I'm Gone

Behind the Scenes

//Reason for this story//

Hii, I'm the author of I'm Gone, and I'm here to explain the reasoning of this story.

I wanted to change up my usual style. I typically write werewolf fiction and a few high school dramas. I decided that it would be fun to write an Italian/Polish story. I had published one chapter from one of my stories, and that was a few months ago. Only four people read it...it made me upset. Why bothering writing a story if no one was going to read it nor like it? I will write for myself because I love expressing myself through writing and being imaginative. I used google translate so I apologize if the languages were misused or incorrect.

When writing this story, I had it completely different in the beginning and decided to change it up. The first chapter was based on an actual situation, well somewhat. I live in an apartment building and I was taking out the trash, I had to climb up the stairs and go down the hall and out to the catwalk. I was carrying two bags, the one was a little heavier than the other. I was wearing regular pj pants and a camisole (if you don't know what that is, it's basically a spaghetti strap tank top).

When you walk out the catwalk, there are cement stairs you walk up and there is the upper parking lot. I didn't think there was any people up there until I saw two older guys on the other side. I had turned my back towards them and kind of walked sideways. I was scared that they would see me and make a comment about my boobs. So that's pretty much why I did that.

I moved quickly and wanted to just get out of there fast, but I was kind of struggling with the heavier bag. After throwing the garbage bags into the dumpster, in a quick walking pace I headed back towards the stairs. The one guy had called out to me, and I didn't realize he was talking to me until he called out again. I didn't bother looking towards them, I completely ignored them and quickened my pace down the cement steps. My heart was racing and as soon as I got inside, I ran down the stairs and back into my apartment. I called my friend and freaked out to her, explaining what just happened. The one guy had catcalled me, saying hey baby and hey little lady.

I am still a bit scared when I go to take out the trash. I played so many scenarios about it in my head, like what if they approached me and did something worse? I started carrying pepper spray with me since then. And I guess that's how I started out my first chapter. The old title was called Ugly Ever After, and I didn't think that it would still suit the story.

One day, I was listening to my favorite singer, Oliver Tree. He just released a new album (you should definitely go listen to it right now) called Ugly is Beautiful. I wanted to use one of his songs for the title just because I love him so much. I was going to use a different song until I listened to I'm Gone. And it was perfect. I wrote up a description and that's how I started out my story idea.

Why did I pick polish? I had the main character visualized and wanted to give her the nickname Dollface. I needed her to be pale and beautiful. The picture of her is found on the first chapter. I needed a reason for why she looked so strange, so I thought she can be Polish or something cool. And that's what I stuck with. Throughout the story she speaks both Polish, Italian, and English. I thought it would be really cool to add the languages. Majority of the story is in English.

In the dialogue, I will add parenthesis to translate, but with Dollface's inner thoughts I wanted it to be simple and easy to understand. They'll be in Polish. I realized some of the languages were hard to detect. But don't worry for the people who don't speak/understand Polish or Italian, at the very end of each chapter there will be an Index of the translations. I will try to make the chapters short with 3,000 to 5,000 words just so it isn't confusing or hard to scroll back and forth for the translation.

This story isn't necessary meant for Poles and Italians, I guess it could be though. I just thought it would be cool to add a different language and to have everyone understand it throughout the story. Most of the characters are Italian and speak the language, and since Dollface knows Italian, it's easier for them when she speaks the same language as them.

I wanted the settling to be in a big city of opportunity and a new journey of life, and I couldn't think of anything better than New York. The time of the setting..hmm I want it to be in the late 90s? This story is still in progress. But yes, the story timeline is in the late 90s. Maybe I'll change it to the 2000's. Yes, that sounds perfect hehe. Lol this is basically my thought process for this story.

I am indeed a proud Italian, unfortunately I don't speak any italian, but I would love to learn it. I am also polish from my great grandpa's side. I'm currently learning french in school right now. I will definitely have to learn more about polish and italian culture in order to successfully write this story.

Thanks!!