Chapter 70 The Clash Between Bella and Debra
Bella turned to Camilla, "Dang it, I totally spaced on the ketchup. Camilla, can you snag a pack from that shelf over there?"
"Yeah, no problem." Camilla knew Bella was just trying to dodge her.
Once Camilla was out of earshot, Bella finally let it out, "I told you this morning, I'm still mulling it over."
"Mulling it over? I brought this up three months ago! You said you needed time to think. Fine, I gave you time, but you've been dragging your feet and still no solid answer."
Bella scowled. "We've been in this game together for years. You know my jam is suspense and thriller shorts, like 200,000 to 300,000 words. Now you want me to dive into web novels? That's a whole different beast!"
"Aren't they all just stories? How's it any different? Good writing is good writing, no matter the genre!"
Debra's tone got a bit sharp, and her smile vanished.
Bella tried to break it down, "First off, web novels are usually massive, like over a million words. Plus, the hot genres like urban romance and high-society drama? So not my thing. How am I supposed to pull that off?"
"Remember 'Echoes of Adolescence'? We talked about switching genres back then too, and look how that bombed."
'Echoes of Adolescence' was Bella's Moore adult novel that got roasted by critics.
Debra's eyes softened, "I know that book tanked your rep, and you're still not over it. You even bailed on the online scene."
"Yeah, so if you know I quit, why push me to write those romance web novels?"
"Bella, chill and hear me out," Debra said gently. "The reason 'Echoes of Adolescence' flopped was 'cause you took forever. By the time it hit the shelves, four years had passed, and the trend was dead. When I suggested the genre switch, Moore adult novels were all the rage! So, you can't just dump all the blame on me, right? We both messed up. I'm not dodging responsibility; I'm just laying out what we learned."
Bella stayed quiet.
She knew she was a slow writer, but that genre wasn't her thing, and her thoughts were all over the place. She didn't know how to speed up.
Seeing Bella's silence, Debra pressed on. "But this time is different. In the web novel world, urban romance and high-society dramas are always in demand. Whether you're fast or slow, it doesn't matter. I promise the issues from last time won't happen again."
Bella frowned even more, "I've read the web novels you sent me. They're fast-paced, fresh, and exciting, but also over-the-top and unrealistic. The beginnings are okay, but the further you go, the more the plot drags. Then, even the protagonist's name changes. I'm not saying web novels suck or anything. They're popular for a reason, but personally, I'm not cut out for that style."
Debra's eyes narrowed, "I've been talking to you for ages, and all you can say is 'not suited'?"
Bella was confused, "What else am I supposed to say?"
Debra sneered, "Do I gotta spell it out? Fine, I'll be blunt. In the past decade, you've cranked out one novel, and it tanked. If you don't come up with something new, what's the point of calling yourself an author? An author who can't churn out work and make sales, is that even an author?"
Bella was fuming. "I have tons of ideas, but you..."
Debra cut her off, "Your ideas lack that spark and selling points. Writing them would be a waste of time and resources. They wouldn't sell! Do you still think you're the 'Queen of Suspense'? To be real, you're outdated! Bella, you need to face the facts and recognize where you stand!"
"Mom." Camilla couldn't take it anymore and stepped out from behind the shelf.
Bella quickly blinked away her tears and forced a smile. "Did you get it?"
Camilla waved the ketchup in her hand. "Got it. It's getting late. Dad might be home from school already. Let's check out and head home?"
"Okay."
"Debra, we're outta here," Camilla said, covering for Bella.
She knew Bella was super upset and didn't want to deal with Debra any longer.
Debra smiled slightly. "Alright, I still have some shopping to do."
With that, she looked at Bella, "Think about what I said. We've been friends for years and worked together for so long."
Bella lowered her eyes and said nothing.
Camilla took the shopping cart and led her away.
"Mom, did you sign a ten-year contract with Debra?"
"Yeah."
"If I remember correctly, this should be the last year?"
Bella did the math and replied, "Yeah."
"What do you think of Debra?"
Bella was silent for a couple of seconds and squeezed out, "She's very professional."
Camilla smiled and said, "Do you still have your contract?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Can you find it tonight and let me take a look?"
"Why do you wanna see it?"
"Just curious. Why can't I see it?"
"Of course you can! You can see anything of mine!"
"Mom, you're the best. Can you also send me the novels you've been writing at home all these years?"
Bella was even more surprised. "They're just practice drafts. Why do you wanna see them?"
"I just realized having a writer mom is really cool. I wanna seriously read your work. In case someone asks, I can talk about it! Otherwise, people might think I'm making stuff up!"
When Camilla was little, she really wanted to read Bella's two best-selling books—'The Secret Key' and 'Campus Conspiracy.'
But Bella always said they were "too gory," "not suitable for kids," and "you can read them after you turn eighteen."
But when she actually turned eighteen, Camilla lost interest in Bella's works.
After graduating from college, during countless days waiting for Leopold to come home, she finally read those two books.
She had to admit, Bella was a genius in suspense!
From logic to suspense setup to plot twists, everything formed a perfect, unassailable loop.
No wonder those two books were still on the bestseller list.
But in the past ten years, Bella hadn't released any new suspense works. Camilla found it strange but never dug into the reason.
Until today, seeing Bella's editor, she seemed to get the picture.
She thought, 'How could a publishing editor afford a full DIOR outfit and carry a Hermès crocodile Birkin bag?
'What kind of publishing house makes that much money?
'How come I don't know?'
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