Randolph Randy Camp's Blog: Randy C Creations RCstories, page 14
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
Randolph Randy Camp
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
Randolph Randy Camp
October 18, 2015
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
False Dandelions
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
False Dandelions
October 11, 2015
A Pinch of Salt: Character Development
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
Randolph Randy Camp
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
Randolph Randy Camp
October 10, 2015
Come Into My World: The Selfie
To be honest with you I never felt comfortable taking pictures up close and personal. When I was growing up I felt as though I didn’t measure up to the attractive people around me. Posing next to a guitar or a few vinyl record albums was a convenient way for me to distract the attention from my face.
In today’s society, taking selfies has become trendy and cool. At first, I was too conscientious and too cautious of selfies because I viewed them as a form of overexposure or some type of trespassing or invasion of personal space.
My viewpoint has changed about selfies over the past two years, and now I see them as candid, fun photos and as confidence builders. Take myself for instance, maybe a few years ago I wouldn’t have allowed a camera so close because I didn’t want the world to see my wrinkles and gray hairs. Today, however, my attitude is, “My imperfections are a part of me and you’re welcome to come into my world.” How do you feel about seeing yourself in photos? -Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
In today’s society, taking selfies has become trendy and cool. At first, I was too conscientious and too cautious of selfies because I viewed them as a form of overexposure or some type of trespassing or invasion of personal space.
My viewpoint has changed about selfies over the past two years, and now I see them as candid, fun photos and as confidence builders. Take myself for instance, maybe a few years ago I wouldn’t have allowed a camera so close because I didn’t want the world to see my wrinkles and gray hairs. Today, however, my attitude is, “My imperfections are a part of me and you’re welcome to come into my world.” How do you feel about seeing yourself in photos? -Randolph Randy Camp
Randolph Randy Camp
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
Randolph Randy Camp
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
Randolph Randy Camp
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
Randolph Randy Camp
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
Randolph Randy Camp
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
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
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. – Randolph Randy Camp
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
29 Dimes: A Love Story
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
29 Dimes: A Love Story
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
29 Dimes: A Love Story
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
29 Dimes: A Love Story
Randy C Creations RCstories
Thanks for Visiting! Randy was born on March 12, 1961 in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Randy has written several TV scripts and screenplays, including TIME OUT TIME IN, THE LEGEND OF THREE TREE
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