What is your story about?

Adrienne Dines ran a master class called Polished to Perfection
As it lasted a whole day I will write several posts on what I learnt from her.

Her first question to us was

                                             'What is your story about?' 

Immediately I began running through the story in my head. I stopped at her next words.
'Not what happens, but what basic human emotion are you exploring in your story?'
Ah... now that had me thinking. What is The Finder about?

She gave us some examples 
Chocolate (the story, not the yummy, sweet, writer's essential food) - A woman who wants to belong because she never has. - yep, powerful.
Where's Spot - oh we chuckled, but she is right - basic human emotion - maternal instinct. What is the story about? A mother searching for her child. Very powerful, read it and notice the story arc too.

Ok, so I think I understand and then my stomach clenches as she asks us to consider our stories- for about 30 seconds I think - and one by one tell everyone what our story is about. I am the lucky one, the last to be asked -

'It is a Young Adult book about a girl who wants to be normal, but isn't.' Phew- I managed the first task of the day, my hands can stop shaking now.

 And if that is what my story is about then I understand why the plot is too complicated.

My question for you today is - 'What is your story about?'