I Want More – The Story Behind the Story, I Am Me

November 11, 2019

When an author writes a novel, they make up the characters and the story, but the character, setting, story arc doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. There is usually a story behind the story. Often several little stories, which an author tweaks and cobbles together to mold into the main character or the supporting characters. Sometimes they will set their story in a real place. Other times they will create a fictional place that has aspects of places they’ve visited or lived.

In my series, The Story Behind the Story, I will share some of the stories behind my stories. Though I have never outright written a person I know into a book, I have definitely been influenced by those who have crossed my path, as well as places I’ve visited or even simply passed through throughout the many years I’ve been on this earth. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments. I love, love, love to talk books or hear moments of your own life it might remind you of.

I Want More – The Story Behind the Story, I Am Me

Have you ever had a song’s story stay with you? It’s no secret I love a good story, even when it’s set to music. One such story that has resonated with me since I first heard it is Everything from the A Star is Born (1976) soundtrack. I was only eleven when the movie came out, but I had a sixteen and seventeen year old sister, so the soundtrack was on repeat in our house. In no time at all I’d memorized the words to every song on the album. Everything was one of my favorites because of the story it told and it was a song I would sing (often for no reason at all) to myself as the years (and years) progressed.

“I’d like to plan a city. And play the cello. Play at Monte Carlo. Play Othello.

Move into the White House. Paint it Yellow. Speak Portuguese and Dutch. And if it’s not too much,

I’d like to have the perfect twin. One who went out as I came in.

I’d like to grab the big brass ring.

Then I’d have everything.

Everything.”

However, my favorite line of the song is near the beginning.

“I don’t want much. I just want more.”

That was a theme that remained true no matter what stage of life I’ve been in. I’ve earned a better than average wage and still strived for more. I’ve scraped for our next meal and (obviously) wanted more. It’s human nature to want more. That’s how we continue to invent, cure, improve.

At some point those song lyrics started to tap me on the shoulder and wave their little hands in the air. I’d give them a glance, often cock a brow, and ask, “What?” It took me a while before I realized that the song I’d known most of my life could develop into a story idea.

“I don’t want much. I just want more.”

Who wouldn’t want much? Someone who lives a life of privilege.

What more could she possibly want? She might not even know.

That’s when I started to develop Lola Renaldi. I gave her a lot to start with. I made her a little humble, because it would be too easy for readers to not like her just because she starts out with everything. I set her at odds with her parents. I gave her a close, but messed up best friend, and then I gave her the boy she always wanted. She truly had everything. But she meets Rodney, a boy who clearly doesn’t have everything, who is pretty closed mouthed about his life. Yet, he slowly reveals that what he has is worth far more than everything that Lola has.

It's easy to have everything when your definition is shallow and encompassing. It’s much harder to have everything when you have to work hard for it. Earn it each and every day.

I Am Me is an emotional story, but Lola is a strong main character who learns and grows, loves and appreciates, both what she has, and what she can give.

I Am Me was rated by students in the UK as a finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf book awards. It is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook. If you want more out of a story, pick up a copy. You can find the links on my website: https://www.kaistrand.com/p/books-by-kai.html