This is so inspirational, Ramona! I am coincidentally doing the same with my essays. I’ve always been an artist for as long as I can remember. I started writing in high school but never allowed myself the “indulgent” title of artist AND writer. This year I said, “f*ck it! So what if I grab both titles!” Anyway, I’m working with a friend who does memoir workshops to act as my editor to help shape all these essays into one book. I’m hoping my thoughts on divorce, motherhood, and someone who is a sibling to a sister with disabilities will be of use to someone. But mostly this is a self-indulgent endeavor, a sense if accomplishment. And whatever happens is okay by me. I’d love to know more about how you will compile your essays, what is motivating you, and are you self publishing. Thank you for your many thoughtful remarks and writing here on Substack!
I've been thinking about doing this for years. Yes, years! My problem is, I don't know where to start. I've published hundreds of essays over the years on multitudes of subjects, so there isn't really a theme unless I just choose one sector for this one book. I'm not sure I want to do that, so it sits on the back burner until I figure out the best way to go about it.
If I could afford it, I'd hire an editor or at least a helper to go through it all and pick out the ones we think most readers would want to read. I'm probably not the best person to make those picks--which is why it's not done yet!
Okay, what's motivating me... I want to have a book published with my name on it. Mainly.
I think I would have to self-publish. I'm too old to be waiting around for miracles. But I want it to be a real book and not just an e-book, so I have to research my choices there, too. As always, money is the big issue. I've been trying to win the lottery, but no luck there, either.
I wonder if you have a writer friend who you admire and you could trade with one another; put a time and page limit on what you are willing to trade? That could get the ball rolling. Maybe?
Maybe. That happened a lot when I was still face to face with my writer friends. I'm not sure if I know any writers well enough now to try and do that. Something to think about, though.
I organized all my essays into categories (divorce, sibling who is disabled, son, daughter, mom, dad, politics, etc.). Then, I’ve been sending them in clumps (about 8-10 essays) to my friend. She gives me honest feedback where I might need to clarify or emphasize something. And, if necessary, I have written new essays to round out the relationship. We originally set January for a deadline (having started in early October). Maybe March or April is more realistic. But we are definitely making progress, little by little. It feels so good! She gave me a friendly rate that is doable each month or two. I don’t have a lot of discretionary income and she has been patient for payments. This is working for me. It just took me a while to assemble all my essays into one place and then categorize. I did it when I knew I had some blocks of time, at my leisure. Anyway, I say all this because it has been a long time in coming for me as well. Some of these essays are 15 years old! It was interesting to note my growth and be grateful! So healing. I am no expert writer but friends tell me they like the stories I share. So, that sort of motivates me as well. But it’s the healing that has been the biggest gift of all! Good luck to you, Ramona! The world needs your writing.
Yes, I'm planning to do a better job of organizing my essays by category. I think this may require two books--a general set of essays and another that emphasizes politics and advocacy. I don't think they'd fit well together, which has been my sticking point until now.
I need to find someone who understands how I write, since I have no problem breaking rules when I'm feeling playful or whatever. Someone with a sense of humor, yet isn't afraid to brandish editing tools that might inflict temporary pain but will save me from embarrassment in the end. Ha!
I plan to include some new stuff, too, but I think that will come naturally as I start to get these pieces in order.
Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. I think I'll have many days of quiet , so no excuses! ❤️
Nice! Funny, I was wondering if my political/activism essays should be separate as well. Idk. In any event, I am a part time proofreader for the local papers here in Phoenix, and I’d be happy to look at some for typos and such, overlooking your use of a purposeful playful style.
Ramona, I have some handy info on two print companies that also distribute worldwide and won't break the bank if you want it. Happy New Year and here's to the good that 2024 will bring. It has to...
No, my dad did. I was born in the U.P--in Laurium. My mom and dad lived in Detroit but they couldn't afford to have me in the hospital there and my mom wanted to be with her mom, I think, so my dad found a way for her to get up to her mom's, where I was born, and then he came up after my birth and took us back to Detroit.
I should note that I now live only about an hour and a half away from my Dad's birthplace. I still have cousins there but haven't visited recently. COVID stopped everything!
Glad to share the story, Lisa! And I couldn't agree more with your last line. I'm going to have to pace myself during political 2024. Can't let it get the best of me. I'm going to need distractions! 💕
I especially loved this essay, Ramona! I am a transplant to northern Michigan-Charlevoix County. Hub & I taught in SW Michigan, Berrien County & lived in Niles for many years. So I’m a troll from Under the Bridge and you are a Yooper (?) we are practically neighbors! I’ve not spent any time in SSteM, Ontario, but have often visited the Upper Peninsula. My grandparents were first-generation immigrants from Germany and Denmark. All met & married in the Detroit area, tho some siblings went to other areas in the Midwest. I traded/added Beauchamp to Danish surname Rasmussen-and Kristin was my Great Grandmother’s name. At 71, I think I can almost take credit for being the oldest living *Kristin*
I love reading about immigrants. Best to you on your writing adventures! Looking forward to your new book, Ms. Ramona Gracia Griggs!
