Discovering Your Why

Discovering Your Why… We are all here for a reason. There’s something special about you. There’s an old adage that says, ‘There are two important dates in your life, the day you were born and the day you discover why you were born’. Ironically, what may seem like a setback sometimes actually could turn out to be a pivotal moment in your life and a blessing in disguise. When I was a young teen I couldn’t wait to become a man already. After reading about the Australian Aboriginal people’s walkabout rite of passage, I wanted to go on my own walkabout. So, I did. This was my trip into adulthood. I was naïve but my eyes were wide open. To make a long story short, the officer from the Philadelphia Police Department had the most puzzled look on his face when I tried to explain to him that I was on my walkabout from Virginia and not a runaway. Needless to say, he didn’t waste any time in telling me to get into the backseat of his patrol car and drove me straight to the Philadelphia Youth Study Center. Inside of this tall, monstrous building were things hidden from the general public. Due to overcrowding there weren’t enough beds, so a lot of kids had to sleep on the cold floor, on gym mats or thin wool blankets. The damaged walls were covered with graffiti, and most padded chairs were ripped with wobbly legs. The moment I arrived I began to feel bad for all the kids staying there. Not only was the building in terrible shape, but on top of that, the place was severely understaffed. One day, a staff member informed me that my case manager was working on getting me a Greyhound Bus ticket and arranging my trip back to Virginia. And then she asked me, “So, whatcha gonna do after you leave here and get back home?” Within her question I found my purpose. I knew from that moment on I would try my best to lend my voice to the underserved, either through my writings or through youth advocacy and mentorship. None of us are perfect. I’ve made some bad decisions in my life, but one decision I’m definitely proud of is serving those who feel misunderstood or thrown away. Once I got back to Virginia, I remember having a conversation with Ms. Birdie West (R.I.P.) She taught horticulture and she was one of my favorite teachers at Spotsylvania High. We were talking about seeds, and Ms. West said that once a seed is put into the ground all it wants to do is reach for the sun. Regardless of your circumstances, I hope that each one of you will continue reaching for the sun. Many of you have already found your why, and you’re blessing us every day with the work you do. If you’re still searching for your why, don’t worry, one day it’ll find you. Never forget that you are uniquely special and don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise. By the way, the old Philadelphia Youth Study Center (which stood for decades) was eventually demolished, and the new Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center was built around fifteen years ago. – Randolph Randy Camp (Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp)

You'll Get There, Ode to Birdie West

You’ll Get There, Ode to Birdie West… When I was young I was anxious and eager, maybe a little too anxious and eager. One of my favorite high school teachers, Ms. Birdie West, encouraged me to slow down. Just like any other kid, I wanted to know why and how things worked. If something was new to me I wanted to take a closer look at it. I didn’t have a green thumb and I’d never seen an actual greenhouse before. When I was on lunch break in Junior High, I used to look across the road at the bigger kids at the Senior High School. One day while at lunch I decided to walk across the road and wander around a bit at the high school. I was so curious about the building made of glass near the hockey field. I made it across the road but not too much further than that. As I was making my way across the hockey field towards the greenhouse, a teacher approached me with a puzzled face, “Can I help you?” I didn’t respond and just walked back across the road. I never got to see the inside of that glass building that particular day but during my future sneaky visits across the road, I noticed how the girls looked curvier and a lot softer than the girls in my Junior High classes. Yep, I was curious about everything, and I certainly looked at everything. When I finally got into high school I made sure that I had a class in that building made of glass. And it turned out to be one of my best decisions ever. Ms. Birdie West absolutely loved teaching us about horticulture and the life of plants. She was a dedicated teacher who sincerely cared about all of her students. And what I admired most about Ms. West was her nature walks around the high school. On certain days, she would take us on a walk through the wooded area behind the school, and along the way she would talk about the natural wonders surrounding us. Ms. West had this cool way of telling us about plants while simultaneously teaching us about life. I remember her saying, “Every plant has its season. Everything has its time.” When I would tell her about the many different things I wanted to do in life, she would calmly tell me that we can’t rush plants and flowers to bloom early. Each plant and flower will bloom when it’s the right time. With a slight wink and a nod, Ms. West would coolly say, “Slow down, you’ll get there.” I owe a lot to all of my teachers in Spotsylvania County, but the ones such as Ms. Birdie West really stands out. I don’t think I could’ve written my third novel ‘False Dandelions’ if I hadn’t taken her horticulture class all those years ago. Sadly, Ms. Birdie West is no longer with us, but I’ll never forget her… And while you’re on your own path, chasing your own dreams and desires, it’s okay to slow down, you’ll get there. – Randolph Randy Camp (Unfortunately, Ms. Birdie Robin West Lighthiser passed away on September 6, 2024.) More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Reflections: Camp Town Road

