The novel “Writing Our Way Out” – is definitely a different kind of book than the kind that I am traditionally used to. My usual genre of books tends to be Fantasy, and while they may have dark themes or elements, or graphic scenes- there comes a level of profoundness and also seriousness and tension that arises when it is framed in a sense of a “biography” or “memoir.” Knowing all of their stories, to the current point, makes one think about how at large, it isn’t so commonplace for majority of people’s lives, but for many, it is. Even harder for others.

I’ve been fortunate to have had an environment where I’ve been able to be free of the struggles that they experience. But the overlap in their stories, whether it be struggle in family lives, violence, substance abuse, sexual harassment, and “the streets” – its striking because many of their experiences occur in their YOUTH for the most part. Every day was a fight or struggle, even if they didn’t realize it or not. Even if they were blind or “throwing” themselves into it similar to the fishbowl analogy. Even if they caught themselves up in “embracing” the lifestyle.

I did find interesting, was Dave’s stance through it all. He asks them eye opening questions that really promotes self-reflection in a way that many of them comment upon having never been touched upon. “You’re the only person whose asked that…” “Never thought about that before…” – and the extent to which Dave goes in order to keep in contact and meet with them, even as they are pulled in different directions adds an impressive layer of commitment. Each of the Prisoner has their own stories, and while they aren’t exactly trying to justify their actions- they are trying to open people’s eyes and also not only turn their own lives, but also the lives of others around. Some of them embrace this novel-writing story with full throttle, while others take their time in coming around.