It's great getting reader responses to Fraying. So many people whose parents have had dementia have written to me, and I find their stories so moving.
Here's a few lines received this week.
'I purchased a copy of Fraying and I simply couldn't put it down. It was like I was reading my own life experiences with my mother... Thank you so much for writing this story for me too. It will remain a most treasured book on my bookshelf and shared with others.'
All I can say is thank you, thank you to readers.
The more we share our stories, the richer the community. Stories, after all, are our treasures.
Michele Gierck
Author/Freelance Writer/Speaker
Just finished a magazine article on The Human Face of War. Afterwards, I sought some peace in the garden. And what a delight to see this bee -- head first, diving in. Just the way life needs to be lived!
Text and image copyright Michele Gierck
Michele's other blog: what inspires her www.michelemuses.wordpress.com
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
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
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
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.
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.
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?