Michael J Gardner
Repawter: Lisa Greener
1. Tell me about yourself
Let me introduce myself, I'm Michael J Gardner Aka The Walking Poet.
Why The Walking Poet, you ask. Well I am a volunteer wellbeing walk leader for my local borough council. But when I started with the group I was prescribed to it by a Social Prescriptive Link Worker after my wife died. The group was the best place for me, they helped a lot.
When I was working I was a safety rep, and when I was mid 60s I trained as a Lay Preacher, my poems are written in the way they are because I write what I feel. And writing that way these poems I share with you have been a good therapy to get me through my grief. I am now a volunteer for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Headway.
2. What made you decide to start writing poetry?
Having been prescribed to a walking group by social prescribing link work I found myself writing about nature in the country park in small rhymes.
3. How long did it take you to write your first book?
Twelve months.
4. What was the inspiration for you to write the book(s)?
I found it a therapy to relieve my grief as all are written from the heart.
5. Do you write in any other genres?
No.
6. Are you writing, or have you written another book?
Just writing my fourth book to be called Faith=Hope Hope=Faith.
7. What is your favourite book of all time?
World book of owls.
8. What one piece of advice would you give someone writing their own book?
Write from the heart, make your story live so it captures the reader.
9. What is your greatest accomplishment?
Publishing my books and supporting Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Headway.
10. What is your favourite food?
Indian.
11. What is your favourite type of music?
Handel's Messiah.
12. Where is your favourite place to be?
In the countryside.
