As an author, I'm always picking apart my own work more than I would anyone else's. Even after I've finished a story, I can go over it more than once to edit it for no other reason than to refine my own skills. Ultimately, however, I'm never completely satisfied with any of my books. Which is why I don't tend to read some of them over.
Live to Tell was probably one of the most frustrating experiences with storytelling I've had. Its length has been criticised more than its content, but I didn't feel it wanted me to say more than I already had. I wanted it to be from Stephen's point of view to avoid spoiling what was happening with Jacinta by ruining any mystique she may have had. And yes, I pulled punches rather than spoke my mind. Stephen's very much the same as me, we're closeted in that regard. It was very much a story about what was not being said.
I've also picked up flaws by way of not really researching certain aspects of the story as fully as I should have. But I'm still relatively happy with the outcome, and if I have left space for a sequel, I'm leaving it to time to tell if any of these characters have anything left to say.
The plot is driven more by Stephen's choices than Jacinta's mistakes and decisions. I also don't believe in wrapping every story up in a nice little bow, I like to leave some questions hanging in the air, again either for the reader to contemplate what may be or even to allow for a sequel. If I can say anything about myself, it's that I don't necessarily believe in happy endings.
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