Ask the Author: Christopher Zoukis
Answered Questions (6)
Christopher Zoukis
In my mind, writer's block equates to a lack of preparation. When I sit down to write upon a specific topic and can't get it going, it's almost always a result of not having a firm enough grasp on the material.
Christopher Zoukis
Having the power to change the world. While I might be confined within the Federal Bureau of Prisons -- FCI Petersburg, to be exact -- my pen can expose wrongs and force the powerful to do the right thing. God knows that my prison's administration will breathe a sigh of relief once I'm gone.
Christopher Zoukis
Write and read. You become a better writer by learning new words -- and how to put them together in more creative ways -- through reading. And you become a better writer by simply writing. Read what you want to write, then mimic it.
Christopher Zoukis
Too many projects to count. The two primary book projects are a yet-to-be titled prisoner correspondence guide for "Prison Legal News" and "United Blood Nation: The Untold Story of the East Coast Bloods" for Headpress in London. I also have a number of article and blog projects in the works.
Christopher Zoukis
I think that an honest writer would say that writing is a small part inspiration followed by a large part hard work. The small spark starts the process, but it's the work that makes it a publishable piece of writing.
With this in mind, the spark -- inspiration -- comes in many forms. Today it is this writing prompt from Goodreads. Other days it's an experience which triggers a powerful emotion that spurs me forward. The more powerful the emotion, the larger the spark. The larger the spark, the more powerful and engaging the writing.
With this in mind, the spark -- inspiration -- comes in many forms. Today it is this writing prompt from Goodreads. Other days it's an experience which triggers a powerful emotion that spurs me forward. The more powerful the emotion, the larger the spark. The larger the spark, the more powerful and engaging the writing.
Christopher Zoukis
"College for Convicts" was based on my intensely personal struggle to find meaning while serving a period of incarceration. Everywhere I looked I saw hate, fear, and people doing the same thing over and over again. The only direction they were heading was down; they were lost in the process of becoming a convict.
After reflecting upon the ills of prison and its damaging effects, I felt that there must be a better way. There must be some mechanism to fix people, not simply warehouse them in unconscionable conditions. This is where the idea started, but it isn't where it ended.
Over the years I strove to further my own education. Most of my studies were engaged in from my prison cell. After a number of years I started to realize the correlation between education and pro-social actions; prisoners who fought for an education seemed to carry themselves in a more intelligent and honorable manner.
With this in mind, I started digging to see if there was a scientific basis for my belief. In short order I learned that there were hundreds of studies which proved that education reduces recidivism. Or, put another way, education fixes people. This is the concept behind "College for Convicts". This is the hope for a brighter tomorrow.
After reflecting upon the ills of prison and its damaging effects, I felt that there must be a better way. There must be some mechanism to fix people, not simply warehouse them in unconscionable conditions. This is where the idea started, but it isn't where it ended.
Over the years I strove to further my own education. Most of my studies were engaged in from my prison cell. After a number of years I started to realize the correlation between education and pro-social actions; prisoners who fought for an education seemed to carry themselves in a more intelligent and honorable manner.
With this in mind, I started digging to see if there was a scientific basis for my belief. In short order I learned that there were hundreds of studies which proved that education reduces recidivism. Or, put another way, education fixes people. This is the concept behind "College for Convicts". This is the hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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