MDC Inmate Authors

• Do you consider yourself a writer, why or why not? If so, when did you realize you were a writer? If not, what about writing interests you?
• What kind of things do you write about?
• What interests you most about writing?
• What are your expectations of this workshop/project? What are you excited, nervous, confused, and or in the dark about?
• What would you most like to learn about poetry?
• What do you hope to learn about yourself?
• What do you think you will learn about others?
• How old are you? What is your ethnicity? What “Campus” are you participating in the JustWrite Program from?

JES – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• I fancy myself as a writer. I’ve been writing since grade school. I love painting pictures with words.
• Personal feelings. Short stories. I wrote a novel but I threw it out.
• The ability to lose myself through written expression.
• To hone my gifts and practice my writing. I’m a bit nervous at sharing my work.
• Proper meter and structure.
• Whether or not I am truly gifted or simply mislead.
• That they are deeper than they might appear.
• I am a 50 year old White man writing prose and poems at MDC.

IN – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• Kinda, I think I would be a good writer because I have a lot of ideas in my head and I can keep going on a subject.
• I mostly write about things that are fictional.
• Just getting people interested in what I am doing.
• My expectations are to expand what I got on poetry, just nervous for court.
• To understand different forms of poetry.
• The things I never knew.
• the other side of them that I don’t know.
• I am 21. I am Hispanic. I am at MDC.

CL – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• No, I don’t consider myself a writer. Why not? ‘Cause I never have written anything on my own. I would like to start writing to make music.
• I would like to start writing about my life. I have lived a different life than most people around me.
• I am interested in improving my writing skills.
• What are my expectations? They are to improve myself with this project. I am excited to try to improve my writing.
• I would like to learn how to write poetry.
• I would like to learn how to write about my thoughts.
• I will learn how people can be creative in our current situations.
• I am 40. I am Hispanic. I am at MDC.

BR – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• Well, kind of a writer… Ha! Yet my interests are someday putting a book out! I got a lot to justify upon my past in life experiences.
• Shot poetry of life.
• Getting info out as life in all areas for those to learn as well as experiences, millions don’t ever see, nor know.
• The concepts of putting a book out on shelves.
• All the different ways poetry is written.
• We shall see…
• How others express each otehr in feelings…
• 36yr old Anglo MDC.

CM – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• No, I don’t consider myself a writer. The deep expressions people express interest me the most.
• My family, love, the bad things I’ve done.
• How I get to express myself.
• My expectations of this project is to open me up more. I’m excited, nervous, confused and in the dark about being a family man.
• How to rhyme in a poem.
• Who I am deep down on the inside.
• Who they are, not the nick names they hide behind.
• I’m 24 yrs of age. I am Hispanice. I’m in MDC.

CA – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• I would like to one day be a published writer, my grammar, English, and writing skills still need work. Also I’d like to expand my vocabulary.
• I like writing about scenery and emotions between people.
• Getting a better feel to write dynamic and exciting – conveying things to the reader – hopefully one day I’ll publish a book.
• I expect to enjoy the workshop and also plan on contributing after my release.
• more Whitman and Emmerson.
• I hope to cultivate and grow in all fields and learn that I can surprise myself continually if I apply myself.
• That they have the same stories, events, friends and family as we all do.
• i am a 38 year old Castilliano/French descent, male at MDC.

PG – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• It’s like a workout for my mind.
• The way I feel at that moment.
• ME
• ME
• Myself
• How much I’ve been holding back.
• They way they feel.
• I’m 22 Hispanic and Male at MDC.

CT – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Author

• At first I didn’t consider myself a writer at all. But that changed after a while, I know I’m not the greatest, but I’m still a writer.
• I just write what I feel, been through or just basically what’s on my mind and heart.
• It’s cool to hear what other people have to write about and what’s on their minds or what’s goin’ on in their lives.
• I just hope that I could gain more confidence in my writing and also in myself – and yeah, I’m pretty excited but nervous at the same time to see what comes from this.
• Mainly just how to open up and express myself more.
• I hope I learn that I am a writer and that I could actually open up.
• Their life experiences, what they went through, in their life times’ and basically what they’re about.
• I am now twenty-five I am Hispanic and Native American at MDC.

