Bonnie Garmus and Diane Arieff: May 1, 2023

The speaker, Andrea Grossman, welcomes the audience to a popular LA event and instructs them to turn off their cell phones. She expresses gratitude for the attendees and the Abel for providing the theater. Andrea highlights the Writer's Block's 27th season and her appreciation for the members. She also mentions the excitement around the adaptation of Bonnie Garments' novel, Lessons in Chemistry, into a series by Apple TV, and the anticipation for its release.

Bonnie Garments, the author of Lessons in Chemistry, discusses her inspiration for the book and its protagonist, Elizabeth Zott. She shares her desire to create a rationalist character in response to the world's increasing irrationality. Bonnie talks about her personal experience with workplace misogyny as a catalyst for the first chapter. She also addresses the choice of setting in the late 1950s and early 1960s, aiming to show progress for women and the need for further advancement. The conversation touches on the role of anger in the book, balanced with humor and hope, reflecting the protagonist's journey.

Bonnie Garments talks about her concerns over the translation of her humor across different cultures, sharing an anecdote about a positive reception in Dubai. The discussion shifts to the narrative structure of the book, which includes multiple points of view. Bonnie explains her intention to round out the protagonist by having ten different characters offer their opinions of her, reflecting the theme of chemistry as a science of balance and change.

The conversation delves into the central metaphor of chemistry in the book, with Bonnie Garments explaining how it naturally fits into the story's narrative. She discusses her approach to character development, allowing them to evolve organically by placing them in uncomfortable situations. This method brings out their flaws and vulnerabilities, making them more relatable and real. Bonnie also shares her experience with researching chemistry for the book, despite not being a scientist.

Bonnie Garments shares the impact of her book being adopted by an all-boys school, highlighting the importance of teaching boys not to grow up sexist. She receives messages from young male readers who have been positively influenced by the book. The discussion also covers the reaction of adult male readers, who find relatable characters and themes in the book. Bonnie emphasizes the book's universal appeal and its ability to raise consciousness about gender issues.

Bonnie Garments talks about the character of Six-Thirty, the fictional dog in her book, who has become an Instagram influencer. She shares the story of her real dog, Friday, who inspired the character and was a victim of severe abuse. Bonnie discusses her writing process, which does not involve outlining, and the importance of endurance in writing a novel. She also touches on the lessons she learned from her experiences with rowing and how it influenced her writing.

Bonnie Garments discusses her intention behind featuring three generations of women in her book: an older woman with no opportunities, Elizabeth in a misogynistic era, and a child raised without limits. She talks about the dynamics of their interactions and the support they provide each other. The conversation also includes a humorous anecdote about her daughter encouraging her to finish the novel and her eventual success in doing so after meeting her agent, Felicity Blunt.

Bonnie Garments shares her challenging experience of querying her previous novel, which resulted in numerous rejections. She explains the querying process and its difficulty for writers. The discussion then turns to how she met her agent, Felicity Blunt, through an in-person writing course. Bonnie humorously recounts her journey to signing with Felicity, who expressed interest in her work and helped her navigate the publishing world without the querying process.

Bonnie Garments expresses her gratitude and honor for the television adaptation of her book, Lessons in Chemistry, by Apple TV. She talks about the surreal experience of letting her work go into the world in this new form and the good people she is entrusting with it. The conversation highlights the excitement around the project and the positive reception from the audience.

Bonnie Garments shares personal stories of conducting chemistry experiments at home, which led to incidents requiring the fire department's attention. She humorously describes the reactions of her husband and the authorities to her scientific endeavors. The discussion also includes her interactions with colleagues from her past job, where she felt let down in a meeting, and the impact of her book on them.

Bonnie Garments talks about her decision to kill off the character Calvin in her book, which surprised even her. She discusses the emotional journey of the protagonist, Elizabeth, and her interactions with Calvin's mother, Avery Parker. Bonnie shares her intentions behind Elizabeth's character, drawing from stoicism and her own experiences with emotional expression.

Bonnie Garments reflects on the global appeal of her book and how readers from different cultures identify with the characters. She discusses her choice not to provide detailed physical descriptions, allowing for universal identification with the characters. The conversation highlights the power of storytelling to connect people across the world.

Bonnie Garments concludes the discussion by sharing her writing journey, from her first novel at age five to her career as a copywriter and her experiences with querying. She talks about the lessons she's learned along the way, including the importance of not writing a 700-page debut novel. The conversation ends with a humorous note about her next writing projects.

The discussion concludes with Bonnie Garments expressing excitement for the upcoming TV adaptation of her book, starring Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott. She encourages the audience to hurry up with the series release and shares her enthusiasm for the project. The event ends with Bonnie offering to sign books in the lobby and a final thank you to all attendees.