If I were authoring “The Story of my Life”,
I’d create a story about a Life that made a Difference
Imagine that this life I’m living was the story of my real life. And that I could only have one life, so it was important to make it a good story. Imagine I was the main character in my story, and this was the only character whose story I could write. What would I want the character to do?
I’d want the character of the story to make a real difference
I’d want him to make a big impact. I’d want him to solve a real problem, a big problem, if there was one. In fact, that sounds like the story I’ve written. About 35 years ago I found a profession as a problem solver. And I loved it when my work made a difference. But it wasn’t a huge difference. For years I was stymied by lack of opportunity to make a big difference.
A few years ago I saw one. I was careful and studied it and looked at it from all angles. I talked to lots of people about it. I looked for backing and a team and funding. I found almost none of them. But it still looks like a phenomenal opportunity for our country and the world. For humanity. And not pursuing it seemed, and seems, cowardly. I didn’t want to write a story about a coward…
What should the character be like?
When I was a kid, Rand had serious rejection issues. To pursue PeopleCount, I realized Rand would have lots and lots of rejection. So I wrote into the story that Rand got over that. It was tough- he didn’t get over it completely. But he always kept going.
I decided the character would discern between fear and danger. He’d keep going despite lots of fear. But he’d go carefully, or as carefully as he could. And he’d distinguish myth from truth. Where other’s see the truth about politics, he realizes they’re all myths. When people say that their cynical attitudes are realistic, he’d know that cynicism and realism are different, as few people do.
He’d be committed to a Higher Truth
I wanted the character to be committed to a higher truth. Almost all the truths people “know” are myths- most of them conflict with other’s myths. But it’s true that we’re human, that we’re limited. It’s true that the truth we see is just the truth we know how to see. It’s true that we’re arrogant and prideful, that we know just partial truth yet are often self-righteous.
And I decided that the character wouldn’t take it personally. If he took it personally, the story would end up being a psychodrama- not a part I want to play, nor helpful for making the difference he wants to make.
I wrote him into situations that many think are delusional. But I make that okay with him. He’d take it in stride and with good humor. It’s just another head trip, not worth ruining the story over. (And he truly wishes others didn’t have to believe it at times- but they’re writing their own characters…)