iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Friday Happynings coming to you from the East Coast of the US. You can go back to where you grew up but it may no longer be home. That's okay, too. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/i-went-hom...

barbaragrassey.substack.com

I Went “Home” Again

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Oops—a day late. Yesterday was a travel day. Here’s your Memoir Tip of the Week. I have an accountability buddy and we have a weekly word count that we want to hit. So far, we haven’t hit it, but each week we get closer! #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #booksky

Simple graphic, pink background, nice little corner borders. Text reads: Track Your Word Count. Watching your total grown can be motivating.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Too many people put off writing a book, whether it’s nonfiction, a novel, or their memoir, until “someday.” I don’t even need to say the next part, do I? writeamemoir.substack.com/p/why-your-s... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #booksky #writeyourstory

writeamemoir.substack.com

Why Your Story Matters More Now

I’m going to get the worst and most obvious reason as to why you should start writing your memoir now out of the way: YOU COULD DIE!

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Friday writing prompt. It’s healthy when small things bring you happiness. What’s a small thing that you do, maybe it’s the ritual doing, that brings you happiness or contentment? writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #writingprompt #booksandwriting

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing Prompt: Joy Is in the Details

Sometimes joy hides in small, steady habits.

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Reposted by Expat Barb

God @thegodshow.com · 25/09/2026

I want tribunals.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A peaceful Friday Happynings this week. Come join me for a cup of coffee and the Sound of Slow. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/the-sound-... #americanexpat #lifeinportugal #movingabroad

barbaragrassey.substack.com

The Sound of Slow

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Wednesday! Time for your Memoir Tip of the Week. (And Prince spaghetti, if you live in the Boston area.) As a professional writer, I can tell you that there are far more slog days than zippity do dah days. My best advice: Get some snackie-snacks and slog on through. writeamemoir.substack.com

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Ya know, I just don’t bounce back the way I used to. That comes with the territory, I guess. But I’m attacking it two ways: Taking better care of myself and yeah, stop doing stupid things. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/after-the-... #americanexpat #movingabroad #lifeinPortugal #seniorliving

barbaragrassey.substack.com

After the Fall

I am dealing with the lingering after-effects of my scooter accident in August.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

It’s Monday. I got a bit feisty about using timelines in memoirs. I have THOUGHTS. BIG THOUGHTS. (Okay, really, I was just being bitchy this morning. It's Monday. I need more coffee...) writeamemoir.substack.com/p/the-timeli... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting

writeamemoir.substack.com

The Timeline Is Optional

I have been hesitating to write this post because I am a big fan of timelines when writing a memoir or really, anything.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Friday weekly writing prompt is up. You ARE going to write this weekend, yes? I thought so. writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #writingprompt #memoir

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing Prompt: The Perfect Ordinary Day

Not every memory needs fireworks.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Medicare is confusing enough. AND there’s also the question of whether or not expats should cancel Part B or keep it… just in case. It’s your decision but, as they say, the more you know… (Paid subscriber post) barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/the-medica... #americanexpat #movetoPortugal #livingabroad

barbaragrassey.substack.com

The Medicare Question

There was a discussion in one of the expat groups this week about whether one should cancel their Medicare Part B or not.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wednesday is Memoir Tip of the Week Day. A HUGE part of writing and FINISHING is what I call butt glue. It’s putting your butt in the chair until you get your writing done for your set session. (You do schedule writing sessions into your week, don’t you??) writeamemoir.substack.com #writeamemoir

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Sometimes the way you write about things reveals more about you than the words themselves. This can be good… or bad. Read on! writeamemoir.substack.com/p/what-your-... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #tellyourstory

writeamemoir.substack.com

What Your Writing Reveals About You

Write a Memoir is a reader-supported publication.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This week’s writing prompt is about how you define success. What we may have thought of as success when we were younger may no longer fit us. And that’s probably a good thing. A sign of growth. writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #tellyourstory

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing Prompt: Redefining Success

Write a Memoir is a reader-supported publication.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Friday Happynings: What makes you happy might not make me happy… and vice versa. You need to find your own happy. Today is a good day to start. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/happiness-...

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Happiness is Subjective

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Tip of the Week. This writing tip harkens back to that nagging voice in your head that says: “This has all been said before.” Yes. But it hasn’t been said from your perspective. Even a small shift in perspective can be the difference that resonates with someone. It’s YOUR story. Write it.

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Reposted by Expat Barb

God @thegodshow.com · 07/09/2026

Thou shalt not trust A SINGLE WORD from corporate media talking heads who LOOK AWAY while the president is CERTIFIABLY INSANE.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Cutting those precious words can make your book better—especially if those words shouldn’t have been there in the first place! writeamemoir.substack.com/p/how-to-kno... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #tellyourstory

writeamemoir.substack.com

How to Know What to Leave Out

Decades ago, I spent a few years doing stand-up comedy.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This week’s memoir writing prompt. Sometimes you just have to let shit go, for your own self. writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing Prompt: The Act of Forgiving

I can carry a grudge.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Friday Happynings: Today I woke up with a dream hangover—a good one. But even the good ones feel a bit sad. Here’s why. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/saudade-an...

