How to cook bacon so that it isn't so stringy?

I like bacon. Sunday is mother's day and I want to make my mom some nice breakfast. Anyway, does anyone have any advice on how to cook bacon so it's nice and crispy? I find that if I cook it too long it starts to blacken and harden and tastes bad man. If I cook it so that the meat-part of the bacon is just right I guess there's still lots of fat left holding it together and it's not nice.