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Bridge Ink is the official online young adult literary magazine of PWN Teen. We publish original works from writers ages 13 to 18 from all over the world.
Empathy. Noun. The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another. This seemingly simple feeling is not so much an emotion as an ability, a skill that one develops throughout their life as they learn and grow and see the world. However, sometimes it…
on language, accessibility, and consumption “The end of reading is here,” The Atlantic writes. When I was younger, I used to think that the relationship between being a good writer and a reader is linear. For years, I was told that I must read books not only for the joy of reading but to expand…
Much has been said about large language models (LLMs) in 2026. From its environmental implications to how it can benefit the globe, public discourse has become extremely mixed in opinion. Especially for writers and artists, artificial intelligence carries a unique subset of concerns. In a constantly modernizing techno-state, we are struggling to ground ourselves in…
For two weeks, I am studying the history of summer media, film elements used to depict the summer season, and countless figures that classify a film as a summer film at Brown University’s pre-college program. It is only my second day of class, but in those daily three hours of learning, I’ve already felt as…
In the age of instant text messages and email, it is rare for people to sit down and write a handwritten letter. With the recent decline in physical mail, it has become easier to just type something up with our thumbs and click send, so that we rarely find ourselves writing anything by hand. Every…
The week I spent at NYU’s Creative Writing class was one that drastically shaped my writing abilities. There were four major days in the course, each of which corresponded to a different aspect of creative writing: Seeing the City, Characters, Setting, and Art as Inspiration. Each day that I learned a new skill about writing,…
Local news has been the lifeblood of many communities for generations. But it is now at risk of extinction. Twenty or 30 years ago, you would see a thriving journalism industry. Local, regional, and national papers alike had fully staffed newsrooms, thousands of papers in circulation, and issues coming out daily. Take The Star-Ledger, for…
Aimee Phan is the author of three books, including a collection of short stories titled We Should Never Meet and a novel titled The Reeducation of Cherry Truong. She recently released her young adult debut: The Lost Queen, the first book in a fantasy duology inspired by the Vietnamese legend of the Trung Sisters. She…
A new phenomenon has begun brewing on social media, one where students can get involved with the literary community and improve writing skills through participation. This trend is known as the rise of online youth literary magazines. Within the past two years, numerous publications have appeared seemingly out of nowhere on Instagram, TikTok, and other…
Coffee steam slinks to the ceiling as I twirl my pen in my hand. A man sits across from me, his hair thick and gray, a smile plastered on his face. My grandfather Stephen is a kind man, always willing to help his family. Recently, I met with Stephen to ask about his publishing process…
Have you ever finished writing a story and felt like it was still missing something? Well, I have. Oftentimes. Something that I couldn’t quite grasp. As I continued writing and reading others’ work, I finally realized what it was that I was missing: the emotional impact. As writers, we do a lot of planning. We…
A few years ago, a mentor of mine told me that all the best ideas come to us in the shower. When you’re younger, you usually believe what you’re told, so I just assumed it to be true. Many things we believe to be true come to us that way. Even the strongest of our…
Nostalgia—the ghost of my past, the ghost of all our pasts. At least once in our lives, we have been haunted by it. But many of us also chase this ghost—opening dusty photo albums from our childhood, re-watching an old yet beloved TV show, listening to 2000’s pop songs, or engaging in “remember when” conversations…
Writing a novel as a high school athlete is a challenging task. It can be difficult to find time for writing in between school and practices. However, true writers will find the time when they can be inspired and create pieces with meaning. Your passion can only take you as far as you dream of…
We all know the feeling of writer’s block. And we’ve all heard the supposed remedies: go on a walk, take a break, change your environment. But sometimes the problem isn’t a simple lack of ideas. What if your writer’s block stems from a deeper underlying issue? I’ve struggled with perfectionism for as long as I…
When writing, it can feel like we need to write sprawling paragraphs filled to the brim with intense verbiage and numerous thoughts. However, while this may contribute to good, sophisticated writing, it does have its downsides. When we write wordy pieces, readers can become uninterested or confused. However, when we write clearly and concisely, readers…
I had the privilege of asking writers April Henry, Natalie D. Richards, and Lisa Hartgrove the important questions that readers and writers want to know … April Henry When was the first time you realized you wanted to be a writer? I first wanted to be a writer when I initially started writing at 9…
There is one portion of the college admissions process in the United States that separates itself from most other countries: the extracurriculars section. In recent years, the extracurriculars section of the application has become increasingly relevant to admissions officers—so much so that an applicant got into Brown University simply by differentiating himself in the extracurriculars…
Songs are beautiful creations. They touch the hearts of many souls. They speak to the diverse community that is planet Earth. They can lift you out of an unbearable weight of sadness or color your happiness brighter. But how does your favorite artist pull such magic from their mind? How do those lyrics get chosen…
Storytelling is a part of life. People tell stories all the time, and have been since the beginning. From paintings on cave walls, to oral storytelling traditions, to modern-day movies, TV shows, and novels, human beings are called to tell stories. I’ve met so many people, including my past self, that wanted so badly to…
