Starlet's Web - #1 {Exclusive Read}

Starlet's Web - Commentary #2

I have had such mixed support while writing this novel. I thought I'd share the various reactions with you.

1. Beta readers: My beta readers who read the manuscripts were mostly teens: a high school valedictorian, a high school student athlete, an African American high school minority cheerleader, a mixed-race athlete, an Olympic-bound swimmer, a triathlete in her 20s, a young/new mom, a Latina young adult who didn't attend college. They all identified with Liana Marie. They all saw the problem with how fame or athletic success comes at a price. They all saw that thin line between parental support and 'Mommy Dearest' pushing. Obviously, they all read the book an made it better. They didn't think the message was too dark. Do you?

2. Moms: Many moms thought the message was too heavy for teens to handle. But Hunger Games has a heavy message, too. Many moms thought there was too much sex talk. But when I asked them, all of the mothers who worried about sex talk had sex when they were teens. Is this a double standard? Is this "Don't be me" and "Let's not talk about it?" Hmm.

3. Adult reviewers: many adults over 40 have sympathy for Liana Marie. Some think she's shallow and should quit acting. SHE CAN'T QUIT - that is one of the points of the novel that is so important for teens to understand.

When a teen signs a performance contract, she can't, can't quit. For example, Brad Pitt wanted out of doing his Vampire film. His producer told him it would cost $40 million to quit. That's true life. One of my friends was an ex-Disney actress. There is NO quitting - escape with drugs, sure, but quitting = not a chance.

I'm over 40, and I have sympathy. I thank the teen actors who give their hearts fearlessly for a role so I can enjoy a film. I thank Jennifer Lawrence for being such an awesome actress. I know she's worked like a dog - I feel for her - and have sympathy.  Another point of Starlet's Web is subtle: it is a commentary on those who hate successful performers because the performers make money. Fans are flies. Personal humiliation in social media, plastic surgery, and slavery to a contract should not be the price of fame. The web catches the flies; we see it in bullying and in what girls will do to be sexy or beautiful.

4. Teen reviewers: When I rejected a book deal recently, the publisher said, "Teens read what I tell them to read. If you're not [published] with us, no teen will read it." He talked about the power he had to control what you all read. Every publisher/film producer I've talked with said that moms buy books and teens don't so I have to write to make your mum happy. Well, I don't care that my ending won't make moms happy.

The reality is that we, as a society, have to take more responsibility for what we tell our girls. Plastic surgery is not okay. Beauty is not blue eyes, long blond hair, and boobs on a stick figure. Loving relationships take time and friendship. Casual sex is not fun for a teen girl. If you are sleeping with your boyfiend, you should talk about what you want from him. Enough with our fake stories that so many girls think is a reflection of what is real. Enough with the drama.

To the naysayers who think readers can't handle the messages in Starlet's Web: Wattpad exists (LOVE) and I have 28,000 followers who are reading what you don't want to read.

What do you all think about your power now?