Randolph Randy Camp

Randolph Randy Camp
SCREENWRITER/ NOVELIST

Friday, November 27, 2015

Shine Your Light Brightly

There's a special light that shines deep inside of each one of us. Some of you have been blessed with more than one shining light. Some of us spend almost our entire lifetime trying to find or figure out what exactly is our special light.
I firmly believe that we each have a special gift or talent, and once we discover it and begin to share it with others, it's then, at that moment, when we are blessed with true inner happiness and peace of mind.
Whether you have a gift of gab, singing, dancing, writing, acting, cooking, sewing, designing, farming, teaching or preaching, please share it with the rest of us and shine your light brightly! - Randolph Randy Camp

More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Monday, November 23, 2015

Baby Steps n' Angels

Baby Steps n' Angels...I've received several academic accolades and a few fiction writing awards over the years.
I'm 54 years old now and I'm still taking baby steps toward my goals. And as continue my journey I've been truly blessed with wonderful Angels looking out for me. If I can do it then you can do it. As a matter ' fact, it is my greatest hope that you will go further than I ever imagined. What motivates and drives me is the notion that my accomplishments hopefully will inspire others, especially the younger generation coming up behind me, to pursue their dreams with all the passion within them. - Randolph Randy Camp (photo: Author Randolph Randy Camp with friend Karen at Erie Community College Graduation, May 2015)
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp 
‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ is a feel-good story about acceptance. One of the many perks of winning the national ‘America’s Family’ Sweepstakes is the chance to meet and make appearances with the President on his reelection campaign. When an eclectic African-American family becomes the unexpected winner of the prestigious ‘America’s Family’ contest, the President and his shiesty reelection campaign manager tries to get the family disqualified, thinking that this particular family isn’t ‘American-looking’ enough, and to appear with them on the campaign trail will hurt the President’s chance of getting reelected. Without being preachy, ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ gives a lighthearted glimpse into American politics while simultaneously showing a realistic snapshot of life in contemporary America. Just like any other family in America, the Lanterns have autism, transgender issues, and even a grandmother who’ve come up with her own interesting alternative to plant-based burgers. ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ is an entertaining political satire that looks at race relations in America, and it shows the sometimes-ugly side of America while simultaneously reflecting the goodness in certain people that highlights America’s beauty as well. If you or your family ever felt left out, pushed out or shut out then Randolph Randy Camp’s ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ is a story for you.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

The Picture Frame (Revisited)

I received an email from a reader yesterday who’d asked me about my childhood in Spotsylvania County, Virginia and some other interesting questions. Her email reminded me of a blog piece I’d written awhile back entitled ‘The Picture Frame’. So, for her and others, here it is again:
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 54 years here on earth. Stay positive Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

A Brief Video Bio Presentation: Author Randolph Randy Camp


A brief BIO VIDEO presentation on Writer Randolph Randy Camp, author of the award-winning 'Wet Matches' and three other novels '29 Dimes', 'False Dandelions', and '...Then The Rain'.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Touching Someone

Are you happy with the way you are living your life? Is your life meaningful? Is your life boring?
Normally, I tend not to share the finer details about my private or romantic life on the web but a few months ago I shared a personal childhood memory, in which I’d entitled ‘The Longest Walk’. In ‘The Longest Walk’, I revealed how I had this secret crush on one of my elementary school classmates, and how incredibly cool it is, some forty-five years later, that this “girl of my childhood dreams” is currently one of my Facebook friends today. Ironically, as I also had mentioned in ‘The Longest Walk’, I’m still not revealing the actual name of the mystery girl.
I’m giving you this backstory because I’d received an email recently from one of my followers who was very curious to find out who exactly this mystery girl is. Personally, what I find to be the most interesting thing about this whole ordeal is that I can’t believe that there is actually something truly interesting and kind of cool about my life after all. Typically, we think of a writer’s life as being rather boring, but to have someone curious and interested in my life has given me a different perspective and made me realize that these mere words and stories that I share may possibly touch or impact someone else clear around the world. Yes indeed, words can be quite powerful and meaningful….and here I thought that my life was so boring. Hm. And just maybe, after taking a closer look at your own life, it’s also probably not as boring as you may think. Every day we touch people and we’re not even aware of it. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

