In honor of EMS Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, read a raw excerpt from The Quiet After the Sirens—a memoir about trauma, silence, and survival.
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Memoir writing is more than memory—it’s a journey of healing. By telling our mental health stories in scenes, we create connection, meaning, and transformation.
Read MoreThe Weight We Carry: Mental Health in EMS and the Silence That Follows
We don’t talk about what we see. Not really. We joke, we deflect, we survive. But The Quiet After the Sirens is about what happens when the silence breaks.
Read MoreWalking Through Fire: A Warrior’s Reflection for Mental Health Awareness Month
The first of May rises not just with spring’s fragile bloom but with the tremble of a war drum echoing deep within my chest. Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, and for those like me—those who wear their wounds beneath the skin …
Read More“Her Final Breath, My Last Choice”
On April 20th, five years ago, I had to make the most painful decision of my life—from a Zoom call. My sister was dying, and I was her healthcare proxy. While my mother and niece sat at her bedside, I gave the word to let her go. That moment changed me forever. I carry it into every EMS shift, every sleepless night, and every word I write. Today, I remember her—not as the woman we lost, but as my sister. The one I tried to save, even from a distance. The Quiet After the Sirens began with her silence.
Read MoreThe Quiet After the Call
There’s a silence most people never hear.
It’s not peace—it’s the sound after the sirens, when the adrenaline fades and the ghosts start talking.
After years in the military, fire service, and EMS, I came to know that silence too well. It isn’t quiet. It’s noise turned inward.
In that space, the heart races, the mind replays trauma, and the spirit aches under the weight of it all.
Crowded rooms became unbearable. Joy felt dangerous. And I couldn’t sit still without my hands shaking.
But healing began when I finally stopped running and listened to that silence. I learned to name the things I feared. I started writing again.
This memoir, The Quiet After the Sirens, is a testament to survival—not just in the field, but in the stillness that follows.
It’s about carrying the weight, honoring the ghosts, and learning how to breathe again.
If you’ve ever known that kind of silence, this story is for you too.
March of the Writers – Day 31: To Be Continued…
By @RWhiteAuthor As March comes to a close, so does this incredible journey through March of the Writers. For 31 days, we’ve explored our passions, reflected on our inspirations, shared our challenges, and celebrated our writing lives. Each day has been a new opportunity to …
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Writing takes dedication, but so does rewarding yourself! Whether it’s a glass of whiskey, a great indie author show, or finding the perfect new journal, celebrating the hard work we put into our words is essential. What’s your go-to reward after a long writing session?
Read MoreMarch of the Writers Day 21 – We go together!
“The writing community isn’t just a group of people—it’s a full-fledged saga of mystery, fantasy, and plot twists. From noir detectives of the indie world to fantasy wordsmiths weaving spells in ink, I’ve met incredible minds who have shaped my journey. Whether it’s late-night conspiracies about the publishing industry, unforgettable meetups, or unexpected plot twists in friendships, this adventure is one for the books. Who will be the next character to join the story?”
Read MoreMarch of the Writers Day 16. Do the Evolution: My Journey as a Writer
From a self-published dreamer to a professional writer, I’ve come a long way. Graduating Summa Cum Laude & soon pursuing my MFA—this is only the beginning!
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