In late March, I attended the Native Fish Forum in Canberra, where my picture book about an Australian native fish was on display. (And for sale.) One of the ecologists took a copy home. Next morning he showed me this gorgeous photo of his son 'reading' Gladys and Stripey: two little fish on one BIG adventure. What a treasure -- Never Too Young To Start Reading.
More information about the book can be found on the Gladys and Stripey page of Michele Gierck's website: www.michelegierck.com.au
How good it is to find your special spot. A place to relax, to calm, to be. A place to listen, to be drawn into the moment. (No phones, ipads or laptops here!)
There's been quite a bit of media and a number of talks given since the release of my latest book, Fraying: Mum, memory loss, the medical maze and me, in March. Now, it's time to get back to basics, create a calm space ... and write.
Yes, all the talks and interviews are enjoyable, but at heart the joy of writing is one that for me cannot be quelled. If I don't write, I feel a part of myself is missing.
For those interested, I will be back speaking again in September, during Dementia Awareness Month. More details soon.
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
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 
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
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
Writing may be a solitary experience, but bringing a book to life depends on a team of collaborators. And fortunately, the publisher of my next non-fiction book has an exceptional team.
And not just with books, but with life in general, a good crew of collaborators, or friends, make all the difference in life.
Text and image copyright Michele Gierck
Michele's other blog: www.michelemuses.wordpress.com
It's certainly time to celebrate now that the contract for my next non-fiction book has been signed with an excellent Australian publisher. More details soon. For now, it's on with the editing.
Image: Honeyeater at Bird Billabong, near Mary River, on the way to Kakadu National Park, The Northern Territory, Australia
Michele's website: www.michelegierck.com.au
What inspires Michele? Check out her other blog to find out - www.michelemuses.wordpress.com
Text and image copyright Michele Gierck
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
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