Writing Women You Actually Want to Meet

This week I want to introduce you to a woman you haven't met yet. And before I tell you about Madame J, I have to tell you about Elle. Elle was my imaginary friend when I was eight. A 1920s movie star with a jet black bob, cupid bow lips, and apartments in Paris, Hollywood, and New York City. Whenever I opened the imaginary door to her apartment I never knew which city I'd land in. Sometimes I held up a bottle of Palmolive soap and accepted awards alongside her while I did the dishes. She was the fun place to go. Madame J is not Elle. But there are qualities to her that remind me of Elle, as if these were real women who simply knew each other. This week I talk about: The childhood imaginary cast: Berg, Peter, Betty, and Elle What this season of life made possible that my eight-year-old imagination couldn't Why I wanted to write women I'd actually want to spend time with. She's not nice, but she's kind. The short story serial tradition: Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter Bringing Madame J to life with illustrator Gemini.H My 26 girl cousins, the matriarchy, and the women we surround ourselves with Madame J arrives June 2nd on Substack. Five installments. Every Tuesday. Free to read. Connect: Instagram @judithgaton | Substack for weekly essays Gemini.H's work

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Writing Women You Actually Want to Meet is an episode from Style Masterclass by Judith Gaton.

This episode is 12:50 long.

This episode was published on May 19, 2026.

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