EB – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes I consider myself a writer. I realized I was a writer when I was 15. I started a poem book since I was 13 and through the years collected my teenage years up until I was 19, then I got drunk and lost my life’s work.
• I write about life experiences and fantasy when I write short stories.
• What interests me most is hearing the critics and how I can improve or how or where the writing could have been better.
• I expect to learn more about poetry and improving my poetry as best I can, especially through others. Performing in front of the group is what excites me, meakes me nervous and confuesed because it’s different than someone reading as opposed to performing it, which I am also in the dark about, but I like it.
• I would like to learn everything I possibly can about poetry.
• I would like to learn more about my positivity and negativity.
• I think I will learn that we all have been through  similar experiences and some I’ve yet to learn or experience, but I will learn from others.
• I am a 25yr old Native-American at MDC

MM – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• A graf writer, yes, a literary writer no. I like details and being able to paint in words, that’s why I want to be a writer.
• I have wrote about skateboarding and other fiction writings.
• What interests me most about writing is the word play.
• My expectations are learning about poetry in all its many forms. I’m nervous about speaking in front of others.
• I want to learn about different forms of poetry.
• I hope to learn that I can express myself in words nd performance arts.
• I think I will learn how others feel and how they see the world.
• I am 30yr old 1/2 Irish-American, 1/2 African-American at MDC

SG – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes, I consider myself a writer because since I got in this class I’ve been writing some really good stuff. I just realized I was a writer when I went to prison.
• I write about life and things I’ve been through.
• I am interested in all the things I could say o0n a piece of paper.
• I expect to get better at writing poetry. I’m excited about having one chance to get heard.
• I just want to get better at my own poetry.
• i hope to learn about what kind of person I am because I’ve never done anything with myself, and I don’t know what I like and what I don’t like.
• I think I will learn everything about others.
• I am a 23yr old Hispanic at MDC.

CC – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• No, I don’t consider myself a writer. I just like to express myself.
• I write about pain, love, government, and hate.
• Anything dark is what interests me about writing.
• I expect to and want to express myself without judgment.
• I would like to learn different words and ways to use my speech.
• I hope to larn that I can use bigger words and show people that I am a poet.
• I think I will learn that we are not the same and that the world is a crazy place.
• I am a 25yr old Hispanic at MDC

V – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes I do consider myself a writer. At a very young age I began writing. However, I stopped and did not start again until just recently.
• I write about everything but mainly painful events in my life.
• I am interested in the release of emotion I put into each entry and the captivation of any reader’s mind.
• I just hope this project continues to open my writing closet doors and helps me to reinvent myself through hidden words.
• I would like to learn how to diversify my skills, and better my language skills.
• I hope to learn anything positive about myself.
• I hope I will learn the truth about others.
• I am a 37yr old Hispanic at MDC – “V”

TS – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I do consider myself a writer, because I enjoy writing, using words to help people (myself included) visualize emotions. at the age of 17 I started writing down angry thoughts instead of speaking them.
• I write about mostly pain, regrets, the emotions that are not easy to discuss; anger.
• What interests me most about writing are its healing powers.
• I have no expectations of this workshop. I am just glad to share and listen with like minded people.
• I would like to learn everything about poetry, the different styles, types, haiku, isn’t onomatopoeia a type of poetry?
• I am not sure what I hope to learn about myself. I’d like to uncover the sourse of rage and sorrow. Why I love to self-destruct?
• Hopefully I’ll learn that there are people with very similar problems, who have overcome them.
• I am 33yr old White male at MDC.

