A social platform for published teen writers.

WRITE WHERE YOU BELONG .

WRITE WHERE YOU BELONG .

FIRST PLACE WINNER

Grade: 10th
School: Bellarmine High School
Hobbies/Interests: Swimming, Coding, Volunteering
Why I write: My favorite thing about writing is if your writing is good enough people will read through your essays and consider your opinion. Whenever I write about a topic, I learn new information through my research. Additionally, whatever I write will always be my own ideas. This means I can treat a topic like no one else has or write about something new. Writing about something new means that there are no constraints and I can write about anything I want.
First Place Article: “The Hidden Problems of Farmers Markets“

Grade: 8th
School: Bernal Intermediate School
Hobbies/Interests: Rubik’s Cube, Swimming, Math
Why I write: I wish for the best when it comes to my country, which is why I have a question. What do a fantasy book, chess, a Rubik’s cube, and math have in common? For me, it's a branch of my life to depict images, explore challenges, learn, and improve. That’s how I think when I write, and how I hope I can help others. Everything has technique, practice, and dedication, something I work my hardest for and writing is no different. I always plan to have anything I make be great, so in the future, I am able to say, “I dedicated my life to this, and hope to pass this on to others.” That is why I love to write.
Featured Article: “Celebrating Bay Area Asian Cuisine”

Grade: 11th
School: Leland High School
Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, Biology, Singing, Tutoring/Teaching, Healthcare
Why I write: I write to deepen my understanding of the world, enhance my analytical skills, and learn how to be a powerful writer that speaks for change. Writing is an essential life skill, allowing us to convey thoughts and opinions clearly to communicate efficiently and effectively. I value the importance of building upon this skill and do my best to improve my proficiency as a writer.
Featured Article: “Left Behind in Healthcare”

SECOND PLACE WINNER

Grade: 9th
School: Leigh High School
Hobbies/Interests: Digital animation, Taekwondo, Computer systems/Coding
Why I write: When I design and build my own world, the feedback I get from peers, which provides me with a fresh perspective on my project, is the one thing I am seeking most. Every single time I find a viewpoint that I've never considered, I feel a great joy. How did they get to their point? Also, reading others' writings inspires me. It brings me a competitive spirit and motivates me to write articles that surpass them.
Second Place Article: “The End of the Golden Age”

Grade: 10th
School: Summit Tahoma High School
Hobbies/Interests: Drawing, Running, Swimming
Why I write: I write because I like to share my opinion and learn about things I didn't know by researching. I think that being a writer is good for me because I can express how I feel. It is also good because I can be creative and write whatever and as much as I want. 
Currently working on: “Appreciating People in Your Life”

Grade: 8th
School: Union Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Drawing, Writing, Braiding, Dancing
Why I write: I write so that I can pour out all my emotions, so that I can express myself to others, similar to dancing or illustrating. Writing has a freeing way of letting yourself be whoever you want to without the limits of reality. Imagination is the only power we have against this cruel and unfair world, against real life. I can create entire worlds and all sorts of different people. I get to make the incredibly risky and bad idea work and feel a sense of satisfaction and happiness for these characters knowing that they would never experience the utter despair and heartbreak.
Featured Article: “Do You Ever Feel Lonely?”

Grade: 7th
School: Lawson Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Guitar, Visual Art, Volleyball
Why I write: Writing isn’t just putting words on a piece of paper. These “words” make up a grand symphony. It expresses emotions, feelings. The greatest delights and the darkest despair. The ability to leave the reader on the edge of their chair, waiting for more. Descriptions and colors dance together to create a magical, beautiful scenery. It fascinates me how you can create an entire world and story for the reader to be lost in. To lead this great symphony, there must be a conductor, the writer.
Featured Article: “Romanticize School for Straight A’s”

Grade: 10th
School: Wheatley School
Hobbies/Interests: Wrestling, Reading, Cars
Why I write:  I write because it is a necessity in the world, an important skill in the workforce. I also write because I enjoy writing. It allows me to connect with people on a deeper level, and helps me understand my own self in times of self-doubt. Moreover, I write because I want to challenge myself into becoming the best writer I can be. Writing allows me to expand and raise my knowledge, and that makes it an integral part of my life.
Featured Article: “How Far Will Notre Dame Go in the Playoffs?”

Grade: 8th
School: Venture Christian Academy
Hobbies/Interests: Reading Fantasy, Dance, Hanging out with Friends
Why I write:   I write to let the worlds inside me escape, to let my fantasies become real to my readers, if only for a moment. But mostly, I write for them to become real to me. I write because I am filled with stories of tragedy and magic and love, because those stories deserve a shot to be read. I write because I love to read and I dream of becoming an author, so that someone can find my world too.
Featured Article: “Read Any Good Books Lately?”

Grade: 7th
School: Stratford Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, Video Games, Playing with Friends
Why I write:  I write because I want to learn to become a better writer. When I am writing for an assignment at school, I often find myself struggling because I feel like I phrased some words wrong or that my writing feels choppy and repetitive. While writing, I can also learn new things while researching and learn new ways to make my writing interesting.
Featured Article: “Is Life Truly Better with a Dog?”

