Keep It Simple

As some of you already know, I grew up in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia and sometimes my brothers and I were blessed during the Holiday Season to get a handful of hard candy and a few shelled nuts as gifts, which were presented to us in a brown lunch bag with an occasional apple or an orange on Christmas morning.
Still to this day, hazelnuts are my favorite Holiday nuts, and I was very blessed this year with fresh roasted hazelnuts from my dear friend Karen and raw hazelnuts from my daughter Randie. No, it doesn’t take much to make me happy, and this Holiday Season was extra special because I was given something that touched a deeper part of me.
Yep, that’s me, the country boy from Spotsylvania County who loves hazelnuts and life’s simple things. Have a Wonderful 2015 Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp
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Envision It! Goals n' Dreams

I hope that everyone has a prosperous new year in 2015. If you want that desk job with that decent salary then envision yourself sitting there talking on the phone or typing that big important executive memo. If you’re a student who had struggled academically during the fall semester then envision the A or B for the upcoming spring semester. And for the homeless couple who’ve been sleeping in flop houses and the city mission for the past few months just imagine yourselves dangling the keys to your new apartment. Your goals and dreams can be realized, just envision it! Happy New Year Everybody! – Randolph Randy Camp
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Mind Power

One of the hardest things to do in this world is trying to stay positive while negativity is all around you. As we approach the new year, I will try my best to keep a positive outlook on life, in spite of all the daily headlines and lead stories on the TV evening news that, too often, focuses on the dark side of humans. No, it’s not easy to maintain a positive attitude, especially when the media continually feeds us negative junk every few minutes.
A mental technique in which I’ve been using for quite awhile now is to think about those positive stories that highlights the human spirit but rarely makes the news. I truly believe that there are certainly more positive people in this world than negative ones, and that for every negative story which makes the news there are plenty of positive stories that goes unnoticed. So therefore, every time I hear a negative news story I try to think about stories such as the girl who goes to the soup kitchen to eat just so that her mother has enough food at home to feed the rest of the kids.
No, it’s definitely not easy but I hope that all of you will stay positive, or at least, give it your best shot as we go forward into the new year 2015. – Randolph Randy Camp
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Always Reaching

What drives you? What keeps you going?
I recently received an email from one of my young fans who had asked me, “Do you think that you would ever stop writing?” Her question made me think about many things, one of which was the reasons behind my constant drive to attain and achieve certain goals in life.
I’m a firm believer in doing whatever you’re capable of doing, especially if it’s something constructive and positive, because you’re setting an example for others around you. And in my case, my persistent drive to accomplish certain goals comes from my true love of writing and a deeper belief that even though I can’t always shower my own children with material things and wealth, I can, however, always provide them with a sense of hope and inspiration simply by watching me achieve tiny accolades from time to time.
It’s my greatest wish that my own children and grandchildren go much further in life than myself, and that’s why I’m always reaching higher and higher. Giving a child a sense of hope is extremely valuable, and God bless all of you who are, every day, setting a great example for those around you and those in your personal life as well.
By the way, in answering the young lady’s question, I simply told her, “No, I can’t stop writing — I have a lot of kids and grandchildren.”  – Randolph Randy Camp

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USING YOUR DOWN TIME

USING YOUR DOWN TIME...

As I was digging through a box of old papers, I ran across a few handwritten notes from years ago while I was out in the field in Japan and Korea.
Seeing those notes made me think about how precious and rare it was when we actually had "down time". And because it was so rare we would use it wisely. For me, that meant putting my thoughts on paper. Sometimes I couldn't find a piece of scratch paper so I would write short notes on a piece of cardboard or anything else I could find out in the field.
For all of you women and men still serving in the military, may God bless and watch over you and bring you back safely. And please take full advantage of any down time that comes your way.
By the way, those little notes I used to jot down years ago are now my novels today. Have a wonderful day and enjoy your down time. - Randolph Randy Camp
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Student of Life

