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

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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.
Learn more at http://www.shelfari.com/randycamp