Memories of Stearns Wharf

Actor and author Timothy Bottoms talks about his new book, ‘The Pier’

By KIRA LOGAN

The first taste of independence as a child is liberating, something you don’t forget — the wind in your hair, the future glistening in front of you.

For actor and author Timothy Bottoms, his first touch of freedom as a child was fishing on the pier in Santa Barbara.

Timothy Bottoms, a distinguished Hollywood actor widely known for his roles in movies such as “Johnny Got His Gun” and “The Last Picture Show” (both from 1971), has recently released his first book, “The Pier.”

It’s a memoir loosely based around his childhood memories at the Santa Barbara pier. He will discuss “The Pier” and sign copies at 6 p.m. April 19 at Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara.

Mr. Bottoms is a Santa Barbara native and the son of Elizabeth “Betty” Chapman and James “Bud” Bottoms, a famous sculptor who created the dolphin sculpture that stands in front of Stearns Wharf.

Growing up in Santa Barbara, Mr. Bottoms would spend his time in the backcountry, at the ocean and everywhere in between. He labels himself as a very independent child.

This independence led him to intriguing adventures and time spent alone on the pier, which is what his new book focuses on.

During a News-Press interview this week about “The Pier,” Mr. Bottoms discussed the writing process and his fond memories of Stearns Wharf.

“I wrote this book back in 2007.

I wrote it in three days and three nights — on a typewriter!” he said.

Mr. Bottoms explained how in order to get the idea for his book, he stared at the blank typewriter paper until the idea came to him. He noted that he spoke with famous authors like William Saroyan and Ray Bradbury, among others, when in the process of creating a book idea. They advised him to “write about what you know about.”

Taking their advice, Mr. Bottoms began reflecting on what he knew about, and quickly remembered his childhood experiences of time spent at the Santa Barbara pier. He got to writing.

Mr. Bottoms said that he has “always loved writing little stories and poems, things of that sort,” so his first book was pleasurable to write, to say the least.

Mr. Bottoms added that when brainstorming his story, memories from the pier would come to him — he could instantly remember the smells and the views, just like he was 8 years old again.

“Eight (years old) was a really special year for me,” Mr. Bottoms said “That was my favorite year, when I was 8, it was pure freedom.”

Reminiscing on childhood memories in Santa Barbara, Mr. Bottoms recalled: “(I was) just a little kid, but you feel like a little