Monday Musings - What to Expect When You’re Expecting to Be Funny – A Guide for the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop

 

Where do you go where sleep is optional, overeating is expected, and laughter is guaranteed? If you answered the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop (EBWW)], you would be correct. It’s an adrenaline rush that doesn’t leave you disappointed.

It was many moons ago when I read the book series  What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Followed by What to Expect the toddler years, then the Teen Years. Now that my sons are adults, I can bequeath those books to their significant others. Before I digress too much I thought it would be fun to create a What to Expect set of guidelines for new attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop.

If you asked each attendee about their experience, the result would be a potpourri of answers, but each person would include the words fun and laughter. You would also hear  - friendships, amazing, talented people, kindness.

The information included in this post is intended for anyone interested in attending EBWW. Let me begin with a few expectations so that you are not overwhelmed when you arrive for the workshop.

1.      Don’t plan to get a lot of sleep (you can do that when you get home).

2.      You may experience FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). To avoid a sever outbreak of this, plan that you will go with the flow and engage in the many opportunities available.

3.      Do a few stretching exercises with your face, lips, and jaw, in preparation for lots of laughter.

4.      Arrive at the workshop ready to make friends.

5. Don’t be offended by huggers. There are a lot of us out there, we mean well. One time I accidentally hugged my son’s little league coach. I didn’t realize he was leaning in to shake my hand; I grabbed him around the shoulders. But that’s a story for a different time.

Here’s how the workshop works…you must first get in. It’s not a secret society, just a group of fun people who want to laugh and learn together. I’ll share three simple steps to help you prepare for the expected workshop.

Step 1

Sign up for the newsletter so that you are aware of the happenings in Erma Nation.*

*A fun term of endearment that the workshop attendees use.

The workshop meets every two years; registration for the next workshop opens November 2027.

 

Step 2

Set a reminder about the workshop registration date.

Mark your calendar, set an alarm, write it in blood, whatever you need to do (within the law) to reserve your spot. Rumor has it that the workshop filled within 33 hours.

 

Step 3

Plan ahead.

You have two years, decide now if you want to attend the workshop. Set up a savings plan, you’ll want to buy books written by all the presenters. There is an onsite bookstore, you will be drawn to t-shirts, mugs, water bottles, journals – oh my.

If you plan ahead, you save yourself the stress of deciding which item to buy – get them both. No buyer’s remorse here. Be sure to take a suitcase large enough to carry your new treasures home.

Step 4

Don’t force the funny.

Relax, go with the flow. Don’t think that people expect you to be funny. Enjoy the camaraderie and laugh-out-loud moments.

One final thought…What should you expect when you’re expecting to be funny at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop? The answer is short and simple – Inspiration.