Author Interview – Bruce Neckels
Bruce is a homebody, strange since he’s been a Theatre-Film-Television actor/TV writer for most of his life. Loves his wife, cooking, gardening, and good wine. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Bruce Neckels, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.
Award winning writer Bruce Neckels has 50 years of professional experience in the entertainment business. His acting credits in numerous film, television, and stage productions bring another level of creativity to his writing. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Francisco State College, in Radio-Television Broadcasting, with a minor in Drama. His first break as a writer came in 1989, when he was hired by NBC.
Since then, he has scripted close to 600 episodes for television, earning four EMMY® nominations and winning the Writers Guild of America Award.
“Matter of Conscience” is his first book, which includes his intensely personal experiences with the Vietnam War and the price he paid for being against it, along with the rewards that followed.
Born August 10, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, Bruce lived in Belfield, N.D., under the care of his Ukrainian grandmother for the first nine years of his life. His parents separated when he was two years old. At the age of nine, Bruce was sent to live with his father in Merced, California, where he lived for the next twelve years (more on Mom later).
There he attended public schools, which included earning an AA Degree from Merced College. In 1965, he moved to San Francisco, where he attended San Francisco State College. It was during this time that Bruce got caught up in the antiwar movement. After studying the history of Vietnam and paying close attention to what was currently happening in Vietnam, he refused induction into the service. Though he offered to do alternative service, he was sentenced to two years in a federal prison in 1971 but was paroled after one year.
Following his release, Bruce continued his acting career in San Francisco as a member of the Brebner Casting Agency (where he had been cast in his first movie role in Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Zabriskie Point” in 1969. just prior to his incarceration) However, his TV/Film career had to sit on the sidelines from September until May for the next two years. As a result of his incarceration, Bruce “qualified” to join the Barbwire Theatre, an acting company of ex-convicts performing in Rick Cluchey’s “THE CAGE,” a brutal play about the horror of prison life. “The Cage” was presented at colleges throughout the United States and Canada, including daytime classroom visitations and the play at night, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Its’ purpose was to bring awareness of prison conditions and the need for prison reform. The play gained such notoriety that it was performed in the Great Hall of Justice in Washington D.C., and for the National FBI Convention on Crime, also in D.C.
After his stint with “The Cage,” Bruce re-joined the Brebner Agency, where he landed roles in “Magnum Force,” “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry,” several episodes of “Streets of San Francisco,” and John Korty’s “Farewell to Manzanar.” He also appeared in several national TV commercials. He found time to take on roles in several plays, including Ugo Betti’s “Crime On Goat Island,” which earned him the San Francisco Drama Critics Award for Best Actor of the Year in a Non-Equity Production. He also produced and starred in his own production of John Hopkins’s play “Find Your Way Home.”
Finally, in September of 1978, Bruce bid farewell to the “City by the Bay” and moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as an actor for the next ten years. But during this time, writing had begun to creep into his life. He wrote and submitted “spec” scripts to various TV series and, in 1989, was finally brought in to write NBC’s new ground-breaking daytime series, “Generations.” But after 18 months and a terrible time slot, the show was canceled. However, Bruce was scooped up by the revolving door of soap writers and immediately hired by “Santa Barbara.” which he wrote until the show finally came to an end.
From there, he spent six months in Toronto writing “Family Passions,” a joint venture series between Canada and Germany. Then back to Los Angeles, where he wrote a short series for MTV, “Spyder Games.” And from 1996-2002. he wrote “Days of Our Lives,” finally ending his soap writing career with “Young and the Restless” in 2017.
His book, “Matter of Conscience,” was published in December of 2019. He currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif., with his wife, Wendy. They’ve been married for 42 years. They have a daughter, Erin, age 30.
When did you start writing?
I assume you mean professionally? I never even thought of writing a book or memoir until 2001. But before that, as soon as I moved to Los Angeles, I began writing treatments (long storylines, much more fleshed out than outlines). My wife was an assistant director on a sitcom called “Silver Spoons.” I’d seen enough episodes to understand the set-up and flow of the show, so I took a chance, wrote a spec script, and submitted it to the Executive Producer. He really liked it, but there were only three more episodes left for the season. Two scripts were already assigned and in re-writes; the third was also assigned to a staff writer. But the EP assured me that my script would kick off the next season.
However, the show’s star, Rick Schroder, didn’t want to do the show anymore, and the season was canceled. Even so, for me, it was a positive experience. I just kept writing and submitting until I finally got a call from Sally Sussman, creator, and head writer for a brand new soap opera called “Generations.” She asked me to write a spec script for her show. She liked what I wrote and hired me. And that sent me off on a 30-year journey writing daytime television.
What was it like growing up?
Poor. I grew up in Belfield, North Dakota, with my Ukrainian grandmother, who barely spoke English. My mother, a single mom at the time, was a high school English teacher, and the only job she could get was across the state, In Grand Forks. I saw her at Christmas, Easter, and during the summer. But she worked as a waitress during those summers to keep the money coming in, so I barely spent any time with her. She did the best she could. I loved her dearly, but my grandmother was my heart and soul.
How was your early life?
Again, we were very poor. My father and mother divorced when I was two years old. Dad went off to California with me and his second wife, while my sister, Bonnie, stayed with my mother. Bonnie was fifteen months older than me. But one year later, they switched kids. My guess is that Dad’s new wife got tired of little “Brucie” real fast and would rather have an older stepdaughter. That left me without a male influence for the next seven years. I didn’t meet my father until I went to live with him. By that time, he was into his third marriage, so I found myself living with strangers, which included my sister Bonnie and two step-sisters.
There was always so much tension within the family, not because of my father. He was a very kind, gentle man. But wife/step-mom #3 made it a living hell with her mood swings. I could have gone to live with my real mother at any time, but the truth is, I felt so sorry for my father that I didn’t have the heart to leave.
On the upside, I had wonderful friends around the neighborhood whose parents became my surrogate parents and made life bearable. I ended up doing very well during my high school years: I was very popular. First-chair drummer in our high school band; Student Body President; I played varsity basketball and varsity golf. By the time I started junior college, my dad and wife # 3 divorced. Too little, too late. But looking back at those tough years, It’s where I should’ve been. Footnote: My dad’s 4th wife was an absolute treasure! Oh, what could’ve been!
What has been the biggest influence in your career?
For me, not “what” but “who.” In college: Dr. Arthur Hough, one of my Radio/TV professors at San Francisco State, taught me that an excuse isn’t worth a damn. Acting: Theater Director and dear friend, the late Dan Caldwell. Dan was my first drama teacher after college and Artistic Director for the very prestigious Marin Shakespeare Festival. He really wanted me to audition for a play he would be directing, “Comedy of Errors.” So, I got my audition piece together. But when I arrived at the audition site, it was jam-packed with not only actors waiting to audition but the general public who wanted to watch the auditions.
I lost my nerve and went home. Later that evening, he called, wanting to know why I didn’t show up. I told him I had but didn’t feel I was ready. But he felt I was and gave me a small role as a comic servant. That role and that play became the most important experience in my stage acting career. (“Matter of Conscience.” Chapter 12. Comedy of Errors – A Shakespearian Tragedy). Writing: In TV/Film, my experience as an actor was very important because, as a writer, I understood an actor’s problems and fears. Also, as an actor, I had a good ear for dialogue. The book: My Involvement in that particular time in history.
Tell us about your newest release.
… and only release. “Matter of Conscience” It’s a memoir. A biography centered around my prison experience.
Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?
“Matter of Conscience” is my only child I only hope that as I continue to raise it, I won’t spoil it.
What inspired you to write this book?
Again, not “What,” but “Who.” My daughter, Erin, when she was nine years old. She walked into my office one night while I was working. She had to write a one-page English paper about someone in her life “who did something dangerous,” and did I know anyone? Like a school kid who knew the answer, I raised my arm, begging to be called upon. I then gave her a brief summary about going to prison for being against the war in Vietnam – not at all what she was expecting. I felt bad. I mean, she was only nine. I probably should have told her about the time I killed a rattlesnake. But ten minutes later, she came back into the room and said, “Dad, I think it’s really cool what you did.” That’s when I realized she really didn’t know a whole lot about me. The next day, I began writing “Matter of Conscience.”
What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?