SS – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I’ve been writing since I was 11yrs old.
• I write about life and what I’ve been through. I write about what i hope for, or pray for, or what I’ve seen or heard, or felt, had, lost, or tasted…
• I am interested in complex rhyming… Big Pun, Nas, Raekwon, Kool G Rap, AZ, Apathy, Eminem, and Sean Price, to me are the best rappers of all time, so that’s where I get my style from.
• I think this project is dope, it’s an honor really… let’s make history… My girls gonna love watching me online. She’s about 2 and a half months pregnant with our first little monster, so this whole things really therapy for both of us. Thank you for letting me have part, good looking out!
• I would like to learn everything, the history of the spoken word, who started recording it, who died because of t, and what type of shit people have to say around the world.
• I hope to learn how to be a better man and how to teach my child to be strong minded and to love life.
• I think I will learn all types of crazy shit about other people. People are nuts, and it’s amazing what goes on in one’s head, living this life!
• I am a 23 year old Chicano, at MDC.

JJS – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes, I do consider myself a writer, more now then ever. Especially when I havethe time on my hands. I’m just glad that every time I do write, I get better, so in the future I will do myself a project.
• Sometimes when I do write, I’ll focus on a few words, and study it learn differnt styles of writing, especially with poetry, based upon my experiences, beliefs, emotions and feelings.
• I am interested in finding myself, exploring myself, and presenting myself to others about my experience.
• I really have no expectations, just sharing what I’ve learned and learning with others. I’m excited because I wonder how many people will read what I JustWrite about.
• I want to learn all the different styles of poetry and to be more creative, from others, having to know that there is no rules to this kind of writing.
• I hope to learn something that I haven’t dug deep for yet I hope to find it soon.
• I hope to learn everything they throw at me.
• I am a 34yr old Chicano at MDC.

MVL – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• No, I don’t consider myself a writer. I really don’t like to write, but I like to create.
• I write about: death, chaos, destruction, love, and hate.
• I am interested in the permanence of good work in history. I want to push my potential as far as possible.
• I expect to learn how to organize my thoughts. I am excited I love to learn.
• I would like to learn how to let it flow out of my head on paper.
• I hope to learn about my limits in the area of writing.
• I will learn others’ ability to transform words.
• I am a 32 year-old, Anglo, male MDC campus.

CC – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I don’t consider myself a writer, but I have written a few poems that have touched a few people, and I like that effect.
• I write about real shit.
• What interests me most is others’ reactions.
• I expect to write better. I’m not nervous, excited, or confused right now.
• I want to remove blocks and open up my creativity.
• I want to learn how deep I can go.
• I think I will learn different things about others.
• I am a 36 year old, mixed-race, male, MDC Campus

MU – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I don’t consider myself a writer, but a simple guy with thoughts I choose to scribble on paper.
• I write about: my life, other people, observations of the world around me, and at times, random subjects.
• What interests me is that, I love art. I like being able to stack words and create thoughts to make other people think, just like visual art makes people wonder.
• I have no expectations of this project except to let some people hear my thoughts which I rarely share.
• I really just enjoy hearing other peoples expression of themselves, it’s cool watching someone develop.
• I know myself pretty well, but I hope that through my writing and other creative outlets, to find balance.
• I think I will learn where others come from, what their issues are, and maybe what dreams they have.
• I am a 33 year old Navajo male, MDC campus.

RC – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes, I consider myself a writer. I discovered I was a writer when I was sixteen. I was staying at a treatment center, Pathway House, and had a lot of time on my hands because I was waiting on my GED test results.
• I like writing fictional stories. I started writing a book about the Italian Mafia when I was sixteen. Right now, I am writing about a one world government, and why it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
• What interests me is being able to create, control, and alter your own world. In my stories, I can make anything happen. For me, it’s really an escape from reality.
• I really like this project. I really expect it to go somewhere. Most likely, with the proper funding, it’s going to go national.
• I would like to learn how to openly express myself articulately and poetically.
• I hope to learn who I really am, where I am going, what to do, and where I stand.
• I think I will learn who others really are, where they are, and where they are going.
• I am a 21 year old, Mullato which means black and white, male at MDC campus.

