Watch Dr. Oz on Wednesday to hear about Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel

I just received some exciting news from D'ette Corona, VP and Assistant Publisher of Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC.

Here's the scoop:

This Wednesday, January 28th, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel, will be featured on the Dr. Oz show. 

Foreword writer Gabby Bernstein will talk to Dr. Oz about the book. In addition, the show taped interviews with three contributors to the book. The interviews are expected to be shown as well!

While I'm not one of the lucky three contributors who were interviewed for the Dr. Oz show, my true story "A Patchwork of Hope" appears in the anthology.

Here is the link if you want to check your local listings for the show’s air time: http://www.locatetv.com/tv/dr-oz-show/9012555

It's Official: I'm a Top Ten Finalist in the 2014 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition

Although I learned about my Erma Bombeck contest finish days ago from a friend on Facebook, I've been waiting for confirmation before posting this announcement on my blog.

Late yesterday afternoon I received official e-mail notification from Debe Dockins, with the Community Relations Department of the Washington-Centerville Public Library.

I'm thrilled to announce that my essay, "Remembering Miss Tobin," was a top-ten finalist in the 2014 Erma Bombeck Global - Human Interest Category.

The Erma Bombeck Writing Competition is hosted every two years by the University of Dayton and the Washington-Centerville Public Library in Centerville, Ohio, "where Erma wrote the books and columns that launched her national fame."

According to the Humor Writers Organization website, The 2014 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition attracted 853 entries from 48 states and 13 countries. (Note: That is total entries; I don't know how many were in the category I entered.)

Included in my e-mail notification were judges' comments and suggestions. Because most of my blog visitors are writers who want to improve their craft, I thought I'd share excerpts of the judges' comments here:

One judge remarked that "This is a wonderful human interest story, written with a strong clear voice. It needs a bit of the subtle humor that Erma would have brought to this story . . ."

Another commented my piece was ". . . a celebration of youth and decency and strength. I like the detail, the warmth and the soul here, so, so tender. . . ."

I'm grateful to the Washington-Centerville Public Library and the University of Dayton for keeping the memory and accomplishments of Erma alive through the competition and workshop. 

I'm also grateful to the judges, not only because they found merit in my essay, but also for taking time to give such thoughtful and encouraging feedback.

Most of all, I'm grateful to the late Erma Bombeck for sharing her wit, wisdom, and heart-warming stories with millions of readers -- and for continuing to inspire writers like me.

Lights, Camera, Action: Chicken Soup for the Soul Headed for the Big Screen

Grab your sunglasses and roll out the red carpet!

Amy Newmark, Chicken Soup for the Soul series publisher and editor, notified contributors today that Chicken Soup for the Soul is being made into a feature film with a Hollywood studio.

According to Newmark's press release, "Alcon Entertainment, the creative studio behind The Blind Side, Dolphin Tale, P.S. I Love You, and many other hits, is set to finance and produce the film, along with The Kerner Entertainment Company and its principal Jordan Kerner, the genius behind The Smurfs 1&2, Charlotte's Web, George of the Jungle, Fried Green Tomatoes, and many others.

"Brandon Camp, who wrote Love Happens, will write the screenplay, which is inspired by our books. Warner Bros will release the film. One of the Executive Producers of the film will be Ben Haber, who executive produced The Smurfs and Across the Universe."

To read more about this exciting project, here's a link to an article in the LA Times.

See What's Brewing at Coffee and Critique

Today I posted news about my weekly critique group, Coffee and Critique.

Pop on over to the C&C blog to see what's brewing with the writers there.

Last Thursday and Today

Last Thursday, our area also got clobbered by a snow and ice storm just before morning rush hour.

Last Thursday, my husband had an appointment to have a biopsy done at a doctor's office, which is located in the middle of a busy hospital complex about 25 miles from our home.

Last Thursday, it took us over two hours to drive to the doctor's office because of the traffic and road conditions. I called ahead and let them know we were sitting in traffic and would be late--very late--for the appointment. Hubby's surgery didn't take too long. The nurse who assisted the doctor told me it took her four hours to get to work that morning, and most of the patients who were able to make it were late.

Last Thursday, when I asked her when we would know the results of the biopsy, she said the doctor would let us know the following Friday at Hubby's next appointment--but if there was a problem with the biopsy, they would call right away. In that case no news would be good news.

Last Thursday, we drove home nervous and anxious, not only because of the icy roads, but also because of fear of the unknown. Hubby was on pain pills for a couple days, but waiting to hear the results from the doctor was the hardest part.

Today was a different story.

Today, although it was very cold outside, the roads were dry and clear.

Today, it took less than half-an-hour to get to the doctor's office. We arrived early for a 10:00 a.m. appointment. Hubby got in right away. His appointment took less than ten minutes.

Today, we were out of the office and back in the parking lot before 10:00 a.m. Hubby wanted to have a late breakfast, so we did.

Today, the best part of the visit was that the biopsy was negative.

Thank God! And thanks to all my family and friends for their prayers--every day.