Writing about trauma can be traumatic. Adriene did it. She tells how, and why: moonbridgebooks.com/2026/05/31/u... #lifewriting #memoir #childabuse #Mondayblog

Remembering those who gave all, not just for our country, but to help other countries fight for their freedom against fascism. Remembering the families of the fallen, too - they will never forget. #MemorialDay

May is Asian Pacific American month, for learning about #AAPI culture and experiences and for reading books by AAPI authors. Of course, not only in May. #lifewriting #memoirs #MondayBlogs moonbridgebooks.com/2026/05/17/m...

Happy Mother's Day to all who lovingly mother. And be aware that it's a difficult day for some, especially those who have not had good mother relationships. Love your mothers while you can, forgive them their foibles and faults. They gave you life and love you as they are able. #happymothersday

I like these crops. They are a steady income support for farmers, and we need diverse energy sources, not just one big polluting one. #Illinois #farmers #energy

Got a very official email from Social Security, using good spelling and correct logo, telling me to download my statement. Except it came from <[email protected]>. Beware of #scams

The stories writers tell can deepen understanding of humanity, remove blinkers - and hence, writers can be dangerous to powers that be. Author Amy Tan's acceptance speech for Lifetime Achievement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewGI... #amwriting #tellthestories

What a story! An American Immigrant Memoir - My Ailing Champion moonbridgebooks.com/2026/04/19/a... #immigrants #memoir #bookreview #inspiration

My first overwintered black swallowtail appeared yesterday despite me trying to keep them cold. The temps are so up-down and it's too early to pop out. Hope you don't go hungry out there little guy. #butterflies #springtime

I'm not at all Irish but accidentally wore green today, then remembered to make corned beef & cabbage and Irish soda bread (breadmaker). Somehow I don't feel right making this favored meal any other time... tradition can be restrictive. #traditions #StPatricksDay

My dear relative who is barely eating and has only weeks to live is enjoying the butter cookies I made using her self-rising flour by mistake. A little salty, but just happy they make her happy. #caregiving #bakingmistake

You can save history moonbridgebooks.com/2026/03/15/b... #memoir #lifewriting #history #MondayBlogs

On #InternationalWomensDay I think of my mom who survived WWII, married the "enemy," and started a new life in a strange land. Did not know much of her early years until I sat with her to write her memoir. Write the stories! #history #lifewriting

Such a nice (75F warm) day today! Did not see eagles but did see a patch of snowdrops in the park - which are not native. ? #stlwx

Saw this yesterday - limited engagement. Spectacular, riveting drama, fantastic on big screen! Did not notice the 3 hours going by. #Japan #cinema #kabuki #culture #Kokuho

BEST #Superbowl ad! Featuring #Budweiser Clydesdales and Lincoln the eagle from American Eagle Foundation. Lincoln can't survive in the wild so is an eagle ambassador, wows at some of the Philly Eagles games during the national anthem. www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_mh...

Translated for you #film buffs (and others) #kurosawa #japan #cinema #history #culture

What a good copyeditor does to help your manuscript be a success - a lot! #amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity #authors

#Authors, here’s what you need to know about the style sheet your #bookeditor creates for your manuscript (with real examples!). Read it here: carolinavonkampen.com/style-sheet/ #amediting #freelanceeditor #writingcommunity #author #stylesheet #editing #copyediting

This was the shuttle we watched from outside our house in FL each time it took to flight, so seeing "our" shuttle explode real time on TV when we moved to AL was like a violent death in the family. #lifestories #history #Challenger

Silence is consent. "Our voices will not free the people that are suffering from their situation. But it’ll make it harder for their oppressors to hide their cruelty." #writingcommunity #history #writethestories

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Remember the victims, and do not repeat the silence that implies consent. Do not let lies blind you from seeing. It didn't suddenly happen one day... it took time to groom the people. #history #holocaust #oppression #murder

Minnesota people are tough - braving zero degrees, not including wind chill, to stand against US sponsored domestic terrorism and murder with no accountability, funded by our tax money. #Minnesota #libertyandjusticeforall #MeltICE

ln other news, I did not see the northern lights last night nor notice any shaking from the earthquake epicentered in Illinois not too far from us.