VG – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I don’t think I am a writer, but I am interested in becoming one.
• I write about my life and what I went through.
• I am interested in expressing myself.
• I am nervous about writing, but excited about expressing myself.
• I would like to get better at poetry and build my vocabulary.
• I hope to learn to express myself, and to get better at writing.
• I think I will learn about others’ lives and talent.
• I am 22 year old Hispanic Male at MDC campus.

KG – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I used to consider myself a writer when I was in school. I wrote a story about a firefighter in forth grade and it was copied for the school to read. I haven’t done much writing since my sophomore year in high school. But after writing a few poems, I still enjoy it.
• I am interested in the fact that I am able to take an every day situation and make an adventure out of it, through a story.
• I have always had a love for writing. I lost that love after getting involved in partying and drugs. I’m excited to be writing again and feel that I can stay out of trouble when I get out, by making writing my only drug.
• I would like to learn about all the different styles of poetry.
• I’m not sure what to hope to learn about myself, but I’m looking forward to whatever I do learn.
• I think I’ll learn where others came from and what kind of lifestyle.
• I’m a 22 year old Anglo male participating from the MDC site of JustWrite

JJ – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes, I do consider myself a writer, more now than ever. Especially when I have the time on my hands. I’m just glad that every time I do write, I get better, so in the future I will do myself a project.
• Sometimes when I do write, I’ll focus on a few words, and study it, learn different styles of writing, especially with poetry, based upon my experiences, beliefs, emotions, and feelings.
• What interests me most is finding myself, exploring myself, and presenting myself to others, about my experiences.
• I really have no expectations, just sharing what I’ve learned and learning with others. I am excited because I wonder how many people will read what I “JustWrite” about.
• I would like to learn all the different styles of poetry, and to be more creative, from others, having to know that there are no rules to this kind of writing.
• I hope to learn something that I haven’t dug deep for yet, I hope to find it soon.
• I will learn from others, everything they throw at me.
• I ama 34 year old Chicano Male participating from JustWrite’s MDC site.

JP – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I consider myself a writer, definitely, because of my spelling abilities and being able to speak.
• The things I write about are real life events.
• What interests me most about writing is being able to express and share with others.
• Some of the expectations of this workshop/project is for everyone, even if they don’t think they can do it is, to write down emotions and to express them and share them with others.

KM – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• No, I don’t consider myself a writer, but kind of consider myself a poet because words I write, are spelled write.
• I write about passion, hate, worry, and sad moments.
• What interests me most about writings is expressing myself.
• I have no expectations – i didn’t go over the black and white, just answering the questions.
• I would like to learn more about expressing myself openly.
• I don’t have only one thing I want to learn about me, I want to learn everything about myself.
• I hope to learn what other’s feel like.
• I am a Native American Male participating from MDC

LSH – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I just discovered I can write, it’s “neat-o.”
• I write about past experiences and poetry.
• What interests me is how people respond to it.
• The teacher is helping me to discover my writing ability, and he’s an inspiration.
• I would like to learn how to write better and convey more messages.
• I hope to learn how my spirit can shine through my writing.
• I hope to learn how others’ work will effect me.
• I am a Male 38 year old Kiowa Tribe Member at MDC

JJ – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• I like writing because it has no boundaries and I can let out what I feel.
• I write about my past, present, and future, and everything in between, such as emotions and life experiences.
• What interests me most about writing, is that I become infinite.
• I expect to learn more about myself and become a whole person. I am excited about knowing I have no limits. What I am in the dark about is the light I have in me, and that’s what I’m trying to explore, the most about the real me.
• I would like to understand the metaphors of poetry.
• I hope to learn to understand metaphors, and my own life.
• I think I will learn that everybody hides behind metaphors.
• I am a 35 year old hispanic male and I am participating from MDC

