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
Tonight I have the great pleasure of attending the tribute concert honoring Patti Smith at Carnegie Hall with an incredible roster of artists and actors playing her songs and reading her work. When I was fifteen years old, in 1975, I discovered two works that would change the course of my life. Ariel by Sylvia Plath, that slim volume of poems that spoke to all the pain I couldn’t name. And Horses, the album, that spoke to all the rage. I found it in Cutler’s, the New Haven record store, where I spent many hours perusing albums. I hadn’t heard of Patti Smith, but the jacket art called out. An androgynous looking woman in a black and white portrait photograph, white shirt, suspenders, an unapologetic gaze. Reader, I bought it. From the very first lines, I was galvanized, besotted. When I wrote to Patti Smith as a young editor wondering if she’d consider writing her memoir, I never could have possibly imagined that 28 years later we would have become compatriots, friends, editor and writer connected through language and poetry, life and art. Tonight is a night of nights.
People always ask me what I’m looking for as an agent. Besides a house in Santa Barbara and a lifelong supply of Ambien, I usually say something like “prize winners or page turners.” Or, “I’ll know it when I see it.” Or something else equally evasive. I’m not trying to be cute, it’s just really hard to describe. Today, I read an interview with theater producer Sonia Friedman and she said, “I don’t want the writer to write what I want; I want the writer to write something that I didn’t know I needed. And that’s been the rule for me throughout my working life, to do with the thing that’s almost impossible to articulate, which is a about a feeling, about a chill, about a goose bump, holding your breath and realizing that time has stopped and I’m lost in another world, and if that happens, I’m all in.”
I’ll have what she’s having. What makes time stop for you?
It’s seven weeks into the new year, do you know where your writing project is? Hitting it, fits and starts, stalled out? I’m deep in and it’s all I want to do but I will confess that every other day I think it sucks, that I’m deluding myself, that I was never meant to write fiction, imposter syndrome run wild. But then every other day, I’m in the saddle, writing until my hands cramp. I’m in the whiplash stage, but I’m determined to push through. I also understand that the project might wind up in the drawer but I have to finish the fucker. I don’t believe in closure, but I love completion.
If you’re still hanging out at The Lerner Home for Wayward Children, let me know what you’re working on and how it’s going. Or if you need a kick in the ass.
I know it’s that time of the year for my hate list, but I just can’t get it up. For one, there is just too much to be terrified about with the new administration coming in and all the vulnerable, brave people who will be at even greater risk. And second, I’m filled with gratitude this year. I’ve had the most incredible experience connecting with people over Shred Sisters and felt completely supported by my publisher. I’ve worked with authors for 35 years and I’ve never been part of a happier collaboration. Do I hate the term “holding space?” YES. Do I hate Nicole Kidman’s wigs. YES. Do I still hate myself and wish I could lose weight, of course Boo Boo.
What’s your new year writing resolution. Do it here. Do it now. Love you, Betsy
I would have written sooner but I’m been promoting the shit out of Shred Sisters. Texas and Miami Book Festivals and podcasts and book clubs. So much fun. But the best experience was zooming with all of you. I felt like Dorothy when she wakes up in Kansas and recognizes the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow as her old friends IRL. Writing the blog over the last seventeen (!) years has given me so much. Developing my own writing voice, finding community, watching some of you form writers groups of your own, publishing, persisting in the face of rejection (fuck rejection), and mourning the loss of our beloved Shana Mahin together has been so rewarding and meaningful. You’ve let me fly my freak flag high and I’m so grateful. If you’re anything like me, you’re dreading the holidays. So find a half hour and write, take back the night.
Thanks so much for all the kind words about the novel, too. Love you all. xoxo
This is a reminder that our virtual book club is tomorrow night, Thursday, November 14 from 7:30 to 8:30. Here is the link to the events tab on the website and click on our event. That should take you to the zoom page. Please bear with me if the whole thing crashes and burns. I’ve never hosted anything like this. But let’s give it a whirl. We can talk about Shred Sisters or we just talk shit, as per usual.
Let’s do the book club on Thursday, November 14 at 7:30. I will put the zoom link and passcode on the events page. Please go to that tab and log on. I can’t wait to meet you all over zoom. We can talk about Shred Sisters or just talk trash. Can’t wait.
Please don’t tell anyone because I will deny it, but I am actually feeling happy and excited about the novel coming out next week. Thanks to everyone who is still hanging out the Lerner Home for Wayward Children and to everyone who has generously pre-ordered a copy. I found my voice here, and I’m really grateful to all of you letting me fly my freak flag for the last fifteen years.
Anyone interested in a virtual bookclub for Shred Sisters? Let me know in the comments and we’ll set it up.
If any of you are in NYC, please come to the launch of Shred Sisters! I’ll be in conversation with Patti Smith about process, writing, poetry, memoir and our 27-year collaboration. It’s on Wednesday, October 16. Hosted by McNally Jackson. Judson Church. 55 Washington Square South. You can pre-order a ticket here: https://www.mcnallyjackson.com/betsy-lerner-presents-shred-sisters-book-rsvp
Betsy Lerner 