A Safer Place

I was very relieved that several of my fans and followers from France responded back to me and informed me that they were safe and okay after yesterday’s terrorist attack in Paris.
I strongly believe that there are far more positive people in this world than there are negative ones. Trying to maintain composure and staying positive amid negativity and chaotic events certainly isn’t an easy task so I commend all of you who are always reaching out to others in your own special quiet way trying to make this world of ours a more peaceful and safer place. – Randolph Randy Camp

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Writer Randolph Randy Camp at 2015 Midwest Comic Con

Writer Randolph Randy Camp having fun with DC Comics character Harley Quinn at the 2015 Midwest Comic Con in Des Moines, Iowa, November 8, 2015.

Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Amazing Youth: Bright Future

Sometimes, I don’t think that our young people get enough credit for their good deeds and positive vibes in which they put out every day. Similar to the adult world, the criminal and negative activity conducted by a small percentage of our young people will get publicized but it’s very rare that the countless good deeds of the majority will get any attention at all.
Whenever I’m in the company of young people not only do I love hearing about what they are currently doing, but I also love to listen to their thoughts, ideas, and dreams about their future. It’s easy to get the wrong impression about some of today’s youth, especially when you enter a fast-food restaurant and the teen behind the counter greets you as if you’d just interrupted his or her break and everything mentioned about providing good customer service during their orientation went straight out the window after their first week on the job. And of course, not all teenagers act this way. Personally, I try to look pass these few young individuals who, unfortunately, give teenagers a bad reputation.
The open discussions I have during and after a classroom book talk session with students are some of the most engaging and intriguing discussions I’ve ever heard. The questions, comments, and opinions of some of these young people just blows my mind, and any reservations or doubts I might have had about our youth running the country in the future quickly dissipates after listening to the students intelligently articulate and express themselves on a wide range of subjects, including sex, politics, fashion trends, gun control, and race relations. What I enjoy most during my school book talks is how the students typically would freely say things that most people would only feel comfortable saying at the kitchen table or privately among their close friends or family members. In my personal opinion, I think that we need more of these open discussions in America so that we can improve our race relations and the basic way we treat each other here in America (and around the world.)
Yes indeed, I have tremendous faith in our amazing youth, and I truly believe that we have a very bright future ahead. – Randolph Randy Camp
*(photo: Author Randolph Randy Camp (center) standing amid high school students after a meet-the-author/book talk discussion.)
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Janitor

Regardless of what job you’re currently doing to pay your bills, support your family and yourself, always make sure that you’re also taking some time to nurture and cater to your own personal dreams and goals as well. Every day, in some form or another, we work and do things to make other people rich or happy, especially those who work within the service industry. What are you doing to make yourself happy?
Every day, we devote approximately eight hours toward someone else’s business or dream, indirectly making their dream a reality. How many hours (or minutes) per day are you devoting to your own dreams or goals?
Don’t let your day job define you. I understand that you must clean the toilets or bus the tables in order to pay the rent, but don’t let the designer in you, the artist in you, the executive in you, the inventor in you, or the store owner in you wither away or tire you out due to your devotion to someone else’s dream. Be the person you want to be. Define yourself! Empower yourself!
In my own personal life, I’ve cleaned many toilets, and I’ve been on various factory floors working on the assembly line. However, while I was cleaning the toilets or mindlessly checking the parts and products as they traveled along the conveyor belt, in my head I was simultaneously working out my characters’ dialogue for my manuscript, which I tirelessly typed up in the wee hours of the night, sometimes two or three pages on a good night.
No, everyone doesn’t know my name, but this janitor’s dream has come true. Today, I’m so very grateful to all of my fans, followers, and readers from around the world who have bought my books, read my articles, and recently made ‘False Dandelions’ one of my bestselling novels. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Sunday, October 11, 2015