I'm going to be putting my house up for sale this winter and I hope to move to Petoskey, so if it comes to pass, we'll be even closer neighbors!
In those early days people had to go where the work was. My dad went to Detroit because his best friend was there working in one of the car factories. I guess that's what my dad aspired to at the time! Later, he became an upholsterer after working at Lincoln upholstering car seats and interiors, but he left the auto industry and went out on his own.
BTW, I keep trying to guess where you live from the hints & the mailboxes. We have a friend who used to live and teach in Laurium. We spent quite a bit of time in the Keewenaw last summer. She and her Hub also had a little pub/deli in Eagle Harbor. Love exploring around there, as my dad & brother went to MI Tech. If you get to Petoskey we should have coffee. BTW, I’ve done some editing for a friend!
LOL. No need to guess! I live on Drummond Island at the easternmost tip of the UP, but I was born in the Keweenaw (Laurium), lived there for one year, when I was in the fifth grade, and spent every summer of my childhood up there, most often at my aunt's and uncle's cabin at Five Mile Point on Lake Superior.
I consider myself a Yooper and always will, even when I go back to being a troll. (My husband and I raised our family in the Detroit area and then retired to Drummond in 1994.)
You don't hear that name often. It is lovely. My daughter Susan wanted to know why I hadn't named her Lydia. It never even occurred to me. Lydia was my grandmother!
Ed's niece's daughter is now going by 'Lydia'. She didn't even know it was my grandmother's name.
Growing up with such a popular name in the 80s, I didn't want my kids to go through the same. Then we named our son Ethan because we couldn't agree on anything else 🤦🏼♀️😂
My mom uses the defense that she was making me after her great grandmother. It's not her fault it happened to be over of the most popular names in the US at the time 😂
Kudos to you for having the gumption to get this done! My first job, age 15, was working in a small weekly newspaper because I wanted to be a writer. Reading is and was my primary guilty pleasure! Plus, I still remember the odor of printers ink - the most beautiful aroma to my nose and brain!! My life is worthy of committing to print; however, “life is what happens when we’re making plans”!!! Good luck, and please keep me in the loop. I will be your biggest fan!
I meant to reply because of your name history. When Betty Friedan published her book, I was already a suburban housewife with a second daughter on the way. My consciousness raising happened with the help of a support group of women. I wanted to reclaim my heritage at the time of the inevitable divorce, so I searched for birth names of female ancestors. My paternal grandmother was from a prominent old English family with a birth name “Head”. My mom’s birth name was “Cone”. I kid you not! It was 1979 and I was full of newly found feminism so proud to have been accepted to Dental School at the University of AL in Birmingham, AL. I wanted to be Dr. Cone Head. Friends and family dissuaded me, but I still wonder how that name would have affected my life.
Well, nobody would ever have forgotten your name! What an imp you were to even think it. 🤣
I was a housewife when Friedan's book came out, too. It changed everything. It just stunned me that all of it seemed so relevatory--and it was right there in front of us. I wonder if any of us would ever have figured it all out on our own?
Well, Madame Mona, it's about $#&@ time! 🖤 And here's to our grandmothers for what they gave to our parents, and us. Mine were Florence and Clara, both fiery in their own ways, but neither came with the food heritage you describe from your paternal grandmother's past. Makes my food-loving heart go pitty-pat. Happy New Year! Good to know we're traveling on the planet together. There's work to be done!
of course when I think of the name Ramona, I think of Ramona Quimby.
Yes, I think most people do nowadays.
I do too!
Oh, you kids! 😏💕
This is so inspirational, Ramona! I am coincidentally doing the same with my essays. I’ve always been an artist for as long as I can remember. I started writing in high school but never allowed myself the “indulgent” title of artist AND writer. This year I said, “f*ck it! So what if I grab both titles!” Anyway, I’m working with a friend who does memoir workshops to act as my editor to help shape all these essays into one book. I’m hoping my thoughts on divorce, motherhood, and someone who is a sibling to a sister with disabilities will be of use to someone. But mostly this is a self-indulgent endeavor, a sense if accomplishment. And whatever happens is okay by me. I’d love to know more about how you will compile your essays, what is motivating you, and are you self publishing. Thank you for your many thoughtful remarks and writing here on Substack!
