Cameron's yearlong stint as an undercover high school senior yielded the insightful and often hilarious Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a first-hand exposé about teenage life in late 70's southern California. After reading an advanced copy and sensing it would be a bestseller, Universal bought the rights and hired Cameron to pen the screenplay. In his introduction to the book, Cameron describes how the idea arose and came to fruition with the help of the school principal and the close friends he made along the way.