A Pinch of Salt: Character Growth

One of the many joys I get from being an author is having discussions or answering questions from aspiring writers via email or during classroom book talk sessions. Due to my recent move from New York to Iowa, I haven’t had a chance to check my inbox as I normally would. After checking my (overflowing) mailbox yesterday, I thought that it might be best to write this post, as it may answer a wide variety of questions regarding character development, and simultaneously offer what I consider to be my greatest advice to aspiring writers of any age.
Along with never having your characters sound the same, I think that adding a little spice to your character is one of the best tools in creative writing because it makes your characters more realistic and it certainly adds flavor and depth to your story as well. In my novel ‘WET MATCHES’, the backstory of one of my adult characters named Jack was revealed as the plot unfolded. In the story, the reader connects a childhood incident in which Jack experiences in the 6th grade with his current, sometimes unpredictable behavior when he’s interacting with certain individuals.
Providing your readers with some insight into your characters’ childhood experiences or their backstory is a very valuable tool. Showing how your characters are different or may have grown from chapter one through chapter ten is another valuable tool in creative writing, and it’s clear evidence of your characters’ growth.
In real life, no two humans are the same and this should be the same in your stories. No two characters should sound or behave in the same manner. Revealing a character’s backstory is a great method of adding spice and seasoning to your character, which will only enhance and make your whole story more interesting and tasty to your readers.  – Randolph Randy Camp
More Writing Tips at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Changes: New Paths, New Friends, New Life

CHANGES: NEW PATHS, NEW FRIENDS, NEW LIFE...
Stepping out of our comfort zone can certainly be a major challenge for some of us. Moving across town or relocating to a new state is definitely not an easy task but the rewards and benefits from accepting these challenges and taking these risks can be great. Recently, I’d moved from New York to Iowa and it’s been one of the best decisions I’d ever made. In so many ways I still feel as though I’m on my walkabout, at age 54 still growing, still learning. – Randolph Randy Camp
*(photo: Author Randolph Randy Camp with daughter Randie at Gray's Lake, Des Moines, Iowa, September 2015)
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Saturday, August 15, 2015

The Journey Continues: Breaking Bread

It’s the middle of August 2015. I’m in my mid-50’s and I’m still on my ‘walkabout’, still learning and growing. Recently, I’d graduated from college and received an Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Mental Health Studies – Substance Abuse Counseling.
As I explore and venture deeper into this counseling field, I hope that this college degree and my academic accolades, such as making the Dean’s List three times, won’t be the very thing that will swell my head and, ironically, separate me from the very people whom I’d intended to help. I hope that I won’t become the administrator or the executive behind the fancy oak desk who had never step foot into a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.
Some of my best conversations have been with “street people” and the homeless. And there’s no better feeling in this world when you’re able to break bread and get to know another human being at a soup kitchen. It would be an outright shame if my fancy college degree actually kept from those who are still finding their way and climbing.
Now that I’m equipped with this college degree, maybe it will open some doors that were once closed to me…and just maybe, I’ll find my way in and prop the door open for those afflicted with an addiction, those in need, and those breaking bread at the soup kitchen. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Saturday, August 1, 2015

YOU DEFINE YOURSELF!

DON’T LET OTHERS DEFINE YOU…YOU DEFINE YOURSELF!
DON’T GIVE UP! KEEP WRITING! 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. Take your rejection letter and turn it over to use the backside as scrap paper and keep writing. 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. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Saturday, July 18, 2015

A Better World Through Books...Used Books

 Putting a smile on a book lover’s face is priceless. There are way too many people who would love to read a new book but simply can’t afford one, and that’s where you come in. Your used books would have a huge impact on someone else’s life. So, please join me once again for FREE BOOK SATURDAY  (#freebooksaturday) to help brighten somebody’s world. And if you have any photos, please post and share them. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Monday, June 29, 2015

WHY YOU WAS BORN

WHY YOU WAS BORN...
As I'm about to pack up and head back home, I can't seem to get this 17 year old girl out of my mind who'd approached me at the book signing earlier today. She had dyed her hair with yellow and purple streaks similar to 'Teki', one of my characters in my latest novel, and she walked up to me slowly with an acoustic guitar strapped around her shoulders.
Unlike the others in line, this young lady didn't have one of my books in her hand for me to sign, instead she politely asked, "Mr. Camp, can I sing you a song?" I nodded 'sure' and she started strumming her six-string. She blew me away as she sung "Vehicles", a song I'd written for 'Teki', which was featured in the novel '29 Dimes'.
A small crowd had gathered around her as she filled the air with her beautiful voice and played the guitar. Needless to say, it was a special moment. After she'd finished the song, we had a moment to chat, and that's when she told me that she never knew what she wanted to do with her life until about a year ago when she read '29 Dimes' and started identifying with the character 'Teki'. She went on to tell me that she now is destined to write and hopefully record her own songs.
I told her that she has a God-given talent, and then I reminded her of the old adage, "There are two important dates in your life, the day you was born and the day you discover why you was born." - Randolph Randy Camp

