Gangs and Teens

My BackTracker novels (The Traz, FATAL ERROR, Firewalls) are about gangs. Here is a news item about the reality of gang life.

Who is the 956 gang that's moved into Yellowknife?

B.C.-based gang began as 'just a bunch of kids being stupid,' retired cop recalls

Of special interest is the info about nefarious adults recruiting youngsters into the violent gang lifestyle. In THE TRAZ, Katrina is 13 when she's invited to join the The Traz, one of North America's most powerful biker gangs. As surreal as it seems that a child her age  could become involved this way, news headlines continuously prove my novel is a realistic depiction of what is happening out there.

Adult gang recruiters look for at-risk teens, and Katrina fits that bill.

She's without adult supervision, depressed, doesn't fit in at school, is seeking adventure....weaknesses the gang knows exactly how to manipulate. However, despite her superior intelligence and street-smarts, she discovers she's no match for the brute strength of the adult bikers and that leaving a gang is sometimes impossible.

The School Edition of THE TRAZ comes with a Teaching/Discussion Guide and a list of resources for those seeking help or more information on issues such as depression, addictions, and gangs.

"The whole thing ends on a knife edge."
“After reading THE TRAZ I came away wanting more!” 
“I recommend this dark and compelling story” 
"They draw her into the dark world of drugs, murder & lawlessness..."

Eileen Schuh, Author

DISPASSIONATE LIES
FIREWALLS
FATAL ERROR
Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ

Writing therapy for depressed teens

In THE TRAZ, young Katrina's grieving and depression sends her into a downward and dangerous spiral. Depression is common among adolescents as they struggle with the physical and emotional changes that come with puberty as well as ever more complicated life situations. Depression makes youngsters not only vulnerable to the results of their own poor decisions, but also to nefarious adults--who are always on the watch for ways to exploit others' weaknesses.

There are very effective treatments available depression and if you suspect your child may be suffering from it, seek professional help quickly. You will find a list of international resources in the back of THE TRAZ to assist you in finding the help and information you need. (For an excerpt of that list, check out my blog Who do you call when you're down and out? ) 

Agnes Jimenez, a partner with HelpYourTeenNow.com, a resource agency/parent advocacy group, shares with us information on how keeping a written journal can help teens deal with their troubles.

Journal Writing As a Therapeutic Activity for  Depressed Teenagers

Life can be overwhelming, especially for teenagers. Social pressures, raging hormones, and everyday situations can be difficult. Teens do not yet have the life experience behind them to work through many of these issues. As a parent or mentor, you have the insight and responsibility to do your best to help them. Consider suggesting that they keep a journal.

 

Helping a Depressed Teen

It is important to get help for troubled teens.  Teens, who are feeling depressed may appear withdrawn, lose interest in things they once loved, and they may feel tired all the time. If you suspect a teen of being depressed, do what you can to get a professional involved. He or she will be able to help develop a plan of treatment. If this is not possible, being a positive role model can help. Journaling is an excellent suggestion for many reasons.

The Science of Journaling

Keeping a journal isn't quack medicine, there is science behind it. According to University of Texas psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker, writing about events that are stressful helps you come to term with them. This in turn reduces their impact on your physical health. His research also suggests that keeping a journal helps to boost the immune system. In addition to keeping physically healthy, there are mental benefits as well.

Clarification of Thoughts

Teens especially can feel lost, torn, and uncertain of themselves. They may feel one way, but will act in a totally different way to fit in. Writing these inner thoughts down without worrying about how they sound can help teens get in touch with their innermost selves. A journal acts as a judgment-free sounding board.

Discovery of Self

Writing in a journal can help teens get to know themselves better. They will enjoy greater self-confidence and happiness. The process also helps them identify people or situations that are toxic.  

Stress Reduction

Teens feel a range of intense emotions like anger and sadness. Writing about them is a form of expression. Vividly writing about how they feel will release some of those feelings. This lets them move on and deal with the situation without the pent up emotions.

