Bio & FAQ
I was born and raised in Wels, Upper Austria. After an overseas stay in England, where I worked as a translator, I returned to Austria and joined the United Nations in Vienna. After 25 years, I went abroad again—to Strasbourg, France. After retirement, I returned to Vienna, where I work as a QI-GONG teacher and write poetry.
Here are some questions I am asked at readings and interviews:
Why do you write, what genre do you write in, and what do you love about it?
I love poetry. I started to write as a teenager.
After vocational training as a psychological life coach, I got inspired to write again.
What I like most about writing poems is that I can process my feelings and emotions. I express my experiences and different human perceptions with my poetry.
Why poems, of all things?
Thoughts and emotions can be wonderfully packed in rhymes.
What does your everyday life look like?
Every morning I do a series of QI-GONG exercises. Once a week, I teach QI-GONG classes at the United Nations. When the weather is nice, I go for long walks to get new inspiration for my poems. Since art has always fascinated me, I am working on a new project. I write poetry to sculptures for an artist.
Whom would you like to address with your poems?
My poems serve as food for thought. People who are not in the flow of life may change their point of view when picking one of the poems describing their situation.
Why do you also write in English?
Since English was my working language for a long time, I also wanted English speakers to be able to read my poems.
Do you listen to music while writing?
No, I don't. I usually write in the morning. The inspiration for my poems often comes from my dreams.
What do you like most, and what do you dislike?
It is important to me to meet up with friends and former colleagues from work. I love classical music, going to the theatre and laughing.
I dislike everything superficial.
What are your hobbies besides writing?
I love to go to theatres, to go for long walks and to read a good book. I also like to dance and meet exciting people from around the world.
Favourite author – why?
Goethe because he is a wonderful poet.
The actor Erwin Steinhauer because he is a friend and tells beautiful stories about his life. He is also a poet and cabaret artist.
Marie Anders because she writes exciting mystery novels, and I can’t get enough of them.
Favourite book - why?
Goethe ‘Zum Vergnügen’ because it can be very exhilarating.
Favourite movie - why?
Gone with the Wind. A great movie that contains everything, feelings, suspense, and passion.