Coming up with an idea

1. The Hook: Start with a Relatable Crisis

The opening scene should feel like the reader just stumbled into the middle of something urgent and deeply personal. Young adults connect best with real-world emotions, so start with an inner conflict or a situation they can imagine themselves in.

Example:

"By the time Mia reached the corner of Maple and 7th, she knew she was too late. The bus—and her shot at the championship game—was gone. What she didn’t know was how to tell her dad she’d blown the one thing he’d been proud of her for all year."

This immediately raises questions:

• Why is the game important?

• Why does her father’s opinion matter so much?

• What will she do now?

2. The Journey: Exploring Identity and Choices

The heart of the story should explore themes YA readers wrestle with:

• Belonging vs. independence

• Fear of failure vs. self-discovery

• Friendship, first love, family pressure, or finding one’s voice

This section should feel like a mirror, showing readers pieces of their own lives through the main character’s choices.

Essay-style narration works beautifully here because it lets the narrator reflect while telling the story, almost like a friend confiding in the reader. For instance:

"The thing about disappointment is, you never feel it in the moment. You feel it later, like a bruise you didn’t notice at first. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to win until I’d already lost."

This keeps the tone intimate and thoughtful while still moving the plot forward.

3. The Twist: Perspective Shift

To captivate and surprise, give the reader a perspective shift that reframes everything. This could be a plot twist or an emotional realization.

Examples:

• The strict parent turns out to be protecting the protagonist from their own past mistake.

• The “villain” was actually struggling with something unseen.

• The main character realizes their true worth isn’t tied to external validation.

This moment is crucial because it deepens the emotional payoff. It tells the reader: “You didn’t just read a story; you learned something about yourself.”

4. The Resolution: Leave Them Feeling Good

End with a hopeful, empowering note. The protagonist doesn’t need to “win,” but they should grow. YA readers want to feel like the time they invested in your story helped them make sense of their own messy, beautiful lives.

Example ending:

"I didn’t win the game, but I showed up for myself. And maybe, for now, that’s enough. Funny thing is, Dad didn’t even mention the score. He just asked me if I wanted ice cream. I said yes, and for the first time all week, it felt like I’d made the right call."

This gives readers a sense of relief and closure, inspiring them to face their own challenges with resilience.

Theme Suggestions That Stick

Here are a few themes that resonate deeply with YA audiences:

• Identity & Self-Worth: A teen realizing they don’t need to be perfect to be loved.

• Forgiveness: Letting go of resentment toward a parent, friend, or even oneself.

• Belonging: Finding where you truly fit—whether in a friend group, team, or family.

• Second Chances: Understanding that mistakes don’t define your future.

For a 20-minute read, focus on one of these themes and weave it tightly into every scene.

Final Structure:

• Opening (Hook) – 2-3 minutes: Immediate problem + emotional stakes

• Rising Action (Journey) – 8-10 minutes: Choices, complications, and self-discovery

• Climax (Perspective Shift) – 3-4 minutes: Big reveal or emotional turning point

• Resolution (Release) – 3 minutes: Growth and hopeful closure