Problem Solving

Writing down problems is a great way of working through them. Teens will be able to analyze and be more creative about their conflicts. When looking at them in this way, solutions might become easier to identify.

Depression is a serious issue for teens. If you know a teen that needs help, do what you can to involve a professional. Offer insight and suggestions, like keeping a journal. There are many proven benefits, and it can truly help them. 
 _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and currently partners with HelpYourTeenNow.com in spreading awareness about troubled and depressed teenagers (and how to deal with them).  Help Your Teen Now aims to increase awareness on the current psychological and societal stresses of today's teens and how these factors affect the future of our society.

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THE TRAZ is available in paperback and ebook formats and in a special School Edition that includes a Teaching Guide. Click on the following links to purchase or sample THE TRAZ

Amazon eBook

Amazon Paperback

School Edition Paperback

School Edition eBook

  ______________________________________________

Eileen Schuh, Author
FATAL ERROR
Schrödinger's Cat
THE TRAZ

A wonderful gift I received today

 I received a copy of YOUR SUPERPOWERS Dream It, Achieve It in the mail to review. What a wonderful gift...not only to me, but to all Steve Gardner's readers.




The book is directed to young teens, but it's empowering message is one we'd all do well to listen to and understand. I don't think many in my generation consider themselves magnetic and super-powered with a direct connection to the wisdom and guidance of the universe. But we should.

Aside from the wonderful message, I just love the fact the book has pages throughout, designed for readers to write on...to list their goals, their grievances, their life dreams. I love writing in books and believe most young teens do, too.

Although I found the message quite relevant to my own life, I can understand how powerful it must be to the younger set. Entering adolescence is a difficult time for many. Not only do thirteen-year olds have to deal with hormonal surges, body changes, the experience of new emotions, the exposure to strange and tempting dangers, they also have to leave behind many of the comforts of childhood, not the least of which is the belief in magic. So that is just the right age to point out the magical, mystical, powerful nature of the human mind and human spirit--a superpower that's accessible to us all.

I highly recommend YOUR SUPERPOWERS Dream It, Achieve It to all who are unhappy with the way their life is going, who may be wishing things were different, or those struggling with relationships.

Click here to buy YOUR SUPERPOWERS from Amazon

Available from Discovering Life Now. Click here



Eileen Schuh, Canadian writer
www.eileenschuh.com

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 Also for young teens THE TRAZ

"Hard-Hitting, gritty teen novel"

THE TRAZ School Edition on Amazon.com

THE TRAZ in the UK 

Teaching/Discussion Guide included

Tweeting THE TRAZ for free

 I have a very special guest blogger today, Katrina Buckhold. Perhaps that name rings a bell? 
 

Katrina as she appears on the cover of THE TRAZ

 Katrina is the young protagonist in THE TRAZ. Although she is immature and abrasive and isn't perhaps all that reliable, I did agree to let her open her own Twitter account (https://twitter.com/KatrinaBuckhold).

Although I had to do a lot censoring and censuring for the first while, she seems to be growing up somewhat. 

 ____________________________________

Free!

THE TRAZ

Free! 

 

3 days only

Monday, 10th September 2012

to

Wednesday 12th September 2012 inclusive

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk  

_____________________________________

In celebration of this week's special promo, she's pulled together some of her fave quotes from THE TRAZ and here they are in 140 characters or less: 

 

Perhaps he had some use for her genius.The thought that he wanted her for something when no one else did...> #Free THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkT

THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkSTy She tucked one of her dad's shirts around her face so she could catch the scent of what once was. FREE today

#FREE today: She was cold when she got home, despite the heat of the August sun. She listened to the silence calling to her. THE TRAZ http://ow.ly

"Please?" She tilted her head and searched his face, as she knew he liked her to do.>THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkRZ5 Free today 

The cool moonlight was sparking off eyes that, in the sun, shone blue and bright. She stood on her toes and... Free today >THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkS5o

The day started not all that badly—a warm June morning. By seven o'clock the summer sun was already high... THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkS8q Free 

