A romance story idea with a summer theme?

I'm a writer and have never read Sarah Dessen. Maybe the judges of your contest haven't either. Just copy one of her books and submit it as yours.

If this is for a contest, I wouldn't be asking the general public for ideas. For all you know, I could give you the exact plot for another famous novel that's already been written and you'll look like the fool when your entry is disqualified for plagiarism. And if you win, well, you would owe me credit for my brilliant story idea, wouldn't you? Write a story that is all YOU. Write the story YOU want to read.

Just spend some time thinking about it. Ask your friends and family what is the sweetest love story they have ever heard. Older people especially know a lot of truly inspiring love stories, mostly because they've been around a lot longer than a teenager.

You might also want to focus on WHO your characters are. That's what drives a romance story. We have to believe that the people in the story love each other and deserve to be loved in return, despite their flaws. Love stories are about two people learning to be better human beings so they can become part of a team. They don't have to be perfect, but they do have to be believable. If you know WHO they are, then you will know HOW they will react to a situation. A shy teenager who has social anxiety will react very differently in a situation than a shy teenager who is just an introvert but very self-confident.

Good luck!

I've never read Sara Dessen either, so David's idea sounds the best.

How about a girl comes the town to stay with her aunt and grandmother after her parents die and she falls in love with the neighbors rebellious son whom her grandmother dislikes but her aunt likes. After he saves her from the local drunks and she later befriends him and discovers is just a misguided kid with a good heart and later the both fall for each other.