I think we all want to know the answer to the question asked at the end - "What are you?"
What is she? Where is she going? Where did she come from? Who sent him? Why did they want to hurt her?

Ah, the questions from the Gaugin masterpiece: Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? You know I grew up looking at a print of that? It must always be in the back of my mind. I have to think, though, about trying to answer that. I'm not sure if any of my answers would be large enough, good enough, to compare with individual interpretation or speculation. Or maybe they would be. Thank you for your thoughts. They're helping me try to figure out what to do.

That is of course, the problem. Will the answers live up to the questions? Although I would love, love, love a sequel, "Break Her" stands brilliantly on its own.

Thank you. You are too kind. Some days it's especially nice to hear something like that.

I agree with thadine. It would be nice to learn the who and why...but I also think it would be very interesting to see the aftermath of this story and to see if she can ever find someone who gives her the release she needs/seeks. Badass Mr. Right has some very awesome possibilities!

Thanks for sharing your opinion with me. I appreciate it. So, a vote for Badass Mr. Right. I'm definitely thinking about it. But those are some big shoes to fill....

Additional thought re the last message. Sometimes I wonder if I have enough imagination to fulfill expectations. I always get there in the end, I guess, but when you say "has some very awesome possibilities," I can't help wondering, hmmm, what exactly do you have in mind. It's fascinating. If I go in that direction, of course, I'll have ideas of my own. But I would love to read your mind to see what yours are. And everybody's mind after they've read it. You know what I mean?

Maybe the answers on the questions "What or who she is and why they want to hurt her" take the enigma and the intrigue out of the story. To me those mysteries added so much. Badass Mr. Right is a great idea though, but I would keep him a sort of mystery too. Ha, I guess that does not make the writing of a sequel any easier?

Although on one hand it would be nice to have a Badass Mr Right, I wonder if that would detract from her. She is so complete and self-sufficient on her own. Is there a man who can live up to that? I fear that giving her a man would make her less than she is.

Dirkje: I know, right? Thanks for saying that. I know it was frustrating for many people, but I had my reasons. And I don't want to "undo" that.
Thadine: Good point. There was already a man who could "live up to that" and one who was the opposite. It would be very tricky, though maybe not impossible, to conjure up a man who was something else entirely but something that suited her. I hate to think she must be alone forever.
I always look to The Three Stooges for insights:
Moe: We're in a tight spot, men.
Larry: Yeah. It's gonna take brains to get us out of this.
Moe: That's why I said we're in a tight spot.

Rather than a sequel, I'd prefer to read a prequel. I think it'd be interesting to read about how the female protagonist came to be in that situation. I'm talking about the pain from losing one's child and husband, her daddy issues and even her masochistic tendencies.
And also for the male protagonist. How did come to be the way that he is? He's such an interesting character.

On a side note: I just want to let you know how amazing and thought-provoking I found 'Break Her' to be. There were times that I gasped and cringed and even had to put the thing down for a few hours because it was so horrific. Nevertheless there were also a few moments where I actually laughed; the joke about the masochist and the sadist for example. I thought it described them quite well.
Anyway thank you, if I ever need my mind to be blown again, I'll be reaching for your story :)

I also agree with SeptemberTenth. I think there could ONLY be a prequel. She explains to us that her and her husband experienced sadistic sexual tendencies that increased through their relationship. Break her was total told from her head. She was soooo fascinating.... I only think you could write about after her "Break Her" experience. I would love for her to experience again and actually take us back into that time. I want to read it as present tense though.
But I dont know how far to go. She experiences even more psycological breaks when she is losing her so and then her husband is ready to commit suicide. I think that would be your trilogy. Trilogy ending with the exposure of who she works for and where the assasin came from. Then she moves on.

SeptemberTenth wrote: "Rather than a sequel, I'd prefer to read a prequel. I think it'd be interesting to read about how the female protagonist came to be in that situation. I'm talking about the pain from losing one's c..."
Wow, thank you! Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I've been stepping away a bit from trying to figure out what comes next; I think that may actually help. But every comment gives me something more to think about.

Sheri wrote: "You're an "auto-buy" for me. I will read anything you write. I loved "Break Her." Really unique. Not for everyone, to be sure, but who cares? Prequel, sequel, anything goes. Bring it."

I'll do what I can. Thank you so much! I'll try to have something for you soon.

M wrote: "I also agree with SeptemberTenth. I think there could ONLY be a prequel. She explains to us that her and her husband experienced sadistic sexual tendencies that increased through their relationship..."
Your theory makes sense. It's a totally viable approach. I just have to figure out if I can live through the sadness of writing that story. There would be beauty too, but it is so sad. But it would be an interesting challenge. I just need the time...

Whatever you come up with will be great. I just want my B.g. fix!

Adriana wrote: "Whatever you come up with will be great. I just want my B.g. fix!"

You're hired!!! :)