Betsy Lerner's Blog, page 2

Tell Them How I’m Defying Gravity

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

And the Dreams that You Dare to Dream Really Do Come True

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

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

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.

Love ya! Hope to see you tomorrow.

Ain’t No River Wide Enough to Keep Me From You.

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.

R.S.V.P. please let me know if you can make it.

How Do You Catch a Cloud and Pin It Down

My novel Shred Sisters was published this week and this happened!!

You’re the One Thing I Can’t Get Enough Of

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.

It’s My Party

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

Hope to see you there, xo, Betsy

If You Don’t Know Me By Now

I’m a few weeks out from the publication of Shred Sisters. I started writing that novel here, a few years ago, when some of us took the thirty minute daily writing challenge. Before long, I was writing for hours a day, bolstered by this incredible community of malcontents and maniacs. I realize that I started posting FIFTEEN YEARS AGO when I was between writing projects, feeling somewhat adrift. I never expected to find so much vitriol and commiseration about the writing process. Or so many unstable people like myself full of self-loathing and grandiosity. A bunch of you finished the fuckers, some of you made friends, formed writing groups, others published their books. Some have disappeared, others just arrived. We lost the great Shanna Mahin. It’s been an incredible experience and I’m grateful to everyone who has reached out over the years, lurkers, too. I feel you. Thank you all so much for indulging me.

Think about doing a girl a solid and pre-ordering a copy before Oct. 1. I’ll be your best friend.

Turn and Face the Strange

Anonymous, on September 2, 2024 at 1:02 pm said: 

If you could be so kind Betsy, share the key. Mine is stuck in the G D lock.

The key for me was this: editors who turned the book down said that my main character, Amy, didn’t change enough by the end of the book. There is an obsession today of having characters change (and that generally means for the better). It is my deeply held belief that people don’t change all that much. In fact, time reveals who they really are and often they get worse, harden, ossify. My editor said, Amy doesn’t have to change, but she has to learn. That turned the key for me. All the disappointment she experiences needs to impact her, but no she doesn’t get the guy, the job, the rainbows and unicorns. I want to find out who a character is layer by layer; that’s all. That’s enough for me.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? OR, what did you do on your summer vacation?

Photo: France revisited

I Gave Her My Heart But She Wanted My Soul

It’s exactly one month until publication date for Shred Sisters. I started it three years ago with the following sentence: Here are the ways I could start this story. It didn’t write itself, but for the next seven months I couldn’t stop writing. Then two years of revision. LOL. I had the help of many astute and generous readers and finally the best editor I could have hoped for. She took me through two rounds of editing that blew my mind. She helped me re-structure the book, she “alerted” me to my propensity for overwriting, she made sure every emotion tracked. She had big picture notes and incisive line edits. And then with a single piece of advice, she gave me the key.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?