About this item
A fifty-year-old Bridge game provides an unexpected way to cross the generational divide between a daughter and her mother. Betsy Lerner takes us on a powerfully personal literary journey, where we learn a little about Bridge and a lot about life.After a lifetime defining herself in contrast to her mother's "don't ask, don't tell" generation, Lerner finds herself back in her childhood home, not five miles from the mother she spent decades avoiding. When Roz needs help after surgery, it falls to Betsy to take care of her. She expected a week of tense civility; what she got instead were the Bridge Ladies. Impressed by their loyalty, she saw something her generation lacked. Facebook was great, but it wouldn't deliver a pot roast.Tentatively at first, Betsy becomes a regular at her mother's Monday Bridge club.
About the Author
How many writers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Two.
One to screw it in, the other to say it was his idea first.
The Forest for the Trees is about what makes writers tick. It's not about how to write, or what to write, though I have strong opinions on those things. The chapters describe kinds of writers: ambivalent writers who can't get anything done, naturals (if they exist) , self promoters and sabateurs, neurotics, addicts, and wicked children (those who tell vs. good children who write nice prose, yawn) . The second half of the book is about inside publishing from my vantage point as an editor, author, and now as a sleaze bag, er, agent.
My blog is http://www.betsylerner.blog
Daily musings on publishing bile, writer misery, and hopelessness. It's fun.
I'm a recovered poet (card carrying Columbia MFA) , a former editor and now agent with Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary Agency. I represent amazing clients and you can check us out at dclagency.com
Thanks for reading. If you buy my book, The Forest for the Trees or my memoir, Food and Loathing (about food and loathing) , I will be very grateful.
