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My Weekend With Erma Bombeck: Making Friends, Finding The Funny And Sharing French Fries

My love for Erma Bombeck began when I was just a kid peeking over my dad’s shoulder while he was laughing and reading one of many of her books that we would collect over the years. I was hooked.

“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should you?”

~ Erma Bombeck

Erma-typewriter-290x400-1

 

When I heard there was a conference dedicated to humor writing in her namesake – Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop –ย  I went berserk. And even more berserk when I found out it had just passed since it only happens once every two years!

So I waited months and months until the next round of Erma tickets came for sale. Tickets sold out in a matter of hours and I was one of the lucky ones heading to The University of Dayton, Erma’s alma mater, to get my funny on refine my craft.

It all started here.

dayton marriott

ย This would be my home away from home for the next four days. After a long day of laughing and learning this is where I lay my sleepy head.ย  Not hugging the bed’s edge like I usually do, but smack in the middle of the bed surrounded by mounds of white fluffy pillows. And – are you sitting down? – my very own TV remote!
It. Was. Heavenly.

During the day we went to classes and had cake.
Lots and lots of cake.

cake at erma

 

And I learned things from their amazing faculty.
Things like…


premature epub
And…

Be ruthless in editing: Revise, polish, and then do it some more. Print out your work, but read it in a different location. Then read it out loud. ~ Anna Lefler

Humor is where you find it. Write it as you would tell it. And if it isn’t making you cringe it’s not good enough. ~ Lisa Scottoline

Your most personal post will be the most universal. You can’t write and have shame. ~ Gina Barreca

Try to be one of those people on whom nothing is lost. Keep a notebook with you at all times. Have a list of funny words. ~ Dan Zevin

And so much more that would fill volumes of notebooks.

small erma banner

Humor writers are a special breed. Of all the conferences I’ve even been to this was the one that made me feel warm and fuzzy I really found my people. I loved everything about it. It was small, it was cozy, it was casual. We shared french fries.

It was like family, only better!

I learned as much in the classes as I did during the lunches, dinners, and informal chitchats in the bar. And when Sunday rolled around I was sad to go. I didn’t want to leave all my new friends and all the exciting and wonderful comedic energy behind. That’s when it dawned on me – it was like summer camp for humor writers!

See you at Erma in 2016. Bring your funny. Fuzzy slippers optional.

 

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Filed Under: Blogging & Writing, Popular Posts, Writer's Life Tagged With: erma bombeck, erma bombeck writers' workshop, finding the funny, humor

Comments

  1. jamie@southmainmuse says

    April 25, 2014 at 8:38 am

    It was a great time. Loved looking at your pics. And darn that dessert. It was everywhere. Too bad EBWW was during Lent and I gave up sweets this year. Hope to see you in 2016.

    Reply
    • Carpool Goddess says

      April 25, 2014 at 9:29 am

      I’m ready to start packing now! Hope to see you in 2016 too!

      Reply
  2. Gina Valley (@GinaValley) says

    April 25, 2014 at 9:19 am

    It was so great to get to meet you! I look forward to getting together again soon.

    Such an encouraging weekend! I wish it happened monthly.

    Reply
    • Carpool Goddess says

      April 25, 2014 at 9:30 am

      Loved meeting you too! We’ll have to get together now that we figured out we’re both in L.A. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Darcy Perdu (So Then Stories) says

    April 25, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Loved your recap — and I feel the exact same way — can’t WAIT for the next one! :o)

    Reply
    • Carpool Goddess says

      April 25, 2014 at 9:30 am

      Thanks, Darcy! It was so special.

      Reply
  4. Cristina says

    April 25, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Sounds like you had a blast. I would love to go to a writers conference. I’m a newbie/scaredy cat. Can’t wait to read all of the creativity that comes out of this conference for you!

    Reply
  5. Grown and Flown says

    April 25, 2014 at 9:39 am

    Linda, What fun, sounds like something to get on our calendars early!

    Reply
    • Carpool Goddess says

      April 25, 2014 at 9:56 am

      Yes! Hope to see you there in 2016 ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Sharon Greenthal says

    April 25, 2014 at 9:42 am

    I so wish I could have been there with all of you!

