Which of these novel plots is better? A little input...?

Question

Ok. I am a writer working on a novel for teens. But in the middle of my book (35,000 words in) I hit a road block. I am starting to doubt myself and my ability in writing. I'm starting to get new ideas and I can't decide which to go with. I am entering one in a few novel contests (my friends have actually won a few, and one is a published author now) soon and I can't decide which to go with. This is perhaps the biggest decision in my writing career and I need a good one. So, which of these is best (I am writing a book for teens). Also, tell me if you think any of these are publishable:

1. A teen comes home to his apartment in downtown LA one day and sees some thing is wrong immediately. His dad is home, having just lost his job. Soon, his friends start abandoning him and his family is falling apart (leading to divorce). In a few months, if no job offers come the dad's way, the family could be homeless. The main character's sister and mom take low level jobs and the dad desperately searches for opportunities. It is summer, though, so the main character doesn't have to worry about school. He tries to get a job, but no one will listen. But the main character is actually a prodigy at basketball. His parents don't agree with this (they are Asian) and want him to study hard during the summer. He starts playing basketball as an outlet from the tough times, and a scout sees his talent. The scout urges him to enter in a local one on one tournament, and as he climbs up the ladder heading for nationals the tension builds. He finds out his sister has been abused at work, and his dad has been drinking heavily. He also finds out the scout/coach has been setting him up in a match fixing scandal for money in the tournament, and he (the teen) could make surefire money if he throws the games on purpose. But the teen wants the money for his family (who want him to throw the game), and with the final game hanging in the balance, what will he do?

OR

2. A teen's father works as a high ranking official in the Los Angeles Laker's operations office. So, one day, before a game in which the teen gets free tickets to, he sees his own dad among a group of executives making a deal for the playoffs to be thrown for money. Torn between whether or not to go with family values or do the right thing, the teen embarks on a dangerous quest to discover the truth, encountering gangs, drugs, betrayal, suspense, all that stuff.

OR

3. A teen and his older sister are embarking on a trip to China after his eighth grade graduation. At their grandma's house, the boy sees his late grandpa's old diary, from when he served in the communist army. Readin it, he discovers that his grandpa was part of a secret group of elite soldiers. This group was set on discovering secret ways for the Chinese to gain an edge on Western powers. The legend his grandpa was set to explore was one that involved a quest throughout China (not unlike the one he and his sister are on) to find all the keys to unlock an ancient civilization where the citizens lived near a lake that supplied them with eternal life. They retrace the grandpa's footsteps to see if they can find out more, but they realize that they aren't the only ones seeking the truth...

So... I know they all are pretty bad, but if you had to choose one to read, which would it be? Also, give me some input on whether or not you think any of these have potential to be published or win any contests. Thanks! I appreciate taking time out of your day to look at these lame plots.

Answer 1

I'd say the first or the last one. I think that if any of yours stories were to be published, it would be the first one. I personally like the last one because I like that kind of stuff, but it sounds like a cross between Atlantis and Indiana Jones. But hey, I'd probably read it.

Be careful not to have too much conflict that it becomes unrealistic. In the first story, it seems like a lot: his dad loses his job, the parents get divorced, and then the family has to start scrounging for jobs. It gets even more over-packed when you add in the father's alcoholism, the sister's abuse, and the coach's gambling. There is just too much to make this seem realistic, and you would have a tough time resolving it all, if that is your goal.

Make sure you develop your main character fully. Make the people understand his internal conflict. Make sure you keep the readers reminded of the family's Asian heritage--give them Asian names, make them eat Asian food, etc. You can't just all of the sudden be like, "Wait! This family is Asian, thus the conflict!" You have to lead up to it.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

In 1. I like it the story in its general position, but you did not say how he would help his sister being abused and his dads drinking. Is that just there? or will it be a big part?

In 2. I honestly don't like at all, seems to generic.

In 3. I love the fiction mystery kinda deal, kinda like national treasure.



I think if you put time into all these that number three would do the best in my opinion. It seems like you have a trend going on here with the asian culture and a teen boy, which is a good thing to see since a lot of new writers (like myself) write a lot of random stuff not trying to work on the stuff that they might be good at. So if I had to choose my last book ever out of these three summaries, I would go with 3

Answer 4

1. Too cliche, too depressing.



2. Good, but you need to develop it more. What drugs, betrayal could arise from this unfair dealing. Sounds too illogical and unrealistic.



I personally like the last plot. It has mystery and lots of potential. :)



By the way, you should not expose your plots on the internet; so many bad people. If you feel confident in your writing abilities and your plot - don't be afraid. JK Rowling received many rejections, but look who's laughing all the way to the bank now. Ha!