We’re all wondering if we’re the Dawn or the Sonya | #BadArtFriend

[This essay is available in audio on YouTube]

If you haven’t read Robert Kolker’s New York Times article, “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?” then Where have you been?

My boyfriend sent me the article after the story blew up on Twitter. I am not one to have the attention span to read a ten thousand word article, but it is just so juicy and bizarre. I read until the end completely enraptured by the drama.

What is so appealing about this piece for me is that both people are shitty. No one is 100% in the right, which, of course, makes for a great read — when the main characters are flawed.

What’s more (worse?) is that I can see myself in both of them, in both of their shitty attributes.

I have totally been the Sonya

Five years ago after being inspired by the podcast a friend told me about, Night Vale, I wrote a one-act play about radio foley actors. I workshopped it for months, having multiple friends read my lines and give me feedback. In particular, I sent several iterations of the play to my best friend at the time. I’ll refer to her as Dora.

I remember filling out the form at the library to submit the play to a regional competition and writing Dora’s name with mine…