I have a confession to make. Most all of my blogs are of good cheer and speak positive words in the face of this place. However, during this season it can be hard to find the hope in despair. I sit and watch the tube for a while, but that only makes the depression worse. I long to be with my family; have responsibilities outside of a state issued job; have worries outside of ‘who’s going to steal my things’. The guards are expectionally testy. They hate being here during the holidays as much as we do. The difference is that they take it out on us with slick comments, over zealous authoritative behavior, and unmerrited condemnation. Yes, holidays in the penitentiary are the worst. We, the inmates, try to turn a dark time into a blithe situation by cooking meals with one another, though the food out of our canteen window are things that we have eaten several times over before the holidays began. There is no magic in the food. It is all microwavable convenient store snacks.

I don’t want to stay bleak. I know there are readers out there that look forward to my blogs with the hopes of being encouraged. I like encouraging you all. It is a blessing to be able to come on here and represent a cheerful heart in an otherwise cheerless place. With that being said, I want you all to know that in this harsh time I find solace in my novel. Ruse of Discontent is on it’s final chapters and I’m hoping to have it completed by the end of this year! Nearly two years of hard, intense work is beginning to pay off. I have an editor out there that is going to prepare my novel to be submitted into the James Jones First Novel Fellowship by the dead-line in March. So, I guess the lesson to be learned here is to emerse yourself into what you love in times of trouble. There is a reason why you love it in the first place. It can comfort and encourage you more than any other person.

I sincerely hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas, and I hope you all have a family to share it with.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Go see something live!

Matthew Epperson
DOC #284812