McDowell, the protagonist, has authored a popular childhood memoir titled 'Death and Taxidermy', which has been adapted into a TV series, leading her to feel a loss of control as the adaptation strays from her original narrative.

In the story, McDowell is portrayed as a vegetarian activist who grapples with the commercialization of her story, mirroring Bechdel's own experiences in the creative industry.

The novel delves into the challenges of creating art amidst societal turmoil, with McDowell facing distractions and anxieties that reflect Bechdel's experiences over the past decade.

Initially intended as a serious memoir, Bechdel shifted the narrative to focus on McDowell's challenges in writing, which also reflect her own creative struggles.

Bechdel incorporates elements from her previous comic strip, 'Dikes to Watch Out For', blending her real life with fiction and highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by her characters.

Throughout the narrative, Bechdel reflects on the continuity of political and social issues from Reagan's era to the present, suggesting that despite worsening conditions, the themes in her book remain relevant.

Alison Bechdel's new book, 'Spent', is an auto fiction that features a character named Alison McDowell, who struggles with writing a memoir about money and capitalism.