to be like. That's how I created, Burt.

USA: One of those friends is still working with you, right?

Joel: Yeah, Richard, who was a big influence on Burt, is the artist I use for all the book covers and is one of our producers on this film. He and I are currently polishing a screenplay for the Weinstein Company based on his time in the military.

Our interview is interrupted as Joel takes a phone call from his wife, Ella. He lights up while he talks to her, promising to call back later.

Joel: Sorry about that. She says to tell USA Today hello. She also says, make sure you spell her name right. (laughing)

USA: She's not joining you on set? Joel: She'll be here in about three days, she's currently backpacking in Europe.

USA: You didn't go with her?

Joel: Well it's her fourth time, I sort of got burnt out on backpacking. Fat boys like air-conditioning. The kids are here though.

USA: How has being a father changed you?

Joel: I don't think it has, much. I've always been a big kid, just now I have someone to beat at video games. That's not really true, they own me at video games, they'd kill me if I told the newspaper otherwise. I'm maybe a little more focused on leaving a legacy since they came along. Something for their kids to see, and know that Grandpa did that. I don't drink that much since they got here, how about that?

USA: How old are they?

Joel: We've got a ten year old, and an eight year old. We try to keep them separate from our public lives. It's just less worrisome that way. I know they can go to school and not really be recognized. That sort of thing.

USA: What's next for the Drunken Rogue?

Joel: Well, for Burt there's this movie. The possibility that it takes off, maybe we get a sequel. I could definitely use the money (laughs). I think as far as the books go, he gets a little break. For me, I'm finishing up the script with Richard, and then I get to finish my first non-fiction book. It's all about my favorite subject, me (laughing). No, it's about how lucky I am. Sort of a thank you to all the people that helped me live the life I dreamed of. I'm a lucky guy. The new book is about that.

USA: You turn forty in September.

Joel: Thanks for reminding me. That's why I grow my hair out, I'm trying to recapture my youth.

USA: What do you want for your birthday?

Joel: Why, are you getting me a present? I don't know. World peace...and a Corvette. I don't have one those yet. As a matter of fact just forget about the whole world peace thing. Corvette, top of my list.

As we say goodbye, Joel is already dialing his wife back, anxious to talk to her. He may not be a drunken rogue himself, but he is a loving husband. "Violet Panties," currently in production, will be in theatres April 2022.

So, it's a little ambitious (an accomplished writer and filmmaker by 2021) a little fantastical (two kids? I gotta talk Ella into first) but ideally, this is where I see myself in fifteen years. Fifteen years. It seems like a lot, and yet, it's also just a blink of the eye. I better get busy.