I would rewrite the first instalment of the Survival Series because I think the second two instalments are were my writing finally reached the level I was satisfied with. There's nothing wrong per se with the way it's written, it's just that my descriptions in parts 2 & 3 are much more inventive.
All the time. A lot of little scenario's or even characters involved are based on events that are personal, from hiking up mountains to the specific nuances of a characters thoughts.