• Forest for the Trees
  • THE FOREST FOR THE TREES is about writing, publishing and what makes writers tick. This blog is dedicated to the self loathing that afflicts most writers. A community of like-minded malcontents gather here. I post less frequently now, but hopefully with as much vitriol. Please join in! Gluttons for punishment can scroll through the archives.

    If I’ve learned one thing about writers, it’s this: we really are all alone. Thanks for reading. Love, Betsy

And the Haters Gonna Hate, Hate, Hate, Hate Hate

Posted on December 29, 2023 by betsylerner

Dear Readers of this Blog, In the spirit of the year winding down, I thought I’d post my annual hate list: Everything pink and Barbie and my outsize jealousy of Greta Gerwig even though she has done nothing to me personally and made the highest grossing film of the year opening doors for women filmmakers which is awesome. Romantacy as a new genre. People hating on my new home away from home, TikTok, and blaming CoHo (Colleen Hoover) for the demise of fiction. People “not getting” Taylor Swift. Calling Twitter X. Succession and people praising it for the “writing.” The loss of constitutional rights. The battle for the soul of our country. The world in flames.

Sending love and light and bright new pages. Stay healthy, keep writing whatever you do, and hope to see you in the new year.

Love, Betsy

p.s. please add to the list!!

photo: Wiki

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And the Moon Rose Over an Open Field

Posted on December 19, 2023 by betsylerner

A friend just forwarded this Substack post to me (you guys aware of Substack? It’s platform for writers to make money from subscriptions – cutting out the middle man — and there’s great stuff on it). Hennyway: this was right up my alley. Love the negative writing vibe. Reminded me of us. Almost did a spit take.

What do you wear when you write, and where?

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Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Posted on December 18, 2023 by betsylerner

Dearest Readers of this Blog: I have been cheating on you. I’m not going to lie. I’ve been seduced by TikTok, BookTok specifically. A year ago, people in publishing were saying that it’s the only social media to move the needle (the sales needle). So while most people turned their noses up at it, and Colleen Hoover, I decided to check it out. I’m astonished at what I’ve found, dancing cowboys and kitten videos aside, there is a vibrant community of book lovers who read in every genre, including classics. It’s a way to discover what is popular and why. A lot of people are reading out there, and sharing their thoughts, and creating communities. I’m definitely a newbie, but when I make a video that people respond to, I have to admit it’s thrilling. If you’re interesed, check me out @betsylerner

In other news, my debut (!) novel has gone into production and will come out next year in November. My editor has kicked my ass seven ways from Sunday and I’m beyond humbled and grateful. Not only have I improved by book as a result of her painstaking work, I feel as I’ve become a better editor myself.

To anyone who is still hanging around the Lerner Home for Wayward Children, I hope you’re okay. I hope you’re bringing a writing project to fruition or starting a new one, or just writing in your diary, or a long letter to a friend. If you’re out there, catch us up. xo, Betsy

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