I'm in shock.
This afternoon I received a call from the Erma Bombeck Contest Coordinator at the Washington Centerville Public Library in Dayton, Ohio, telling me my humorous essay, "Honey, Can I Borrow Your Garter Belt?" won first place in the Erma Bombeck Writing Contest.
My hands are still shaking as I type this. I tried to write down the coordinator's comments, but I don't think I got them all.
In a nutshell, I won $500 and admission to the workshop in Dayton ($375 value) if I want to attend. My essay will be published in the Dayton Daily news, and press releases will be sent to local newspapers. My essay will also be printed in the program for the Erma Bombeck celebtation on April 18th.
The first-round judges loved the "hoochie grandma" line, and the final judge commented that "Strunk and White would be proud of this writer's economy of words."
When I find out more details, I will post them here.
Special thanks to my critique group for their suggestions to improve my essay.
And I'm still in shock.
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I'm in shock. This afternoon I received a call from the Erma Bombeck Contest Coordinator at the Washington Centerville Public Library ...
Whoo hoo!! Congratulations, Donna! Excellent news. And even though I don't exactly know what the essay is about, I love the "hoochie grandma" line, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Madeline,
DeleteThanks. The essay is about last December when my hubby had surgery on veins in his leg and needed a garter belt to keep up his support stocking.
Donna
Congratulations, Donna! This is a BIG win, and I'm certain, well deserved! I can't wait to read your winning entry. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. I'm still trying to absorb it. I will post my essay, but I'm not sure when.
DeleteDonna
DONNA, I JUST GOT AN E-MAIL FROM DIANNA G. TELLING ME THE EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY YOU WON!!!!!!! THE JUDGES FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT THIS YEAR!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky,
DeleteThanks. You are so sweet for posting about my win on your blog. It's a blessing to have friends like you!
Donna
Congratulations!!! Wow, that is wonderful news.
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela,
DeleteThank you.
Donna
Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH DONNA THIS IS HUGE!!!!!!!!! I wish I had your number, I'd call and just scream!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete(Consider yourself screamed at-and SO excited for you!Can't wait to read the essay!!!)
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words.
Hi Krysten,
Thanks. I'm excited.
Hi Cathy,
Wow! It's still sinking in. I tried to write down everything the contest coordinator told me, but my handw were shaking. She did mention they would mail my check, so when BIG CHECK arrives in the mail I'll get more details.
And I consider myself screamed at, but it's hard to hear your screaming cause I've been doing some of my own. :-)
Donna
That is incredibly good news! Erma Bombeck was one of my favorite writers, growing up...I hope you will read it aloud at some gathering.
ReplyDeleteWhat a well-deserved honor. Congratulations!
Yay! Donna, I am so happy for you. There's a party in Heaven, and Erma is shouting your name. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteHi Sioux,
ReplyDeleteThanks. When the essay is published by the Dayton Daily News I will send a link to it.
Donna
Hi Linda,
Thank you. What a sweet comment.
Donna
Oh my gosh, Donna, that's major stuff! Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Oh, Donna, just saw the news! Am so happy for you and your essay. Yes, I bet you have the right tone and voice for this kind of thing...not like last year's first choice! One more example of the fine "stuff' that can come from the Missouri East!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What wonderful news for you.
ReplyDeleteKay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
YAY for Donna! I'm so excited for you. Congratulations. And like everyone else, can't wait to read it! Well deserved!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Donna, how exciting! What a wonderful way to start the weekend. Well done, well done indeed.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat,
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is so exciting.
Hi Claudia,
Thanks. You are so kind.
Hi Lynn,
Thank you. I will let everyone know when it is published.
Hi Sally,
Thank you. You are right; it's a wonderful way to start the weekend.
Donna
Donna, this is such fabulous news, and big, big. big! I am so excited for you, and hope you do get to attend the workshop. You so deserve this! - Pat Smith
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic! Kudos to you! Now you will reign for two years. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Pat,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm excited too!
Hi Val,
Thank you so much.
Donna
Becky sent me over. She is so proud and happy for you it dances off the screen.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. It must feel simply amazing.
So happy for you, and so proud I could burst! Wow!
ReplyDelete-Marcia
Hi Elephant's Child,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Becky is so sweet! And it hasn't sunk in yet.
Hi Marcia,
Thank you, and thanks for your always helpful comments during critique.
Donna
Congratulations, you must be over the moon!
ReplyDeleteLynne x
Thanks, Lynne and Dip-Dip and the Bridge.
DeleteI am very excited.
Donna
Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm here from Becky's blog to congratulate you. Your entry sounds really funny and cute.
ReplyDeleteHi Bobby Betty,
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Hi Myrna,
Thanks for stopping by. And thank you!
Donna
I love Erma Bombeck - how exciting! Congratulations, are you going to Dayton?
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am awaiting more details but hope to go to Dayton.
Donna
I just read your winning essay and I loved it!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite sentence - "Thank goodness our former vice president finally invented the Internet because my compression-stocking honey found a garter belt online."
Congratulations!
I'm going to start following your blog now!
Leslie Doan
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hi Leslie,
DeleteThanks for your kind commets. I'm happy you were able to find my essay, and thanks for following me!
Donna
Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment. So happy for you!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janel!
DeleteCongratulations, Donna. You have such a wonderful sense of humor and are such an accomplished writer, I am sure you wrote a terrific piece. And I know that you faced stiff competition. I read the piece that our Walrus editor sent in and it was terrific. Please be sure as send me a copy of your article as soon as possible. I'm excited to read it too. Again, my heartiest congratulations. Double hugs!
ReplyDeleteDiana Davis
Thanks, Diana. The winning entries have posted on the library's website. I'll provide a link in my next blog post.
DeleteDonna
That is absolutely wonderful! I can't wait to read your entry! Congratulations - big time!!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
DeleteThanks. It's up on the library's website. I'll post a link on my blog soon.
Donna
Donna, you lucky dog you. Everyone loves Erma (and Raymond) and DONNA! You need to frame your certificate and hang it where you can see it every day. Oh, and does Walt want his cut for the story being about him? I know Roland would...
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks, Alice. I plan to do that.
DeleteDonna
Wonderful and awesome news, Donna. CONGRATULATIONS! I'm excited for you :) No need to tell you to have a happy weekend, LOL. You'll do fine on your own!
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
DeleteThanks! I hope you have a great weekend too.
Donna
I saw it on their site. Your story was great. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteJust read your piece on the EB contest site. Congratulations on a well-written story.
ReplyDeleteDonna, Congratulations! This is so exciting. I can't wait to read the story.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Congratulations! I'm sure competition was fierce. I wanted to enter, but never finished the piece I was working on. Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at the conference!!!
Hi janet,
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.
Hi Kathy,
Thanks. Hope you like it.
Hi Juliann,
Thanks for your good wishes. I think the contest is held every two years, but good luck if you enter.
Donna
BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Margo,
DeleteThanks!
BEST FRIENDS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFunny story! Thanks so much for including the link. Expect me to genuflect when I see you next, I am so in awe...
ReplyDelete(There are no photos of Walt with your garters on? Sigh.)
The ending was especially marvelous.
Hi Sioux,
DeleteSorry, no photos of Walt in a garter belt.
Donna