Visions of A Writer

 

THE FOLLOWING IS THE AUTHOR'S (Randolph Randy Camp) DEFENSE TO A FEW READERS' REACTION TO '29 DIMES':

 

December 2, 2013

“My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.” Ernest Hemingway wrote those words years ago, and as a writer, I can’t think of a better way to defend myself than with Hemingway’s words. I’ll try to explain.
I understand that some folks around the country have called my latest book ’29 Dimes’ inciteful because I have a hot-mouth character named ‘Pepe’ speaking his mind about Florida’s schizophrenic ‘stand your ground’ law in certain parts of the novel. From my understanding, what’s getting some folks especially riled up is when Pepe performs his provocative, ‘in your face’ spoken-word anthem ‘Hear My Echo’ towards the end of the story. The specific line from that anthem that has got some people bent out of shape goes like this, “…I don’t like standing in Florida – facing a courthouse gun…” Depending on where you stand on the different sides of the ‘stand your ground’ debate, you may possibly see those lyrics as “inciteful”, but I specifically wrote those words for the voice and the mentality of a specific fictional character. It would be an injustice to myself as a writer, and certainly a literary injustice to the fire-tongued character I’d created if I had him voice his opinion and thoughts on other safe and soft topics currently headlining America’s newspapers and not a hot topic such as Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law. I wouldn’t be true to myself as a writer, nor to my story if I did that.
The ‘stand your ground’ law in Florida and several other states is very schizophrenic because lawmakers and law enforcement officials are picking and choosing when and when not to use and invoke the law, seemingly using it when it’s convenient for them at that particular time and place. For example, take the case of the Florida woman Marissa Alexander who initially was sentenced to 20 years for firing a warning shot at her intruding husband, and when she tried to use Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law as her defense the judge simply threw it out, saying that she could’ve ran out of the house. But, on the other hand, look at what happened in the other high-profile Florida trial where a vigilante got away with murder, thanks to the convenience of the wishy-washy ‘stand your ground’ defense. The reason I wrote and used the words “…courthouse gun…” in the ‘Hear My Echo’ lyrics was to express mostly my character’s belief, and to be quite honest, some of my own as well, that Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law is seemingly sanctioned by the state, giving everyday Jane and Joe permission to kill without consequences. When the ‘not guilty’ verdict went viral in the George Zimmerman trial it instantly triggered my memory bank to a time in America when old cranky men draped in white sheets with cone-shape heads would hang a man of a darker shade up in a tree for all of the local town people to see, knowing that there would be no repercussions whatsoever, and everyone nonchalantly walks away as if this was accepted as normal everyday life.
I never intended my novel to be “inciteful”, but I do want it to open discussions in classrooms, at the kitchen table, and around the water cooler. I truly believe that if America is ever going to have better race relations among our very diverse and ever-growing population then we simply must start with a peaceful conversation first.
Randolph Randy Camp
If you would like further details on ’29 Dimes’ or Author Randolph Randy Camp go to https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

 

 

 

Randolph Randy Camp’s ‘TONY’S BIKE’ Logline:

During his summer break, a kid detective helps the local cops solve a murder in rural Virginia.

‘TONY’S BIKE’ Plot/Summary:

Ever since Ricky Curtis was six years old he wanted to be an investigator. Now, at twelve years old, Ricky runs his own Private Investigator Agency out of his bedroom. Thus far, most of Ricky’s cases have centered around missing bikes. Ricky and his new sidekick, twelve year old Sheila, are caught off-guard when they discover a murder while investigating a stolen bike case. Realizing that young Ricky Curtis knows the backwoods better than they do, the local cops gladly accept his assistance in solving this heinous crime.

TONY’S BIKE, Original Screenplay Draft, U.S. Copyright Office Reg# PAu 002013080, Author: Randolph Randy Camp

If you're a writer in your heart of hearts, then write 'til your fingers are numb. There have been times when I'd felt like throwing in the towel and giving up on my writing dreams, but even after stuffing all of my writing materials underneath my bed and deep into my closet, only two days later there I was digging it all back out again. Even after scanning through your pile of rejection letters, you must (and you will) find the inner strength to fight discouragement. If you're a screenwriter, you must envision the audience watching your movie as you're currently writing it. If you're a novelist, you must envision your readers physically holding and reading your book as you are presently writing your first draft.
*LOOK FOR 'WET MATCHES: A NOVEL' ON AMAZON, in paperback and ebook. 

