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

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.

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

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'.

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

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 

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