Local Author Spotlight: Lynette Lamb

Article by Becky Fillinger

Lynette LambLynette Lamb has been a magazine writer and editor for more than 30 years, including at Utne Reader and Minnesota Monthly magazines. She is also the spouse and caretaker of a stroke survivor for 15 years. Her husband’s name is Robert Gerloff. He was a very successful residential architect who ran his own firm until he had a stroke in the summer of 2006. Lastly, she’s our neighbor, living in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood. We talked to her about her new book, Strokeland.

Q:  What led you to write Strokeland?

A:  After my husband’s stroke, I sought out a book that would tell the truth about the reality of living with the effects of a massive stroke—both from the survivor’s point of view and especially from the caregiver’s. Many people can relate to having a medical event turn your life upside down.  I could never find a truly honest account that satisfied me, so I decided to write one.

Q:  You've been a professional writer for a while - how was the experience of writing Strokeland different from being a career magazine editor?

A:  I’ve been a journalist since I was 22, but in the 40 years since then I have nearly always written about someone else—and from a remove. Journalists are trained to keep ourselves out of the story. So, it took several memoir writing classes, more than a few teachers, and many years for me to feel comfortable enough to write my own story in the first person.

Q:  What advice would you give to others who might take up writing around a traumatic life event? Would you encourage them to write and document the experience? 

A:  I believe that writing about a traumatic life event can help you make sense of it. However, I recommend waiting awhile before trying to put it into book form. The years and the perspective it brings will only improve the story.

Q:  Were your husband and children supportive of Strokeland? 

A:  Yes, they were — and all three of them read the book before it was published and had a chance to make changes. Rob has been especially supportive, and I think truly brave in allowing this story to be published. He is my biggest fan and the real hero of the book.

Robert, Lynette and daughters

Q:  What do you hope readers will take away from your story? 

A:  My chief hope in writing and publishing this book was to help other stroke care partners and family members, especially those who, like Robert, live with aphasia - a condition that impairs a person’s ability to speak and understand others. It can be a very lonely condition to live with.

But I have been gratified to discover that other people who have experienced traumatic life events are finding the book helpful as well, as are friends of stroke survivors and health care professionals who work with stroke survivors.

Q:  Are there events planned to publicize the book?  

A:  COVID-19 makes typical book launch parties impossible, unfortunately. Because this book is self-published, I am mostly publicizing it through social media and word of mouth. I also hope to speak to some book clubs, as well at some events sponsored by MnCAN (Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now), a wonderful local nonprofit that offers conversation groups for stroke survivors and a support group for care partners. I am donating to MnCAN 10 percent of the cover price of each book I sell.

Q:  Thank you for sharing your story with us. How may we buy the book and follow your news? 

A:  Please visit my website:  https://lynettelamb.com.