Meet our first Interviewee for 2019 – Gael Mueller 2019 Interview
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Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge as a blogger and how you handled it?
My first blog entitled, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” started the week after my brother, Daniel, passed. I simply spewed out what I could not comprehend. The challenge came when I realized that I actually could write. A friend of mine told me that my writing about Dan was like sitting with him and talking. I found, over time, that I wanted to use my own voice. Letting myself do that, to appear as who I am, took some work and time. It was flat scary to think that people would be able to see me and hear me. That challenge still exists. And, to use a wonderful cliche, I just persist.
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Where do you see yourself and your blog in five years?
After 30 years of defending the destitute, disenfranchised and unwanted of our society, I hope I will be able to show another side of the American Criminal justice system. I am working on a book but I think the best way is through the blog. One little story every once in a while can be very effective. There are a thousand stories to tell and each person that I stood beside in a courtroom deserves to be heard- for good or for ill. I cannot use their names and some facts must be withheld or changed but I hope to write about as many as I can.
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What do you think you could do better or differently as a Blogger?
Grabbing readers interest. I tend to be a bit analytical and yet my internal engines fire on emotion. I can be too intense which leads to verbosity which leads to indifference on the part of the reader.
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What motivates you as a Blogger?
Right now, it is my daily life. It has changed so drastically since my brother’s death that it amazes me. I am no longer working 16-20 hour days (and nights). I live in a remote, rural area that is filled with life and I sing with a group that is like no other. The Vocal Arts Ensemble has given me a peace that I cannot explain. It is important to me that others hear that music. I took up weaving on a whim and have found the women in my class to be amazing people with stories to tell. All of that spins in my head on any given day. Some days it comes out like a river, some days the spigot is very dry. But always the life around me moves me to write, to tell the stories.
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In your personal opinion: How often should a Blogger post to his/her blog per week or month?
If I could I would post every day. Having said that, when someone that I am following posts every day, I find I cannot get through it all. So, from the outside and aimed at the idea of additional readership, I would say a couple of times a week at most and at least once a week to keep up the interest. It really does depend on the writer, the subject and the need to write.
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How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
I used to drink. Twenty years ago I let that go. I cannot explain or describe the pressure that I would feel before and during a criminal trial. The responsibility of doing your very, very best for the person sitting next to you, knowing that that person’s life was part of that responsibility, knowing that a failure to object to something or to fail to ask the proper question could result in imprisonment or the loss of life was a constant. I had no perfect outlet for that stress. But taking care of myself was the preferable method. It eventually led to my retirement. The fire in my belly finally consumed me. That happened about the time that I lost Daniel and it led me to a weaving loom and to writing. Strange how life opens doors from rooms where passion had consumed the furniture!
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If you could live on any planet besides Earth, which one would it be and why did you choose this specific planet?
Saturn. I am a “double” Capricorn and that is the planet of that sign. Besides, it has rings which show its various levels. It would take a lifetime to explore.
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Describe your personality as a flavor of ice cream.
First thought is orange. It is the color of a flame and it is the taste of sweet and sour. It is also connected to my childhood. I grew up in an orange grove!
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If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
A big cat. Probably a mountain lion. Somewhat isolated with strong females who protect their own with great fierceness. I have been accused of protecting my family (and my clients) ferociously. It always embarrassed my daughter. Junior high principals were terrified of me!)
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What superpower would you like and how will it benefit you or what will you do with it?
I wish I could write and perform music that would touch the human soul with every note, every time it was played. I have seen the peace on the faces of people in our audiences when we sing a particular piece of music like that. Then I would give that peace to each and every soul that heard my music and I am proud of being a part of a group that strives for that. That is enough for me.
Thank you for allowing me to participate in this endeavor!
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Fancy, thank you for your kind words. I have never thought of myself as a poet. But then again, I never thought of myself as a writer, a singer, or a weaver and I certainly am all three of those! So maybe I am a bit poetic! Thank you!
A really interesting interview! And very good questions. I love how the answers are phrased- very poetic.
Thanks so much for popping, leaving your comment on Gael’s interview. May I ask if you would be interested to participate in an Interview? Please let me know, as I would love to have you on board.
For some unknown cyber reason, I cannot directly reply to each person who has commented on the interview I gave Esme! SO, I will generally reply here until such time as my brain can figure out the glitch or the cyber-gods release me from this purgatory!
THANK YOU. Each and every one of you for reading my ramblings and, I hope, enjoying them. Darlene Foster, one of the reasons I picked a big cat is I saw one crossing out dirt road as I was coming home the day of the interview. It was gorgeous. I kept the windows up and waited until it was out of site before I proceeded. They are amazing creatures!
My many, many thanks to Esme for interviewing me and letting me be part of this process. I am honored and humbled.
May you all have laughter, peace and a little insanity in your lives!
Hi Gael – I am sorry that you’re unable to respond directly, but I will check it out and see if its something on my end. Thank you anyway for responding.
A very interesting and intriguing interview with Gael. An enjoyable read. Oh some music for Gael.
https://youtu.be/RqvhJlXRn4g
Hi Ivor, Glad to meet you here at my end of the blogging world and leaving a note on Gael’s Interview. Thank you so much. May I ask if you would be interested to participate and also share a bit of you and your blog???
Wonderful interview
Thank you Lynn. I would love to showcase you and your blog. How about you do an interview. Please let me know if interested.
A great interview! A big orange cat would be formidable and a wonderful thing to be.
Hi Darlene – Thank you for visiting and leaving your comment here for Gael. A big protective mama cat looking after her brood (family and others) How about you, I would love to showcase you here in the 2019 Interview series. What do you think?