As some of you already know, I attend college here in New York. But what you probably don’t know about me is that I consider my best classes the ones off-campus, the ones happening every day in the parks and on the metro.
One of my best classes is when I’m riding the metro and I’m observing the people around me. And another favorite class is when I’m walking through this tranquil city park, just a short distance from the campus, and a few of the regulars (the homeless, panhandlers, and the cigarette peddlers) wave hello to me and invite me to sit down for a brief chat.
Yes, indeed, the conversations and discussions we have with everyday people can be just as educational, engaging and interesting as those within any classroom. -Randolph Randy Camp

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THE PICTURE FRAME

Who we choose to walk with in life has a big impact on who we are and who we may become. When I was coming up in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, one of my uncles went to prison for something that I honestly don’t remember, but what I do remember about my uncle is that, while he was behind bars, he meticulously made these beautiful picture frames from wooden matchsticks. Our uncle sent his handmade picture frames to certain relatives while serving his time, and I remember, as a child, being fascinated by the glossy shellac finish and the contrasting colors of the half-burnt matchsticks every time I walked by the multi-picture frame in our living room.
I often meet people who tells me that they feel somewhat ashamed of things in which they’ve done in their past, or that they may have people in their lives who are passing negative judgments on them based upon their past mistakes.
This is when I would share with them my uncle’s story because it shows how our life is a true journey filled with both good and bad experiences along the way, and that people will either choose to remember the bad things from your past or they can talk proudly about the positive things that you’re doing right now. And these are the moments in our lives also when we may have to decide to let certain so-called friends go because they could be the very person actually slowing us down as we continue our life journey. And if I ever I slip up and begin to get some crazy inkling to pass judgment on someone I’m immediately stopped by the memory of that shiny matchstick-picture frame sitting on the end table in the left corner of the living room.
As an afterthought, I pray and hope that I’ve helped or perhaps inspired more people than I’ve hurt during my 53 years here on earth. Stay positive Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp
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THE LOVE AND POWER OF MUSIC

Do you like music? I absolutely love music, especially the sound from an acoustic piano. I play the piano between classes to help deal with some of the stresses of being a non-traditional college student.
And as a writer, I use music as a brief escape sometimes when I find myself a little too deep in my characters’ head, or when I’m writing graphic scenes that can be mentally draining at times.
When life, in general, gets a bit overwhelming sometimes, music helps to calm things down. How do you use music in your life? – Randolph Randy Camp

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Viki's Fight Is Our Fight

Music meant everything to Viki. She loved sharing her songs with the world. Her fans adored her, and she would do anything for them…anything.
‘…Then The Rain’ is a contemporary good vs. evil thriller novel about a female popstar and her band battling a twisted, sadistic preacher to save a devoted young fan and wayward teen.
A frequent question I would get during High School Book Talks is, “What inspired you to write ‘…Then The Rain”? And my answer was pretty simple, “Viki represents the fight in all of us against those who try to hold us down or hold us back.”

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Respect

In my 53 years, I’ve been told to “be quiet”, “shut up”, and to “go away” quite a few times , but it’s nice to hear otherwise every now and then.
Recently, I thoroughly enjoyed an interview session at a popular radio station. It feels good to be asked your opinions, your ideas, and your thoughts from someone.
I hope that each one of you have someone in your life who sincerely respects and truly wants to hear your thoughts, opinions, and ideas as well. – Randolph Randy Camp

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Beyond The Surface

We never know sometimes. Every day we see our same acquaintances, classmates, coworkers, and colleagues. Just when I thought I’d really gotten to know someone a little better the hard reality of their actual life hits me right smack in the face.
A Dean’s List straight ‘A’ college student, for instance, is doing her homework by candlelight because she couldn’t afford to pay her light bill. Or what about the coworker who always dresses nice but leaves work ten minutes early so that she doesn’t miss dinner at the soup kitchen.
Nope, we never really know sometimes ’til we look beyond the surface. – Randolph Randy Camp

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DROPPING OUT: SLAVERY WITHOUT CHAINS