Writer’s block. We’ve all been there before. One of the most frustrating feelings a writer can have is when they’re sitting in front of a blank sheet of paper or Google Doc and just can’t seem to think of what to write. Maybe you can’t find that perfect word or the right description for a…
My parents used to sit at the corner of my twin size bed every night and read me a bedtime story. My older sister and I used to share a bedroom and she would say that she was a “big girl now” and didn’t need a bedtime story, but I knew she was always secretly…
A Treasure Trove of Vocabulary It’s good to go where words are worshipped, to feel the devotion of lingering vocabulary on a page. That’s why I have made a home for these words: the strange ones, the long ones, and the archaic ones. A well-maintained word bank is like a personal treasure trove of language,…
When I sit down to write, whether it be for personal enjoyment or for school, I usually have white noise in the background. A fan blowing in my room, music quietly playing, or waves crashing on the beach (the background noise as I write this now!) help me calm my mind and organize my thoughts. …
As a frequent news reader, I chose to subscribe to The Week Junior, a weekly informative magazine for children and teens, approximately four months ago. The broad coverage of topics ranges from animals to science to national and international news. Towards the end of every issue, two how-to articles are included. One that particularly caught…
Many writers recommend starting off writing about something that is near and dear to you: a personal experience, the life you have lived, and/or what you are currently dealing with. Although this is an amazing method and it has worked for me, writers should have the ability to create a story from multiple perspectives. Sometimes…
I found my best friend on a bookshelf. It was in the earliest time of year, a cold January, that my interests turned to the mini library in our hallway, all of the books belonging to my father. I had heard of many of the legends standing beside each other, but my attention was captured…
Libraries are one of the most important places in any neighborhood. I grew up living a walking distance away from my local library. I spent much time there reading books and doing homework, so it was like a second home to me. Less people have been visiting libraries now and they don’t get enough funding.…
As a teenager, often when I make new friends and they discover that I enjoy reading, they seem confused. Reading to many is seen as something they don’t like but have to do for school. They consider reading to be tedious and boring. “I don’t get how people like reading” is a comment I’m often…
I had always dreamed of holding my writing, printed neatly and bound in a hardcover sleeve, adorned with colorful pictures of what someone imagined my words meant. The foreword dedicated to those whom I love, and each flip of a page exuding feelings of compassion and empathy. It is because of this wish, as well…
For the longest time in school, writing was something that came naturally to me. Whenever I had to write an essay for English class, I usually just followed the prompt, wrote down whatever came to mind in a somewhat organized structure, and I could easily get high scores almost every time. When I wrote, all…
Growing up is different for everybody and everybody has a different way of coping with it. Writing is one of the few things that has helped me cope with getting older. Writing is like my second pair of eyes. Eyes that are caring and clear and, most importantly, understanding. Looking back at your old writing…
You are taught about literary devices, themes, characters, and plots in school through engaging with full-length novels. However, short fiction like one-act plays, novellas, and short stories offer concise yet compelling storylines in only a few pages. During my free time, when I’m not at school, I take a few hours to analyze a piece…
I had the privilege of interviewing Nico Hall, an accountant and father by day and writer by night, who is currently in the process of publishing his first novel … Introducing the Author … Greetings friends. My name is Nico (writing as N A Hall), and I am a first time author currently working through…
How did centuries of abuses toward the LGBTQ+ community form into a celebration? There are varying accounts on the nature and function of Pride month, especially the week-long marches that accompany it, but to begin, one must look back in order to look forward. For the purposes of this investigation, historical archives and witness testimonies…
June 1st marks the beginning of Pride month for the LGBTQ+ community. Pride month arose to commemorate the start of the Stonewall Riots for queer liberation in June of 1969. Today, it is celebrated all around the world through parades, festivals, and other get-togethers. The Pride celebration is an inspiration to listen and pay attention…
All people need art in their lives. Throughout history, art has been a way for people to express themselves and communicate messages they feel are important. Viewing or experiencing art can give you a glimpse into someone else’s thoughts, which opens your mind to new perspectives. These perspectives might tell you about what someone is…
5 Tips to Recommit to Reading: Make a reading schedule. Look for books you’ll actually enjoy. Read shorter pieces. Read news articles. Hold yourself accountable. When I was twelve, my world revolved around a stack of books that stood as high as my hips. I piled novels my parents bought me, overdue library books, and…
TikTok, for anybody who doesn’t know, is a social media platform where users can post lengthy videos of themselves doing anything from baking a cake to running a marathon. It has exploded in popularity among nearly every age group in the last 5 years. TikTok has nearly 1 billion active users every month and is…
In the new year of 2024, it’s become evident that technological innovation will make an even more profound impact than it has in years past, especially when it comes to AI. Generative artificial intelligence has swept the world and left many wondering how important their job truly is, as AI is beginning to replace many.…
There is a word in the English dictionary called “sonder,” defined as “the realization that every stranger around you has their own complex memories, relationships, and experiences.” Another Real Voices Write Now author, Lauren, included this in her article, where she and a group of children were able to share their own perspectives through writing…
It is often assumed that anyone who studies English in school will be either an author, a journalist, or something along those lines. However, the ability to write well and communicate effectively is a critical skill in any field imaginable, which is why English majors are in such high demand. Whether you work in a…
