Elizabeth Berg

It is 1961, and thirteen-year-old Katie is facing a summer full of conflict. First, instead of letting her find her own work for the season, Katie's father has arranged for two less-than-ideal baby-sitting jobs -- one for the rambunctious Wexler boys and another for Mrs. Randolph, a kind but elderly, bed-ridden neighbor. To make matters worse, Katie has been forcibly inducted into the "loser" Girl Scout troop organized by her only friend Cynthia's controlling and clueless mother. A much-anticipated visit to her former home in Texas and ex-best friend Cherylanne proves disappointing. And then comes an act of betrayal that leaves Katie questioning her views on friendship, on her ability not to take those she loves for granted, and, most important, on herself. "One thing to say about you, Katie, is that you are true. You should be proud of it, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise," Cherylanne insists. But whether or not Katie will ever feel true to herself remains to be seen.

From the writer whose work The New Yorker calls "strong" and "timeless," True to Form is a delicately told tale of a young girl wise beyond her years, whose growing pains finally awaken her to the clarity of forgiveness and a greater understanding of the complicated world around her. Full of the anguish and the joys of adolescence in a much more innocent time, True to Form is sure to make readers remember and reflect on their own moments of discovery and self-definition.

May 14, 2002 - Boston, Massachusetts

I had the opportunity to catch up with ELIZABETH BERG on her tour for TRUE TO FORM, the third "Katie" book. Admitting that the Katie books (DURABLE GOODS, JOY SCHOOL and now TRUE TO FORM) hold a special place in her heart, Elizabeth talked about her writing and books.

Writerspace: Your new book, TRUE TO FORM is out now. Can you tell us about it?

Elizabeth Berg: TRUE TO FORM is the third book with same characters, but focuses on a single summer for Katie. It includes an act of betrayal - one of those watershed moments in people's lives - plus the need to admit to your own identity.

Writerspace: Katie Nash, the young main character in TRUE TO FORM, is 13 and moved across the country from her old home. You were an Army brat and obviously "enjoyed" some of these same experiences. Did you include any of your adventures in TRUE TO FORM? And can you share them with us?

Elizabeth Berg: I did move around all the time as a child and it was very difficult. Actually I detailed more of those experiences with Katie in JOY SCHOOL. In TRUE TO FORM, I did give her something I always fantasized as a child - the opportunity to go back to a previous location. Of course, it isn't always as one expects!

Writerspace: Ah, babysitting! Brings back many fond and NOT-SO-FOND memories for me! In my mind, Katie had it easy only rambunctious boys! I think my experience with a farm family of SIX, yes SIX children under 8 had to be worse! Do you think that TRUE TO FORM can be read by girls in similar situations as Katie?

Elizabeth Berg: [laughs] How much did you get paid when you babysat? I made 25 cents an hour and then later a raise to 35 cents! My daughter was offered $10 per hour! I told her I would do it! But absolutely, the KATIE books appear to appeal to a broad range of readers - ages 8 to 80. I do agree some of the feelings people are going through or remember are in these stories. These Katie books are my favorite.

Writerspace: Katie goes through real life trauma during the summer in TRUE TO FORM. Katie is part of a betrayal - not giving away too much of the story - and yet is true to herself, which as a mother of an adolescent girl, I certainly appreciate. Did you write TRUE TO FORM as a universal tale that connects to all of us as former adolescents or are you telling a more specific story?

Elizabeth Berg: I write for the characters. Somehow in this mysterious process of writing the story is told. When I started this book, I thought I wrote for the Randolphs - but it turned out to be Katie's story. You never know where the story ends up.

Writerspace: You have had a truly varied work history: clerk, lead singer for a rock band, receptionist, actress and then nurse. And all these experiences have obviously contributed to the fascinating characters you have created in your books. What would be your advise for a young woman starting out after high school, in regards to jobs or experiences?

Elizabeth Berg: Hate to steal from another but I believe Joseph Campbell says it best -- "follow your bliss" is my advise. Follow the bliss that makes you the person you are. It is harder as you get older, so I encourage young people to start early and hold on for as long as they can. One thing I like about younger children is their honesty even if it hurts us. It would be good if we could hang on to honesty longer.

Writerspace: Last year's hit, NEVER CHANGE, has an interesting premise - the lonely girl from high school brought face to face with her high school crush, years later. In telling the story of Myra and Chip you examine some fundamental questions about how we define ourselves and how our memories shape us. Can you tell us about NEVER CHANGE?

Elizabeth Berg: I began NEVER CHANGE with an interest in exploring the complexity of assisted suicide - if a rational person who has lived fully and has a complex disease can make a sane and rational decision, is there a case to be made for assisted suicide? Myra explored that in NEVER CHANGE. I also had a friend who died from brain tumor but never had a chance to find the woman of his dreams. So those two things were in my mind when I started. You know it is never too late to achieve the things we want to achieve in our life.

Writerspace: Your book, OPEN HOUSE was chosen as an Oprah book club selection. Obviously it helped propel you even further into readers' consciousness. Do you think that your books will continue to attract the "Oprah" readers?

Elizabeth Berg: I think so; I think women gravitate to my books although men are reading them as well. If you define Oprah readers as women, then I think so, yes! But my stories do appeal to universal audiences - male and female, young and old.

Writerspace: I must agree about TRUE TO FORM. I read it on a 10-hour bus trip as I was chaperoning high school students. I felt "compelled" to read parts aloud to my fellow chaperone and it was interesting to observe the expressions of the girls sitting behind me eavesdropping. Do your books have a theme?

Elizabeth Berg: Forgiveness, acceptance? Really! I am glad they enjoyed it! I think my books are always life affirming. I write from consciousness not trying to put out a message but looking back over my body of work, I think that all my books contain a unified message - affirming our lives as we live them.

Writerspace: What are you working on now? After this book tour?

Elizabeth Berg: I just finished a novel - a real close up view of a marriage in trouble from a man's point of view. A mixture of pathos and fun. The working title is SAY WHEN.

Ms. Berg is a delight to talk with, and we share golden retrievers and daughters in common, although I am not sure about the rock band! TRUE TO FORM is available now from Atria Books and NEVER CHANGE is out in paperback. The "Katie" stories are a wonderful trip into the life of a not-so-perfect young lady. I recommend them for readers of any age!