After a long day yesterday one of my neighbors knocked on my door. She wanted to know if I could speak with her 16 year old daughter because her daughter was seriously considering dropping out of school. The moment my neighbor said the words ‘dropping out’ my ears automatically perched up and I quickly asked, “Where is she?”
Although initially I got the dramatic rolling of the eyes, the young lady gave me enough respect to listen to what I had to say. I told her that certain cultures and societies believe that females shouldn’t be allowed to read books, go to school and get a basic education. And I went on to tell her that this belief is backwards and a society that keeps its girls from reading books and getting an education is only hurting itself  in the long run because that makes their whole society or country weak. “To me”, I continued,”keeping girls from reading books and going to school is a form of slavery, the kind of slavery where you don’t  physically see the metal chains but they are definitely there, keeping you down and in place.” I further explained to her that we often take our public school system for granted when we should be grateful for it.
Today, as I’m thinking about this young lady and her very concerned mother, I wonder if she went to school this morning. I hope so. – Randolph Randy Camp

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Failing as Humans, Passing as Robots

What’s happening to us? Are we failing as human beings and passing as robots? Just look at myself for example, here I am sitting at this computer typing symbols into space when I could be calling or visiting one of my children who I haven’t seen in awhile.
Are you an executive sitting behind a big glossy, oak desk reading a computer screen full of numbers? If so, as an executive, when was the last time you actually made a big impact on someone’s life, perhaps authorizing an impromptu, well-overdue promotion to one of your employees?
After I finish this post, I’m going to call one of my kids. I don’t think I’m quite ready yet to become a robot.  And although I like being human, I need to work on being a better human. – Randolph Randy Camp
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No Complaints

How often do we complain about minuscule stuff? My morning started off just like any other morning. Hardly anything was going right, and the complaints quickly began to pile up. I woke up to a nagging knee pain, and then, later, I had to go back inside to put on a thicker shirt because it was a bit chillier than normal this morning. By now, I was running late for an important meeting so I reluctantly skipped my routine visit to the coffee shop…and then, it hit me. It was at this very moment when my ‘wiser self’ reminded me of the morning, a couple years ago, when I was working at the Buffalo Veterans Hospital.
As usual, my mornings at the Veterans Hospital started off with me going down to the cafeteria to get my large cup of coffee. This one particular morning would be permanently engrained in my memory because I was in a hurry and I didn’t do my typical ‘sip-test’ after I’d hastily mixed in a little cream and sugar.
When I got into the elevator to return to my work station on the ninth floor, I had a chance to take a test-sip of my coffee and it was just plain awful! Needless to say, I let out a profound ‘f-bomb’ as the others in the elevator turned their heads to me. When we finally reached the ninth floor, the elevator door opened and a wheel-chaired double-amputee cheerfully greeted us with, “Good morning, ladies n’ gents!” as he wheeled himself into the elevator. After seeing this man with no legs, I immediately felt ashamed at myself for complaining about the taste of my coffee.
No, today I’m certainly not perfect and I still sometimes complain about life’s minuscule things. I wish that my ‘wiser self’ would pop up more often to remind me that I truly have nothing really to complain about.
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I Love Books!

Books are very special to me. I grew up very poor in rural Virginia during the late 60's and 70's. Books allowed me to escape my sometimes dismal surroundings when I was young. And as I got older, books allowed me to travel around the world without buying a plane ticket. I could go anywhere!
Today, I'm truly blessed to do something that I truly love, which is writing novels.
This photo was taken just outside the Buffalo Central Library. To me, having a public library card and actually utilizing the numerous services of your public library, is a great way to 'meet the world' , regardless of your family's income level. - Randolph Randy Camp

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Start A Conversation

America’s teen runaway and youth homelessness issues are increasing. Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away each year. There are a number of reasons why these kids were motivated to leave home, and the long list of risk factors involved doesn’t seem to be getting shorter anytime soon.

There are agencies, shelters, and various youth-oriented organizations out there trying their best to reach out and help these troubled and at-risk teens but, in reality, the true helping process simply begins with you and I.

