Happily Ever Afters

by Elise Bryant

“Other people’s opinions of me aren’t really my business. And I think that situation says more about them than it does about me.

That’s really the point of romance as a genre, I think: girls—women—asking for what they want, without apology.”

But I think there’s something to be said for making art just to make you happy. Not to win awards or impress others or get the attention of your parents who can be a little clueless at times. But art for art’s sake. Art for yourself.”

And that is the greatest risk, presenting something that you love and asking others to love it too.

“And for real, for real, I like your heart. How you have this delicate baby one that registers every last change of mood and tone, tears apart every comment that someone makes. How you just . . . feel everything so much and so fully.