Plot Builds Character

Welcome to the official Tumblr of Writopia Lab! Writopia Lab is a national community of young writers, ages 8-18. Founded in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has now spread to Greater New York, Greater Washington, and Los Angeles.

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I take another breath, slowly letting it out, savoring the feeling of releasing fears settling on my tongue, like a sour aftertaste.

Claire P., a Writopia Lab author and a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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Searching for the warmth and redness in the friendship is like trying to count 100 stars in a city sky: the fluorescent lights are blinding, falsely depicting every object around.

Laila Pina, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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I don’t have a social life, I just have Netflix.

Isabelle Pierce, a Writopia Lab author and a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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I fear that I live behind glass. Tapping incessantly Because the only other option is ripping it down And I’d rather not bloody my hands.

Rachael Pettinicchi, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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Pour the ichor dwelling deep in veins upon the concrete castles; through visions; erect pyramids and jungles. Slave driver, I ask, am I worthy.

Josh Petro, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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I am a majestic falcon, with crippled wings. Unable to see things from a different view, trapped on the dry, dusty ground...

Sam Perlman, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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I am a locked trunk; the key lost. I sit in the corner, forgotten the smell of dust is unsettling The sight of black is blinding.

Brooke Pender, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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The flame flickers, She swallows it whole. The world is hallowed: Entrance to the Great Reality.

Sarah Patafio, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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I say a man deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on him. A grown man never cries unless you are being chased by a bunch of coyotes.

Lancelot Oyanadel, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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Barry hated Tuck because he thought Tuck was disgusting. Tuck was clumsy, had a giant head, and ate garbage. Tuck hated Barry because Barry was a vegetarian.

Evan Ortiz, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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He gazed longingly from the porch steps, Apollo scorching the back of his neck, his hands feigning complacency while curled inside his pockets.

Chaya Sara Oppenheim, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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As a child you could never stand the sight of him lifting the glass of poison to his lips.

Kirill Omelich, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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The boy imagined himself as a radical prophet, his times unworthy of him, or, as the man in the decaying establishment likely did, a delinquent— a hooligan in search of the irresponsible, fleeting pleasures of youth.

David Oks, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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As I hobble across the cracked pavement the fresh aroma of air fills my lungs. It starts its battle against the tear gas and the thick smoke that clouds the air.

Eric Ochsner, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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For about three seconds, I stood frozen thinking about how stupid I looked. Then I burst out laughing and soon after everyone else did too.

Esi Obeng, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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“I know what you’re making,” she grins, sneaking a wink at me, then peeks into another, just-boiling pot of water. “Potatoes!” she squeals.

Kara O'rourke, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient

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If I were furniture I’d be ‘clock too slow ‘cause two minutes too slow is the speed that I go

Billy O'Brien, a 2015 H2H Scholastic Awards recipient