Every day we see these homeless kids hanging out on our city streets, sometimes panhandling or begging for change or food. Personally, my actual concern for these young people stems from ‘the survival question’, meaning that once a kid runs away how will he or she now survive? This is my main concern and objective in bringing more awareness to this issue. After a kid runs away, he or she will face many questionable methods of survival on the streets. And this is one of the reasons why I wrote ‘Wet Matches’.

I truly understand and am very much aware of the fact that a lot of people may feel sorry for these runaway and homeless kids but feel somewhat helpless because they feel that, as one person, their impact won’t make a real difference to such a big tremendous social issue. At one time I felt that way myself, but trust me, the helping process is honestly simple and your ‘little’  personal impact will start a tidal wave of healing and help. It starts like this: The next time you see a homeless youth in your town, instead of ignoring him or her, just simply try to start a conversation. – Randolph Randy Camp


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Book Talk: One Writer's Dream

During every ‘Meet the Author’ Book Talk I’ve been invited to thusfar, one of the questions that normally pops up is, “What do you like best about being a writer?”  And my usual response is this, “I absolutely love being a writer because I get to ‘go places’ without buying a ticket, meaning that my stories can take me anywhere. Also, I get a kick out of speaking to students about creative writing whenever I’m invited to do a classroom book talk because one of my greatest goals as a writer is to inspire others with one of my stories or with something I said.” – Randy Camp
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Writing Tip: Take The Metro

If your words and thoughts aren’t flowing, and you feel yourself slipping deeper into writers’ block, take my advice: Park the car and take the metro.
Too often we isolate ourselves from the very world in which we are writing about. For one day at least use public transportation for your daily errands. The many voices and sights you’ll see and hear while riding the bus or metro train might enlighten and possibly ignite a new spark in you. In short, don’t isolate yourself too much.
And if you’re already using public transportation to get around your town, and you still find yourself sometimes in a bit of a writer’s slump, then try taking a long walk in the city park. A good walk is one of the best ways to clear your head from all of the built-up clutter and let new thoughts flow in. – Randy Camp
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The Wishful Traveler

I grew up poor in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia. I was a nerd and absolutely loved going to school because it was an escape from my sometimes dismal surroundings. I loved reading books about different cultures around the world and I would dream about going to these exotic places one day.
When I’d joined the US Air Force (after high school) I was able to travel the globe and actually visit some of the places and cultures I’d read about as a child.
I was fascinated by the Australian Aborigines, and when I was fifteen years old, I took part in my own ‘walkabout’. Let me explain: When I was 15, I went on a ‘journey’ from my rural hometown in Virginia to the bustling City of Philadelphia. Well, the juvenile court system said that I was a ‘runaway, and you should’ve seen the look on their faces when I tried to explain to them that I was simply on ‘my walkabout’.
Thank God for the US Air Force because during my numerous overseas tours, I was very fortunate to visit one of my favorite places, which is Japan. Not only did I visit mainland Japan while traveling in the Air Force, but I also got a chance to see the Island of Okinawa, Japan as well.
I certainly know what it’s like to ‘want to see the world’ but you maybe stuck in a financial bind and unable to fly and travel at will. Please take a lesson from me and just go to your local public library and you’ll be amazed at how far those books will take you. - Randolph Randy Camp


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Those Rappahannock Dreams

RAPPAHANNOCK DREAMS
Leaves fallin' down and tears in my eyes
I sit by this river and cry and cry
But just like running water...running water
These Rappahannock dreams keep passin' me by
But some day soon I'm gonna get away from here
Just like running water...clear and clear
I sit by this river and cry and cry
Somebody please...please
Tell me why these Rappahannock dreams keep passin' me by

*RAPPAHANNOCK DREAMS was written for the character Robbie in 'Wet Matches: A Novel', an award-winning story about a colorful group of homeless teens getting a second chance at a better life.
US Copyright Reg# PAu003585960 R. Camp

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'Vehicles': A Song About Being Used

'VEHICLES'
You pick me up…take me around
You use me up when you’re feelin’ down
Just like vehicles goin’ around and around
Just like vehicles in my town
You only need me when you’re down
Next time when you’re passin’ by
I’ll remember you…and the smile and the lie
‘Cause you’re just another vehicle goin’ by and by
Yeah, just another vehicle goin’ by and by
You hold me… You kiss me
You give me a ride
Maybe some day…maybe some way
We may collide.
"Vehicles" was written specifically for the character ‘Teki’ in his novel ‘29 Dimes: A Love Story’

'Vehicles' is about people who pretend to love and care about you only to get to where they're going. In '29 Dimes', the character Teki is confronting this issue with her brother Vince and somewhat with her classmate Kalib. - R. Camp  

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Understanding Turtles

A few years ago, I remember telling my friend that I was thinking about writing a story about a character named Turtle. She misunderstood me and replied, "Randy, I know that you love to write but I didn't know that you wrote children's books also." Our conversation was brief but ended on a positive thought so I left it as that and didn't bother to explain myself further. Actually, Turtle is one of the main characters in my novel FALSE DANDELIONS, a Southern tale about the lives and dreams of underdogs. Turtle is an aging street dog who is tired of always being somebody else's errand boy and struggles to break out on his own.
Sometimes, we all may find ourselves in a place where we don't want to be. And at times, there's no difference between people like Turtle and you and I. Every single day of the week somebody is struggling to climb out of their hole. I believe that there's a little Turtle in all of us, and that's why I wrote False Dandelions. The better we understand people like Turtle, the better we can reach out and help them.
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Creating Teki

I love it when people have the courage to just be themselves, regardless of outside pressure from others or society in general. When I created the character of 'Teki' in my novel '29 Dimes', I wanted her to represent everyone who strives to be themselves no matter what.
Teki is a free-spirited, young Chinese girl from a very wealthy family, who is sent to a prestigious music academy for gifted musical prodigies and is later kicked out for playing a cool reggae rhythm during her first classical Beethoven piano recital. A few years later, as a teenager, Teki has dyed her hair and fronts an all-girl progressive reggae band in Silver Lake, California. - Randy Camp

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Staying Humble

No, I don't drive a fancy car or have an assistant or an entourage. Instead, my riches come from my readers who take the time to send me an email with a question or two about my writings and sometimes a question or two about myself. It always brings a smile to my face when I check my email and there's a long list of messages from my readers. Coming from humble beginnings as a child I try not to let my head swell too much when I'm getting any attention or requests for an interview or a book talk.
A couple weeks ago, I'd received an email from a young lady in Amherst, New York, which is a very affluent area outside the city of Buffalo. She'd explained to me that her small book club had just read one of my novels and they would like to have me come in person for a meet-the-author book discussion.
A few evenings ago, I went to this young lady's residence (which actually is a mini-mansion) in Amherst and I took part in their book club's very lively and engaging discussion. When I first arrived there I saw colorful finger foods and appetizers that looked so delicious but I surely didn't know what they were or how to pronounce their names, and I was treated like I was really somebody.
The very next day, just to keep myself in check, grounded and down to earth, I went to volunteer at the popular soup kitchen near Utica and Main Street in Buffalo, and I helped the staff there with serving lunch to a sizeable crowd of homeless and street people. I truly know what it's like to be standing in line at a soup kitchen, and sometimes I have to physically revisit that reality just to keep myself humble. - Randolph Randy Camp

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Author Randolph 'Randy' Camp - Air Force Video

PIECES OF ME

Pieces of Me

It’s common knowledge that pieces of every writer goes into the characters in which they create. A part of me is certainly in my character ‘Kalib’ from my novel ’29 Dimes’. Here’s a quote from Kalib in the story, “…I don’t care anymore! I tried so hard! It’s like the more I keep tryin’ to be here the more people keep treating me like I don’t belong here!”
’29 Dimes’ is set in the Los Angeles community of Silver Lake. This provocative coming-of-age novel follows seven eclectic characters during their summer break, with each one having an experience that will shape and change their young lives forever.

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I'll Never Forget My Hometown

At age 18, I wrote a "LETTER TO THE EDITOR" which was published in the local newspaper FREDERICKSBURG FREE LANCE- STAR on June 5, 1979...

PUT SOMETHING BACK, GRADUATES URGED
To the Editor:
I am a senior at Spotsylvania High School and will be graduating in a couple of weeks. This year many seniors from our area high schools will be going away to colleges and trade schools to become professionals in the business world and other fields. I hope that many of us will return to this area to put our skills and special training to work. We must not forget where we come from or those who helped us to get where we are (or will be). I can't speak for every senior, but I have taken something very valuable from this area, and I feel that I must put something back to show my appreciation. I am speaking of education. I have learned that a person should give if he or she has received. I hope that the class of '79 will join me in the future to reimburse our hometown.
RANDOLPH CAMP
Spotsylvania
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Something To Read

Over the weekend I'd visited someone and noticed that there wasn't one piece of reading material in her house. Ever since I became involved with the I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION in Los Angeles quite a few years ago I made a promise to myself that I would do whatever I could to ensure that a household had some type of reading materials around regardless of the family's income level. Especially if there were school-age kids living there I would go out and get a magazine, children's book, comic book or a paperback novel.

Without offending my friend, I told her that I was going to the local library to purchase some old books for her kids. Most local libraries take older books out of circulation and sells them to the public for 25 cents and 50 cents per book. I got lucky and found a bundle of kid's books in decent shape at the branch library only four blocks away and my friend's kids were delighted to get their new gifts.

Over the years, especially after working with at-risk youth and low-income families involved with the I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION in LA, I've noticed a big difference in a kid's attitude towards school and life in general, if and when they have a sincere interest in reading. A kid's world becomes brighter when they start reading. Period. - Randy Camp

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A Sad Goodbye to My Daisywheels

This morning was a pretty sad morning because I’d finally said goodbye to two friends who’ve been with me for a lot of years. In this techno age of fancy computers, micro-chips, and fast-paced gadgetry, I’d typed my most recent screenplays and manuscripts with my daisywheel typewriters, a Smith Corona SL 480 and a Brother 310 AX Series. If you’re not familiar with these old electric typewriters and daisywheels just picture a bicycle rim with its numerous spokes, only smaller. Similar to a bike rim, a three-inch daisywheel has numerous spokes, with each spoke having a protruding letter, number, or symbol at its end. (A lot of vintage IBM typewriters had a rotating ball instead of the multi-stemmed daisywheel.) These daisywheels, correctable ribbons, and other parts for these aging typewriters are hard to find in office supply stores nowadays and some stores have completely stop selling electric typewriters and their accessories all together.
My Smith Corona was so cool and reliable. She had stylish curves around her edges and she never gave me any lip or back talk over the years. I had typewriters before that would grumble and make funny noises about this or that but my Smith Corona never complained about anything. She just came to work, clocked in and let me tap her keys for hours at a time and would never fuss about a thing.
Well, things were okay up until about a week ago. That’s when the daisywheels on the Brother 310 and the Smith Corona 480 started to rattle a bit and lose their proper fitting next to the ribbon cartridge, which means that a loose-seated daisywheel could potentially cause a writer to get an ‘A’ on the paper instead of the intended ‘J’, and so on.
I’m going to miss seeing the fonts of these electric typewriters. They are very distinctive and unlike any fonts found on today’s computers. I’m going to miss that monotone pitch every time I would tap those old keys. Yes, I’m an old dinosaur but I guess there comes a time when an old dinosaur must make some changes and adapt to its new surroundings in order to survive. – Randy Camp
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The Process: My Writing Method

During every classroom book talk that I’ve been invited to at least a handful of students would always ask me about my writing technique or if I had a particular method of writing. Growing up poor in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, making up stories and writing became a necessary escape and a form of survival for me. Between my early school years at John J. Wright and Robert E. Lee Elementary, I had a great training ground as a storyteller. During those elementary years, some of the teachers, on the first day of school, would have us stand up and tell the rest of the class what we did over the summer. I remember one particular summer when I was flying high up in the air, walking dangerous trails in another state, and even saw the open mouth of a mountain lion from a few feet away! (Yeah, right.) Actually, that particular summer, the most exciting thing I did was going bike riding through the Spotsylvania Battlefield Parks with my brothers and cousins. When you have classmates speaking about their summer vacations at Yellowstone and Disney World I just had to come up with something to compete with that and my bike trip through the parks wasn’t it. Ever since I was a young boy, I used to have these wild, weird dreams and sometimes I was so excited and fascinated by them that I couldn’t wait to tell somebody else. I remember telling a few kids during recess about this one particular dream that I had and they all looked at me as if I had lost my mind. This was a turning point in my early years because I became very particular about who I would share my stories and dreams with, and I soon became somewhat of a quiet little boy. One of my early teachers told me that I should write my dreams down, and ever since then it seems as though I can’t stop writing. And if you’re an aspiring writer and there are people around you who are giving you a look and maybe calling you crazy, well, don’t worry about it. Just remember that people tend to call anything that they don’t understand ‘crazy’. You just keep on writing. I haven’t changed my method of writing over the years, even with the advent of the constantly-changing techy devices we have nowadays. Whether I’m writing a screenplay, novel manuscript or a short story, I always draw up an outline and I always write out a basic character bible, especially for my main characters. Writing a basic character bible is extremely helpful because it makes it easier for you, as the writer, to remember where your character came from, why he or she talks or behaves in a certain way, and the character bible also helps you (as a writer) to prevent your characters from sounding the same. I would hand-write the first and second draft, and then, typically, the third draft gets typed up. The greatest advice I have for any aspiring writers is to pay close attention to your characters’ voices, and to make sure that each of your characters have their own unique voice, never sounding like anyone else within your story. – Randy Camp
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Accepting Limitations

It was a thousand moons ago when I first saw the movie ‘Butterfield 8′, and that’s when I’d first fell in love. Although I barely had a tease of a peach fuzz mustache, Elizabeth Taylor and I was going to “be together”, and then something happened — reality set in and I grew up. As a naïve, young boy of color growing up in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, at the edge of the rural South during the 60′s and early 70′s, quite a few of my far-fetched dreams were squashed by the harsh realities during those changing times in America. My boyish, dreamy desire to be with Elizabeth Taylor was only one of countless dreams dissipated as I matured into puberty and slowly aged toward my teen years. It seems like I’ve been dealing with disappointments and rejection practically all of my life. Whether it was the color of my skin, the way I looked, or the way I dressed, I had many doors shut in my face during my youth, and believe it or not, I’m so very grateful for that now because those rejections and slamming doors years ago have thicken and layered my skin and have given me an unbelievable focus and drive to just try and to never stop trying. One of the hardest things to do in this world is to genuinely accept your limitations, especially as you work towards your goals and desires. Accepting your limitations keeps you grounded and closer to reality and more true to yourself. But, to be quite honest with you, one of the things I do like about not growing up and throwing my limitations out the window is that it allows me to dream my little crazy dreams…….just like when I was a boy getting all gooey inside watching ‘Butterfield 8′. I’m 53 years old now and, actually, I still get all gooey inside when I’m watching ‘Butterfield 8′.  – Randy Camp

More at http://www.shelfari.com/randycamp

Symbolism In Stories

SYMBOLISM IN STORIES... During a recent classroom book talk discussion, several students had surprised me when they had told me what the 'false dandelions', '29 dimes', and 'wet matches' meant to them when they'd read each of my novels. I must say, I was truly blown away with some of the students' interpretations of my use of symbols in my stories. As a writer, I love using symbols because sometimes they make the reader think beyond my own thoughts and initial intentions. Learn more at http://www.shelfari.com/randycamp

