Writer Everlasting

Hi readers and subscribers, I’m Ramona Grigg and this is Writer Everlasting. I chose that name because I’m in it for the long haul and there’s no end in sight. If you’re an everlasting writer, you’re in the right place.

I’ve been writing, teaching, and editing for more than 40 years. I’ve made all of the newbie mistakes and I can’t say I’ve found perfection at last, but I’m comfortable with who I am as a writer. That’s half the battle. It took me a while to see this, but if I can share anything here it’ll be the absolute necessity to shed our fears and get comfortable with our writing selves.

Some of you may be new to publishable writing and are feeling like newbies. That’s because you are newbies! No worries. We’ve all been there. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but really, seriously, don’t be afraid to add to the dialogue. Disagree with us if you’re feeling it! We’re all still learning, and if we aren’t, well, shame on us.

(You can check out my easy four-part tutorial in this section called ‘Substack for Newbies’. It’s there to get you started.)

Writing is a lonely art. When we sit down to write it’s just us and our thoughts. At some point we need to talk to somebody, and when we do, we go looking for our community.

We don’t have to look far. There are writers’ groups and clubs and organizations everywhere. Even and especially online. So what makes Writer Everlasting different? I don’t know. It could be because I’m here and you’re here and we’ll be building this place together. It’ll be just for us.

I’m here to let you know I’ve been in all those bright and dark places, and bright is better. The dark is brutal and scary and best not to be traveled alone. This will always be a safe place.

No judgement, no dismissal, no failures.

I see writers as advocates and witnesses, and you should know straight up that I’m a political animal of the Liberal persuasion, scared to death right now for the future of my country. Some of what you read here will, by necessity, be me ruminating on what’s happening. I don’t expect you to agree with everything—that would be foolish—but I’m opinionated by nature and by trade.

Creative writing is my joy and my respite, and political writing is my calling. I’ll be doing both. My essays are broken up into sections, such as Creative Writing and Politics and Advocacy, so you can make choices if you want.

We’re still building this place. Stick around and we’ll build it together. Say anything, ask anything. You’re not just guests, you’re a part of everything that happens here.

You write and you want to be read. Me, too.

You want to be seen and heard. Me, too.

You want to know you matter. Me, too.

See how much we already have in common?

I’m ready if you are.

Do you have questions or comments you’d rather do one-on-one? You can always reach me at ramonagriggwriter@gmail.com. But remember that we’re a community. Sharing thoughts and ideas are a big part of what we do here so I hope you’ll jump into the comments section whenever you’ve got something you want to add.

After you’ve checked out Writer Everlasting, I invite you to check out my more general sister publication, Constant Commoner. I write about life and culture and politics. Thanks for visiting both of my neighborhoods.

Why subscribe?

Because you’re a writer and I’m a writer and there are going to be writers here. And because it’s all about writing well. No sales pitches, no gimmicks, no pretending everyone’s a writer.

We’ll be learning here and sharing what we know.

If you need a shoulder, I have two of them and they’ve been used. A lot.

And sometimes we’ll just have fun. It’s not like school. It’ll never be like school.

Stay up-to-date

You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Each new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox. But don’t worry, I won’t inundate your mailbox with every fleeting thought. I save those for my journal. You keep a journal, right? No? We’ll talk about that, too.