Never forget where you come from. I certainly won't. Mostly due to the Air Force, I have traveled all over the world. And I even been to Nine Mile, Jamaica (Bob Marley's birthplace). But the place that stays deep within me no matter what is Spotsylvania County, Virginia. This is the place that helped shape me and made me into the person I am today. Ever since I was a little boy, I was always curious about everything. If you grew up anywhere near Fredericksburg or Spotsylvania County, you definitely would've traveled Plank Road. Well, I remember thinking as a kid 'what an odd name for a road.' That curiosity got me digging and turned me into a little research detective. What I learned was that years ago during the days of horse and buggies, they would lay down wooden planks along the dirt road so that the wheels (of the buggies) wouldn't get stuck in the wet mud, especially on the rainy days. Plank Road isn't the only road that sticks out in my mind. The old State Road 715 will be forever engrained in my memory. Long before Camp Town Road was nicely paved, it was a dirt-gravel road lined with lots of honeysuckle bush. This was the old State Road 715, and this is where this little country boy first began to notice things, good and bad. Our house was directly across the road from the Wolfrey family. Although I already had four brothers, it's like I had three more brothers back then because John and Ronald Wolfrey, along with Ronnie Wayne Curtis, were sort of like our brothers too. Us Camp boys didn't have fancy bikes or any expensive toys when we were coming up but both John and Ronald Wolfrey gladly shared whatever nice stuff they had with us Camp boys. My greatest thrill one day was when John and Ronald let us ride their fancy 3-horsepower minibike up and down the long gravel road. I'll never forget that day! That was so much fun! At the far end of the road, Ronnie Wayne lived in a small house with his mother. Ronnie Wayne was like our brother too because he was always looking out for all of us. As a kid I was fascinated with lightning bugs, and I would stay outside sometimes pretty late at night just watching them light up the night sky outside our house. I don't know why I remember Ronnie Wayne's distinctive words and voice when he would be walking by and catch me outside late at night but he would say (in a parental tone) "kinda late for you to be outside, ain't it?" Yep, that was code for 'boy, you betta get yo' butt back inside the house.' By the way, I'm an old man now and I'm still fascinated with lightning bugs (or as some like to call them 'fireflies'). In my book from 2022, Monica A Short Story Collection, the short story 'Heaven' have lightning bugs as central characters. As an adult, I'd visited Spotsylvania County and traveled down Camp Town Road a few times over the years, and about halfway down the road sometimes I would stop and just gaze at the side of the road where a group of honeysuckle vines used to be. You see, that's the spot where I crumbled up a love note and threw it in the bushes one day after getting off the school bus because I was too shy and embarrassed to give it to the girl in my class who I had a crush on during my elementary days. And get this, here it is 2024, and after all these years, the young girl who I had a crush on way back then is today one of my Facebook Friends (I tell ya', life is some'em else, ain't it?) No indeed, I'll never forget where I came from. Whether it's known as State Road 715 or Camp Town Road, I'll always cherish the fond memories from way back then. - Randolph Randy Camp (photo: Ronnie Wayne, his wife Estelle, and me from 2017) Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Prayers for Kaira

