An Abundance of Jordans

While brainstorming ideas for stories, I often take things from my own life, mix them with things that happened to friends, then blow things way out of proportion. A lot of YA writers first look to the news for ideas and end up with something ripped straight from the headlines.

Another common source of inspiration is classic literature, which is then reimagined for today's teen audience. For example, even though it isn't a novel, the soon-to-be-released Easy A is basically a YA version of The Scarlet Letter. (And I kick myself daily that I didn't think of it first!)

But most YA writers who use other literary sources for inspiration forget to turn around and look in the opposite direction. Instead of looking toward adult books for inspiration, why not dig through the stacks of the children's library and reimagine one of those books with a cast of teenagers pulling us through the story?

For example...

While I don't think John Green got the idea for his Printz-honor winning novel from a picture book, he could have. And so can you!

Released in 2006:

From the jacketflap:
When it comes to relationships,
Colin Singleton's type is girls name Katherine.
And when it comes to girls named Katherine,
Colin is always getting dumped.
Nineteen times, to be exact.

Released in 2004:

From the jacketflap:
How many names do you think there are in the universe?
Thousands? Millions?
Probably even billions.
So why does there have to be
four boys named Jordan in Elizabeth's class?
Just to make her crazy, I think.