The YA Book Club discussion

I'm about to take a class through Writer's Digest University on outlining, so I have to start outlining my next book soon. I want to write from the best idea, the one that's the most conceptual. Which of these four appeals to you the most, and why? (They are all YA Contemporary Romances) Thank you very much for your input! And feel free to be brutally honest! It can only help :)

Also, these are all in very early stages of the idea, so if you have anything you suggest I change, or anything you think would fit well with the story, please do so! I appreciate all the help I can get!

1: Cass loves Christmas, but she's lived in Florida all her life, so she's never seen snow. When she finds out that one of her neighbors, Jeremiah, is going on a road trip to New York to spend Christmas with his brother, she tags along, telling her parents she's staying with a friend only an hour away from home. Cass thinks this is the perfect opportunity to get her first white Christmas. On the way to New York, Cass and Jeremiah can't deny the attraction between them, but when Cass finds out that Jeremiah's brother—the one they're on their way to visit—is the guy who broke her heart last summer, she's not so sure this is a good idea anymore. Not to mention the fact that there's no way she can keep this secret from her parents for long...

2: Norah's dad has early-onset Alzheimer's. She can't bear to watch him slowly die, becoming an unrecognizable version of the dad she was once so close to, so she buys a plane ticket to London, leaving her dad in the hands of her stepmother. She hopes to track down her elusive birth mother overseas and let her know her ex-husband is dying. Maybe she'll even understand Norah in a way her stepmother has never been able to. Armed with her video camera—Norah is intent on documenting everything so she doesn't ever forget like her dad does—she heads on an adventure that turns out nothing like she expects. She meets a guy named Sterling on the plane, and their similar adventures soon merge. Norah doesn't think she can handle a romance right now, but fate may have other plans for her.

3: Rose is sick of everyone treating her differently since her diagnosis. With only a few short months left to live, she doesn't want to be treated like some delicate flower, despite her name. So, when she meets a guy named Ted at a party who’s running away from home, she decides to tag along, since he’s the one person who doesn’t know about her shortened timeline. The two of them head out on an incredible secret road trip with a mission to see as many states as they can before they're caught and sent back to their respective homes. But, the closer they get, the harder it is for Rose to keep her secret. (Not sure yet what disease she has—any suggestions?)

4: The summer before college starts, Nick goes on a study abroad program to London with his best friend, Benny. Nick's long-time girlfriend, Journey, has just broken up with him, and he's eager for an escape from everything that reminds him of her. He never expects to find someone so soon after the breakup, but when he gets to London, he recognizes one of the actors in a theater performance his class sees; years ago, Nick visited London with his family, and he had a crush on a red-headed actress in a play they saw. Nick can't believe he's found her again. Maybe she can help him forget all about Journey.

DEFINITELY 3!!!! Although, admittedly it does seem like the fault in our stars crossed with paper towns a little bit, so make sure to keep it original with fresh and dark twists. As for the illness, cancer is a bit too common, so research ones that aren't well known so that readers become aware.

Thanks, Trinity! What's appealing about that story to you?

I don't know, it just seems more deep and original. This feels like a story that would have a lot of meaning, and could give voice to a disease.

NUMBER THREE!! It sounds like a very meaningful story. Go for it.

Number 3 catches my attention the most. Although they all sound good.

I think that out of all 4 ideas, the third one has the most depth. You know as well as I do that this idea had been retold a handful of times and is not original in and by itself. Also, I think there's a possibility to make the story even more meaningful.

You could think of a scenario like this:

Rose feels more confused than ever since she visited the hospital. From a young age, she had difficulty swallowing, and once others had noticed she was often treated differently, and felt alienated. The doctor had told her that there was nothing wrong with her, but that he was still concerned. He was going to give her more detailed results of the examination but he told her there's no need to worry. Eventually she'll meet someone called Aran. He's from Asia and is planning to go back to his land of heritage. Aran is the only one who's been treating her like a decent human being since they met, and she decides that she'll meet him there. When they are there, a romance starts to evolve, as Aran is opening himself up to Rose about how he perceives the world, and they find similarities. Only there's one problem... there is a tumor growing in her lungs, and she is getting worried. She's been there now for 2 years and has been exposed to polluted air everyday. Aran suspects there is something going on with her, but what?

I hope the above was helpful and that it might give you new ideas.

I like 1 and 3. Both have a great premise. 1 sounds like it can be fun, light and bubbly with the right development. On the other hand, like others would have mentioned before, 3 could be deep and meaningful. Both appeals to me on different levels. Some days I want to read something that it is fun and light and other times I would want a book with depth. So that depends on my mood. But like I said both are great ideas, best wishes writing!

I think third idea is really good and I think that the illness could be something that isn't well known so that readers will be more aware

Since more people are suddenly commenting on this and liking #3 (yay!) I'll go ahead and let you know that that's the idea I chose to write! And her disease is Huntington's disease!

Either 3 or 4

First one is so appealing. It sounds so adventurous and daring.
I am pretty sure it could be a real page turner. Out of all four ideas first one sounds most unique.