In the serene setting of Porto's Jardim do Palácio de Cristal library, where sunlight streams through the window, and a gentle buzz of activity fills the air, you might find Kathy Harms working on her latest writing project. A Canadian expatriate who has made Porto her home, Kathy exemplifies how the gift of time and the power of community can transform a lifelong reader into a published author.

From Paramedic to Published Author

Kathy's journey as a writer began in earnest in 2023, though her relationship with storytelling stretches back to her youth. "In my youth, I was an avid reader. I loved a great story," she reflects. "After moving to Porto and having the gift of time, I felt I had a story to tell, and it just seemed natural to begin writing."

That story became "Resilience in the Rubble: A True Tale of Aid and Survival in Kashmir" (April 2024), a powerful narrative that weaves together her experiences as a first-time medical aid worker during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake with the story of Nadeem Malik, a 19-year-old student grappling with personal loss and displacement. The book showcases Kathy's writing style, which she describes as "warm and conversational," aiming to make readers feel as if they're right there in the story.

Finding Her Writing Voice

The transition from writing business documents to crafting a memoir presented its challenges. "I soaked up tips and advice and overwhelmed myself," Kathy admits. "I had to go back to just telling my story, to just get it out on the page. Only then could I try all the new tips and tools I'd learned to rework the next draft."

Her approach to writing is methodical and consistent. Each morning, she dedicates an hour to her craft, using Scrivener as her primary tool for drafting and organization. "My most creative energy is in the morning," she shares. "I also very much look forward to Monday Morning Writers group with Just Write Porto. It's a great way to start the week with a community of supportive writers."

The Porto Effect

Porto has played a crucial role in Kathy's development as a writer. "The two biggest ways Portugal has influenced my writing has been time and community," she explains. "Moving here afforded me the gift of time. Last year while I was writing 'Resilience in the Rubble', I treated that project like a full time job. I had the time to write, to learn, to rewrite. It felt so luxurious."

The Just Write Porto community has been equally transformative. "Meeting other writers through Just Write Porto has allowed me to join a community of others who are on a writing journey. I have learned so much from everyone and made some good friends along the way."

Current Projects and Looking Forward

Kathy is currently working on what she calls a "portrait-memoir" of her mother's life before marriage. What started as an essay has grown into a 55,000-word exploration, with chapters being released on Substack. "It has been a surprising project," she notes. "There is a lot more to my mom than I knew."

Advice for Fellow Writers

For those beginning their writing journey, Kathy offers practical advice: "Don't be shy about reading what you have written out loud. Read it to yourself, read it to others. Even if a sentence looks good on the page, it might not be smooth on the tongue. Reading your work out loud will help you write better sentences."

Getting Involved

Beyond her writing, Kathy is an accomplished photographer (find her on Facebook and Instagram) who offers author headshots to fellow writers. You can find her work and writing at kathyharmscreative.com or follow her ongoing memoir series at kathyharmscreative.substack.com.

Want to join our writing community? Just Write! Porto meets weekly and welcomes writers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Join our MeetUp group or subscribe to our email list to become part of our growing family of writers.