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Saudade and Dream Hangovers

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Memoir Tip of the Week: Visual cues like pictures, sure, but also think about what was going on around you at that time: what TV shows did you watch, movies? What songs were playing on the radio (so, audio clues). Maybe your old yearbook, bills and receipts, tickets, etc. writeamemoir.substack.com

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Interested in writing and publishing? Reedsy is having an online summit, Sept. 5 and 6th. Step-by-step details of self-publishing, average costs, distribution platforms & a full day on book marketing. Find out more here (Affiliate link-full disclosure): reedsy.com/learning/eve...

reedsy.com

Explore our online events

Learn from top publishing professionals during exclusive one-day events and live masterclasses.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Writers are geniuses at avoiding writing—especially the stuff that is hard to write. If you’ve been avoiding writing certain parts of your memoir (or any book, really), read this. Happy Monday! writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-th... #writeamemoir #writeyourstory #booksandwriting

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing the Parts You’ve Avoided

Oh boy!

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Oh boy--trusting that gut feeling one way or the other. Did it pay off? Your weekly writing prompt. Have a great weekend and WRITE SOMETHING! writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #writingprompt

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The latest Friday Happynings where I attempt to sort out the time in our day to focus on things important to us vs. the time left to us vs. Parkinson’s Law. Or something like that. I need more coffee. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/cup-of-amb... #focus #ambition #bucketlist #seniors

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Cup of Ambition

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

This technique works for memoir, for nonfiction writing, for fiction writing. In fact, I pulled out a new pack of index cards yesterday to organize my novel that is not behaving itself. Nothing wrong with old school—especially when it works! #writeamemoir #booksandwriting writeamemoir.substack.com

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

The last stop on our Polvo Walk tour of Santa Luzia. At this stop, we get a close up look at the equipment used to fish for octopus and BONUS! It’s situated right across from the fishermen’s huts. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/polvo-walk... #livinginportugal #americanexpat #movingabroad

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Polvo Walk Stop 10

Artes de Pesca (Fishing Gear)

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Organization is the key to finishing! (Yes, I talk about how to create "memory buckets" in my memoir course, Spill the Ink. Find out more about writing your memoir here: barbaragrassey.com/spill-the-in... #writeamemoir #writeyourstory #writingtips

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

New Friday Happynings: The Success of Failure. Not every failure is a failure. In fact, most aren’t. Not trying to polish a turd here, just sayin’ that sometimes you have to get the failures out of the way. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/the-succes... #expatlife #livinginportugal #americanexpat

barbaragrassey.substack.com

The Success of Failure

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Before I left on my vacation (and thankfully, before I broke my damn face), I put in all the necessary paperwork for my residency visa renewal. It was a project! barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/residency-... #livingabroad #lifeinportugal #americanexpat

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Residency Renewal Update

I’m traveling through Ireland at the moment, but wanted to give an update on my visa renewal process.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I literally broke my face. (Yes, OW!) Did I mention how important it is to have a network of friends no matter where you are? My friends are the best! barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/i-literall... #expatlife #livinginportugal

barbaragrassey.substack.com

I Literally Broke My Face

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

A little late, but this week’s writing prompt is up. Have a great weekend and WRITE something! writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #MaryTylerMoore

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing Prompt: Speaking Up

Thanks for reading Write a Memoir!

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

At this late stage of my life, I’m learning that maybe I can’t do the impossible—at least on a daily basis… The latest Friday Happynings is up on Substack. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/you-can-on... #americanexpat #livinginPortugal #movingabroad #happiness

barbaragrassey.substack.com

You Can Only Do...

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

People ask me how long their book needs to be. Okay, more than 17 pages. In all seriousness, don’t worry about it when you’re working on the first draft. You want to get the story down first, then you can add, move around, take away… whatever the story calls for. writeamemoir.substack.com

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Today we are visiting Stop #9 on the Polvo Route in Santa Luzia. This stop highlights the salt industry in the area and, just over that bit of land is where you will find some of the Salinas, or salt pans that dot the Algarve. barbaragrassey.substack.com/p/polvo-walk... #expatlife #LivinginPortugal

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Polvo Walk Stop #9: The Salinas

The 9th Stop on the Polvo Route is at the park on the right-hand side as you enter the village of Santa Luzia from Tavira.

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Oh, you know this is gonna open a can of worms... "What I understand at 68 that I didn't at 38" writeamemoir.substack.com/p/what-i-und... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #tellyourstory

writeamemoir.substack.com

What I Understand at 68 That I Didn’t at 38

Oh, boy!

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Friday and time for your weekly writing prompt. And really… this should be easy for you to come up with some examples. What? No? Just me? writeamemoir.substack.com/p/writing-pr... #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #tellyourstory

writeamemoir.substack.com

Writing Prompt: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Ha!

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Reposted by Expat Barb

Tuesday Adams ™ 🌹 @tuesdayadams111.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We need more headlines like this. 👍

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Friday Happynings. Yeah, I’m thinking about priorities and maybe not trying to get EVERYthing done, but to get the things most important to me, things I’ve consciously decided are priorities, done. barbaragrassey.substack.com/publish/post... #priorities #gettingshitdone

barbaragrassey.substack.com

Is It Really a Priority?

Friday Happynings

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Expat Barb @expatggbarb.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Wednesday Memoir Writing Tip. I like this one ‘cause it gives us a LOT of leeway. Try not to abuse it. writeamemoir.substack.com #writeamemoir #booksandwriting #writeyourstory

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