I've been thinking about doing this for years. Yes, years! My problem is, I don't know where to start. I've published hundreds of essays over the years on multitudes of subjects, so there isn't really a theme unless I just choose one sector for this one book. I'm not sure I want to do that, so it sits on the back burner until I figure out the best way to go about it.
If I could afford it, I'd hire an editor or at least a helper to go through it all and pick out the ones we think most readers would want to read. I'm probably not the best person to make those picks--which is why it's not done yet!
Okay, what's motivating me... I want to have a book published with my name on it. Mainly.
I think I would have to self-publish. I'm too old to be waiting around for miracles. But I want it to be a real book and not just an e-book, so I have to research my choices there, too. As always, money is the big issue. I've been trying to win the lottery, but no luck there, either.
So, as you can see, there is much work ahead.
I wonder if you have a writer friend who you admire and you could trade with one another; put a time and page limit on what you are willing to trade? That could get the ball rolling. Maybe?
Maybe. That happened a lot when I was still face to face with my writer friends. I'm not sure if I know any writers well enough now to try and do that. Something to think about, though.
I organized all my essays into categories (divorce, sibling who is disabled, son, daughter, mom, dad, politics, etc.). Then, I’ve been sending them in clumps (about 8-10 essays) to my friend. She gives me honest feedback where I might need to clarify or emphasize something. And, if necessary, I have written new essays to round out the relationship. We originally set January for a deadline (having started in early October). Maybe March or April is more realistic. But we are definitely making progress, little by little. It feels so good! She gave me a friendly rate that is doable each month or two. I don’t have a lot of discretionary income and she has been patient for payments. This is working for me. It just took me a while to assemble all my essays into one place and then categorize. I did it when I knew I had some blocks of time, at my leisure. Anyway, I say all this because it has been a long time in coming for me as well. Some of these essays are 15 years old! It was interesting to note my growth and be grateful! So healing. I am no expert writer but friends tell me they like the stories I share. So, that sort of motivates me as well. But it’s the healing that has been the biggest gift of all! Good luck to you, Ramona! The world needs your writing.
Yes, I'm planning to do a better job of organizing my essays by category. I think this may require two books--a general set of essays and another that emphasizes politics and advocacy. I don't think they'd fit well together, which has been my sticking point until now.
I need to find someone who understands how I write, since I have no problem breaking rules when I'm feeling playful or whatever. Someone with a sense of humor, yet isn't afraid to brandish editing tools that might inflict temporary pain but will save me from embarrassment in the end. Ha!
I plan to include some new stuff, too, but I think that will come naturally as I start to get these pieces in order.
Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. I think I'll have many days of quiet , so no excuses! ❤️
Nice! Funny, I was wondering if my political/activism essays should be separate as well. Idk. In any event, I am a part time proofreader for the local papers here in Phoenix, and I’d be happy to look at some for typos and such, overlooking your use of a purposeful playful style.
Ramona, I have some handy info on two print companies that also distribute worldwide and won't break the bank if you want it. Happy New Year and here's to the good that 2024 will bring. It has to...
Yes, please!
Thanks. ❤️
Have you an email? I'll send all the detail.
Thanks so much! constantcommoner@substack.com
You're much wiser than me, but I've learned a lot in the last year. Let me know if you want any pointers 😂
Wonderful story about your name! Happy New Year! Ramona!
Thank you, Diane. The same to you.
Thank you, Maureen. I'm really going to try!
You grew up in the Soo!
No, my dad did. I was born in the U.P--in Laurium. My mom and dad lived in Detroit but they couldn't afford to have me in the hospital there and my mom wanted to be with her mom, I think, so my dad found a way for her to get up to her mom's, where I was born, and then he came up after my birth and took us back to Detroit.
I should note that I now live only about an hour and a half away from my Dad's birthplace. I still have cousins there but haven't visited recently. COVID stopped everything!
Okay. There's a Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario near its namesake in Michigan, so I wanted to be sure which one it was...
He was born in Ontario. The two Soos are twin cities divided by the Soo Locks and the St. Mary's River.
What a great story about Great Grandma and your name- it's the first time I heard it!
I appreciate the diversity in the family as well- so much has happened in your lifetime.
Writing a book may be far healthier than any focus on this next election......... Happy New Year to you and yours!
Glad to share the story, Lisa! And I couldn't agree more with your last line. I'm going to have to pace myself during political 2024. Can't let it get the best of me. I'm going to need distractions! 💕
I wonder what Lydia would have named you? That shock of white hair was glorious!
