Merle Schell lives in town with her two cats, LouLou and Sophie. She holds a doctorate in education leadership from Northeastern University and has 19 years of experience as a teacher at Chelsea High School. She enjoys gardening, cooking and reading mysteries. And … she just published a book.
“Ten Things Teens Can Do: to take control, love yourself and find joy” is a 43-page book and journal inspiring self-confidence, stress relief and self-love, and empowering teenagers and youth alike.
The first half of the book includes fun, everyday activities to help develop inner peace, purpose and happiness, illustrated with colorful graphics. The second half is a journal of reflective prompts, such as five things you can do for yourself and five things you can do for others. The goal of the book is to show teenagers that they have some control over their lives.
“This book is about choice. I’m giving suggestions of activities, but you don’t have to do them all, or in any order. Pick out what’s most meaningful to you,” Schell said.
Schell has been working on this project, published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and developed on the graphic design tool Canva, since COVID. She originally planned on making a PowerPoint presentation about teen stress. But when the pandemic hit, Schell decided to turn her ideas into a book.
“Teens are under unimaginable stress today. We’re living in very strange times, there’s an inordinate amount of pressure. Teens have no way to say ‘stop.’”
Getting the book to meet KDP’s requirements on bleed and trim size was a tough barrier. Another hurdle for Schell was navigating new technology. She reluctantly downloaded Instagram and Tiktok to promote her book.
Though hesitant to get Facebook, she uncovered and joined a group that was doing the same thing as she is – publishing on KDP. A lesson was learned: use social media as a tool.
“I’m beginning to appreciate social media,” Schell laughed.
Schell also has a website — Merleschell.com — that is home to a blog and newsletter where she can reflect and talk about things that are affecting kids, teachers and parents in education.
Schell spends many hours at her desk, working on a media kit for her book, sending emails and brainstorming for her next projects. She hopes to publish a children’s book next year.
For now, Schell hopes her new book will encourage teens to take steps to reclaim their lives. Feeling out of control of your life is a component of stress, Schell says. She emphasizes focusing on the little things you can control, like the music you listen to and people you spend time with.
“The real intent of this book was to not be judgmental and to take the pressure off. There are so many ways to be happy and things you can take charge of. You can only do that if you take charge of the areas of your life that you can control,” Schell said. “I really believe in this book, I believe it can help.”
“Ten Things Teens Can Do” is available now on Amazon.