More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp
‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ is a feel-good story about acceptance. One of the many perks of winning the national ‘America’s Family’ Sweepstakes is the chance to meet and make appearances with the President on his reelection campaign. When an eclectic African-American family becomes the unexpected winner of the prestigious ‘America’s Family’ contest, the President and his shiesty reelection campaign manager tries to get the family disqualified, thinking that this particular family isn’t ‘American-looking’ enough, and to appear with them on the campaign trail will hurt the President’s chance of getting reelected. Without being preachy, ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ gives a lighthearted glimpse into American politics while simultaneously showing a realistic snapshot of life in contemporary America. Just like any other family in America, the Lanterns have autism, transgender issues, and even a grandmother who’ve come up with her own interesting alternative to plant-based burgers. ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ is an entertaining political satire that looks at race relations in America, and it shows the sometimes-ugly side of America while simultaneously reflecting the goodness in certain people that highlights America’s beauty as well. If you or your family ever felt left out, pushed out or shut out then Randolph Randy Camp’s ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’ is a story for you.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

A Writer's Ego

When I first walked pass this ‘Local Author’ display I tried my best to stay the somewhat quiet, humble person that I am (or thought I was)…and then I smiled a big country smile, took a few steps back and snapped a picture. I think it’s great when libraries support their local writers, especially those writers who are without the backing of big-time publishing houses. Honestly, I was taken by surprise when I saw my book FALSE DANDELIONS displayed on the top shelf. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Friday, May 22, 2015

GENUINE FRIENDSHIP

 
ALWAYS LEARNING, REGARDLESS OF AGE
I sincerely believe that if you surround yourself with positive people, you will always be motivated and inspired to achieve your greatest desires, no matter how old (or young) you are. Yesterday, May 20th, was a very special day for me. It was my College Graduation Day (in Buffalo, NY). It was a special day not just because I was graduating college (at age 54) but because I was surrounded by positive souls, such as my dear friend Karen. For the past 16 years I've learned a lot about what a genuine friendship is from Karen. I'm grateful and blessed to have positive spirits in my life, and I hope that all of you have a true friend (or friends) in your circles as well. - Randolph Randy Camp

Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp 

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Writing Voices

Writing in someone else’s voice is certainly not an easy task. When I wrote ’29 Dimes’, I wanted to make the reader feel as though he or she was walking or sitting right beside the main characters, making the readers feel as though they were physically there “in the room” with the characters. When you’re writing your narrative in the first person, or from the character’s point of view, you’re pulling the reader closer to the character without them realizing it. It’s a way of bringing the reader deeper into the story and into the main characters’ consciousness.
When I was writing the thoughts and dialogue for the characters in ’29 Dimes’, I had to totally clear my brain of my own upbringing and thoughts, and then I began to briefly reprogram my brain and body to think, eat, drink, walk, and talk like Valerie, Pepe, Kalib, Teki, Tip, Brittany, and Ronnie, the seven colorful characters in ’29 Dimes’. I absolutely believe that you, as a writer, have to mentally walk in your characters’ shoes to get a sense of who they are and where they came from, which will help to better explain why they are currently in whatever predicament or situation you had written them into. Walking in your character’s shoes leads to great dialogue and character development because you are assuring the reader that “this voice” is not yours.
Writing the ’29 Dimes’ characters in the first person was an exciting and fun experience for me. If you haven’t tried this writing technique before then I certainly encourage and recommend that you do so. Writing voices from the first person perspective is a creative way to draw your readers right into your character’s living room. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Power of Story Time

When I was a kid growing up in America's racially heated South during the Civil Rights Movement, life certainly wasn't a piece of cake, and back then you had to constantly watch what you said or who you looked at. People of color, such as myself, were made to feel "less than human" and were repeatedly told that we didn't deserve the same respectful treatment and service as others. Having these terrible negative attitudes drilled into our brains year after year, you may understand why myself and other people of color during this troublesome time period in America began to feel as though we actually were "too dumb" or "too insignificant" to achieve or accomplish anything.
But, when I heard the memorable mantra "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" from "The Little Engine That Could" during story time at my elementary school, it gave me the spark I needed to build my confidence and strength within myself as a little Black boy growing up in a harsh world that seem to be "too color-conscious." - Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Finally! Spring Has Actually Arrived!

Hello Everybody! This is downtown Buffalo, NY. We finally got a beautiful sunny day after such a super long winter and record-breaking snowfall. Photo taken Sunday, April 12, 2015. - Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://randy0312.wordpress.com 

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Tying the Knots (or not): Randy's Writing Tips

As with any story, it’s common knowledge that you should have a good beginning, middle, and a good ending. Not unless you are intentionally setting up your next sequel with an exciting cliffhanger, it’s always best to answer all questions of your plot so that your readers aren’t left scratching their heads at the end.
But, as already mentioned, if you’re strategically setting up the lead in to your continuation, then it’s best to limit your cliffhanger teaser to only one or two characters. You don’t want to leave your readers puzzled about large chunks of the major plot, but leaving them hungry and guessing about “what happened to so-and-so?” isn’t too hard to digest, and if written with the perfect amount of creative tease, it could get your sequel off to a great financial success. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Saturday, April 4, 2015

GIVING: A WONDERFUL THING


Giving someone the tools to expand their knowledge and imagination is a beautiful thing, and that’s what #freebooksaturday is all about. Simply take your used books and freely offer them to your neighbors. Touch someone’s soul this Easter weekend by participating in your own Free Book Saturday event. And please share your photos, if any. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp


Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Neighbor Helping Neighbor: Global Appeal For Free Book Saturday

Thank you Everyone who participated in the very first #freebooksaturday Global  ongoing Event on March 21st. Give your used books to your neighbors is a win-win for everybody. Let’s make this coming Saturday March 28th a big success as well. Putting a smile on a book lover’s face is priceless. There are way too many people who would love to read a new book but simply can’t afford one, and that’s where you come in. Your used books would have a huge impact on someone else’s life. So, please join me once again for FREE BOOK SATURDAY to help brighten somebody’s world. And if you have any photos, please post and share them. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Friday, March 20, 2015

Free Book Saturday

There’s no better feeling than making a difference in someone’s life, especially if their world is somewhat bleak. One of the things that really bothers me is to see a kid who loves to read but there may be obstacles preventing him or her from getting a new book to read. My heart goes out to the young kid who begs his parents, “Can we go to the library so I can check out a new book?”, and the harsh unbelievable response could be something like this, “Why don’t you shut up ’bout some stupid book! Where’s that book at that you got three weeks ago?!”
For all of the kids and book lovers across the globe, I would like to see everyone in the world do something and get involve to make sure that anyone who wants a book is able to get a book. And one way this feat can be accomplished is having a worldwide ‘FREE BOOK SATURDAY’ event.
The plan is quite simple, and the real beauty of  ‘Free Book Saturday’ is that it won’t cost anyone a single penny. On a Saturday morning (and we can start tomorrow Saturday, March 21, 2015), simply gather up any books in which you’ve already read and maybe now is collecting dust on the shelf and place them on your front porch along with a handmade sign or a makeshift flag indicating “FREE BOOKS!”
Just by chance, your ‘free books’ could be the very books that brightens the life of a sad child who couldn’t get to the public library for various reasons. Let’s all pinch in and try to put a smile on a book lover’s face. Let’s make this a success and an ongoing worldwide global event – “FREE BOOK SATURDAY!” So, please pass the word and Share this post. Thanks, Randolph Randy Camp

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Books: The Great Escape

When I was coming up in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, I was a somewhat quiet child, and as I got older I began to find my voice through writing. After learning to read, I remember being excited whenever I got a chance to go to the library, either to the school library or to the Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg.
To me, finding an interesting book to read was like eating a big piece of yellow cake with thick layers of chocolate frosting! Yep, you got it — I was certainly a book nerd…and I’m proud to say that I still am. It has always bothered me to walk into a house or an apartment and find no reading materials whatsoever laying around, especially if I know that school-age kids are living there. Without offending a few of my neighbors, I’ve donated a book or two to their household so that the children would have something to read.
Books have the ability to fly you away to some colorful, fantastic land when you live on a dismal urban street infested with gangs and drug dealers. If you live in the middle of nowhere, where the nearest neighbor is three miles away, books can fly you away to some exotic paradise and bring you back whenever you like. Yes indeed, books are amazing, and I hope that your personal library collection is expanding and expanding. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

The Longest Walk

There used to be this dirt road in Spotsylvania County called County Road 715. Years ago this old road ran straight by our house and led to the edge of a paved blacktop where the school bus would pick up me and my brothers, and my cousins who lived on Route 715.
Back then it seemed like it was a long walk to the bus stop in the early mornings, but actually it was only about a six-minute walk. I remember one particular morning walking to the bus stop and I was practicing what I was going to say to this girl that I really liked in my class and had written a ‘Do You Like Me?’ note to the previous night. She sat one row away from me in class and I always liked the way she would run and giggle and say “You can’t catch me!” when we had recess outside. Although I’d carefully written the note and repeatedly rehearsed my lines when I was going to hand it to her, I fell way short of being a romantic Romeo as I got painfully nervous and talked myself out of giving her the note and I never uttered one single word to her that whole entire day at school.
When the bus dropped us off after school that day it was my longest walk ever. I still had that stupid note folded in my pocket, which I’d carried around all day at school. As my brothers and cousins got off the bus laughing and talking about their day at school and their plans for the rest of the evening, I just hung my head down and kicked at the rocks and mounds of dirt in the road as if I was kicking myself in the butt for being so scared, stupid and shy.
About halfway down the road I got tired of having that stupid note in my pocket so I took it out, crumbled it up and tossed in the bushes along the dirt road. It’s the year 2015 now and it’s been nearly 44 years since the night I wrote that ‘Do You Like Me?’ note. Ironically, the young girl who captured my heart back at Robert E. Lee Elementary School is now one of my friends on Facebook (but she doesn’t know that I had a crush on her though).
And, by the way, the old dirt road, County Road 715, that I grew up on in Spotsylvania, well today, it’s a paved road and it was renamed Camp Town Road quite a few years ago. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Unexpected Gifts


Before a lively roundtable book talk with New York high school students, I was honored and presented with a nice ‘Thank You’ plaque and an elegant dime-bracelet, which was a replica of the bracelet that’s a crucial part of the plot in my novel ’29 Dimes: A Love Story’, in which the students read as a class assignment and superbly acted out key scenes (from the novel) on stage in the auditorium.
I don’t normally blog about the casual ‘thank you’ gifts that I get from doing book talks but these recent gifts were just too remarkable for me not to share them with you. Yes indeed, needless to say, I was just blown away when I saw the beautiful plaque and the shiny bracelet. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Page To Stage: 29 Dimes


On Thursday, February 26th, I was invited to East High School (NY) for a ‘Meet-the-Author/ Book Talk’ event and I was blown away by the special surprises in which the students and their teacher Mr. Wagner had planned.
The students did a great job in portraying the characters from two of my novels, ‘Wet Matches’ and ’29 Dimes’, as they acted out several key scenes from the two stories. When I first arrived at the school, I was expecting the typical Book Talk discussion which would normally take place in a large classroom, but an escort greeted me at the school entrance and informed me that we would be going straight to the auditorium first. And when I saw the colorful stage filled with the kids dressed in character and the set decorations, I was totally caught off guard. It was a wonderful surprise.
And not only was I treated to a fantastic stage performance by the students, I was also honored and presented with a nice ‘Thank You’ plaque and an elegant dime-bracelet, which was a replica of the bracelet that’s a crucial part of the plot in the ’29 Dimes’ love story.
There’s no greater compliment to a writer than seeing others take his or her characters and bring them to life. The students at East High School definitely made me feel ten feet tall on Thursday, but the true beauty of the whole event was seeing those energetic students express themselves and show off their natural talents in acting, singing, sound effects and in set design. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Monday, March 2, 2015