I especially loved this essay, Ramona! I am a transplant to northern Michigan-Charlevoix County. Hub & I taught in SW Michigan, Berrien County & lived in Niles for many years. So I’m a troll from Under the Bridge and you are a Yooper (?) we are practically neighbors! I’ve not spent any time in SSteM, Ontario, but have often visited the Upper Peninsula. My grandparents were first-generation immigrants from Germany and Denmark. All met & married in the Detroit area, tho some siblings went to other areas in the Midwest. I traded/added Beauchamp to Danish surname Rasmussen-and Kristin was my Great Grandmother’s name. At 71, I think I can almost take credit for being the oldest living *Kristin*
I love reading about immigrants. Best to you on your writing adventures! Looking forward to your new book, Ms. Ramona Gracia Griggs!
Thank you, Kristin. (I love your name.)
I'm going to be putting my house up for sale this winter and I hope to move to Petoskey, so if it comes to pass, we'll be even closer neighbors!
In those early days people had to go where the work was. My dad went to Detroit because his best friend was there working in one of the car factories. I guess that's what my dad aspired to at the time! Later, he became an upholsterer after working at Lincoln upholstering car seats and interiors, but he left the auto industry and went out on his own.
I'll be first in line to buy that book, RGG! (Maybe that will catch on?)
Thank you! One down... 💕😉
You’re amazing!!! I can’t wait to get it and read it!!!✌🏻❤️📗
Ps. I love the photo of the mailboxes!!🥰
LOL. You've walked past them many times! 💕
Great! I'll make sure you get one!
I look forwarad to reading that. book.
Count me in, please❗️
BTW, I keep trying to guess where you live from the hints & the mailboxes. We have a friend who used to live and teach in Laurium. We spent quite a bit of time in the Keewenaw last summer. She and her Hub also had a little pub/deli in Eagle Harbor. Love exploring around there, as my dad & brother went to MI Tech. If you get to Petoskey we should have coffee. BTW, I’ve done some editing for a friend!
LOL. No need to guess! I live on Drummond Island at the easternmost tip of the UP, but I was born in the Keweenaw (Laurium), lived there for one year, when I was in the fifth grade, and spent every summer of my childhood up there, most often at my aunt's and uncle's cabin at Five Mile Point on Lake Superior.
I consider myself a Yooper and always will, even when I go back to being a troll. (My husband and I raised our family in the Detroit area and then retired to Drummond in 1994.)
I write about my up north life here: https://constantcommoner.substack.com/s/cottage-life
Oh Ramona, I'm so excited for you. And for your family. This is tremendous gift to all of us.
Thank you!
Also, my daughter's name is Lydia. I loved that name in high school and my husband didn't have a choice 😂
You don't hear that name often. It is lovely. My daughter Susan wanted to know why I hadn't named her Lydia. It never even occurred to me. Lydia was my grandmother!
Ed's niece's daughter is now going by 'Lydia'. She didn't even know it was my grandmother's name.
Growing up with such a popular name in the 80s, I didn't want my kids to go through the same. Then we named our son Ethan because we couldn't agree on anything else 🤦🏼♀️😂
My mom uses the defense that she was making me after her great grandmother. It's not her fault it happened to be over of the most popular names in the US at the time 😂
I love the name Sarah. I have three 'Sarahs' in my life and I love them all!
I love it now. Not so much in school 😂
Kudos to you for having the gumption to get this done! My first job, age 15, was working in a small weekly newspaper because I wanted to be a writer. Reading is and was my primary guilty pleasure! Plus, I still remember the odor of printers ink - the most beautiful aroma to my nose and brain!! My life is worthy of committing to print; however, “life is what happens when we’re making plans”!!! Good luck, and please keep me in the loop. I will be your biggest fan!
Thanks. We'll see how it goes!
I meant to reply because of your name history. When Betty Friedan published her book, I was already a suburban housewife with a second daughter on the way. My consciousness raising happened with the help of a support group of women. I wanted to reclaim my heritage at the time of the inevitable divorce, so I searched for birth names of female ancestors. My paternal grandmother was from a prominent old English family with a birth name “Head”. My mom’s birth name was “Cone”. I kid you not! It was 1979 and I was full of newly found feminism so proud to have been accepted to Dental School at the University of AL in Birmingham, AL. I wanted to be Dr. Cone Head. Friends and family dissuaded me, but I still wonder how that name would have affected my life.
Well, nobody would ever have forgotten your name! What an imp you were to even think it. 🤣
I was a housewife when Friedan's book came out, too. It changed everything. It just stunned me that all of it seemed so relevatory--and it was right there in front of us. I wonder if any of us would ever have figured it all out on our own?
Well, Madame Mona, it's about $#&@ time! 🖤 And here's to our grandmothers for what they gave to our parents, and us. Mine were Florence and Clara, both fiery in their own ways, but neither came with the food heritage you describe from your paternal grandmother's past. Makes my food-loving heart go pitty-pat. Happy New Year! Good to know we're traveling on the planet together. There's work to be done!