Making the transition from adolescence to adulthood isn't easy for anyone. I've seen Kaira in some of her darkest moments, and I've witnessed a few of her sunny days as well. No, just like all of us, Kaira's not perfect. Her life hasn't been easy, but what I love about this young lady is that underneath all of that hard, crusty stuff is a young, determined beautiful lady with a kind, giving heart.
On this Wednesday morning here in April, I'm saying my morning prayers for Kaira (who, by the way, calls me 'Grandpa') as she ventures forth into the next phase of her young life, and as she told me yesterday, "I'm pulling my stuff together so I can be a mature adult." As I pray this morning, please join me to send Kaira positive vibes and encouragement her way as she continues her journey towards independence and further growth.
May God bless and watch over Kaira and all of you. - Randolph Randy Camp

Reflections: 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 2017 now and it’s been nearly 46 years since the night I wrote that ‘Do You Like Me?’ note.


Ironically, the young girl who captured my heart back in 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 https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Today's Amazing Teens

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.)


When I’m surrounded by these bright kids I wish that others could hear their thoughts and opinions about what’s going on in the world today. In my most recent high school visit, the students and I covered a wide range of interesting topics, including the removal of Confederate statues, the NFL national anthem – kneeling debate, the delayed Puerto Rico disaster FEMA relief, gun control, human trafficking, teen homelessness, bullying, immigration and DACA. I’ll never forget this most recent school visit because I was asked a question by one of the students in which I’d never been asked before. She asked, “Mr. Camp, if there was one person right now, in the whole world, who you would love to meet and ask him or her a few questions, who would it be?” You should’ve seen the looks on the kids’ faces as I quickly answered, “Malala Yousafzai”.  And, interesting enough, my response to that question actually led us into another engaging and lively discussion.


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: Me standing amid high school students after a meet-the-author/book talk discussion.)
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Lighting Sparks

It’s Friday, September 29th and I’m filled with gratitude and overjoyed this morning after reading a letter from one of my new blog followers. Melissa is 14 years old. She’s from South Carolina and excitedly informed me that she was motivated to start her own neighborhood newsletter after reading one of my older blog posts.
More than book sales, more than anything, what motivates me most is lighting sparks. This is the blog post that lit a spark in Melissa:

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.”

I’m slowly approaching sixty now and over the years, I’ve learned that lighting sparks in others has a way greater value than chasing dollars. Have a great weekend, Everyone. And to you, Melissa, thank you so much for re-lighting the spark in me. – Randolph Randy Camp

*(photo: This picture is rarely publicized because the camera actually caught me in the midst of a blink: It was taken after a classroom book talk session)
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Reflections: Sunday Afternoons

I grew up approximately fifty miles in between Washington, DC and Richmond, Virginia in rural Spotsylvania County. America, during the 60’s and early 70’s was experiencing civil unrest and heated racial tensions. Remarkably, in spite of America’s strife during those turbulent years, our Grandparents were able to let us see the sunshine, regardless of the darkness around us. Here’s my childhood reflections on our Sunday afternoons:


There were chickens picking at the red bologna strings in the yard and a whole lot of love on the porch every Sunday afternoon at Ruff n’ Ma’Rie’s. There was an old, rust-spotted Ford sitting in the yard that I’ve never seen moved, not even once, but on Sundays, if you believed the wild stories from Uncle Carl’s and Scootie’s mouths, they had you thinking that that ol’ Ford had them running 208 and the back roads from Spotsy to Fredericksburg just last night! Man, on Sundays you could hear some wild stories.


Yep, on Sunday afternoons, all of my uncles, aunts, and cousins would gather up at Ruff n’ Ma’Rie’s. We all came from them. I never got a chance to thank my beloved Grandparents for what they’ve given us.


Thank you Ruff n’ Ma’Rie for giving us Maitland, who’d left us too soon but gave us the legacy of music and gold with Brenda, Francis, Snookum, Kenny, Jimmy James and Lonnie. Thank you Ma’Rie n’ Ruff for giving us sweet Josephine, better known to us as “Phine”, and let’s not forget your precious gifts of Uncle Roosevelt, Uncle Carl, Uncle Scootie, Aunt Edith Mae, Aunt Ruth Edna, and Aunt ‘Margret’rie’. And I, of course, wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my Mother, Lorene, who was another piece of gold from your Brook’s tree.


