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Bad Girl's Guide
With Cameron Tuttle
Author
Thursday, April 12, 2001, 3 p.m. EDT
With sure-fire schemes for getting everything from free food and airline miles to how to increase your sex appeal, "The Bad Girl's Guide To Getting What You Want" is a powerful guide to scoring love, fame, money, power, parking spaces and other essentials.
Author Cameron Tuttle will be online Thursday, April 12, 2001 at 3 p.m. EDT to take your questions and share indispensable advice, including how to flush toilets (don't do it with your foot when wearing mules).
Tuttle is the author of the best-selling "The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road" and "The Paranoid's Pocket Guide."
The transcript follows...
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Cameron Tuttle: Hey you Bad Girls! (and Bad Girls in training...and Bad Boys who want Bad Girls) Welcome! Send me your Bad Girl questions and I'll give my baddest answers.
Cameron
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Hey, did you interview anyone for this book? Do research or just kind of take anecdotes from your friends?
Cameron Tuttle: I interviewed a few hundred women (as well as my friends) to see what they wanted and how they got it. (What I call my "Out-of-Focus Groups.") It was good fun, a great way to bond with friends, and very interesting for me to see how different each woman's secret desires really are. If you have the book, check out the red type at the bottom of the pages.
Cameron
Reston, Va.:
Define a bad girl.
Cameron Tuttle: A bad girl is you at your uncensored bestwhoever you are, whatever your style. To tap into your inner bad girl, just ask yourself what you secretly want to do but don't allow yourself to do. The rest will follow.
Cameron
Reston, Va.:
Were you just on To Tell The Truth?
Cameron Tuttle: No comment.
:0
Arlington, Va.:
Are you as bad as you look? I LOVE bad!
Cameron Tuttle: Frankly, I'm much badder than I look. I'm a bad girl trapped in a good girl's body. It's very painful for me...
ct
Fairfax, Va.:
Cameron --
Do you put the advice in your guides to everyday use? Do you have significant other? If so, what does he/she think of your outlook?
Cameron Tuttle: I do my best to follow my own advice every day...but even I get confused and trapped in a good girl routine. It's important to know when and how to ignite your bad girl self when you need her. All my others are significant! He/she seem to love my bad girl attitude.
ct
Alexandria, Va.:
I read the Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road, and literally fell down laughing with the top 10 uses for pantyliners. Do you come up with all of your tips and ideas yourself, or do you bounce them off friends?
Cameron Tuttle: Sadly, it all comes from my twisted little brain. I am *the* champion for the pantyliner! What an ingenious invention! There will be more pantyliner ideas in the next book. But I'm still waiting for that sponsorship deal. (hint, hint)
ct
Arlington, Va.:
If you've been a goody goody all your life, can you learn to become a bad girl?
Cameron Tuttle: Buy the books! Either one will show you how to explore your badness. Here are few quick tips:
- use an alias, early and often
- dance in the nude in front of your pets
- look at pictures of you when you a girl, go back as far as you have to to find that impish grin, and the naughty little bad girl.
ct
Front Royal, Va.:
Who is the world's current baddest of bad girls?
Cameron Tuttle: You! At least you should be your world's baddest bad girl.
ct
Question:
What's the difference between being a "bad girl" and a narcissistic boor? If you aren't obsessed with your own happiness, can you still be a bad girl?
Cameron Tuttle: A bad girl knows how to have fun in life, every day in every way. She's not a victim, a wimp, or a bitch. She doesn't stay in a lousy job, a boring relationship, or a funk. She gets out there and makes changes in her life that will make her happy. Is that narcissistic? I don't think so! If you don't know how to make yourself happy, you can't expect anyone else to do it for you!
No, you can't be a bad girl unless your obsessed with your own happiness. That's what it's all about!
ct
Arlington, Va.:
It's the cliche that women want bad boys. Do you think men want bad girls?
