My Addiction to Teen Ink | Teen Ink

My Addiction to Teen Ink

November 4, 2014
By Dream2000 BRONZE, Greenwood, South Carolina
Dream2000 BRONZE, Greenwood, South Carolina
4 articles 2 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
Believe you can and you&#039;re halfway there<br /> ~Theodore Roosevelt


Teen Ink is one of my addictions, a pretty strong one I might add. I joined Teen Ink a little over two months ago. I remember the day very vividly. I was sitting on my bed searching through the Internet when I recalled a conversation I had with a friend. We were discussing our C.V.s, and she introduced the topic of how she was a member of a literary magazine for teenagers known as Teen Ink. As a total math and science nerd, I never thought I would join Teen Ink until that night when I decided to look it up. I texted my friend and asked her for the name of the magazine, and she replied, “Teen Ink.” I searched for the website, and when I found it, I decided to try it out and become a member. As soon as I logged on, I submitted my first writing, “Sacrifice.” It was a short story that I worked on for school for about two weeks. I genuinely enjoyed composing “Sacrifice,” but I never thought I would be posting it anywhere. I remember waiting for a few days for the Teen Ink editors to approve it, and when it finally went up, I was surprisingly ecstatic. Although I was aware that many might not see it, I was still excited that my work could be visible to many others. Later in the day, I received another email stating that my short story had been rated Number One for the day. Although this might not have been huge to some, I was ebullient.  Since that day, I check Teen Ink everyday to read other articles and find inspiration for new stories.
One day while on Teen Ink, I noticed link labeled “Forums.” I clicked on it, and discovered Teen Ink Forums, and then appeared my first source of addiction. Within the Forums, I saw a link for Collaboration Stories. Collaboration sounded like a good idea, so I opened it up and searched for a story to continue. I found some and started writing. It’s unbelievable how many ideas flow out of my head when I am trying to continue someone’s story. I also started my own stories for others to continue, and ever since, I have loved creating stories with other Teen Ink members. I feel so happy when I get replies from people who expand on my stories and create new plot lines or add plot twists. I love to watch my characters develop throughout the collaboration—when a character who I assumed would be a criminal suddenly becomes a sympathetic, passionate character. Although sometimes the story may not progress with the plot I expected, the new plot is usually very appealing. Overall, Collaboration Stories delineate my attachment.
Along with Collaboration Stories, another source of my addiction is Teen Ink Chat. I’ve always noticed the Teen Ink Chat box in the bottom right corner, but I was a little skeptical about it at first. However, one evening, I opened up the chat to see what it was, but I did not immediately start chatting. First, I observed other conversations and examined them for anything suspicious and then realized that the conversations seemed pretty normal, so I entered one. That moment, my level of addiction skyrocketed. I started chatting every day, meeting new people and learning new characteristics about others around the world. I discovered people who share the same likings as I do. I found others who swim and others of the same nationality. I made new friends that I never thought I would meet. The feelings I get from being on Teen Ink are unexplainable. I never thought I would enjoy writing, but Teen Ink has motivated me to write more. I am grateful for the creation of Teen Ink.


The author's comments:

I wrote this piece in honor of my addiction to Teen Ink. I love being on Teen Ink with a strong passion, and I feel that many other teens also feel the same way. I am very happy that I found Teen Ink, and I hope to make something out of my experience on here.


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This article has 7 comments.


on Sep. 15 2021 at 11:02 am
Crazywolfiegirl2 PLATINUM, Kington, Other
26 articles 3 photos 284 comments

Favorite Quote:
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. —Rachel Carson

Oh that's sad, also I didn't notice that this was written in 2014, I really don't notice things like that 😂 thanks for answering

Lydiaq ELITE said...
on Sep. 14 2021 at 8:47 pm
Lydiaq ELITE, Somonauk, Illinois
179 articles 54 photos 1026 comments

Favorite Quote:
The universe must be a teenage girl. So much darkness, so many stars.<br /> --me

@Crazywolfiegirl2 , the forums closed, a casualty of covid-19, I'm not exactly sure how. They're not there anymore. Pretty sad. (Also, I don't think the writer of this article will answer; it's been seven years.)

on Sep. 14 2021 at 12:06 pm
Crazywolfiegirl2 PLATINUM, Kington, Other
26 articles 3 photos 284 comments

Favorite Quote:
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. —Rachel Carson

I remember having these exact feelings and I started teenink... And I still do sometimes. This was compassionately written, and very relatable. Also, just wondering, where did u find the "forum" link? It sounds interesting, maybe I'll check it out.

on Dec. 19 2014 at 11:34 pm
Dream2000 BRONZE, Greenwood, South Carolina
4 articles 2 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
Believe you can and you&#039;re halfway there<br /> ~Theodore Roosevelt

Thank you so much! I was hoping that people would relate to this piece! Teen Ink has become my safe haven now because I feel that I can let my ideas flow when I'm writing and posting here! It was actually a little challenging putting my thoughts into words because I had so many I wanted to express about Teen Ink. Again, thank you for commenting and for the feedback!

on Dec. 11 2014 at 10:18 pm
Crystallite BRONZE, Santa Elena, Other
2 articles 2 photos 347 comments
my thoughts exactly. nice  job putting your thoughts into words. this is just  an awesome piece. its written with such beatuy and enthusiasm that if i wasnt already a member, your piece would encourage and entise me to join teen ink. I am sure what you wrote is also a universal feeling because what you described here in your article was very relatable to the moment when i joined the site. But before i stray away from what is really important here, i must say again that i enjoyed reading your piece which is beautifully written, truthful and some what inspiring for all.

on Nov. 13 2014 at 8:22 pm
Dream2000 BRONZE, Greenwood, South Carolina
4 articles 2 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
Believe you can and you&#039;re halfway there<br /> ~Theodore Roosevelt

Thank you so much!! I agree with you, we all do belong here! Teen Ink is awesome!

on Nov. 13 2014 at 12:11 pm
authoress17 SILVER, Evans City, Pennsylvania
9 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If there is no such thing as magic...then what is writing?.&quot;-authoress17 (me)

I agree wholeheartedly. I have a major addiction to teenink. It's as if I belong here, with all the writers. I suppose we all do. Thnaks for posting this and congratulations on your short story being rated #1. Don't say it's not a big deal, because it is. Celebrate you and your writing!