I
just got back from a four-day weekend extravaganza in Dayton, Ohio, which is a
place that defies many electronic attempts at finding the correct road, direction,
and exit ramp, and also home of the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop.
It
was fabulous. I’m not talking about the
eight-hour drive that I blithely decided to do alone. For my own future reference: Employ national geography knowledge next time. Ohio is far away.
It
wasn’t fabulous in a Sex and the City glam-fabulous way. Dayton, folks. Not the epicenter of all things that are
happening in the world. Although there was talk of something something blah blah basketball. I don't know.
It
was fabulous in the way that three hundred humor bloggers and book authors and
wannabe writers convened and networked and met for the first time even if they
were going to be sharing a hotel room. Writers
are brave people, folks.
It
was fabulous in the way we asked each other “What do you write?” and every
answer was followed by an interesting conversation and an exchange of business
cards and maybe even a picture or two.
It
was fabulous in the way that three hundred people sat together in auditoriums
and classrooms and learned what it was to be a writer, whether you write books
or blogs or newspaper columns or in a journal that you keep in your nightstand.
It
was fabulous in the way we all were inspired to write, and write, and then write
some more. Because when you write you
are a writer. I needed that inspiration,
that validation.
It
was fabulous in the way that we learned about the late Erma Bombeck and the
legacy she left to the world of humor writers and especially to each individual
writer whose goal is to marry every real message and truth with a laugh or two. After all, if you don’t laugh in this life,
you will die in the corner weeping.
And
it was fabulous because this happened:
![]() |
That's Phil Donahue! I'm pretty sure he fell in love with me at this moment. |
*******
In
other news:
I’m
featured on Mamalode today!
I’d love it if
you visited me there to learn about how my kids’ growing into teens
is
forcing me into a transition of my own.
Are you there yet? How are you
doing? I’m still not sure if I’ll
survive this parenting thing.
How amazing for you to be at that conference! I am so glad you went (but OMG an 8 hour drive?). Yay Phil Donahue and Mamalode!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison! Two years for you to get your own trip to Dayton together! As for me, I will be flying there.
DeleteWhat a cool experience! Phil Donahue?!?!? Be still my jealous heart!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear more about what you learned!
I'm so happy to hear that you love him, too! He is truly classy, inspirational, encouraging. And handsome!
DeleteOh, I'm so glad you got to experience that! How cool! I dream about going to a writing conference where I can meet other writers and find inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOnly two years, Laura~! Will I see you there next time? xo
DeleteIt was so nice to meet you at the conference. I cannot wait until the next one!
ReplyDeleteI know! It was great meeting you, too - so nice to put actual people and voices with the names I know online. :)
DeleteI'll bet he DID fall in love with you, funny lady. I'm so happy it was a wonderful experience, and of course that you were able to visit the cultural mecca of Dayton ;)
ReplyDeleteDayton is quite a place. That's all I have to say about it, really. :) And Phil was a dream!
DeleteLoved your essay on Mamalode today! I'm experiencing the same type of transitions with my 15- and 11-year-old daughters. Just when I think I have a handle on their ages, boom--someone changes. What a dizzying experience!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cathy! You hit it right on the head there - as soon as you figure them out, they change directions! Ah, well. It's what we signed up for, right? Well, maybe not exactly this, but you know what I mean. :)
DeleteIt was so fun to meet you and get to know you there! I'm already looking forward to 2016.
ReplyDeleteI am too! I loved meeting you, too, and now I can't wait to see you again! xoxo
Deleteha! He did fall in love! This awesome, and BRAVE.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to a conference in June and it's a six hour drive. I thought about flying but it might be too much.
Hmm...
Six hours is doable. Eight is borderline a little crazy.
DeleteYou will love your conference! This was my first and it was a good one. :)
It was so great to meet you! Phil definitely looks smitten in that photo.
ReplyDeleteHe does, doesn't he?
DeleteSo much fun getting to know you this weekend! I miss you and creepy baby.
I am so glad we met!
ReplyDeleteAnd I can TOTALLY see the love in Phil's eyes.
Creepy baby would be so proud.
The weekend was great, wasn't it? You are hilarious, warm, and so much fun! See you in 2016?
DeleteConfession: I would love to drive 8 hours all by myself.
ReplyDeleteAlso: I would have loved to be your driver and gone to the workshop with you!
So glad you had a fantastic time. xoxox
Next time - road trip!
DeleteI also love driving, but this was a little too long all by my lonesome. I needed conversation and a good music mixer.
My fondest memories of my childhood is remembering my mom's laugh while reading Erma Bombeck. She would read parts of it out loud and none of her kids got it. It didn't matter, though. Mom loved her and when she died it was like the dearest friend had left our house.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet memory of Erma! The love for her was apparent at this conference. I know you (and your mom) would love it.
DeleteI am so glad you found both inspiration and validation--you WRITER you. You're very deserving of that description. Yay for a good time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah. Your sweet words mean so much to me. xoxo
DeleteYou and Phil look great together - like old pals! It was worth the drive just for that, right? ;)
ReplyDelete