| The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers
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Amazon.com Review
Personal inspiration and practical advice from an expert in the field who delivers.One feels for Betsy Lerner's writers. Oh, sure, Lerner must be a fabulous agent. But too bad for them: In gaining her as an agent, they lost her as an editor. How rare and wonderful it must have been to have such an advocate, advisor, and, yes, admirer so firmly ensconced in publisher territory (at various times, Houghton Mifflin, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, and Doubleday). In The Forest for the Trees, Lerner reflects on writing and publishing from an editor's point of view. There are so many books by writers and agents promising to disclose what editors really want; here, finally, is one straight from the source. Like all experienced editors, Lerner has seen writers at their best, and at their worst. "Like shrinks," she says, editors "have a privileged and exclusive view into a writer's psyche, from the ecstasy of acquisition to the agony of the remainder table."
To writers, particularly unpublished ones, editors can seem imposing figures determined to thwart their success. They won't take calls, they don't offer feedback--sometimes they don't respond to queries at all. Guess what: Editors don't lug home hundreds of pounds of manuscripts to read each year because they aren't looking for good writing. "An editor gets off," says Lerner, "on the thrill of discovering a new writer." Editors crave "succinct, well-written cover letters," inspiration that comes from within (as opposed to from the bestseller list), and "catchy, clearly targeted title[s]." They detest unsolicited phone calls, "query letters that sound as if they were penned by Crazy Eddie," and writers who offer to "write it however I want it" (it's "like saying I'll be straight or gay; you tell me, I have no preference"). Lerner is aware of how excruciating it is for a writer to wait for feedback on his or her work. But she also lets writers in on a little secret of her own. "I'm always anxious about the author's response," she confides. "Will he or she take to my editing?" --Jane Steinberg
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By Suza Francina (Ojai, California)
A lifelong friend, someone who knows me well, gave me The Forest for the Trees for my 61st birthday. I honestly can't thank her enough for bringing this book to my attention. I've read many writing books to buoy me up when I lose my way and have learned something new from each one. Betsy Lerner's advice book is unique in that it gives writers the benefit of a literary agent, an executive editor, a therapist who understands the workings of the writer's mind and a fun, loving friend who is there for you through the thick and thin of the writing life. This book is a compassionate survival course that puts the writer's life on much more solid ground.
Some favorite quotes from Chapter Three, The Wicked Child:
"Most writers, like most children, need to tell. The only problem is that much of what they need to tell will provoke the ire of parent-critics, who are determined to tell writer-children what they can and cannot say. Unless you have sufficient ego and feel entitled to tell your story, you will be stymied in your efforts to create. You think you can't write, but the truth is you can't tell. Writing is nothing if not breaking the silence. The problem is, no one likes a snitch. On top of this, contemporary critics would have us believe that we are in an age of unparalled navel-gazing. On the contrary, there is far greater cultural censure in taking ones pain seriously. As Alice Miller notes in her book Banished Knowledge, 'Not to take one's own suffering seriously, to make light of it or even laugh at it, is considered good manners in our culture. This attitude is even called a virtue, and many people are proud of their lack of sensitivity toward their own fate and above all their own childhood.' "
"People are motivated to write for a variety of reasons, but it's the child writer who has figured out, early on, that writing is about saving your soul."
--Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50 and other books for people at midlife and older.
By Edgar A. Poe (Quincy, MA United States)
I found this book helpful in steering novice writers in the correct direction to capturing the important aspects of their subject. It is difficult for first-time authors to bring forth the essence of what should be interesting to an audience unfamiliar with the particular area of work for which they intend to address.
I haven't arrived at the stage of searching out a publisher.
Although,this is also covered in the book.
I recommend this for first-time authors. Definitely.
By E. Nodwell (Canada)
This is a truly interesting overview of the publishing process covering writing tips, publishing tips, and what to expect when you have a manuscript accepted, good and bad. I ordered this book for an editing course but feel that I will use it as reference for many other aspects of publishing besides. What not to do and what to do as an author and editor.
By B. Ross (Knoxville, TN USA)
This book has been cracking me up for days. It's honest and funny, it's sad and true. I can pick myself out in the various types of writers she mentions and that also makes me laugh.
To the people who say they're not crazy and feels that Lerner talks down and condescends, I disagree. I feel like she's just being honest. For example, when she says, "the only place you'll find more alcoholics than an AA meeting is a writing conference", that's hilarious! I had a great chuckle out of it. Honestly, my fellow writers, does it not make sense? I don't drink, but I can see how trying to write might drive somebody to it! Loosen up and laugh. Don't waste your time being offended, take her advice and enjoy the book. It gives me hope that someday I'll see some things of mine published.
By Timothy Thompson (Orange County, CA USA)
As a writer myself wanting to jump off the corporate 9-5 treadmill and let fly with some more creative and personally satisfying words, this book has proven to be the one book on writing and writers that stands out far above the similar ones in my library.
Ms. Lerner is a poet, a former editor, and an agent all rolled into one astute person who both remains in love with her craft and understands all the insane psychological quirks that comprise the writer's mind. Life as a writer has never been easy for me, but I can't imagine giving it up for a 'normal' existence within the bounds of human experience.
Words shake shake it up for me and I shake it up for words. Lerner manages to keep all that shaking inspiring and I find myself more motivated than ever to keep the passion of writing going. At last someone understands me! At last the personal story, so long relegated to the oft-avoided cobwebs of my neglected considerations, has been given life.
Thank you, Betsy. I dip my pen in salute.
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