W. Bruce Cameron began his writing career as a humor columnist for the Denver Rocky Mountain News. Sadly, the Rocky went out of business, but he says that was not his fault. He is a Benchley award winner for humor and was the 2011 NSNC Newspaper Columnist of the Year. He has written for TV (the show “8 Simple Rules,” based on his book) and co-wrote the feature film “Muffin Top: A Love Story,” which will be released in 2014.
His novel "A Dog’s Purpose" spent 52 weeks on the NY Times bestseller list. DreamWorks is developing it as a film and he and his writing partner, Cathryn Michon, wrote the screenplay. The sequel, "A Dog’s Journey", was published May 6th, 2012, and was instantly a NY Times bestseller.
His novel "The Dogs of Christmas" was published in the Fall of 2013. He is currently unsure if he can even write a book without the word “dog” in the title.
A: This
question makes me feel like an idiot, because so much of my work has never seen
the light of day. I wrote 9 unpublished
novels before I sold my 10th book—8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter. I’ve sold 4 screenplays and 2 TV pilots, and
written probably twice that many in total.
Q: When you were a child did you like to read, and if so did reading inspire you to use your voice and become a writer?
A: I came from a family where everyone had a book going at all times. I didn't even know there were people who didn't read until I was maybe in high school.
Q: What is your own personal definition of being a “writer” or “writing” in general?
A: Long ago I realized that “writer” didn’t mean I’d have an “income.” I’ve always been “one who writes,” so I’ve been a writer, but it has only been in the past two decades that I’ve managed to generate any money from it.
Q: When you write or work on a new project how do
you put your thoughts together? Is it
images in your mind like a massive story board or do the words just come to
you? What’s it like being in W. Bruce
Cameron’s mind?
A: Being in my mind is like being trapped in a
multiplex movie theater that has run out of popcorn. I always have several movies playing at
once. I use the words to describe the movies
I’m seeing.
Q: At what age did you get your first dog, what was
his/her name and breed?
A: I was eight years old, the same age as Ethan in
A Dog’s Purpose, when I met Cammie. I’ll
never forget my father opening the back yard gate and in runs this little Labrador
puppy!
Q: Where did you find your voice to write “A Dog’s
Purpose", "A Dog’s Journey", and "The Dogs of Christmas”?
A: I started with the characters. I build characters by assigning them attributes. With Josh in "The Dogs of Christmas", I pictured a man who was gradually becoming a hermit. Alone in a cabin, no friends, no family. Not very emotional. Holding something back, some big tragic event that weighs on him, depressing his thoughts. Then I sprung a dog on him and pictured how he might react to that. What if he’s never been around dogs before, what would that be like? The voice just starts to flow. For a first person POV, as in "A Dog’s Purpose" and "A Dog’s Journey", I had to start with, “what’s it like to be a dog?”
Q: How did you come up with the reincarnation aspect of the dog and ultimately what do “You” feel the “Purpose” of the dog was?
A: I am
really interested in reincarnation except if I’m coming back I’m not re-doing
Junior High School. And I want people to
come to their own conclusions for what the purpose of the dog was!
Q: “The Dogs of Christmas” was just released, what
inspired you to write another dog book and what do you want the readers to know
about this book, specifically?
A: Sometimes I open the newspaper and every single story is, “the world is
going to hell in a hand basket.” I wanted
to write a story that was uplifting, that made people feel better. It was easy: puppies at Christmas. If that doesn't cheer you up I just can’t help you. "The Dogs of Christmas" is a story of how we rescue dogs and then they
rescue us.
Q: What dog inspired you to write your first book and then the sequels that followed??
A: All dogs. They are the most optimistic creatures on the planet, and I’m addicted to optimism.
Q: If you could use only one word to describe the feeling that Tucker and other dogs in your life have meant to you and your family consistently, what would that one word be?
A: Joy
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Q: For non-writers, the idea of putting thoughts and ideas into words with structure and meaning can seem challenging and overwhelming. Why do you think, looking back on your work, that you've been able to do it so successfully and brilliantly when other writers haven’t as much success as yourself? Is writing something that comes naturally to you, like a gift or perhaps a talent, or is it something that you have to continually work on, or is it both combined?
A: Do I have talent? I am not sure. I remember in a creative writing class in
college, we had an assignment. This one
guy David wrote half a page of flowing, lyrical prose—really beautiful
stuff. I wrote 35 pages with a
beginning, a middle, and an end. I
remember thinking that David was the talented one and I was the determined
one. In the end, I feel it is all about
how much work you’re willing to do.
Q: What is it like having two writers in the same household?
A: It’s like having two buffalo stampede through your living room.
W. Bruce Cameron also co-wrote Muffin Top: A Love Story with his wife, Cathryn Michon who also directed and stars in the movie.
- Written by Cathryn Michon
Q: You have an amazingly talented and beautiful wife in Cathryn Michon. Many people are curious about the dynamics of your relationship with Cathryn, being that she is also a writer and the two of you have co-written screenplays together; do you find it challenging to work with another person such as your wife, or is it a blessing to have their experience and contributions? What are the challenges, if any and what are the blessings?
A: She is my partner in every single meaning of the word. We compliment each other’s work perfectly. She directed a movie and I produced it: I’m really good at managing people and processes, and she’s really good at talking to actors, mapping out the scenes, and cutting the movie together. When we write, I’m really good at coming up with the story; she’s very good at the nuances of people’s characters.
Q: Are you and Cathryn gearing up to be stage parents to Tucker after he debuts in Muffin Top or was this a one time role for Tucker?
A: Tucker has hired an agent who is demanding a 10% increase in chicken treats. We've tried to reason with him, but so far all he does is turn his back on us and nap.
To learn more about Muffin Top the movie, please visit www.muffintopmovie.com
Muffin Top: A Love Story Official Trailer
Muffin Top: A Love Story Official Trailer
