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Interview with Darrius Garrett, author of Diary of A Freedom Writer

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Upon the release of The Freedom Writers Diary and film adaptation starring Hilary Swank in 2007, I realized that both book and movie tell the Freedom Writer Story as a whole, but not on a personal level. During speaking engagements, the same questions always surface: ‘Did Ms. Gruwell change you? How did you make it out of the gang life? What stopped you from killing yourself?’ My answers are inside.

Diary of a Freedom Writer takes you on a journey beyond the classrooms to the treacherous streets of Long Beach, California. An innocent little boy born in poverty and raised in a violent environment, I became a product of the streets, written off by the school and judicial systems alike, growing up in an environment full of gangs and drugs. I spent my life searching for a father figure until I became a Freedom Writer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and finally a father myself. My story is that of a man realizing his experiences are what made him the man he has been seeking to be all his life. Upon beating the odds, Diary of a Freedom Writer serves as proof that my story of struggle, life, change, and hope will uplift, educate, encourage, and inspire.

We loved that movie, but don’t understand your connection to it. Was one of the characters based on you? Which one?
The character “Marcus” in the movie Freedom Writer.

Oh really? How accurate is the portrayal of Marcus in the movie?
I’d say it’s pretty accurate…when I sat down with Richard LaGravenese the director of Freedom Writers he was very empathetic to my story and he matched everything within my character to my likeness from the hairstyle, physical size as well as the mean looking demeanor I presented facially at the time. Yet on the inside I had a lot of love and compassion that once a person got to know me they can probably grasp only from my eyes. So when you watch each scene that involved my character “Marcus” in it the scene definitely portrays that.

Also all the story’s were pretty accurately put together except for a few minor things like the story of when my friend shot himself. As well as when I was homeless I wish the movie could have went more in-depth because a lot happen to bring me to the point of wanting to come home, but he did a phenomenal job cramming almost three to four years into an hour and a half or so.

The great thing about my new book Diary of A Freedom Writer is that it tells that story plus previous stories that lead to those touching moments that were shared on the big screen. It picks up where the movie left off as well as it fills in the gaps to the story of “Marcus” in the film.

Tell us about those gaps.
This story is about my experience from the young age of 9 to the adult age of 30 which entails heart wrenching stories of Gangs, Drugs, violence, hatred, heartache, love, drug dealing, Homelessness, Addiction, Failure, Redemption, Triumph, inspiration and Success.

What kind of readers will your book appeal to?
Teens 12-19. Adults.

Anything else we should know?
The funny thing is there are people that are traveling the world stating that “Marcus” in the movie is their character in the film when I’m the one that actually signed a contract and met with the director multiple times as he was building this character. Another interesting fact is that I named the character “Marcus” as well, which was the government name of a friend that shot himself in front of me.

Do you have a website where we can keep up with your work?
www.Darriusonline.com

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
Twitter: @herbanprince
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiaryOfAFreedomWriter

What’s next?
I am just trying to get the book into every school, juvenile facility and library. As an actor I currently finished shooting Season 2 of a show I am a character on for comedy central called “Kroll Show” which may air during the fall or winter. Also, I am a motivational speaker, so I speak to various schools,groups and conferences. So I plan to possibly fill my schedule with speaking engagements until time to promote my next book next year.

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2 Comments

  1. Kelly Hall

    My students are currently reading this book, and it’s amazing that a group of “non-readers” are completely engrossed and silent while they are reading independently. Mr. Garrett has sparked an inspiration in each one to become a better person. Thank you Mr. Garrett for speaking to them and for writing this book! Keep up the terrific work!

  2. Sue Robinson

    Darrius is an amazing young man, husband and father! He and other young people like him are the reason we as educators should not give up on any student and should look for that special gift that the student has that even he/she may not be aware of! Everyone of those original Freedom Writers are so special and should be proud of what they have accomplished!

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