Cameron Tuttle: I know they want bad girls!
ct
Arlington, Va.:
What would be the bad girl's approach to adding a little mystery to herself? My boyfriend seems to think there isn't anything new to discover about me.
Cameron Tuttle: Do you think there's anything new to discover about you? If you don't, then he won't either! Maybe you should get out there and challenge yourself to be a different you, push your own envelope a little. If that doesn't work, then go for a stip-tease chair dance (at home is probably safer than at a restaurant.)
ct
Everywhere, USA:
Hi,
I'm having one of those 'hormonal weeks'- for various reasons, and was wondering what you'd recommend that I do to rid myself of this self-pity that I'm feeling?
I'm really feeling like I want to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but somehow I know that won't help. Or will it?
Cameron Tuttle: Don't get rid of it until you indulge it. Throw yourself a Pity Party! (ice cream, tequila, sad movies...) Get whatever it takes to nurture your feelings, then move on! And get out there into the social swirl.
ct
Note to Self: Do not confuse buying power with real power!
Fairfax, Va.:
What are the some of the best tunes to accompany a bad girl road trip?
Cameron Tuttle: I like Aretha Franklin's Respect. But it's whatever gets *your* motor running and and your imagination cruising way above the speed limit.
ct
Silver Spring, Md.:
Can a bad girl and a bad boy co-exist in a relationship, or is that just too much bad? Do you think there has to be a good half to make it work?
Cameron Tuttle: Yes! Sounds like a fiery win-win situation to me! Remember: Bad feels good--so you can never have too much.
ct
San Francisco, Calif.:
Cameron,
Have you actually opened a beer bottle 14 different ways on your car? What kind of car do you drive anyway?
Cameron Tuttle: Yes, on my car I found 14 ways. (results at home may differ.) I drive a Trooper. She's bad and beautiful.
ct
San Francisco, Calif.:
Did you really do the things you say in Tales From the Road? I'm dying to know if you dressed up as a high school cheerleader in Texas?
Cameron Tuttle: You bet. That trombone player was a good little kisser!
ct
Vienna, VA:
Do you think that the re-emergence of old-fashioned ideas (think: the Rules etc.) on female behavior has hindered young women from expressing aggression? I know many times I will hold off on asserting myself because it's not "feminine".
Cameron Tuttle: I think women (and girls) get so much negative reinforcement. We're not supposed to be assertive, get angry, be opinionated, go after what want without running the risk of being seen as unfeminine. That's a big reason why I've written these books. I think it is sexy and feminine to be strong, to know what you want from life and how to go about getting it--or at least be able to laugh at yourself in the process. I hope that we (bad girls everywhere) can redefine what it is to be a powerful, feminine woman.
But remember, women are individuals. We're not a mass movement. Not everyone wants to be a bad girl nor should be a bad girl.
ct
I never read "The Rules" -- the idea of it made me gag.
San Francisco, Calif.:
What's the baddest thing you've ever done?
Cameron Tuttle: Get so many people to believe I know something about life and buy my books!
ct
Washington, D.C.:
I am a square! When I try to dress like a bad girl I always chicken out at the last minute before leaving the house. HELP!
Cameron Tuttle: Don't look in the mirror before you leave. Or better yet, change clothes in the car outside the place you're going. You'll feel like a bad girl and love it!
ct
Round Rock, Texas:
With the title of the book the "Bad Girl's Guide to Getting What You Want" I just have to know... have you gotten what you wanted?
Cameron Tuttle: I can honestly say, YES! But it didn't start to happen for me until I tapped into my badness. It's pretty thrilling to reach so many readers, entertaining some, inspiring others, and even (dare I say it?) empowering women to be the baddest they can be.
And when I don't get what I want, I simply change my mind about what I want!
ct
Staunton, Va.:
Any advice for us Bad Girls in college? Is going to class bad or good?
Cameron Tuttle: Have you done the reading?
What you learn in college and keep with you the rest of your life sure ain't being taught in a class room.
ct
Having sad that, it's nice to be able to tell people that you have a college degree even if you can't remember what classes you took!
