Yes, sometimes we don’t exactly revisit our old stories as much as we should. Usually, it’s just: “Ah, I’m finally done with this story; now, on to the next.” I usually try to revisit my stories page whenever I visit this site to see the read count and if anyone’s posted a new review.

Obviously, there are some chapters in “Exerpts from John’s Life” that I liked better than others, and a few things I wished you’d expanded upon, but overall, one of my many favorites on this site. Besides, I usually just read the chapters that I like in my favorites and leave it at that.

Thanks for sharing your work, and for getting in touch.

     So, my biggest stumbling block with this story is that the ending of this story is different from what I had initially outlined. In retrospect, I agree the story needed to have a far different ending, and had I known that, I would’ve taken the time to truly plan out the story better. I do have a new ending planned and thought out, but I needed certain plot points to happen in order to get there.

     As far as Cassie’s character is concerned, I hadn’t initially planned on her character turning out the way it did: she’s starting to turn into another version of Shannon, from “Babysitter Trouble”, and that’s really not how I envisioned her.

     Initially, I wanted to portray Cassie as a somewhat good person overall, but that we discover throughout the story that her marriage to Nick is based on what’s known as “conditional love”: Basically, she loves Nick when things between them and their overall lives are good, but when things get bad or tough, she tends to show disrespect and disdain for him. What I was trying to show, in this latest chapter, is how manipulative and devious she can be, revealing that she was just using Nick for sex before she disposes of him; I also wanted to provide a little bit of fan service as well, but I think the problem was I made her character act a bit too sweet and believable, so that’s my fault.

     In this new direction I was taking the ending, I was trying to portray her as someone who was normal at first, but driven to madness with the evolution of Nick’s powers. Obviously, worrying that every step she takes in her own apartment could squash her tiny husband is certainly a frightening experience and takes an unthinkable emotional toll, and it was only a matter of time before she snapped.

     As for Nick, I wanted him to be someone who is blinded by his love for Cassie, but more blinded by his sexual fantasies, and desperate to fulfill them. Despite everything she’s done to him, he still has feelings for her, and needed a wake-up call to come to his senses. You see a little of that in chapter 22 when Nick sheds his meekness and finally stands up to Cassie for the first time. But then Cassie reveals all the emotional struggles she’s going through, and Nick feels sorry for her and guilty about it and reverts back to his old, meek self.

     What I’m trying to set up now is an ending where every character gets an ending that they deserve—good or bad. All in all, I’ve obviously made some mistakes along the way, so it will probably be a while before I do a story like this again. I’m still going to write, but try my hand at different shrinking tropes. 

     Please forgive any mistakes I’ve made at the end of this story, but know that I do appreciate your honest reviews and constructive criticism. I do hope you enjoy the ending when it comes.

     Thanks for reading!