Yes indeed, we all came from you two. So, thank you again Ma’Rie n’ Ruff for those precious Sunday afternoons and for everything you’ve done for us ‘cause we are who we are now, in 2017, because of you and our golden roots. And we’re forever grateful that we all came from you two. Yep, thank you Ruff n’ Ma’Rie for the big juicy strawberries down the hill and all of ‘em wonderful stories and love on the porch.


No matter what you and your family are going through at this time, I hope that you’re able to let some sunshine in, regardless of the dark clouds that maybe lingering above. – Randolph Randy Camp


(photo: Randolph Camp, actual school ID card from 1970’s)
Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

First Person Tip

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. Keep writing! – Randolph Randy Camp

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

Hazel Hill Morning

After I bought my first car, a ’72 Pinto, I loved the freedom of going to Fredericksburg whenever I could. Don’t get me wrong, growing up in rural Spotsylvania County in the 70’s had its benefits, but going into town was a big deal back then, especially for this young Virginia country boy. Two of my aunts, Edith Mae and Ruth Edna, had moved into the Hazel Hill Apartments in Fredericksburg, and it was such a treat for me to visit them when I wasn’t in school or was off work, usually on Saturday mornings.
Back then, as a somewhat nerdy schoolboy with big dreams, I was fascinated with getting away for awhile, going to Hazel Hill and then later going to the city park where I would sit alone by the Rappahannock River and write down some of my deepest thoughts. Today, in the middle of April 2017, I still find myself blushing whenever I see my book ‘Wet Matches’, knowing that it had its origin as a simple song lyric way back in 1978 and was conceived on that one particular Hazel Hill morning. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Valentine's Lessons

Of all the life lessons and love lessons I’ve experienced over the years there’s one that truly stands out. I originally wrote about it awhile back in a post entitled ‘My Spotsylvania Nights’. It was the late 70’s and I was 17 years old, hastily diving into manhood. This particular September night would change my life forever, as it gave me a glimpse of the real world and helped to shape my current views about women and dating. Here’s the original post:


As in countless towns throughout America, Friday night high school games in Spotsylvania County was the place to be, especially when the Spotsylvania Knights was playing their greatest rivalry, the James Monroe Yellow Jackets, from Fredericksburg, Virginia. During these Friday night games, many of us had our first experiences with the opposite sex and got a bitter taste of reality as we tried to shed our juvenile skin.


During my senior year at Spotsylvania High, I would leave school and sometimes go directly to work at the Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Fredericksburg. While working as a busboy and dishwasher, I’d worked up enough nerve to ask a fairly new waitress out for a date. The first time I saw her I wanted to be with her. During our lunch breaks we would chat and laugh about our high school lives. We made a date to meet up Friday night at the Snack Shack just before the big game between the James Monroe Yellow Jackets and the Spotsylvania Knights.


I arrived early at the Snack Shack nervous as hell but looking sharp. This was going to be a big night for me because I truly thought that one of my mannish dreams would be realized. As this particular night unfolded however, I slowly became aware that our hopes and dreams come in many shapes and sizes and that we have to prepare ourselves for the different angles in which things present themselves to us. What I’d initially viewed as an awful experience actually was my most valuable lesson.


After waiting for twenty minutes for my date to arrive, the lady behind the Snack Shack service window gave me a look of concern. I instantly looked away, pretending not to notice her look because I was too embarrassed that my date hadn’t showed up yet. The Snack Shack was quiet briefly because the football game a short distance away had started already. From a distance, we could see the bright stadium lights illuminating the dark Spotsylvania sky and we could faintly hear the stadium cheers of the fans. The lady at the counter knew that I was hurting and instinctively knew why I was hurting. She motioned me towards the service window and kindly said, ” You want to eat some fries with me? It’s my break and it’s on the house.” Shame-faced, I shook my head ‘no’ and slowly stepped away.