Gardening, cooking, and since I’m a member of the Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA – ergo, a voting member for the EMMYS, SAG/AFTRA, and WGA awards, I do have to watch a lot of movies/TV series in order to submit my nominations truthfully. Yes, it’s an honor system thing, but I want to be fair. There’s so much great writing and great acting from all over the world which needs to be recognized. Plus, it’s very educational. And since that means sitting on my butt a lot, I’m up at 4 a.m. in the morning, Mon. -Fri.; at the gym by 4:30, and home by 6 a.m., ready to start my day.
What does your writing space look like?
My wife, Wendy, and I have a nice spatial office. She has her desk and computer. I have mine. It’s a nicely lit room with a window that opens up to our backyard.
If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?
“Matter of Conscience” is a memoir/biographical account of my experience about going to prison for being against the Vietnam War, which includes my past leading up to the decision I made. But a different name/title? Let’s see… “I Thought Growing Old Was Supposed To Take Longer.” Or: Bruce Neckels: Could I Have a Do-over, Please?
How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?
Twenty years. That’s because I was so busy writing scripts for Daytime television (Days of Our Lives, Young and the Restless, Santa Barbara, Spyder Games). I wrote one, oftentimes two scripts per week, which amounted to 75 – 150 pages of dialogue. In addition, I was parent president of each school my daughter attended (elementary, middle, and high school). I was President of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce for two years and sat on the Board of Directors for six years. So the last thing I wanted to do during my time off was write. I began writing the memoir during the spring of 2001 – but only as a memoir for my daughter. It was never meant to become a book. So my “process” was to write whenever I could.
Favorite reads?
The Count of Monte Cristo( Dumas); All Quiet on the Western Front (Remarque);The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck); In Cold blood (Capote); 1984 (Orwell); Another Roadside Attraction (Tom Robbins); Slaughterhouse Five (Vonnegut Jr.); Catch-22 (Heller); Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (Dee Brown)
Do you have any book recommendations?
All of the above for younger writers. I’m sure most writers over 50 have read them; Anything by Charles Dickens. Shakespeare – There isn’t a plot, theme, or human experience that he hasn’t written about. Grisham and Connelly books are fun. I’d rather someone recommend books to me.
What’s your next big project?
As far as my next book? Not sure. But I’d like to set up a few speaking engagements, preferably colleges that include the 60s and Vietnam War History as part of their curriculum. I spoke two years in a row at Marymount Manhatten College n New York – a course titled “Reconstructing the 60s – and had an incredible time. The students couldn’t stop asking questions. And the letters I received from them following my visits were heart-warming. So I know there’s an audience out there.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Understand that I never aspired to be an author. I started out writing spec scripts for television, and when I finally began writing soaps, I was writing scripts from outlines. I wrote three television pilots before I even started “Matter of Conscience.” And those were invaluable to me because they taught me structure, both linear and non-linear, character development, and as I mentioned earlier, being an actor, I have a good ear for dialogue. So to try and answer your question… I’ve had several very talented friends with great stories to tell but never did because “I just don’t know where to start.”
Well, here’s what you do, I would tell them: Sit down in front of your computer or typewriter (Don’t laugh. My dear friend – a very famous romance novelist – has used a typewriter for the last fifty years). Create your document, or pull up whatever book-writing software you purchased, and go to that empty page, Don’t beat yourself up because you don’t have a title. Just write: “Title TBD” (To Be Determined). That way, you at least have words on your opening page. Now start. Open up that can of alphabet soup and toss it in the air, and see what words come out. And if it spells “crap,” that’s okay. Your first pass will NEVER be your last. And don’t be afraid to overwrite.
If you need to write an outline first – a few lines to establish a beginning, middle, or end, then do that. The first story I ever wrote was based on the ending. Next was figuring out just what was going to get me there! You may not be at your computer the moment you come up with a line of dialogue, a new scene, or that elusive title. So ALWAYS write your thoughts down as quickly as you can. You all have cell phones. Create a Notes app and store those thoughts. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come up with an idea, a line of dialogue, a new moment – thinking it was so brilliant! So important! How could I possibly forget it? And then, two hours later, it was gone.
Again, don’t be afraid of that empty page. It’s like a Nordic Cold Plunge. The longer you stare down at that 39-degree water, the more likely you’ll lose your nerve and never jump in. Just go for it.
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