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.
I FINISHED THE FUCKER. I FINISHED THE FUCKER. I FINISHED THE FUCKER. Well, this draft. The big overhaul. The big revise. I have to admit it’s the most fun I’ve ever had just me in my sandbox making shit up. To celebrate, I smoked two cigarettes and had a glass of red wine with my friend Anne T. Gonna leave it for a few days, clean up my room, take a shower, and go see my little sister for her birthday. Then I’m going to print it out, read one more time, and make last fixes before I turn it in to my editor. Right now at this moment, I’m kind of elated. Tomorrow I expect to hate it and myself. You’re welcome.
How do you take a victory lap?
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Betsy Lerner 
Congratulations! I don’t understand how you could do it so fast. I want to be you right now and be out of revision hell.
Congratulations! Betsy, you are so funny!
Slow and easy and very satisfied.
I hope your draft looks even better tomorrow than today.
Yay, you!
Congratulations Betsy! Although I’ve not yet had a victory involving an editor and a manuscript, my victory laps almost always include a vase of fresh picked flowers, a good book to read, and my favorite (homemade) french toast with real maple syrup, and a hot cup of Earl Grey with honey! Enjoy the elation. Don’t hate yourself in the morning… ❤
GO BETSY!!
sounds good, whatever way you go your dreams will take you.
“How do you take a victory lap?”
Any way you can. Congratulations, Betsy. There is no feeling like the one we writers get when the work is hammered shut. “I did it, I did it, I knew I could, and I did it! Thank god that’s over! Anything happen while I was out? Oh, an asteroid hit? Well, who’d a-thunk?”
To amazing you, a huge bowl of Rocky Road. Save the nuts for me.
Veuve, and cake with butter cream frosting and strawberries.
Woohoo! Congratulations! 🎈🎉
(Every time I see “finish the fucker” I think of those FTF bracelets some writers from this blog created. You need one of those)
The feeling is SO amazing. When I’ve finished, my celebratory hijinks involve . . . not much. I sit back, take a deep breath, put away my scribbles and notes. Put away books I’ve used for research. Organize stuff. Tell those who care I finished.
I’m starting another, and getting the usual angst that comes with it.
Jeez Donna, like an orphan looking to make a big family you’re pounding out another one. All you guys are so inspiring!
Fascinating thing said to me once (agent) “You have your whole life to write your first novel and about a year thereafter upon publication.” 🤷♀️ That’s the nature of writing to contract.
When one of your books becomes a movie, your personal story will eclipse any of the amazing things you have written. I hope Betsy says kind things about us misfits when she accepts her Oscar for a Screenplay based on one of your books.
Baste yourself in it, Betsy. Bravo!
First, congrats. A wonderful accomplishment. There are always second thoughts. Lucky you to have an editor to encourage you.
I eat Haagen Dasz ice cream, any flavor, maybe a bar. Say “yay, yes!” to myself a few times. Clap. I used to jump up and down but since my new hip I have to just sit and stamp my feet. Call a friend or two.
YES!!! Go, Betsy, go!!!