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Viewpoint

me her winning essay, “This Is Widowhood.”
Attendee Quote: “I won registration to the EBWW…and encouragement and reassurance and
confidence, plus a big ol’ boost of cheer” (C. K. Conner, personal communication, 2022). Conner
was recipient of the DC Stanfa Memorial Writer’s Award. Named after a writer, humorist, and
longtime attendee who died unexpectedly in 2021, the award covers registration, travel, and hotel
expenses for two writers who show financial need and would benefit from the encouragement of
the EBWW.
Tip #4. Appreciate all the a-ha moments.

“You can write!” Three little words from Erma’s English professor, Brother Tom Price, changed
her life. Annabelle Gurwitch, New York Times best-selling author, spent time complimenting my short
story in front of 50 other writers. For the rest of the EBWW, I was floating on air as my fellow attendees
recognized me and praised my work.
Rejection is part of my writing life, and apparently bestselling authors experience that, too. W.
Bruce Cameron, author of 30 books, said he has a closet of manuscripts gathering dust. His book series,
A Dog’s Purpose (Forge, 2010), almost didn’t get published because it was rejected over and over for
several years. Now it is a bestseller and a motion picture. He told us to learn more about our craft and
not to quit.
Workshop Presenter Quote: “Best advice I can give, don’t try to be funny. Get a beginning,
middle, and end—build a tree and add ornaments later. The tree is the story, the ornaments the
jokes” (A. Zweibel presentation, “Is There a Secret to Writing Funny?,” personal communication,
2022).

Conclusion
My EBWW mission was simple. Engage in every session I could, remember to laugh out loud, meet
new people despite my fear, and appreciate the moments I learned from other writers. Whether you
attend a DKG meeting, workshop, or convention, apply that same philosophy, and you may be inspired
by E-R-M-A also. I initiated each dinner with a forkful of dessert. I think Erma would have been proud.

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of
talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’
— Erma Bombeck (EBWW, 2022)

Resources Mentioned
Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop (https://udayton.edu/artssciences/
initiatives/erma/index.php)
Erma Bombeck Collection (https://ermabombeckcollection.com)
Erma’s Got Talent (https://udayton.edu/blogs/erma/2022/04/ermas_
got_talent_performers.php)
Erma Bombeck Writing Competition (https://www.wclibrary.info/
erma/)
The Erma Bombeck/Anna Lefler Humorist-in-Residence Program
(https://humorist-in-residence.com/2021/11 /finding-
comedy-in-a-hotel-room/)
DC Stanfa Memorial Writer’s Award (https://udayton.edu/
artssciences/initiatives/erma/dc-stanfa-writers-award.php)
Glenda Ferguson at Bombeck sign.

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