Hollywood is right there, and she has already dipped in a few toes. She could make the shift to show business completely and leave journalism alone.

Or *whispers in homophobia* lesbians

Only frigid dorks would turn down the opportunity for such a self-esteem boost!

And if you didn't shrug or laugh it off (at least), you were not cool.

Right?! This came right after Girls Gone Wild and the Olsen Twins Countdown ...

But the point (there is a point) is, people fetishise the idea over the hard work of plotting and character development and research and internal consistency and just writing the fucker, because the Idea is the sparkly magic bit.

And this is what makes them put value in the AI prompt.

Hacks!

Barrrrrrrf

I’m even redacting some of the ickier specifics.

In retrospect, the most realistic Roy was Connor

I just start to wonder what 42 looks like. Or 52.

Along the way, maybe there were people who weren't just trying to get something from her. Mentors who were burned, good advice gone unheeded? Like I said, adults are responsible for their choices. But that includes editors, publishers, everyone who didn't ask the questions they probably thought.

This is not to absolve her of her adult responsibilities to herself or her profession. Those are her choices. But there is also a through line from a precocious and brash 22-year-old made into a media star to this book and nebulous "editor" seat that just feels sad to me.

I saw some of this in my mother's characterization of her own choices and exploits; I disagree with her conclusions about the culpability of the men, including my father, and the enablers, including my grandparents. (See my pinned post for more.)

Obsessed with this brand, especially the Earl Grey, the Chai, and the Christmas: www.bellocqtea.com