When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.
Thanks to everyone who responded to our friend’s letter about what it takes. I think you covered all the bases and with a lot of generosity. When I was a part time assistant at an agency during grad school, the owner gave me a manuscript and asked for a reader’s report. The manuscript was over 400 pages and I read every word and took extensive notes. I typed up an extensive report describing the plot, characters, setting, etc. I thought it was terrible through and through, but I also thought who the hell am I to judge this guy’s work, or torpedo his career with my novice reaction. My boss didn’t he even look at the report. He just wanted to know what I thought. I could barely get the words out. When I finally said it wasn’t very good, he told me to get rid of it. That was the first rejection letter I wrote. I lost my virginity on that one.
Thirty plus years later, countless letters, I still feel the same way. Who the hell am I? Only now I know something else. It’s not just about liking something or thinking it’s “good” or that it will sell. Everyone in the business has missed a book that went on to sell a boatload of copies. (Full disclosure: I passed on The Liar’s Club.) That said, when an agent or editor takes something on they have to know how to sell it, how to pitch it, write about it, feel the overwhelming desire to share it with others, you have to feel that you personally add value, use your contacts to help the book get attention, you feel that you bring special to it, and that you’re prepared to enter into a relationship with that person and be in their corner, and do everything you can to make their book a success. That’s what it takes.
Why do I feel like I’m full of shit?
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Betsy Lerner 
Why do you feel like you’re full of shut? Because you are. Shit is the compost left behind after all the other stuff is used up. It’s the pile that grows stuff like a writer’s career and relationships that make success a real thing.
Girl, you gotta be easier on yourself. You are what gives us hope realistically. Thanks. Now I’m full of shit.
shit not shut. Why I didn’t reread one more time pisses me off.
Skill and intuition mean a lot. Pretty certain you are not full of shit. Take that from someone who probably is.
“Why do I feel like I’m full of shit?”
We’re all full of shit. If we’re lucky, we know it. If we’re not, we go on to commit unspeakable crimes.
Merci. Lol.
“That said, when an agent or editor takes something on they have to know how to sell it, how to pitch it, write about it, feel the overwhelming desire to share it with others, you have to feel that you personally add value, use your contacts to help the book get attention, you feel that you bring special to it, and that you’re prepared to enter into a relationship with that person and be in their corner, and do everything you can to make their book a success. That’s what it takes.”
But – you wouldn’t take something on unless you loved it, so there’s that. The thing with loving it, and if you do, then your ability to do all you mentioned will be effortless. It will come naturally. You’ll ooze the love, and whomever is on the other end of the love you’re oozing can’t dodge it anymore than they can dodge raindrops in a downpour.
And, what Tetman said.