After a disappointingly unproductive weekend, I woke at 2:30 this morning rejuvenated. I read for a while, then began writing at 3:10. By 7:30 a.m. I had completed eight blog articles and sent them off with a letter to my wife. I felt good about writing more this morning than I had written over the entire weekend.
The fruitful writing session caught me up with responses to all the student questions I had received from Cal State Long Beach criminal justice program. As of today I have written lengthy responses to 86 students. According to my records, I await questions for only 13 more students and that will complete the semester requirements.
I appreciate this opportunity to interact with university programs. The students from Cal State expect to pursue work in law enforcement upon graduation. Many will become correctional officers or probation officers. It is conceivable that the probation officer who supervises my release may be a student to whose education my work is contributing. I look forward to contributing to this program, not only at Cal State, but at other universities as well.
I’m contemplating another book. Although I don’t want to publish another book during my imprisonment, I’m nearing the time when I ought to clarify ideas for the next manuscript. I should have a goal in place of finishing a book proposal, outline, and sample chapter before the end of this year. Several months may pass after the book proposal is complete before a publisher issues and agreement. If I succeed in getting another publishing opportunity, more than one year would pass before the book came to market.
I’d like to have at least one, and possibly two books ready for release at the same time that I complete my sentence. That kind of planning will help launch my career. Whereas the prison system hindered me by blocking access to media and effective promotions with my previous publications, once I finish my term I will not have to endure those limitations. I must prepare for that opportunity.
Writing, speaking, teaching, and consulting represent the one career I can pursue that my prison experience will not hinder. In any other career, I expect that others will reject me because of the bad decisions I made in my early 20s. As a speaker and writer on the subjects associating with thriving through adversity, on the other hand, I expect my prison experiences will prove helpful in validating me as an authroity. That has been my plan and I must continue to prepare.
Today I ran 10 miles, though I’m feeling new pains in my left knee and lower hip area. I have recorded 903 miles without a day of rest of the past 101 days. I’ve crossed the 100-day goal and I’d like to continue until I break through the 1,000-mile goal. Slow and steady.
Monday, 23 March 2009
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