No Higher Compliment

Author Tops Off Black History Month at East

The students from Mr. Wagner's Certified Nursing Assistant class paid homage to Buffalo's author, Randy Camp on Thursday, February 26, 2015. Mr. Camp was treated to two skits by the students that represented scenes from the two novels that the students recently read in class. The students also awarded Mr. Camp their Annual Distinguish Helper Award for his direct influence on their lives.
The first book the students read was "Wet Matches", a novel that metaphorically deals with the emotional impact that segregation of schools had on Mr. Camp growing up in the South. This novel is packed with empathy as race is superimposed on the journey of five lost teens who are coping with self-identity confusion, and their medical diagnoses of HIV. The second novel the students read, Mr. Camp's most recent work;"29 Dimes: A Love Story", is a very engaging story of a group of close teens, and their last summer before high school graduation. The story deeply explores teenage relationship issues with excellent characters development.
The C.N.A students easily related to the multiple issues that were addressed in this swiftly moving love story where the hero is a special needs high school boy who overcomes multiple obstacles to become the star of the story by giving his life for another. The students spent 20 minutes of each class period reading out loud and then were engaged in  daily writing assignments that dealt with the topic that was addressed in the book for that day. Mr. Camp's response to the event was "...there's no higher compliment for a writer than to see his characters come to life."


After the skits, Mr. Camp led the students in a round table discussion about not only the story, but the process, frustration, and challenges involved in publishing his books.
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp  

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

...Then The Rain: Silver Screen Dreams

One of the things that I truly enjoy about being a writer is being invited to a Meet-the-Author Book Talk with high school students. At a recent book talk session, the students and I got into a very lively discussion about the movie version of my novel and who would be the perfect person to play Viki, the main character and popstar in ‘…Then The Rain’, and who could play the role of Pastor Wright, the wicked preacher in this rock n’ roll thriller.
The class was split between Morgan Freeman or either Tommy Lee Jones taking the role of Pastor Wright. And although Beyoncé had a handful of supporters, it was a toss up between Taylor Swift or Katy Perry in the lead role of pop sensation Viki Powers.
This particular classroom discussion was different than any others I’d participated in. I never had so much fun during a book talk, and when the session was over I really felt as though Taylor, Katy, Morgan, Tommy Lee and myself had actually been sitting in a meeting together discussing their movie roles in ‘…Then The Rain.’ It’s amazing where these classroom discussions can lead us to sometimes. – Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Wavelengths

Everything we do has an impact or an influence on someone else, whether we like it or not. As I journey through life, I hope that my wavelengths create more of a positive ripple effect than a negative one. No, I’m certainly not perfect and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. Although I’m older now, I still fall way short of perfection but I try to give my best shot at helping and influencing others.
It’s the beginning of a new year now, and yesterday, as the kids went back to school after their long Holiday break, I was blown away by a ripple effect that was set in motion with wavelengths that started several months ago. It all began back in September when one of my neighbors had asked me to speak to her 16 year old daughter who was seriously considering dropping out of high school. Well, yesterday, this young lady knocked on my door and was so excited to tell me that not only was she getting A’s and B’s in all of her classes but she also had talked her mother into purchasing all of my books, in which she read all of them during the Holiday break. And with the biggest and proudest smile on her face, she went on to say that her teacher has also agreed to let her do an oral book report on one of my novels for extra credit. Needless to say, this young lady certainly made my day and I was just as proud of her as she was.
Yes indeed, our wavelengths definitely have an impact on others. I can only hope that during my lifetime I’ve helped more people than I’ve hurt. As I lay my head down at night, I want to sleep peacefully, knowing that my wavelengths had a positive ripple effect on someone. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Saturday, January 3, 2015

No Easy Roads

Looking back on the past year it really allowed me to see a deeper part of myself. When you really want something you'd be surprise to find out the sacrifices you're willing to make to achieve that particular goal. As a non-traditional college student (at age 53) and an Air Force Veteran, my last few semesters were really rough, as I dealt with financial hardships among other personal things. But, I'm determined to continue on and persevere in the new year ahead.
Click the LINK below to read and hear WBFO Reporter Eileen Buckley's full report on my recent struggles as an older college student and military Veteran. - Randolph Randy Camp
http://news.wbfo.org/post/local-veteran-struggles-re-educate-himself