She thought of electrons & photons, the intertwining of space, speed & time. In 2 weeks she'd be a teenager > THE TRAZ Free today! http://ow.ly/dkSjh

 Colours & numbers could be digitized. Someday the human mind would be etched on a silicon chip >THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkSjh Free

Katrina felt faint and distant and dizzy. Words swirled about her. Someone said, "Dead. Everybody dead. Dead." THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkSDe  Free

"You're 13, running around 'til the wee hours of the morning & coming home drunk. I won't put up with it." THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkSKS  Free

Katrina slipped from her chair and grabbed his arm. "Grandpa! Grandpa! Are you sleeping or are you dying?" THE TRAZ ow.ly/aXtbK  Free

The parts of her that were cold began stirring, moving, pulsating, synchronizing with the beat of the pistons  >THE TRAZ http://ow.ly/dkTVR  Free

THE TRAZ  "How far do you want to ride?" Shrug's voice broke into her reverie. "Forever," Katrina answered.  Free http://ow.ly/dkTVR

THE TRAZ "...The man dropped to the ground. His eyes slid closed. The remnants of a smile still twisted his lips..." FREE today http://ow.ly/dkTVR

Eileen Schuh, Canadian writer www.eileenschuh.com

Canadian author visits young offenders

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This article was picked up and published online by NewsBlaze

Canadian author visits young offenders

Yellowknife, NT, December 4, 2011  Canadian author, Eileen Schuh’s, trip to Yellowknife for her grandson’s second birthday turned into a surprisingly busy week as word of her debut YA novel THE TRAZ travelled like wildfire through this northern community.

“It started with a press release I sent to the northern media, announcing the book signing the Yellowknife Public Library arranged for me.  The next thing I knew I was doing my first-ever live in-studio radio interview with William Greenland on CKLB FM 101.9 FM , visiting the after-school kids at the Side Door Youth Center, and stopping in at the Young Offenders Facility to do some story-telling.  Yellowknife weather is cold and the sun is scarce this time of year, but the people are very warm--this town has embraced me and my work."

North Slave Young Offenders Facility, Yellowknife NT, Canada

THE TRAZ is a story about 13-year old Katrina’s year with the TRAZ biker gang.  It is written for both adolescents and the adults in their lives.  This fast-paced, high-action novel comes with a resource and discussion guide that address social issues touched on by the novel, such as gangs, drugs, swearing, decision-making, and depression.

“I use this novel to teach kids the vital importance of making good decisions and to educate them about ways to do that.  At the North Slave Young Offenders Facility I told the youngsters that even though Katrina makes some very poor decisions, readers find themselves cheering for her.  We all want her to be safe and escape the gang.  I told them that is exactly how I feel about them and how their community feels about them.  We want them to successfully deal with effects of their past poor decisions, get on with their lives, and contribute to their communities.  Aside from all that, I also encouraged the children to become readers and storytellers.  I know at least one of the young offenders was intrigued by the idea.”

Schuh’s other book, Schrödinger’s Cat, is an adult sci-fi novella that examines the roles that choice and fate play in our lives.  “I call it a psychological crime drama that spans two universes,” Schuh says.

Schuh wraps up her northern trip Monday evening from 7 – 8 pm at the Yellowknife Public Library.  She’ll be talking about her books and her life as an author as well as selling and signing copies of her two novels.

Schuh felt she needed to return some kindness to this community so in addition to her volunteer visit to the Side Door Youth Center, she donated several of her books to the Young Offenders Facility and one of each of her novels to the library.

Schuh heads back to St. Paul, Alberta Tuesday.  Her next scheduled speaking engagement will be at the end of January when she joins her home town in celebrating Literacy Day.

Schuh’s books can be purchased through all major online bookstores and can be ordered in by your favourite brick-and-mortar bookstore. Check with your local library on availability should you prefer to borrow them.

- 30 -

For more information, contact Eileen Schuh at

eileenschuh@yahoo.com

phone: 780-645-7890

http://www.eileenschuh.com

http://eileenschuh.blogspot.com

Eileen Schuh, Canadian writer www.eileenschuh.com