Spotlight on Student Writers: Terence Flanagan

Six Fox Lane High School students were recognized for their fiction and nonfiction writing talent in Bedford Free Library’s 18^th Annual School Writing Contest. We’ll be shining a light on some of their work over the next few weeks.

Junior Terence Flanagan came in second place in the fiction category. We spoke to him about his story, inspiration and writing in general.

Can you give us a summary of your piece, From Haven?

“Way out in the Pacific are three undiscovered islands, far stronger than any country on the face of this planet. They have technology beyond our beliefs— it’s like you’re living on an extraterrestrial planet!” 

While a seemingly glorious place, in reality, it isn’t. Corruption, inflation and unemployment set one of the islands, Haven, as a nation struggling to survive. So, Sock, a citizen of the island, is forced into an operation with Zill to protest the government by stealing the king's most prized possession. While it’s a form of protest, Sock is not content with it and wants a peaceful life on Shandy, a Jupiter-sized planet that's all beach and sunshine.

Will Sock be able to make it through the heist without even more regret, or will he be arrested like usual?

What was your inspiration for it?

After going through a tough and depressive year in eighth grade, I finished creating a trilogy in my head about a teen who went through the same emotional experiences as me in a Star Wars-type world. Only recently have I revisited the first story, trying to create a new introduction that kicks off the series, as the old one was sloppy and rushed.

What do you like most about writing?

What I like most about writing is the amount of creativity you let free from within yourself. As a young, growing individual, it's all about listening to others and learning to become self-sufficient. It can feel like creativity has really been left in the dust—especially with the rise of AI. Writing allows you to get your thoughts out—no matter how absurd or silly they are—and to tell a compelling story anyone can listen to. Not only that, but it is very peaceful to sit down in quiet with nothing but your thoughts and to just let them spill out onto a piece of writing for the world to see.

Read Terence’s piece here.