Readers' Delight

Maguk2 Thanks so much to those readers who have taken time to write to me to tell me of the delight they have taken in my latest book, Fraying: Mum, memory loss, the medical maze and me. One of those responses, from a trauma nurse who, it turns out, grew up in an orphanage was so touching. Reading about her life, I began to see Fraying through new eyes. We have all walked such different paths, and stories are such a great way to understand the path others tread. Image: Maguk, Kakadu National Park, Australia (Gotta get yourself there!) Image and text copyright: Michele Gierck
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Anticipation

Road to Aoraki MtCook   Waiting for your new book to be released (launched) is like having a ticket overseas and waiting for the journey to happen. So much anticipation. Will you rocket down the road ahead, reaching some fabulous pinnacle? Or ... Well, let's see what happens when Fraying: Mum, memory loss, the medical maze and me is launched later this month. (So far there's lots of interest!) You can catch Richard Fidler's Radio National interview with Michele, (that's me) on 25 February at: http://www.abc.net.au/local/sites/conversations/  The 55-minute interview will be podcast and can be listened to online any time after the interview. For more information about Michele's new book check out her website: http://michelegierck.com.au/fraying/ Image and text copyright Michele Gierck Photo: Road to Aoraki/MtCook, New Zealand
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Pause, Ponder, Power Down

019 Kaikoura AM sea shot VG Holidays, especially in naturally beautiful places, can be a wonderful time to pause ... and ponder. They can become a vital time to power down, and then, eventually, recharge. Image: view of the mountains from Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand Image and text copyright Michele Gierck
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Seeking Some Peace

BeeDivesInOct2014 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
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A Budding Project

  first spring buds BUSH PEA Aug2014 Most things that bloom, regardless of being a flower, or an artistic work start off as a small bud. And I'm hoping that the manuscript just forwarded to my publisher, a budding project, will bloom fully and vibrantly, delighting many readers. Photo: A bush Pea - Michele's garden - one of the first spring buds, 2014 If you love flowers or nature, feel free to check out Michele's other blog: www.michelemuses.wordpress.com
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Advance Health Directives or Advance Care Plans

SunsetSilverPrincess2 Life is a series of cycles. And having your wishes respected when at your most vulnerable is important, particularly come the end of your life. Here's the link to an article I recently wrote about Advance Care Plans or Advance Health Directives. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=41460#.U4mjbPmSyBI Making an Advance Care Plan, or Advance Health Directive, is not only a good idea for the person who makes it, but it's important for family members or friends (or whoever you appoint as your Medical Power of Attorney or Substitute Decision Maker) who may be called on to make critical decisions should you be in a state that renders you unable to express your own wishes. If you are thrust into the roll of carer, it's a good idea to make sure the person you are caring for, if over 18 years of age, has an Advance Care Plan or Advance Health Directive, as they are known in Australia, in place. To find out what inspires Michele check out her other blog: www.michelemuses.wordpress.com Text and image: copyright Michele Gierck Photo: Eucalyptus Silver Princess just prior to sunset
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Travel Writing

MalabarViewOfMtGower&Walker01-15-2014 Sometimes places are so amazing, writing about them is a must. Here's the link to a travel piece I scribed on Lord Howe Island which appeared in Australian newspapers. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/travel/australia/immerse-yourself-in-lord-howe-islands-tropical-beauty/story-fnjjuyvd-1226888086987 Keep in mind that no matter how wonderful Lord Howe Island sounds, whether you are into nature, relaxing, natural beauty, peaceful environments, bush walking, snorkelling, coral reefs, swimming with fine friendly fish (and even Galapagos sharks), it's much better being there! Photos and text copyright Michele Gierck To find out what else inspire Michele, apart from Lord Howe Island, visit her other blog: www.michelemuses.wordpress.com    
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Stepping into the World of Another - Writing Personal Profiles

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA One of the most rewarding aspects of writing personal profiles, at least for me, is the opportunity it provides to step into the world of another. Then to really listen, not just to what is said, but to get a sense of the person's essence, and to commit that to the page. My most recent profile was hip-hop artist and Burundian refugee, Fablice from The Flybz. War, loss and years as a refugee have not dented his spirit or his hope for the future. What an inspiration. So too his song, Child Soldier, with the iconic singer/songwriter Paul Kelly. To find out what else inspires Michele visit: www.michelemuses.wordpress.com
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Taking Time

Maguk, Kakadu National Parkwhats flowering The creative life is all about taking time. Time out, time for ideas and thoughts, time to be inspired. And sometimes that inspiration can be had by a simple stroll around the garden, a ramble along a sandy beach, or a meander by a small stream. Text and photo copyright Michele Gierck To find out what else inspires Michele, and her creative projects, check out her other blog:  www.michelemuses.wordpress.com  
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Pursuing An Idea

BabyTern&MumOnBeachCreativity 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  
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