About fifteen minutes later my date still hadn’t arrived. Once again, the lady behind the counter approached the service window with a large order of fries in her hand. She tapped on the window to get my attention. She could easily read the obvious frustration and embarrassment on my face as I repeatedly sighed at the side patio table. She motioned me to come to the window. This time I accepted her offer as she tried her best to cheer me up with stories of her school days and all of the boys who’d stood her up.


When it comes to dating, still today, some 39 years later, without even realizing it sometimes, I will make my judgments and opinions about potential women in my life not based upon the young lady who’d stood me up, but instead, based upon the beautiful qualities of that wonderful warmhearted lady at the Snack Shack that cool September night.


I’m approaching 56 now, and after all these years, I still think about that kind-hearted lady at the Snack Shack and all the changes I went through during my young Spotsylvania nights.  Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp


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

The Value of You

If you've ever been ridiculed, bullied, mocked, or if anyone has ever made you feel worthless ("good for nothing like wet matches") always remember that God loves everybody, regardless of your hair color, regardless of your skin color, ect.  Your  actual value is enormous! - 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.

Remove The Labels

In response to my recent piece ‘Finding Happiness’, one of my readers sent me an email yesterday explaining that she’s having trouble finding her true passion because she feels “stuck”. I understand where Janice is coming from because I’ve been there as well. Janice went on to explain that she lives in a small town with limited job opportunities, and most of those jobs are low-level entry types.
One of my favorite quotes is ” Don’t let others define you — You define yourself.” Too often, we let our current job define us. We have to learn to remove these labels because we are much greater than our current job title. About a year ago, I wrote a piece entitled ‘A Janitor’s Dream’. Janice’s email gave me the notion to re-post it. Janice, and anyone feeling ‘stuck’, this is for you:
A Janitor’s Dream:
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

Finding Happiness

You ever met someone who appeared to be truly happy, the kind of happiness that comes from deep inside? I know people who’ve been searching for some inner peace for a long time. Personally, I think that in order to find your inner happiness you must first find your passion, and every day of your life you must take baby steps toward your passion and goals. Otherwise, as we grow older, we will become bitter and soon resent ourselves for ignoring our own dreams and desires. Yet, ironically, we spend most of our lives helping others achieve theirs.
I hope that each one of you will, from this day forward, begin to take baby steps toward your own dreams and goals….and eventually find your inner peace. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

America: The Other Side

As we celebrate America's Independence this weekend, I'll never forget the very first time I saw a slice of America which was certainly nothing to celebrate. I was 15 years old, and I saw a group of homeless people hanging out on the dirty, urine-stained streets of Philadelphia. When I returned back to Virginia from my 'teen runaway experience' I knew what I wanted to do with my life. My love of writing now had a sense of purpose.

There are homeless people in every little town and big city in America. Over the years, I've visited and volunteered at drop-in centers and soup kitchens that serve those in need. A couple years ago, I was honored to be included in a project entitled TEEN HOMELESSNESS by Justine Pedroza. This weekend, as we celebrate the 4th of July, I'll continue to do whatever I can to bring more awareness to 'the other side of America'. Enjoy the rest of your summer Everyone n' have a Safe and Happy 4th of July! - Randolph Randy Camp

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

True Heart

For the most part I actually do get to see the brighter side of humans, but every now and then, unfortunately, my eyes will witness the darker side of some of those around me. When I was writing the first draft of ’29 Dimes’ a few years ago I was simultaneously going through a rough emotional period in my private life whereby I had to make a major decision of whether to keep a so-called friend in my life or not. (She gave me reasons to question her true heart.) So, as I was writing ‘Vehicles’, an original song for the character ‘Teki’ in ’29 Dimes’, the lyrics just poured out of me. ‘Vehicles’ is a song about people who pretends to love and care about you only to get what they want.
Yep, we must be mindful of those we have and keep in our circle. My life changed for the better once I’d cut the ties with this so-called friend. I hope that your life is filled with goodhearted people who show you daily that they want nothing but betterment and happiness for you. It’s a wonderful feeling when you’re surrounded by people who enjoys it when you rise. And you also get a kick out of seeing them rise up as well.
Here’s the lyrics to ‘Vehicles’…
‘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.
– Randolph Randy Camp (from the novel ’29 Dimes: A Love Story’)
Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