          Learn more at http://randy0312.wordpress.com/ 

Posted on July 21, 2012 by rcstories1

Book ISBN: 978-1478273721.......... Set in rural Virginia, ‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is a contemporary Southern crime fiction novel filled with romance, small town secrets, broken dreams and murder as locals from Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg, including a young disabled Iraq war veteran, stop a misguided band of Washington, DC criminals from setting up shop in their quiet town. When Lamar returned home from Iraq they gave him a hero’s welcome but he actually never felt like a true hero until he pulled off his greatest mission ever. A mission that will make this disabled vet a local legend, and a mission that will literally blow you away. Jesse is a rising star but when his mother’s body was found in the murky waters of the Rappahannock, he trades his prized guitar for a shotgun. Ever since Turtle was little, he was always somebody’s errand boy. Now, twenty years later, he decides to break the mold and that is just the beginning of many mistakes Turtle will make. Randolph Randy Camp’s ‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is about the lives and dreams of underdogs. When you’re stuck in a nowhere place, physically or mentally, you dream of leaving. When you’ve been a nobody and strive to become somebody, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t. Once again, this prolific award-winning writer paints a straight forward picture of contemporary Southern life and reminds us that, regardless of your income or race, there’s a touch of Jesse in all of us and there’s a little Turtle in all of us.
‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is available in paperback and eBook (Kindle) on Amazon.
Writers Guild of America, East Reg# R25183, October 2008
US Copyright Office Reg# PAu 3-414-222, October 2008

Brief Excerpt from 'Wet Matches'

 

Wet Matches: A Novel" is an inspiring and uplifting story about five homeless 'throwaway' teens (all HIV positive) getting a second chance at a better life when a young couple on a high school reunion trip rescues them and takes them on a cross-country journey to their new home in sunny California. 'Wet Matches' is about friendships, and it asks the question, "How far would you go for a friend?" Fifteen years of separation didn't stop Crystal from being there for Jalan. What Crystal did for Jalan will inspire us all to take a closer look at our own relationships and friendships...Could you still laugh knowing that death was possibly lurking around the corner? Meet five free-spirited teens: Shelly, Robbie, Josie, Micky and Cole, who will inspire you to enjoy every second of your life. Shelly is pregnant. Robbie plays guitar. Josie's a little confused. Micky likes cars. Cole's a little shy. Some people called them useless. They were told to get out of town. Some people said that they were about as good as wet matches...but Jalan, Crystal and Jack thought otherwise. If you had ever been ridiculed, bullied, mocked...or if someone had ever made you feel like you was good for nothing or worthless then Randolph Randy Camp's award-winning 'Wet Matches: A Novel' is a story for you. Without being preachy-but yet-entertaining, 'Wet Matches' takes a fresh contemporary look at America's ever-increasing youth runaway and teen homeless problems. 'WET MATCHES' is a Quarter-Finals Winner of The Writers Network 14th Annual Screenplay and Fiction Competition

Excerpt from 'WET MATCHES'...
Pleadingly, Crystal explains, "Jack, we gotta chance to make a difference in their lives. They need us. How can we go back to that big empty house knowing that these kids got no place to call home?"

*'WET MATCHES: A NOVEL'  takes a contemporary look at America's ever-growing teen runaway and youth homeless problems. 'Wet Matches' tells the inspiring story of five homeless teens (all HIV positive) getting a second chance at a better life.  Look for the print or ebook version on Amazon.

Book ISBN: 978-1478273721.............Set in rural Virginia, ‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is a contemporary Southern crime fiction novel filled with romance, small town secrets, broken dreams and murder as locals from Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg, including a young disabled Iraq war veteran, stop a misguided band of Washington, DC criminals from setting up shop in their quiet town. When Lamar returned home from Iraq they gave him a hero’s welcome but he actually never felt like a true hero until he pulled off his greatest mission ever. A mission that will make this disabled vet a local legend, and a mission that will literally blow you away. Jesse is a rising star but when his mother’s body was found in the murky waters of the Rappahannock, he trades his prized guitar for a shotgun. Ever since Turtle was little, he was always somebody’s errand boy. Now, twenty years later, he decides to break the mold and that is just the beginning of many mistakes Turtle will make. Randolph Randy Camp’s ‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is about the lives and dreams of underdogs. When you’re stuck in a nowhere place, physically or mentally, you dream of leaving. When you’ve been a nobody and strive to become somebody, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t. Once again, this prolific award-winning writer paints a straight forward picture of contemporary Southern life and reminds us that, regardless of your income or race, there’s a touch of Jesse in all of us and there’s a little Turtle in all of us.
‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is available in paperback and eBook (Kindle) on Amazon.
*Learn More at  http://rcstories.weebly.com/  

Remembering Life's Sweeter Moments

 

 

 

NEW K.A.N.S.A.S. Dissatisfied with the way the adults are running the nation, a well-organized, underground society of intelligent kids demand the right to vote and to be given their own statehood or else. (The kids believe that voting should be based upon a person’s IQ, not their age.

Synopsis: ‘NEW K.A.N.S.A.S.’ (Kids’ Alliance National Society And Sanctuary): Discouraged with his lack of ability to control his own destiny fueled by his parents’ divorce and already fed up with the way the adults are running the country, a twelve year old boy forms a society to give children the Right to Vote and attempts to establish their own State in which to do it. All hell breaks when the U.S. Government starts to hunt down the leader and his underground network. In the meantime, the secretive children’s society is growing to an unbelievable size and there’s no stopping them now! TAGLINE: “Don’t underestimate the power of kids”
Although I’d originally wrote ‘NEW K.A.N.S.A.S.’ as a live action feature, it could also work as an ANIMATED feature-length movie as well. (The ‘Kansas’ in NEW K.A.N.S.A.S. stands for Kids’ Alliance National Society And Sanctuary)
U.S. Copyright: PAu002651984 (Original Screenplay Draft/ Author: Randolph Camp)
Learn more at AUTHORS DEN http://www.authorsden.com/randolphrcamp and WRITERS NET http://www.writers.net/writers/81919


 ‘NEW K.A.N.S.A.S.’ (Kids’ Alliance National Society And Sanctuary)

Out of my fifty-plus years of being here on this earth, I definitely have had my fair share of life's hardships and bitterness, but periodically there have been those sweet moments of sunshine that had raised my spirit on countless cloudy days. Still today I begin to crack a smile when I begin to think about certain moments with my children. One of my fondest and most cherished moments with Tasha was when we used to go collecting recyclable aluminum cans and glass bottles together in Oceanside, California. At that particular time I was feeling pretty bad as a father because I was out-of-work...but I would be absolutely thrilled when I was with my little daughter because she never judged me or looked at me as an unemployed man...she only saw me as her father and she'd simply enjoyed our time together....My time with Melinda was equally precious as well. I remember watching little Melinda stuffing numerous envelopes with my screenplay query letters and carefully placing address labels and postage stamps on them...It was as if we were working on a dream together...Every now and then, when I'm going through a dark period, I trigger my memory bank to bring back those rays of sunshine...and then I begin to crack a smile.
LEARN MORE at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp
 'WET MATCHES: A NOVEL'  is about five homeless teens getting a second chance at a better life when a California couple takes them in. Look for it on Amazon.

Posted on July 21, 2012 by rcstories1

Book ISBN: 978-1478273721............Set in rural Virginia, ‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is a contemporary Southern crime fiction novel filled with romance, small town secrets, broken dreams and murder as locals from Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg, including a young disabled Iraq war veteran, stop a misguided band of Washington, DC criminals from setting up shop in their quiet town. When Lamar returned home from Iraq they gave him a hero’s welcome but he actually never felt like a true hero until he pulled off his greatest mission ever. A mission that will make this disabled vet a local legend, and a mission that will literally blow you away. Jesse is a rising star but when his mother’s body was found in the murky waters of the Rappahannock, he trades his prized guitar for a shotgun. Ever since Turtle was little, he was always somebody’s errand boy. Now, twenty years later, he decides to break the mold and that is just the beginning of many mistakes Turtle will make. Randolph Randy Camp’s ‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is about the lives and dreams of underdogs. When you’re stuck in a nowhere place, physically or mentally, you dream of leaving. When you’ve been a nobody and strive to become somebody, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t. Once again, this prolific award-winning writer paints a straight forward picture of contemporary Southern life and reminds us that, regardless of your income or race, there’s a touch of Jesse in all of us and there’s a little Turtle in all of us.
‘FALSE DANDELIONS’ is now available in papeback and eBook (Kindle) on Amazon.
Writers Guild of America, East Reg# R25183, October 2008
US Copyright Office Reg# PAu 3-414-222, October 2008

         

 

 

One summer. Seven hearts. 29 Dimes. It wasn't your typical LA summer. No one could've predicted what happened that day in Silver Lake. It was a summer of passion, confusion, and growth. One hot, crazy summer. Seven hungry hearts. 29 Dimes. Award-winning, prolific writer Randolph Randy Camp creates a moving, tender love story amid a wild, crazy summer as Teki, Ronnie, Pepe, Brittany, Kalib, Tip, and Valerie each will have an experience that will shape and change their young lives forever. Valerie has the kind of natural beauty that belongs on magazine covers. All the guys in Silver Lake dream about her. One guy will get lucky this summer and win her heart. Pepe's mouth has always gotten him into trouble. A talented street poet, will Pepe's provocative, 'in your face' anthem 'Hear My Echo!' get him into trouble at this summer's Silver Lake street festival? Teki will be the first to admit that she's certainly not your typical Chinese girl. A gifted musical prodigy, Teki once got kicked out of a prestigious music academy for rocking a reggae rhythm instead of the required Beethoven tune at her classical piano recital. Now, at seventeen, Teki fronts an all-girl progressive reggae band in Silver Lake. Kalib is a young Armenian computer whiz who is hoping to win Valerie's heart this summer. Carrying the agonizing weight of his family's dark past on his shoulders, Kalib believes that Valerie's love could wash away all of that pain, if only he could somehow convince her to go out with him. A gifted storyteller, Randolph Randy Camp offers the reader a realistic glimpse of contemporary life in the Los Angeles community of Silver Lake. If you still believe that love can happen to the most unlikely people and that love still can be found in the most unusual place then Randolph Randy Camp's '29 Dimes: A Love Story' is for you. One summer. Seven hearts. 29 Dimes

 

FOLLOW RANDOLPH RANDY CAMP on Twitter @rcstories

*Learn More at  http://rcstories1.wordpress.com/