I haven't read all the posts here because I'm an episode behind, but I think there were a number of reasons Hannah left Iowa: missing her friends, no communication with her BF, not thick skinned enough to take the critiques (and BS) of the other writers. Yes, she's self absorbed, but I don't think that necessarily means she's a bad (or even lazy) writer. Writing is hard. A lot of writers will do anything to avoid it until they absolutely have to finish. Maybe because of a deadline.