My First Love

Writers usually live somewhat boring lives so I'm always puzzled when readers are interested in my private life. Recently, I'd received a few letters asking me if there was anyone special in my life. I've never been one to kiss n' tell but I will spill the beans about my very first love. Ready? Here we go...Well, I was 12 years old and I was watching 'Butterfield 8' at a cousin's house. When I first saw 'Gloria Wandrous' (played by Elizabeth Taylor) something strange happened to me. At that time I didn't know what hormones were but now I know that I certainly had some because my body was doing things it never done before. Yep, it's true, that day (at age 12) I fell in love...and get this, still today (at age 55) I still get all gooey inside whenever I see Liz on screen. - Randolph Randy Camp


PS: Just in case if anyone is interested, my all-time favorite movies are 'Imitation of Life', 'To Kill A Mockingbird', 'A Patch of Blue', 'Billy Jack', and 'Butterfield 8'


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

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

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

Life Lessons: My Spotsylvania Nights

I’m a couple months from my 55th birthday and last night my mind drifted back to the fall of 1978 when I was 17 years old anxiously diving into manhood. I definitely went through a lot of changes during my last year of high school. I seriously think that 1978 and 1979 were the years that gave me a glimpse of the real world and helped to shape my views and attitude toward women and dating.
As in countless towns throughout America, Friday night high school games in Spotsylvania County was the place to be, especially when the Spotsylvania Knights was playing their greatest rivalry, the James Monroe Yellow Jackets, from Fredericksburg, Virginia. During these Friday night games, many of us had our first experiences with the opposite sex and got a bitter taste of reality as we tried to shed our juvenile skin.
During my senior year at Spotsylvania High, I would leave school and sometimes go directly to work at the Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Fredericksburg. While working as a busboy and dishwasher, I’d worked up enough nerve to ask a fairly new waitress out for a date. The first time I saw her I wanted to be with her. During our lunch breaks we would chat and laugh about our high school lives. We made a date to meet up Friday night at the Snack Shack just before the big game between the James Monroe Yellow Jackets and the Spotsylvania Knights.
I arrived early at the Snack Shack nervous as hell but looking sharp. This was going to be a big night for me because I truly thought that one of my mannish dreams would be realized. As this particular night unfolded however, I slowly became aware that our hopes and dreams come in many shapes and sizes and that we have to prepare ourselves for the different angles in which things present themselves to us. What I’d initially viewed as an awful experience actually was my most valuable lesson.
After waiting for twenty minutes for my date to arrive, the lady behind the Snack Shack service window gave me a look of concern. I instantly looked away, pretending not to notice her look because I was too embarrassed that my date hadn’t showed up yet. The Snack Shack was quiet briefly because the football game a short distance away had started already. From a distance, we could see the bright stadium lights illuminating the dark Spotsylvania sky and we could faintly hear the stadium cheers of the fans. The lady at the counter knew that I was hurting and instinctively knew why I was hurting. She motioned me towards the service window and kindly said, ” You want to eat some fries with me? It’s my break and it’s on the house.” Shame-faced, I shook my head ‘no’ and slowly stepped away.
About fifteen minutes later my date still hadn’t arrived. Once again, the lady behind the counter approached the service window with a large order of fries in her hand. She tapped on the window to get my attention. She could easily read the obvious frustration and embarrassment on my face as I repeatedly sighed at the side patio table. She motioned me to come to the window. This time I accepted her offer as she tried her best to cheer me up with stories of her school days and all of the boys who’d stood her up.
When it comes to dating, still today, some 38 years later, without even realizing it sometimes, I will make my judgments and opinions about potential women in my life not based upon the young lady who’d stood me up, but instead, based upon the beautiful qualities of that wonderful warmhearted lady at the Snack Shack that cool September night.
I’m approaching 55 now, and after all these years, I still think about that kind-hearted lady at the Snack Shack and all the changes I went through during my young Spotsylvania nights. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp