About Me

Dreaming to Live was released on February 26th 2020 

Living To Dream was released on February 26th 2022

Dreaming Counterclockwise coming in March of 2023

Davis T. Gerencer began his quest to help prevent teen suicide in late 2016, hoping to reach teens by writing young adult fiction. His stories include funny, exciting, adventurous, emotional, and educational experiences. Thomas became a Firefighter/Paramedic in the early 1980s and is a retired Fire Chief from West Michigan, where he lives with his wife, Laurie. 

Forty years of Fire/EMS has given him firsthand experience of the gut-wrenching effects that depression and suicide have on teens, their families, friends, and EMS providers.

As a teen, he experienced the loss of his friend, when his teen friend chose suicide, leaving him with devastating grief, contemplating/attempting suicide himself. He believes reading his books will offer an opportunity to learn skills about coping with depression and will entice the readers to treat others with kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. After all, a straightforward act of kindness may save a teen from choosing suicide.

Dreaming To Live was written in memory of all teens who have taken their own life. Please, never give up. There is always hope for you. Your life will get better like it did for Robert. Always remember that the moment of feeling suicidal will pass. But most of all, know that you have a support group who care deeply about you. We will always accept and love you just as you are.

Visit. www.trevorsproject.com 

Visit. www.itgetsbetter.org

Dreams… Everyone has them; some we remember, but most we'd rather forget. Robert Van Stark is a fourteen-year-old boy with a photographic memory who isn't able to forget his dreams or anything for that matter. His life was turned upside down when his father moved away, leaving him depressed, friendless, and struggling to find himself.

Robert's life became even more complicated when unexplained abilities developed in his mind, adding more obstacles to his list of adolescent challenges. Fortunately, Robert's science teacher stepped in to mentor him through the difficult times.

Strap yourself in tight as you take a ride with Robert on his emotional rollercoaster that travels through dangerous, adventurous, life-altering events. When the rough ride finally comes to rest, you may agree with Robert, that acceptance, perseverance, love, and true friendship can mean the difference between life and death.

Teen Suicide Prevention 

Teen suicide is at epidemic levels across our Nation. Many parents believe suicide won’t affect their son or daughter. But in reality, suicide affects us all in one way or another. According to the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 17.2 percent of American high school students reported they have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year (Trevor Project 2019).  

This book was written to help teach general acceptance, tolerance, and coping skills that may help to save the life of our youth. The book’s main character is a gay fourteen-year-old boy who lives with his wealthy, conservative, religious family. I chose this life for Robert because recent studies have shown that boys are twice as likely to be successful at suicide compared to girls. LGBTQ teens are five times more likely to attempt suicide than straight kids. And teens who live in a conservative community are more likely to choose suicide than those who live in a moderate or liberal community.

The book’s suicide prevention message is not meant to take a political or religious stance.  Robert is struggling with his faith because there are so many who won’t accept those who are different than themselves. The author wanted to add some reality to the life of Robert, so the readers may be able to relate to the challenges that come with being gay in some settings. 

Scientific facts have proven that a teen’s sexuality is a very basic human fundamental that drives their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and pleasure-seeking. Teens are thrust into a midfield of sexual unknowns that are driven by the need for biological reproduction. Their brains come pre-wired at birth allowing them to orient themselves to the attraction of others. 

A teen’s sexuality is part of being human. However, the stigmas associated with sexuality are often driven by society's expectations for teens to be straight. These expectations often put added pressure on our teens causing unthinkable consequences including suicide. So please always remember that fundamental sexual attraction drives a person’s sexual orientation, and one’s sexual orientation doesn’t define the person.