I hit a roadblock in my writing without knowing it. Getting dumped into the middle of Times Square with mere hours to talk to strangers helped me break through it. I enjoyed writing for the news, especially when it came to pitching article ideas and revising my peers’ writing as the arts editor for my…
Recently, my family and I went on a road trip to New York City. While driving on the open road, I was able to see so much nature that city-living has kept from me. Just looking outside my car window made me feel this sense of joy and creativity. I wanted to write about how…
English is one of the most consistent subjects in the American school curriculum. Throughout twelve or more years of education, students are challenged to peruse an author’s writing for themes and ideas, as well as write their own analytical or creative pieces. Yet in my experience and many others, the mandatory English requirements of our…
Who knew a doll could make film history? “Barbie” is currently in the middle of one of the largest global box office runs in recent memory, grossing a total of 1.4 billion dollars as of September 14, 2023. It has become Warner Brothers’ biggest movie of all time and one of the most popular movies…
LOG LINE: Anyone can write a good screenplay, as long as they follow the proper format. CHARACTER BACKSTORY: When Vivienne first stepped into her film production class in freshman year of high school, she had no idea that writing scripts would be part of the curriculum. Vivienne attends a very unconventional school that allows students…
I’ve known Elizabeth Jannuzzi for almost a decade as a friendly face in my neighborhood and an active member of my local community. She’s also a writer who takes on three roles: the Operations and Communications Manager of Project Write Now, the Program Manager of book inc, and soon, an author. After sitting down with…
To me, naming characters is an important part of writing a story. Do you feel the same? I always want to find names that will fit my characters to a T. Many of my stories are set 120+ years ago. People back then didn’t have modern names like Aiden or Zoey. They did, however, have…
My father always pleads with me to show him my writing. Whether it’s a short poem I was describing to him, or a story that I submitted for publication. He’s always been my number one supporter, and after I—reluctantly—shared two poems with him, he looked at me, stunned, and asked, “How do you come up…
In August 2021, I had been considering switching one of my current courses to our high school’s “Intro to Creative Nonfiction” course. I loved creative writing, and I could get college credit for it. I signed myself up and began counting the days until the second semester, when the course would start. Really, I thought…
When I was little, I would make music out of the sonnets I scribbled in the margins of my geometry homework. I painted lyrics across the cloudy skies outside my bedroom window and drew light from the most mundane of surroundings. I made music with the only chords I knew on guitar: the sunniness of…
You have to learn the rules before you break them. That was, at least, my fifth-grade teacher’s defense of the writing curriculum taught to younger students. You can only return stronger if you leave in the first place. My experience with writing has always been a little counter to my age. Of course, my skills…
I have a secret to confess: I am a writer who is apprehensive and at times quite petrified of sharing my work. It has felt as if I were living in a paradox from the moment I began to become more passionate with my writing. How could I both desire to create an impact on…
I feel like associating the words “evil” and “change” is dramatic and over-exaggerated on my part, but what is the world without a little bit of drama? The villainous, annoying, and anxiety-inducing realm of Change has motivated me, deterred me, terrified me, and embraced me throughout my life. In high school, I thought that having…
Vulnerability has been a theme of my life these days so I’d like to be honest with you: I was nervous walking in the doors of Red Bank Middle School on my first day of teaching. I wasn’t teaching on my own—not by any means—but entering a new environment with entirely new people made me…
As writers, we understand the rush we experience when working on our craft—the energy we feel when we get into a movement and then look up at the clock and see it’s an hour later and we’ve lost track of time. These are some of the best parts of writing. Recently, the mental health benefits…
This past summer, we had the honor of working with a group of talented teens as part of our Teen Internship Program. Two dozen teens volunteered their time assisting in our summer camps or interviewing and documenting the stories of Red Bank seniors and other notable citizens for “The Interview Project.” I loved every minute…
Strengthen your leadership and communication skills with an inspiring summer teen internship! We offer three tracks: Teaching Assistant, Editorial Assistant, The Interview Project. After the training, you create your own schedule. We also offer community service hours! And it’s FUN! We sat down with Sophia W. G. to ask about her experience as a Teaching Assistant…
Some people don’t consider graphic novels “real books” because they contain pictures and images, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Graphic novels and comic books are great segways into more complex readings, and they help your concentration. I know for me, since I’ve been so used to being on the computer, it’s been…
Yes, I know you’re busy. It feels like there is always something to do, right? Like responsibilities. I know… I have them too. Classes, work, activities. And as the seasons change, it feels like my responsibilities change with them. So here’s what I think. Why not add one more habit? For me, taking time for…
This blog is inspired by a semester-long exercise one of my college professors instructed my class to do. Every day, we had to journal five things we noticed/dreamed/felt. This was the only rule: at least five. When told, it seemed so easy that I barely gave it a thought. Until the next day, when my…
In just a few days, I will no longer be a teen writer. I’ll blow out candles—just two big ones, a “2” and a “0”—instead of the collection of candles that used to be able to fit on a cake. My family will give me a notebook and a book, the same gifts I receive…
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