Sheriff's deputy writes inspirational novel

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

In our "Neighbors" series, we give you a personal look at the people who are serving your community. If you would like to nominate someone for this column, contact Judy Prieve at 925-779-7178 or e-mail jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.

More than 22 years of experience as a San Francisco sheriff's deputy went into the development of the main character in the novel "Mutual Combat/Mutual Respect." Written by Antioch resident Clarence Lewis III, this fictional story explores the life of a young troubled boy and the life-changing circumstances that bring him positive changes as an adult.

In 1993 Lewis began writing down his experiences in hopes to one day publish a novel that could help people understand the life of teenagers growing up in low-income urban neighborhoods. After 10 years of making notes, a friend convinced Lewis it was time to get to work on writing his novel.

"The book is about growing up in a 10-block world neighborhood in the 1970s," Lewis said.

The main character isn't really one individual, Lewis said but rather a type of person much like the street kids whom Lewis saw every day in his line of work.

When Lewis completed the book in 2009, he had created a work of fiction that featured Emmanuel Charles Harris, a young man born in San Francisco to immature parents, who grows up a product of his surroundings. In his story, Emmanuel crashes with another kid, "Little Mack," in a fight for life with both opponents determined to win. Neither can afford to lose, but over time they realize they need each other.

In the end, Emmanuel has to decide if he wants to end this fight so that the next generation in his neighborhood doesn't have to fight the same war he has been fighting.

Lewis said that he worked hard to "develop the right kind of street creed and authenticity" into the book. Along with the book, he has created a discussion guide that has already been used in prisons and juvenile detention centers.

Lewis spent several months at the San Francisco County Jail working with the inmates involved with Project Rebound.

"We read the entire book and went through the attached discussion book," he said. "The inmates read the book to each other."

Lewis' book has also been used in an administration of justice class at San Francisco City College in a similar manner with the students. He has also sold the book to several prisons and individuals in other areas around the world.

Lewis would like to see "Mutual Combat/Mutual Respect" made available in more high schools and colleges throughout the country.

"Someone who knows a young person who needs to be encouraged through bad times would be interested in purchasing this book," Lewis said. "This book shows how someone's life can go from bad to good."

When his is not working as a sheriff's deputy, Lewis is a pastor for the Bayview Hunter's Point Church in San Francisco. He also spends time with his own children here in Antioch.

The book is available for $18.95 at www.dunieboy.com or $15 if purchased before Christmas. The discount is his way of giving back to those who are supporting him, he said.