JS – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• The ability to say things that would normally make me feel embarrassed, interests me about writing.
• I write about life, love, and disaster.
• Touching the people that are listening is what interests me most about writing.
• I expect to become a more advanced writer. I am in the dark about the real me.
• I would most like to learn how to express myself.
• I hope to learn about my inner fears and emotions.
• I think I will learn about how others really think.
• I am a 27 year old African American Male at MDC

CQ – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes I consider myself a writer because, I write life as I see it, on paper. I realized I was a writer when I came to jail and have had time to unlock my inner-self. I also have had inspiration from Carlos Contreras, and family.
• I write about experiences and a new found spiritual faith, and also the past.
• Writing gives me a chance to express my inner voice, and also what I see. Meeting other poets and listening to their poetry also interests me.
• My expectations are to open my mind and heart to new ways of writing and expressing myself. The whole project in general is exciting. I want to humble myself to the world.
• I want to learn different ways to perform and write.
• I hope to learn what lies within and who I can be.
• I think I will learn who and how others are, all around.
• I am a 32 year old Hispanic Male at MDC

RW – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes, I consider myself a writer. I don’t want to do anything else.
• I write about post-modern romance, activism, and free verse.
• What interests me mot about writing is that it connects me with the element of time.
• I’m almost through with poetry. I need renewed inspiration and I want to try new styles.
• I would most like to learn new styles, musicality, and public performance.
• I hope to learn new and more positive styles about myself.
• I think I will learn about others styles and perspectives.
• N/A

AP – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Not sure…
• I write about my kids and family.
• My life is what interests me about writing.
• I am nervous about the workshop.
• I would like to learn about expression.
• I hope to learn about my inner-self.
• I hope to learn about others inner-selves.
• I am a 28 year old Native American (Dine) at MDC

EW – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes and no.  There is different definitions of the word writer.  If I could learn about writing it would be more understandable.
• Reality – failures – accomplishments – pain – tension mounted
• #1 My handwriting is poor #2  I can’t always say what I’m feeling out loud
• #1  How to open a view of the world that exists in my life #2  I get the opportunity to take advantage of something new  #3 No confusion  #4  No darkness
• How to compose my feelings with proper English
• I am gifted with many talents, and I am capable.
• Not wure I want to learn about others
• 47 years of age, white, Father is French & Irish; Mother is Portuguese & German, MDC

MC – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yea, when I was doin’ time.
• Life’s trials and tribulations
• Someone can always relate to it
• Learn to public speak.  I get nervous in front of people
• Expressing myself
• A side of me that I didn’t think existed.
• What they went through.
• I’m 23, I’m half Black & half Hispanic and I’m locked up at MDC

SM – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes
• Life
• Thinking
• Excited
• How to do it better.
• Everything.
• Their stories & life.
• 24/H/MDC

AV – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Somethings interest me in writing
• Everything I guess.
• Letting out what I hold inside
• Nervous, I guess.
• Everything.
• What I don’t know.
• The real them.
• I’m 22 years old, Latino, I plan to go to UNM

EG – Questionnaire Responses – MDC Inmate Author

• Yes, I consider myself a poet and began taking poetry seriously after attending Carlos Contreras’ poetry class at the downtown campus.
• Issues and personal experiences that are very specific to women, such as abortion, domestic violence, having my daughter while incarcerated, family relationships, etc.
• I love the honesty and being able to put everything out there, I have a hard time expressing my emotions verbally but when I write poetry I’m able to break through those walls.
• I’m excited about getting my voice via poetry heard.  Through the program I’d also love to have my work critiqued, its great to be praised as a poet but I’d also love to know what I need to work on so I can continue to grow as an artist.
• I’m now interested in the performance aspect of poetry so I can compete in slam poetry and spoken word contests.
• To find my own unique voice, to explore as a poet, to master my nervousness so I can get on a stage to perform my poetry, to push myself to turn out high quality work on a consistent basis, long term goal of getting published not for money but to be heard
• I hope people on the outside will learn we are real poets and writers, not just inmates who happen to write
• I’m 26 years old, white and located at the MDC.