Dulles:
I read "The Rules," and it DID make me gag. Ha!
What's the definitive "bad girl" item of clothing and/or accessory?
Cameron Tuttle: Invisible panties!
ct
Washington, D.C.:
So basically, "badness" is in the eye of the beholder?
Cameron Tuttle: You got it. It's totally open to interpretation. I never tell anyone exactly what they should do to be a bad girl. I just try to suggest ways that they can explore their own BG.
ct
washingtonpost.com:
Cameron, can you tell us about your other two books as well?
Cameron Tuttle: My first book is called The Paranoid's Pocket Guide. It's filled with hundreds of facts to push you over the edge or make you laugh about all the freaky scary things out there. It belongs on the back of your toilet.
The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road is a sassy, bad-ass, irreverent guide to road tripping for chicks and the corner stone of the Bad Girl's Guides. (It's where I first found my badness.) I'm just beginning to write the next one, The Bad Girl's Guide to the Party Life. (And this ain't no party planner, baby!) It will be in stores in Spring 2002 unless I have a nervous breakdown or get another concussion while dancing.
ct
Arlington, Va.:
Cameron, have you ever thought of having an advice column in a newspaper or magazine?
Cameron Tuttle: Yes! I'd like to do a Bad Advice column. I think it will start on my website badgirlswirl.com. If possible, we will syndicate it to newspapers.
ct
Washington, D.C.:
Are you still there? I hope you answer this!
My inner bad girl loves to smoke (every now and then) but hates feeling guility about it! What should a real bad girl do?
Quit? Or indulge?
Cameron Tuttle: Just say no to guilt. Bad Girls don't have the time for it!
ct
Washington, D.C.:
Cameron, you rock! Would you say someone like Angelina Jolie is a bad girl or just a poser?
Cameron Tuttle: I think she's the real deal. But I'd have to see how she kisses to know for sure.
ct
San Jose, Calif.:
How about a new book: "The Good Boy's Guide to Getting the Attention of the Bad Girl"...?
Cameron Tuttle: I think there's a definite opportunity to write a guide for guys. (Men suggest it all the time to me.) Perhaps the Good Boy's Guide to Getting/Surviving Bad Girls.
ct
re: The Rules:
One of the authors of the latest 'rules' book: The Rules for Marriage is getting a divorce.
Does this make her a bad girl?
Cameron Tuttle: Yes! (And a bad marketer.)
ct
Round Rock, Texas:
Do you ever have public appearances? I'm in Austin, Texas and we've got plenty of Bad Girls here who would love to meet you.
Cameron Tuttle: I may be visiting Austin this Spring. Go to the web site badgirlswirl.com, register and check out the Bad Boards. You can talk directly to me and mix it up with other bad girls.
ct
Cleveland, Ohio:
What effect did your upbringing have on your current status as a Bad Girl? How does your mother feel about your title??
Cameron Tuttle: I had a typical good girl upbringing. I survived the suburbs and this is my revenge!
ct
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Cameron,
I was wondering what inspired you to write this book? Thanks!
Cameron Tuttle: Thelma and Louise inspired the first Bad Girl's Guide. Getting What You Want is the at-home version. Now you don't have to hit the road to be a bad girl.
ct
Mass.:
How do bad girls deal with their (probably) unaccepting parents?
Cameron Tuttle: Laugh at them (in a loving and kind way, of course). And learn that you don't have to tell your parents everything.
ct
New York, N.Y.:
Can you ever be too bad?
Cameron Tuttle: Nope.
ct
But I'm not talking about break-the-law-bad. I'm talking break-out-of-your-rut bad!
Topeka, Kan.:
Cameron -- I didn't know that you had a website! Tell us more about it. What does it offer an aspiring bad girl? washingtonpost.com:
Visit Cameron's site. -- Liz
Cameron Tuttle: Yes, The site is very cool. www.badgirlswirl.com
You can read about the books but more importantly, it's an online clubhouse for bad girls everywhere to talk, swap stories, and share advice. The action is on the Bad Boards!
And yes, I'm actually there responding to many posts.
Check it out!
ct
Sydney, Australia:
Any suggestions for us guys looking to find our inner Bad Girl?
Cameron Tuttle: It's the same for girls and guys. What do you secretly want to do that you don't allow yourself to do? I think there's a bad girl inside of everyone--even men.
ct
I love you, Sydney!
Fairfax, Va.:
Cameron,
What is a bad girl's favorite G-rated sport/exercise/way to get fit? My regular gym routine bores me to death!
Cameron Tuttle: Naked yoga.
It works for me.
ct
Arlington, Va.:
I suspect my boss is a bad girl. What's the sure fire way to find out?
Cameron Tuttle: Write her a note on a pantyliner and stick it to her computer monitor. If she's a bad girl, you''ll know it.
ct
Somewhere:
What's off limits even for bad girls? Or, do the people in your books have no limits?
Cameron Tuttle: Being a bad girl is *not* about hurting yourself or anyone else.
ct
Washington, D.C.:
Althought I'm in a serious relationship, I'm still essentially a bad girl.
He's perfect in every way... except he needs to get a new job. I make more than double he does. And don't get me wrong, he's not a free loader for everthing and I we'e on equal footing when it comes to paying the bills.
But, well, I want to go to Paris twice a year. He cant afford it. And when we're married, I don't want to go to Paris bymself.
Any suggestions to get what I want?
Cameron Tuttle: Help him find his inner bad girl. If he can't, then find another man!
ct
Note to Self: Time is precious--and so are you!
NW, D.C.:
OK so you can tell bad girls how to get what they want, but what if you want a bad girl...
Cameron Tuttle: Be daring, hot, confident, sexy, and know what *you* want from life.
ct
Arlington, Va.:
Hi Cameron,
How did you come up with the idea for the "Bad Girl's Guides?"
Cameron Tuttle: I stole it from someone.
What can I say...I'm a bad girl!
ct
Britney Spears:
Bad girl or cheeze wad?
Cameron Tuttle: Cheeze wad.
Wilson, Wyo.:
Which one of your bad girl icons from the Getting What You Want book do you identify with the most? And why?
Cameron Tuttle: Different bad girls at different times. My favorite is Rosa Parks because she defies what most people think of as a bad girl--but she definitely was a bad girl and changed history!
Rock on, Rosa!
ct
Vienna, Va. :
Why did you decide to write these books? Have you written before?
Cameron Tuttle: They are my personal therapy. (Helping me to resolve my good-girl/bad-girl inner conflict!) I have been a copywriter and a magazine editor before writing these books.
ct
Silver Spring, Md.:
Cameron:
This live on-line chat has been really cool. Can you do another session on Washingtonpost.com in the future? washingtonpost.com:
We would love to have Cameron back and update us on her web site and progress on her new book. -- Liz
Cameron Tuttle: Sure, I'd love to. If you'll have me back, let's do it again.
ct
San Francisco, Calif.:
Cameron,
I've read both Bad Girl's Guides and I think they're hilarious. Kudos to you for not taking yourself so seriously and, hopefully, having some fun in the process. All my friends now drink Bad Girls, from the recipe in your 2nd book. A couple of questions for you: 1.Is there any way to keep up with the Bad Girl movement that you've created? and 2. Do you have any more Bad Girl projects in the works?
Roxie from Noe Valley, San Francisco
Cameron Tuttle: Humor has saved me from the little tragedies in my life. It's so much more fun not to take yourself too seriously! I love that Bad Girl cocktail too. It goes down easy and so will you!
ct
Cameron Tuttle: Thanks everyone for showing up for this chat! It's been a lot fun for me! If you're interested in chatting with other bad girls, learning more about the books, or reaching me, check out the web site badgirlswirl.com.
Be your baddest!
cameron
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