Grade: 10th
School: Design Tech High School
Hobbies/Interests: Swimming, Mechanical activities, Video Games
Why I write:  I somewhat despise writing. Unfortunately, throughout my life the only writing I've really done were things like required school assignments, etc. I have never thought of writing just “for fun” as it always seems like a boring school activity and nothing else. I write just for good grades, which is awful, so I'm here now to change and hopefully find happiness in writing.
Featured Article: “The New Age of Cell Phone Bans”

FIRST PLACE WINNER

Grade: 8th
School: Castillero Middle School & Korean International School
Hobbies/Interests: Watching Netflix, Crocheting, Drawing, Painting, Reading
Why I write:  I write not only because it’s a necessity for school, but as a way for me to express myself. My thoughts, feelings, and ideas in my writing show who I am and what I’m interested in. Putting my thoughts into words allows me to have a better understanding of myself, and it is a great way to create goals that benefit me and others around me. Writing is also a way to communicate my ideas to others and strive for a change in my environment, or even the world. Whether it is argumentative, persuasive, narrative, or just journal writing for myself, I believe that writing has many benefits that will change my future.
First Place Article: “Crossing the Golden Gate”

Grade: 7th
School: Ralston Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, Soccer, Art
Why I write: Blood, sweat, tears. This is the way that life goes, and the same goes with writing. You work as hard as possible 100% every time to make this essay, story, or argument perfect. That's my approach to life and writing. I write because it is an art I have not yet mastered. Writing is a way to get a message out into this world. I want to take my part in leading this world to a brighter future. Practice makes perfect. Michael Jordan, Messi, Tom Brady, etc., were beginners. I might not be the greatest writer now but with practice, I can implant my visions for the world in others.
Featured Article: “Stories from the Bay Area Streets”

SECOND PLACE WINNER

Grade: 7th
School: Taylor Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Dancing, Baking, Spending time with Friends
Why I write: Why do I sit in front of my computer alone for hours trying to perfect an essay when I love physical movement and hanging out with others? This is because I enjoy expressing myself as an artist in various ways. I love the art of being able to use your body to send expressive and purposeful messages to the audience. In dance, you use your body to create shapes that tell a story using emotion and technique through movement. However, in writing, I get to express myself with words which gives me another way to show everyone who I am. I write because it gives me a chance to express myself using my abilities to be creative and send a forceful message to readers.
Second Place Article: “Unleashing Bay Area Performance Arts”

Grade: 8th
School: Bret Harte Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Theatre Arts, Digital Art, Pet Sitting
Why I write: I’m a writer because when I write I can escape from all the stress from homework, worksheets, and projects. Writing makes me feel separated from the real world and it opens a new world of imagination where I can express everything. When I write, it’s like the same process as creating a gigantic ever-growing photo album. I imagine a lot of interesting ideas and writing is the only area where I can store the ideas and make it a complete “photo” for the album. Now come and join me and let’s create new “photos” together.
Featured Article: “How Bay Area Zoos Benefit Humans and Animals”

Grade: 7th
School: Union Middle School
Hobbies/Interests: Violin, Tennis, Hanging out with friends
Why I write: I write because it gives me a chance to write amazing and very crazy stories. I enjoy writing, and I just let myself keep going with a story to see how I make it. Many times I usually love to do creative writing because of how random you can make it with your imagination!
Currently working on: “Will AI Take Over Someday?”

  • “For the past 4 years, Linnea has helped me improve my writing skills and find my voice as a writer. Beyond providing feedback and guidance on school assignments, she always has perfect exercises for specific areas I want to focus on. I’m so grateful for her kind and bubbly personality, and her evident love for teaching!”

    Hailey, student

  • “Linnea is the best tutor I have met in my 18-year parenthood for my kids. She is a good listener, a great teacher, and a wonderful mentor. I am sure she is a good role model for teenagers. She helped everything my son and I asked for help like WAP, AP Lang, SAT, summer camp search and essays, a writing competition, etc. Especially her flexibility is so helpful in accommodating my son's busy extracurricular activities. I am 100 % satisfied with her!”

    Sang, parent

  • “My daughter had the pleasure of taking class at Quest California Tutoring, and I must say it was a truly enriching experience. The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about writing, and it showed in every lesson. I would highly recommend this writing class to anyone looking to hone their writing skills and cultivate their creativity. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, you're sure to find something valuable in this course.”

    Michelle, parent

  • “As an English learner who speaks different language at home, my kid was doing ok with reading, but has been struggling with writing. It's been 8 months since the first lesson and I can't thank enough to Ms. Fleming. My kid's writing skill improved greatly and started getting great grade at school in the Language Art Class. My kid became more interested and more confident in writing. Most of all, she enjoys lessons with Ms. Fleming!”

    Jinny, parent

  • “Linnea is a one of a kind teacher. When it comes to teaching, she is always so enthusiastic and encouraging as her personalized curriculum helps her students excel at English. She is very flexible when it comes to scheduling lessons and is always willing to help with writing both inside and outside of class time. My English has vastly improved under her guidance and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher.”

    Ian, student

  • “Having been taught by my Linnea for several years, I can confidently say that she is extremely passionate about teaching, academic material, and engaging with students. I was in need of her lessons before my SAT, and improved tremendously through constant guidance. I would recommend her to students who wish to improve their reading and writing skills and those who take an interest in philosophy, classic literature, understanding texts, or just reading books.”

    Jeremy, student

  • “I have tried different English academies prior to working with Linnea, but never saw an improvement in my writing. In the past two years, she has taught me how to identify and make proper use of different sentence structures and helped me improve with the flow and structure of my writing. None of my teachers truly explained anything as thoroughly and in such a coherent manner. My writing would not be where it is today without her help.”

    Kruti, student

  • “Linnea was an excellent English teacher who provided help when I needed it most. She truly took the time and the care to realize what position I was in and created a very personalized and focused lesson plan for me. She went above and beyond and updated her plan after every lesson based on the changes she noticed in my patterns and scores. Her assistance helped me achieve my goals and go where I wanted to go.”

    Yuvraj, student

  • “Linnea makes me feel engaged and always compliments my work while giving constructive criticism. I feel that my writing has improved tremendously and I have picked up multiple strategies that I use in all my writing.”

    Ian, student

  • “I’ve been working with my Quest tutor for the past five years, and she has always made sure that I improve in every literary aspect. We have worked on improving my school writing, along with her creating assignments that help improve my individual skills. Overall, I had improved heavily and couldn’t be happier with her help.”

    Afeef, student

  • “Linnea is such a sweet, funny, and dedicated teacher! She brings so much positive energy everywhere she goes. Along with her amazing personality, she is also a phenomenal teacher. Working with Linnea as helped me so much with essential life skills such as organization and time management, as well as writing in general. With her help, I have been able to live a more relaxed and productive life. She is truly amazing!”

    Anoma, student

  • “AMAZING teacher! As one of Linnea’s students, I have learned so much about the art of English literature! My tutor helps me with assignments from school, and my work goes from OK to absolutely fantastic after a few edits from her. She is also a very friendly person! Never afraid to crack a joke, she keeps the mood light and happy for students to enjoy learning more. Thanks, Linnea!”

    Joseph, student

  • ”Linnea is so sweet and super easy to talk to!! She creates a warm environment and there’s no tension when discussing any topics. She has helped me with my essays for my college applications, which helped me get into the university of my choice. She also helped me on additional assignments I had in my AP English class, which boosted my grade to an A!”

    Radha, student

  • “Linnea is probably one of the best English mentors I’ve had so far! My grade in English used to be a C- and working with her we brought it up to an A. I couldn’t be more grateful for someone like her and with all the college tips I always get. I am happy I can trust someone who can always guide me to better myself for my future.”

    Aditya, student

  • “Linnea is an awesome instructor! Her lesson plan is very solid and well structured. She brings a great energy to the class. My son is greatly influenced by her energy and her thoughtfully customized lesson for him. She knows what my son needs on different time point, and adjusts her lesson accordingly. She is also easily accessible via email. I generally gets her responses within the day or so on all my emails. Thank you! You are truly awesome!”

    Sujin, parent

  • “Amazing teacher! She is very well organized and fully prepared with a wonderful curriculum for the students in different grades. I have two children in different grades who Linnea has been teaching, and their skills (and scores) in language arts have been getting a lot better. She also gave plenty of tips and advice for my son’s high school exam with her experience of teaching. She is very kind and my kids love her. Thank you!”

    Miyoung, parent

  • “Linnea is such a great teacher, I couldn’t recommend her more than enough. She assigns amazing prompts and books for students to read. She has a great attitude; she’s always smiling and asking my son if he had a good week. She’s patient, smart, and very kind. For those looking for a good teacher, Linnea an definitely meet your expectations.”

    J, parent

  • “Linnea is such a wonderful teacher and mentor to my daughter. My daughter’s English grade improved a lot since she started studying with Linnea. She has solid structured curriculum but also has flexibility to help whichever area that needs to be improved. My daughter really enjoys studying with her tutor. I strongly recommend Linnea to any students!”

    Linda, parent

  • “Linnea is a wonderful tutor! She helped me a lot when I was taking my Honors literature class. We would discuss about the themes, characters, and symbolism through each chapter. My tutor really helped me understand the novels/plays more in-depth and organize my thoughts when I was writing my essays. She is also very hardworking and spent a lot of time helping me edit my papers. I totally recommend Linnea if anyone has similar struggles!”

    Daphnee, student

  • “Best English tutor around! First time meeting with Linnea and I felt so relieved to finally find somebody that could actually help. She was so kind and extremely helpful! I struggle with college level writing and she helped me decipher incredibly difficult poetry as well as organize a well structured outline. Her passion for teaching and literature really shows. Thank you, I will most likely pass my English 1B class thanks to you!”

    Jenny, student