Specialist Memoir Writer, Professional Biographer, Author, Insightful Interviewer, Inspiring 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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