    Reply
    • Carpool Goddess says

      April 25, 2014 at 9:57 am

      That would have been great! Mark your calendar for 2016 ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Dr. Margaret Rutherford says

    April 25, 2014 at 10:56 am

    Wow your pictures are great! You left out one quote that I loved of Lisa Scottoline (sp?). “Write drunk. Edit sober”. You and so many others were just delightful to finally meet. I am still glowing on the inside. Endearing and generous post!

    Reply
  8. Haralee says

    April 25, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    It sounds like it was truly inspirational. Maybe 2016?

    Reply
  9. Nina says

    April 25, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    I’ve been so curious to hear the details! I don’t necessarily consider myself a humor writer, but I think I would love this one. Thanks for some details!

    Reply
  10. Susie (The Esthetic Goddess) says

    April 25, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Sounds like you were in your happy place! Erma was one of the greats!

    Reply
  11. Helene Cohen Bludman says

    April 25, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Excellent wrap-up! It was so wonderful. Glad we were able to spend time together and I’ll see you back there in 2016 (but hopefully before that).

    Reply
  12. Leigh Ann Torres says

    April 25, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    I had SUCH a great time. I agree, it was unlike any other conference I’d been to. I was with my people. I love my people.

    Reply
  13. Anne Parris says

    April 25, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    It was a very special event, due to the content, the staff, and the attendees. Lovely to see you!

    Reply
  14. Gina Barreca says

    April 25, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    You’re terrific and this is charming! Thanks for wave in my direction–I’m honored–and for doing such a wonderful job of captured the energy and enthusiasm of the event. xx Your fan, Gina

    Reply
  15. Amy F Sherman says

    April 25, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Ah, Linda. Thanks for keeping the memories alive. I hope I see more of you at camp next time. There is no other place like the EBWW.

    Reply
  16. Daniela says

    April 25, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    Delightful! Why don’t I ever think to take notes and pictures? Thank god you did, and the writing too. Now I don’t have to. ๐Ÿ™‚ Wish we had met, but then, there’s 2016. Till then!

    Reply
  17. Kate Hall says

    April 25, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    Wish I could have gone. I found it two years ago just after the 2012 event. I’m determined to make it to 2016.

    Reply
  18. Diana Dull Akers says

    April 26, 2014 at 5:04 am

    It sounds amazing! So happy for you! And now I want french fries and cake.

    Reply
  19. Marcia @ Menopausal Mother says

    April 26, 2014 at 6:32 am

    It was one of the most amazing weekends of my life!! Transforming! It was such a pleasure to finally meet you—you’re such a sweet person and SO FUNNY! And oh man, do I miss that CAKE! Cant wait to go back in 2016!!

    Reply
  20. I Love You Often says

    April 26, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I too have fond memories of reading EB at the kitchen table with my mom. Sounds like a love fest bonding with fellow fans who embrace the art of open self deprecation. Humor is life’s elixir!

    Reply
  21. Hayley says

    April 26, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    Looking forward to continued entertainment from your posts … but now I’m expecting more chuckles from you. Sounds like a wonderful and productive workshop, Linda. Good for you!

    Reply
  22. rachel says

    April 26, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    What a great vacation–um, conference! I remember the “if life is a bowl of cherries” book VIVIDLY from my childhood. So cool that so many can gather to keep that ball of funny rolling! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  23. Kymberly (@KymberlyFunFit) says

    April 26, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    I am so glad you included the quotes, so that we could learn along with you, even if just a tiny bit. Oh, and I like my fries on the crunchy, slightly overcooked side. Does that get me entree?

    Reply
  24. Parri Sontag (Her Royal Thighness) says

    April 26, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Camp for humor writers — you nailed it. This was one of the most special events I’ve ever attended. I learned so much and connected with so many new and wonderful people … and unlike other networking events, I didn’t feel like anyone had an agenda. It was such a non-competitive environment of support and encouragement. I left with enough fuel to carry me for months! 2016 can’t come soon enough!

    Reply
  25. Teri Rizvi says

    May 4, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Thanks for coming to our very special summer camp! So happy it was a great experience for you.

    Reply

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