Young Writers Project is an independent nonprofit that engages students to write, helps them improve and connects them with authentic audiences in newspapers, before live audiences and online. YWP also publishes an annual anthology and The Voice, a digital magazine with YWP’s best writing, images and features. More info: youngwritersproject.org or contact YWP at sreid@youngwritersproject.org or 802-324-9538.
This week, we present responses to the following challenges: Problem. “They were almost ready to leave, but now there was a problem.” Using this phrase as inspiration, what happens next? And General Writing.
Prompt: Problem
By Daniel Wolstenholme
Age 15, Thetford
Rain poured down from the sky like a waterfall. Thick dark clouds covered up the sun so that it was almost pitch-black. A girl and her cat where cuddled up next to a warm, crackling fire. She was a plump red-headed girl who slightly resembled a strawberry, and her cat was a skinny brown thing with tangled fur. Thunder pounded outside — it was the only thing keeping them awake. The girl’s eyes felt heavy.
But suddenly she felt warm sunshine caress her cheek. The girl sat up and looked outside. The rain had stopped and the sun was making everything sparkle. A smile grew on her face and she ran to get ready, grabbing her yellow boots and pulling them over her tiny feet. The cat followed her.
They were almost ready to leave … but now there was a problem. They both looked outside in sadness as rain poured like a waterfall once again. Thick dark clouds covered up the sun so that it was almost pitch-black.
Prompt: General writing
By Tobin Durham
Age 15, Corinth
Brown, deep, and sticky —
not a place for someone picky.
People are always getting stuck,
and pulling them out can really suck.
Lots of times you get covered in muck …
no likes the muck.
Some of the mud is two feet deep;
driving through it is quite a feat.
When you inevitably do get stuck,
just wait for an old man in a truck.
No matter what, he will know
the perfect way to give you a tow.
By Hannah Vogel
Age 14, Piermont
It’s a brave thing to do,
to look into a mirror,
stare into those all-too-familiar eyes,
and learn not to look past the flaws —
to instead learn to see them all
for what they are,
to give each and every one a name,
and still see someone worth loving
staring back at you.
For the first time tonight, I did.
By Leah Wheeler
Age 15, West Newbury, Vt.
Mix a little imagination
with creativity,
then add just enough
captivating words to the mix.
Write it down on paper
and watch the magic.