Who wants to listen to his big head yak about how great he is, the best ever, so amazing... So many superlative lies - and threats.

You’ve worked endless hours #writing and #revising your manuscript. You’re so close to the project that it can be hard to know when your #book is ready to #query to literary agents or #selfpublish. A manuscript evaluation can help. carolinavonkampen.com/manuscript-e... #writingcommunity #amwriting

Later this month: I'll be speaking at the IBPA and BookLife Boot Camp, where author @russellnohelty.com and I will discuss how authors can control their own destiny, leverage their intellectual property, and build their audiences. Learn more: www.ibpa-online.org/store/viewpr...

For most author's it's not worth the big $$$$ to hire a publicist, OTOH most authors fail at marketing. However, it's long-tail marketing so you don't have to be everything, everywhere, all at once. #writingcommunity #authors #bookmarketing

History is happening now. What will you leave your future generations to learn from your thoughts and lived experiences? moonbridgebooks.com/2026/01/18/m... #lifewriting #historymatters #MLKDay2026 #MondayBlogs

In other news, this is grotesque, and yet of course. This, too, shall pass, but thank goodness I have a lifetime senior pass. store.usgs.gov/2026-residen... #nationalparks

The plaque is hidden in storage somewhere but about 100 lawmakers have replicas posted outside their offices. #backtheblue #January6

Watched "Fireworks Around the World" last night, Sydney AU was amazing! #happynewyear

Getting over a messy cold but still doing the Japanese tradition of osoji - the big clean to get rid of old dirt for a clean start to the new year. #traditions #japanculture #HappyNewYear www.japanlivingguide.com/housing/hous...

Good stories - lights in the darkness! #hope #inspiration

Be safe out there! My family members (incl me) have caught bad colds, friends have had flu or Covid recently. Discovered the home Covid tests now also test for Flu A and Flu B. No fun for the holidays, or ever. #flu #happyholidays

New memoir of reality TV and a "search for joy 'in a world that equates fun with alcohol.'" Fun cover design! www.brooklynpaper.com/carl-radke-c... #memoir

It's not too late to start life writing ... unless your time to leave is coming right up. Get busy, save your stories for the family! www.timminstoday.com/local-news/a... #lifewriting #memoir #amwriting

There is light in the darkness. Be the reflection. #MerryChristmas

My mini 2026 haiku-art (haiga) calendar arrived. I get one every year from @annettemakino.bsky.social . She writes traditional #haiku with the cutting line - not easy! www.makinostudios.com #haiku #poetry #collage #artcalendar #greetingcards

'Tis the season of caring and sharing, and gathering more family stories. moonbridgebooks.com/2025/12/21/f... #familyhistory #familystories #familyrecipes #caregiving

Enjoying the neighbor's Christmas octopus and Beach Santa. #MerryChristmas

Congrats to these researchers studying T-cells and how they prevent the body from attacking itself, giving more hope to the many who suffer from auto-immune disorders like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, type-1 diabetes, cancer. www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/n...

Friend posted about the difficulty of caring for a family member with dementia... so understood, and they are not alone. Find little moments of joy and even laughter. #dementia #Alzheimers #caregiving www.amazon.com/Poems-That-C...

When a new recipe for Christmas cookies to share doesn't turn out well and you have to eat all the cookies yourself. Oatmeal Cranberry Choco Chip sounded better than this. #christmascookiefail

I made okayu (Japanese rice porridge) for a friend - an easy-to-make nutrition for anyone who is having trouble eating due to sickness, GI issues, or lack of appetite. This one has carrot, green onion, spinach, and a bit of nori seaweed with chicken broth. #healthcare #sickness #soup

The most expensive, uniquely delicious homemade cookies: Chocolate Sambuca Crinkles, recipe saved from Gourmet Magazine 1999. Treating the family - and me. Ho ho homemade! #cookies #letsbake #homemadeisbest

Today is Giving Tuesday, and I had fun donating to various nonprofits. Imagine if I won the lottery! #GivingTuesday

Put up my Advent calendar yesterday. There's a reason I put the snowman on it first. #stlwx

Kudos to husband who drove 2.5+ hrs to sit in a snowstorm and watch our alma mater Illini team win over Northwestern in an exciting game. (I watched from our warm living room) #Illini www.si.com/college-foot...