Randolph Randy Camp

Randolph Randy Camp
SCREENWRITER/ NOVELIST

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Virtual Classroom

Recently I was reminded of why I absolutely love writing and blogging so much. A few days ago, one of my posts was taken to a level that I found to be very interesting. It’s a wonderful thing when a reader or a fellow writer takes your original post in a total new direction or add their own angle to it, which gives it more color and depth. As long as we respect one another in the end, it’s okay with me when a viewer or a fellow blogger expresses a different opinion than my own because, overall, we all benefit from seeing a snapshot of the world through the microcosm of our blog posts. Writing and blogging are great ways to express yourself, and when others comment and share their own opinions about your initial message then your post becomes an engaging, virtual classroom in which all viewers can benefit from.
So, here’s a big Thank You to all of my readers, fellow bloggers and writers for expressing yourselves and sharing your views and opinions with the rest of us. I wish you all great success with your blogs and your other writing projects. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The World Needs You

What are you waiting for? The world needs you now. That special thing inside of you which is so unique was given to you for a reason, and sharing your special gift with the rest of us in this world is your purpose and the very reason you was born. So, for all of you secret dreamers, aspiring singers, actors, inventors, actresses, writers, designers, teachers, engineers, chefs, film makers, quiet and humbled artists, this message is for you.
Some of us are thinkers, full of thoughts and ideas. Some of us are talkers. We constantly talk about what we want to do or should have done. It’s time to put those thoughts and words to action and start taking baby steps toward our goals and lifelong dreams. How often have you put your dream or desires on the back burner because of others or some other reason and later regretted that decision? Could someone benefit from your talents or from what you have to offer? Could you put a smile on a troubled face? Could you brighten someone’s life with that unique thing which makes you ‘you’?
It’s time to stop talking. Use 2016 as your action year. The rest of us could be benefiting in so many different ways from your special talent. Again, I ask, what are you waiting for? The world needs you. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Carrot Cake

Is there any evidence of your ancestors in your daily life? My grandfather, ‘Eddie’ Camp, was a school janitor at James Monroe High in Fredericksburg, Virginia for years. When I wrote my blog piece ‘A Janitor’s Dream’ I wonder if my grandfather’s spirit was standing over my shoulder or sitting next to me as I typed out those words several weeks ago. Hm?
My father, William Henry Camp, was a preacher and a carpenter by trade. I learned a lot from my father and one of the greatest lessons he’d taught me was to always try to help those in need even though you may not have much to give yourself. As a carpenter, my father would build and repair peoples’ porches, out houses, doors, and windows even though sometimes they could not pay him fully upfront as some of his other customers would.
I remember going to this lady’s house one Saturday to help him build a shed for her, and our pay for the day’s work was a chicken dinner with a big piece of her homemade carrot cake because she didn’t have any money for our labor. I’ll never forget that day because it was the first time I’d ever tasted an excellent carrot cake like that, and most importantly, on that particular Saturday, as a twelve year old boy, I learned first hand from my father how to be a gentleman and to treat others as you would want to be treated.
Every day I’m reminded of my forefathers, especially when I’m writing. The themes of most of my stories seem to be about ‘triumph-over-tragedy’ and ‘rooting for the underdogs of society’ type of stories, which are the very things that my father was concerned and preached about at his church in Spotsylvania County so many years ago.
Yes indeed, I’m grateful and able to do what I do today because of the teachings and spirits of my fathers. And by the way, of course, carrot cake is my absolute favorite cake of all still to this day. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Audacity to Dream

Some of my early childhood years were spent without a television in the house because our father was a very religious man, and he would say that the devil speaks through the TV. However, when I did get a chance to sneak to a cousin’s or a neighbor’s house to watch a TV show or movie I thought that it was the most fascinating thing, especially when I actually identified with some of the characters in the movie or in the TV series. Needless to say, I was hooked ever since. My love of creating colorful characters and original stories had its birth in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia in the mid sixties and early 70’s.
As I grew older I got this crazy notion and would have these wild dreams that I was going to write a book one day, and sometimes my thoughts and daydreams would really get away from me and I would have the audacity to think that I would actually write a movie screenplay one day and see it come to life on the big silver screen or on the small box in your living room. What a dreamer I am, huh?
Regardless of my income level or my past or present day jobs, I was always thinking about or actually working on a writing project. When I was employed as a security guard at a TV station and Studio Lot in Los Angeles, I used that opportunity to learn every aspect of the TV and movie production industry as various TV shows and movies were being taped on our sound stages. My five years as a security guard at this TV station certainly became my own ‘poor man’s film school’.
Today, I’ve been very fortunate to have accomplished many of my literary dreams, but seeing one of my stories (especially ‘Wet Matches’) come to life on the big silver screen is one dream that I’m still working on and truly hope to see realized in the near future.
As we venture forward in 2016 I hope that this year has gotten off to a great start for all of you and whatever your aspirations and goals are in life, don’t let anyone or anything dampen your spirit and your audacity to dream. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp