Blog - Page 6 - Michele Gierck

Pursuing An Idea

Posted on February 5, 2014October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

Creativity is a fascinating process. Critical to it, and I'm speaking from a writer's perspective, is the capacity and determination to pursue an idea - be it fashionable or not. And to believe in it. Relentlessly. It was like that with my first book, published in 2006. And so it is with the current two! Image: Baby and Mother Tern, Lord Howe Island, Australia Text and Image copyright Michele Gierck www.michelegierck.com.au

A Piece of Paradise

Posted on January 15, 2014October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

Paradise for me is naturally spectacular, ringed by coral reef teeming with hundreds of fish species, with mountains at its southern tip. It's Lord Howe Island. What an inspiring place. In fact, I was so impressed that I've just penned a travel piece about it. Not sure when it will appear in Australian newspapers. Photo: Lord Howe Island from Malabar Hill Text and image copyright Michele Gierck

Cultivating Creativity

Posted on December 7, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

We are off to cultivate a little, or lots, of creativity. To non-writers, it's called a holiday. Whatever the name, I can't wait. We''ll swim with fish and coral, climb mountains, and breath deeply. And when I come back I'll be relieved, refreshed and reinvigorated. Text and Image copyright Michele Gierck

Inspiration

Posted on November 16, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

Inspiration must be one of the most precious, unpurchasable gifts of life. And I've been lapping it up as I work on my children's book about two beautiful fish who embark on a wild adventure. These days , it seems as if much of my inspiration is drawn from nature. Photo: Maguk Walk, Kakadu National Park, Australia Text and Image Copyright Michele Gierck www.michelegierck.com.au

Patience

Posted on October 31, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

Wildlife photography and getting your book published have their commonalities. Both require patience. Waiting and hoping. Wondering. What will happen? Waiting some more. Then finally, finally, often when you've almost given up, that magical moment arrives-- like this honeyeaster pecking at the eucaplyptus silver princess. Or an equally delightful agent's call. As always, I wait in hope. Text and image copyright Michele Gierck www.michelegierck.com.au

Delight

Posted on October 9, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

Sometimes, when I've been buried in writing, or the intricacies of life, the garden offers a place to rest my weary soul. It's so full of delight, of surprise, of tranquility. Text and Image Copyright Michele Gierck

Storytelling and Surprises

Posted on September 21, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

An old friend, a respected Australia journalist and storyteller, once told me that when it comes to writing people's stories, put away your preconceived ideas and biases, and simply meet them as a person. Listen without judgement. Be really present. And you might be surprised. How insightful.

Tune in

Posted on September 6, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

I was speaking at a conference this week. My topic was storytelling. There's nothing more precious than our stories, except of course a healthy memory to file them in. There are so many different stories all around us, if we tune in--and listen.

The Shape of Your Life

Posted on August 28, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

If you drew your life story as a shape, what form would it take? A square, with sturdy sides? A thinly lined circle? Or a long meandering squiggle? (The trunk of a scribbly gum tree, covered in a mass of squiggles, comes to mind.) Would your shape be vibrantly coloured, covered with daubs, dots and blotches, gently shaded or perhaps painted with thick oils? How might you choose to express the shape of your life?

Stories

Posted on August 21, 2013October 29, 2023 by Michele Gierck

Stories are a precious gift. And good ones are long remembered. Sometimes simply slowing down, being present, and listening, we unearth amazing stories. And nowhere is this more apparent than being out in the wilds of the world. Photo: The Flinders Ranges, South Australia Photo and Text: © Michele Gierck