thank you, erma bombeck

Erma sign

I laughed so much at the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop last weekend that my stomach still hurts. Since the next one isnā€™t until 2016, I figure I have two years to recover ā€“ and to come up with a book proposal. And if youā€™re considering going, well, I highly recommend it as both a literary lovefest and a great ab workout.Ā 

Iā€™ve already told you how much Erma means to me, and those feelings were magnified a thousandfold as writer after writer shared deeply personal stories about how she had inspired them.

The stories were so obviously what this weekend was all about ā€“ and they were amazing. I heard happy ones, sad ones, poignant ones, embarrassing ones. All told with humor. All easy to relate to even if they never happened to me.

You probably donā€™t need to hear how much I learned about writing at EBWW ā€“ although hopefully that will become apparent in future posts ā€“ so Iā€™m just going to share a couple of highlights from the conference.

Phil Donahue. He is always a highlight. As a keynote speaker and Ermaā€™s childhood friend and neighbor, he shared anecdotes about growing up together, and read the eulogy he gave at her funeral, bringing the audience to tears. He showed us the importance of Ermaā€™s words and how she gave a voice to a generation of women who were feeling unsatisfied by housework and motherhood. Although she used humor and wrote about everyday domestic issues, her impact was powerful and far-reaching, he explained, calling her a vocal proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment (which still hasnā€™t been passed, people).

When I got home, I found an old VHS tape of the time my sister and I were in Phil Donahueā€™s audience. It was 1989, I was pregnant and Erica Jong was the guest. I got to ask a question and it was a thrill to have Phil stand next to me with his signature microphone.

Here we are then:

Phil Donahue and Lois

Here we are now:

Phil Donahue and Lois

Although I recognized him immediately, he didn’t seem to remember me at all. Hmm.Ā We havenā€™tĀ He hasnā€™t changed one bit.

The women. I was so blown away by mother/daughter authors Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella, and the panel featuring Ilene Beckerman, Gina Barreca, Suzanne Braun Levine and moderated by Patricia Wynn Brown, that Iā€™m saving them for special posts. I still have to process everything I took away from those, and definitely need to share the experiences with you. Soon.

Lisa Scottoline, Lois, Helene
Me, Lisa Scottoline, Helene Cohen Bludman

The other women. My old friends, my new friends. Everywhere I turned, people were smiling, laughing, hugging and sharing. It was the warmest and fuzziest conference Iā€™ve ever attended, which is not to say it didnā€™t involve lots of cursing and alcohol.

Me, Helene, Margaret, Marci
Margaret Robinson Rutherford, me, Helene, Marci Rich

Pitchapalooza. Twenty writers were randomly selected to pitch their book idea in front of the crowd, and Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, the warm, funny and oh-so-smart husband and wife authors of The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published, would select a winner and introduce him or her to an agent or publisher. I learned so much just listening to the judges’ constructive criticism. I was proud of my three friends, Julie Danis, Noelle Gunn Elliott and Janie Emaus, in order below, who got up and did their one-minute pitch so brilliantly, and especially excited that Julie won! Yay, Julie! Canā€™t wait to feature your book when it comes out!

Janie Emaus

Julie Danis

Noelle Gunn Elliott

Stand-up Comedy. You couldnā€™t pay me to do this and I give so much credit to the 18 people who got up the nerve to perform. “It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else,” Erma once said. These people were courageous and hilarious, and the crowd was behind them all the way.

As I sit here now, reminiscing and smiling at the memories, I guess the big takeaway is that humor is what gets us through life. And if laughter is truly the best medicine, then, last weekend, a whole lot of people were made healthy.

34 thoughts on “thank you, erma bombeck

  1. Ditto to everything you said. It was an experience I will never forget, and being with you made it all the more special.

  2. Lois, you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I’ve always had a fear of this conference- a fear of needing to be as funny, warm, smart, relatable as Erma to be worthy of being there! You made it sound like such a wonderful experience though, I may have to go just to soak in the courage of others šŸ™‚

  3. I read about this in another blog as well, it seems you ladies have the time of your life’s, what an amazing experience!

  4. I keep reading about this wonderful conference and feel like I really missed out on a great time with a great group of people. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us

  5. Sounds like such great fun. Found more details about this event from another blog. I think it’s your friend Helene’s blog. Really nice to know there is such an event. I’m sure your 2 years will fly and you’ll get to all reunite again šŸ™‚

  6. Sounds so great, Lois! I love the photo, too, of you and Phil. You were so Lois even back then! šŸ™‚

    (Don’t know why I didn’t get a notice of this post in my Inbox cause I subscribe. Hmm.)

    I will not, NOT NOT NOT, miss the next Erma. No matter what. I vow out loud right now!

  7. I’ll bet you laughed more than you have in a long time. What an awesome event, and how come Phil Donahue looks the SAME after all these years?

  8. I love how beautifully you captured the warmth and glow of the weekend, Lois! I’ll look forward to reading your upcoming posts. It was great seeing you again, and finally getting to meet Helene and Margaret. FANTASTIC then-and-now photos of you and Phil!

  9. What an awesome conference! I’ve seen so many posts on Facebook from others that went. I had a ticket but couldn’t go šŸ™ Hopefully next year! Thanks for sharing!

  10. Good lawdy but it seems like a lot of pressure to come prepared with a book to pitch, a stand up comedy routine, and ideas to work on. Yet you all met the challenge! I have enjoyed reading all the Erma Bombeck post events posts. Looking forward to your future pieces as well.

  11. I had no idea that Phil Donohue & Erma Bombeck were neighbors growing up! Sounds like a grand conference! Loved Erma & love watching Phl back in the day. Thanks for sharing!

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