Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

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 – Th...

Though I haven't published any new books this year, I have been busy boosting my library of audiobooks. Here is what I have available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes under both my pseudonyms: The Weaver Tales series by Kai Strand The Weaver Finalist in the 2012 EPIC Ebook Awards and the 2012 Global Ebook Awards In a town of word weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish. But instead of weaving a better story, she's weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales. The Wishing Well Molly Minstrel is treated worse than Cinderella by her mom and sisters. When Molly meets the magical creature, Unwanted, she wishes her problems away. However, you must first understand what you need before knowing what to ask for. Molly will have to look within for the solution to her troubles.  The Lumpy Duckling Lumpy may be hefty with a misshap...

I have no idea why Amazon does this, but who am I to question the great marketing machine? They've marked the print version of I AM ME down significantly! It's less than the Kindle version. If you have Prime with free shipping, you won't even have to pay shipping! Hey, the holidays are coming. Surely you know a teen or two. Teachers need books for their classrooms. Librarians always need new material. There a plenty of adults who read young adult....at this price, stock up!!! Buy from Amazon now I haven't checked my other titles, that one just caught my eye and I had to pass it along. Everybody loves a deal.  Happy reading! Speaking of cheap reads, it doesn't get any cheaper than FREE! Sign up for my newsletter to get free and discounted books. www.kaistrand.com

When a book idea strikes, I usually make note of it in my book ideas document. I jot down the key points in order to remember what the heck I was thinking was so great about the idea when I return to it later. And I do return to it. When I’m ready to start a new book, if there isn’t a story nagging at me, or if I’m not about to start the next in a series, then I open my book ideas document and skim the ideas to see which one stimulates my creativity. After I’ve chosen, I go about fashioning it into what I hope is a book length idea. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for a great idea to only support a novella or short story length idea. That’s always very sad. How do I fashion a novel length idea out of a couple simple thoughts? Exaggeration. I take the average idea and see where exaggeration will add interest. In my newest book, I Am Me , I felt that putting people together from two completely different social standings added to the interest. Lola’s family is w...