Viki's Rescue

Nothing came to Viki the easy way. The fame and glory that she has now is owed to her adoring fans, and Viki would do anything for them. When young Samantha sent an email SOS to her idol, Viki didn’t let her down. ‘…THEN THE RAIN’ is a good vs. evil thriller about a popstar battling a twisted cult leader to rescue a wayward teen.
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Summer of Changes: 29 Dimes

This won't be a typical LA summer. No one could've ever predicted what happened in Silver Lake. Valerie, Ronnie, Kalib, Tip, Brittany, Teki and Pepe will never be the same again. Seven hungry hearts. One hot crazy summer. '29 Dimes: A Love Story' (paperback or Kindle) Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

RCstories' Children's TV Series

HARRY'S FIELD is an animated, children's fantasy TV series. The series centers around a magical flying school bus named Eagle Wing, which transports kids from urban areas to an enchanted, colorful place called Harry's Field, where they learn about nature and our environment from a variety of jovial, talking animals and plants. TIME OUT TIME IN is another very lively and engaging animated, children's fantasy TV series created by Randolph Randy Camp. In a very entertaining and colorful manner (without being preachy), the series encourages young kids to use their imagination while simultaneously teaching them about life's virtues, such as the importance of being polite and kind to others. All works registered with the Writers Guild of America, East. Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

MY BLESSINGS: A VERY GOOD DAY

It would be an absolute lie if I said that I'd never dreamed of seeing one of my books on the New York Times Best Sellers List. I think that it's every writer's dream to have their stories reach as many people as possible. But, what is equally satisfying (at least to me) is receiving a letter from someone who was moved or touched by the words you'd written. And that's exactly what happened to me yesterday, Friday (May 2, 2014). I woke up to an email message from a high school student in Japan that instantly put a big ol' smile on my face, as her email letter went on to explain how her class had read one of my novels as an assignment and that she had identified with and really liked one of the characters in the story. Yes, it's true that I would love to see exceptionally high book sale numbers, but these personal letters from readers are a real blessing and  just as golden to me as the big numbers on a sales chart.

And later during the day, I was honored with two scholarships (The David R. Conley Memorial Perseverance Scholarship and The Hank Pirowski Scholarship) at the Annual ECC Scholarship Luncheon in Williamsville, NY, and what made that event so special was that I was blessed to share it with one of my most dearest friends, Karen (the one with the dark hair). So, yes indeed, my Friday was a very Good Day...full of Blessings. - Randolph Randy Camp


SYMBOLISM IN STORIES... During a recent classroom book talk discussion, several students had surprised me when they had told me what the 'false dandelions', '29 dimes', and 'wet matches' meant to them when they'd read each of my novels. I must say, I was truly blown away with some of the students' interpretations of my use of symbols in my stories. As a writer, I love using symbols because sometimes they make the reader think beyond my own thoughts and initial intentions.


RANDY'S TV SCRIPTS - CHILDREN'S SERIES
1. Harry's Field (May 2014, Registered with Writers Guild of America, East, Reg#R30871)
2. Time Out Time In (May 2014, Registered with WGA, East)

More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

STAY IN THE RACE!
Believe in YOURSELF! Let your PASSION guide you!...and never give up!

If you have a passion for anything you must go for it. If that passion is writing don’t let anyone or anything discourage you. Rejection letters go straight to the trash or turn it over and use the backside as scrap paper and continue writing! The rough draft (handwritten) for my second novel was partially written on the flipside of rejection letters I’d received from my first novel’s manuscript.

RCstories' Children's TV Series

HARRY'S FIELD is an animated, children's fantasy TV series. The series centers around a magical flying school bus named Eagle Wing, which transports kids from urban areas to an enchanted, colorful place called Harry's Field, where they learn about nature and our environment from a variety of jovial, talking animals and plants. TIME OUT TIME IN is another very lively and engaging animated, children's fantasy TV series created by Randolph Randy Camp. In a very entertaining and colorful manner (without being preachy), the series encourages young kids to use their imagination while simultaneously teaching them about life's virtues, such as the importance of being polite and kind to others. All works registered with the Writers Guild of America, East. Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp