It's great to bring others' talent to fruition. Photograph: DAVID McMAHONIt's not often I'm lost for words, but this post on Wednesday from Deborah Gamble stopped me in my tracks. So too the comments from Craver vii and Bart. ``A few days ago,'' Deborah wrote, ``I was asked by an old friend how I met David McMahon. Actually, I think the question was more precisely worded, How did you find that blog guy from Australia that wrote a novel and always comments on your blog'?"
Then on Friday, Cecilia wrote: ``David does have something to do with the continuation of this blog. He is my inspiration, the guy is just wonderful, he is a true mentor, and I am proud to be his friend!''
I am always humbled when fellow writers or photographers think that I have helped them - but that's simply the way I was brought up. There's no greater loss than a talent that is not nurtured; so that is precisely why I help.
In my early twenties, while editing a national sports magazine, `Sportsworld', for the huge Ananda Bazar Patrika publishing group, I enjoyed mentoring a group of talented writers who are mentioned in the acknowledgement section of my novel `Vegemite Vindaloo'. Then, just before my novel was published and spent six months on the bestseller lists, I emailed a very influential writer in India, explaining that I wanted to give something back to the country where I was educated. I offered to hold workshops in the major cities, working closely with writers and photographers. I received a short, sharp rebuff. ``This is not the way these things are done,'' the writer told me.
And that's why I devote a few minutes each day to helping others, scattered round the globe. Maybe the workshop concept was never meant to be. Or maybe there is a greater plan, that I don't know about. I'll always be here, and I'm always happy to help.
24 comments:
It bothers me greatly to hear any rejection of altruism, especially under the excuse of tradition.
I, for one, am incredibly grateful for your kindness and encouragement. I had never received much of it along the way and it is an exotic and wonderful feeling.
Hi Lin,
Thank you for your support. It's a two-way thing, I guess. My reward lies in seeing others achieve their potential.
Maybe one day my idea of workshops will come about; perhaps it was not the right time.
But the world would be a far more palatable place if people lent each other meaningful support.
I'm so glad I have been of some help.
Take care
David
It's funny you bring this up. My husband even knows who you are because I have told him of your kind words in regards to my photos-it means alot to me that a person who is obviously so talented can find nice things in my amateur photos. I'm also so proud of when I make your weekly awards that I tell my hubby and he is proud of me that I've gained 'respect' from a fellow blogger.
Believe it or not, you are truly a huge inspiration to so many of us, especially first timers such as myself!
Hi Jenera,
I was really touched by that comment. Thank you for being so supportive.
I don't set out to be an inspiration, but I do see great purpose in assessing the creative processes of others and in providing an honest, unbiased assessment of their work.
My humble thanks, once again. And a big hug to Aidan.
Cheers
David
'not the way these things are done' eh? Well, it's nice to find someone like yourself who is doing things for the right reasons.
You may be sorry however if I do the Creative Writing course this September :)
Hi Papoosue,
Great news. Take the course - and I'm only a comment or an email away if you need a shoulder to lean on.
I must add that after I helped an English blogger (whom I won't identify because her blog was family access-only) she sent me a long email of thanks and asked me if she owed me any money.
I reassured her that she did not owe me a cent, but I did ask that she could in turn think of helping other bloggers and writers.
Lovely to hear from you and good luck with the course.
Cheers
David
Hello dear David...
There are many people out there who are so pompous and full of themseleves. I have met a few myself. I am glad you are not one of them..
I hope Wendy's doing great!
love,
Cecilia
Hi Cecilia,
If I ever become pompous and full of myself, I hope you'll be the first person to bring me to my senses!
Wendy is making a recovery - still on antibiotics but every day is better than the day before. We're taking good care of her. Thank you for your continued concern.
Take care and say hi to the girls for me.
God bless
David
Mummy needed to hibernate for a while earlier this year. I don't strictly need to, being an indoor Bear. But as she helps me so much on my blog, I decided to get some kip too. SO my blog wasn't updated for about 2 months.
I came across you quite soon after starting it again, through the blogger help pages, where I had been writing little helps.
There are times when Mummy feels a bit too rough to log on, but I give her a head hug and remind her, all the people who met us through David, they will worry if we don't log on.
Then there is the list for the blog award each Saturday. Lots of blogs to explore. "Come, on, Mummy," I say, "let's go and blog and give them something to chuckle about."
So you do help a Small Brown Bear help his Mummy, too, you see.
:@}
I can always use advise. It's welcomed and appreciated.
Hi BTBear,
I cherish that remark. You are a great bear not just because you write an energetic blog, but because you look after your Mum in a wonderful way.
And you're right. We do care. And we would worry if you hibernated.
God bless
Cheers
David
Hi FHB,
No worries at all. Will add your blog to the to-be-reviewed list.
Cheers
David
Hi David!!
I wonder who that writer could have been, because frankly I do believe that there has been such workshops, organised by the British Council... I distinctly remember that along with their workskops just before teh BC Inter-School Play fest.. they would hold a workshop on how to go about writing good scripts... So am really at a loss with your situation!! Maybe you should try again!! I'm sure you'd have more than just a handful of participants!! Oh!! and you might as well start with Calcutta.. for it's there that such ideas can really gain steam!!
Cheerio
Sam
Hi San,
Thanks for that perspective and the impetus you've given me.
It's sill my aim to do those workshops, somewhere, somehow.
It would be great to do them in Calcutta, too
Cheers
David
David,
My Step-Father was ahigh school basketball coach for 30 years and says that, in his belief, God forgot to add the 11th Commandment which is "Thou Shalt Give". It's obvious you share that belief and that's a great trait to have in one's personality. Thank you for your past and future advice on my blog.
"This is not the way these things are done."
You rebel, you.
This reminds me of a drawing I saw where all the fish were going one way, but one single, solitary fish swam the opposite way.
Hi whodatdarepokah,
Very interested in the vignette. My mother was a Sunday School teacher and she gave me and my brothers pretty much the same message in life.
Thanks for your comment - you're always welcome to my help and advice, any time.
Cheers
David
Hi Craver,
Got it in one, mate!
Cheers
David
Whenever you do decide to hold that photography workshop out here you will have one very attentive participant. So who cares what that author told you (with due respect to his judgement), I say you still go ahead and hold it. Anything you need if this does materialise, I would only be too glad to help.... Siddharth
Thanks, Siddharth,
I'll let you know and I'll reserve a front-row spot for you as soon as the workshops are confirmed.
Cheers
David
I have Sandip to thank for introducing me to you, David. You are an inspiration to all of us who know you, your humility, your humanity and the love you have for India. Good luck with the workshop.
Glad to know that Wendy's on the mend.
Rene.
Hi Rene,
May I just say that none of us would have achieved what we wanted in life without people like you, who taught us not just in the classroom but out of it as well.
It was a great privilege being at a boarding school in India and like Sandip and all the others who went to North Point or Loreto Convent or St Paul's in Darjeeling, we spent nine months in constant contact with the teachers and nuns and priests who were our surrogate parents.
Credit, if any is due, goes to you and all the others who helped us become adults, and adults keen to pass on the torch of knowledge, compassion and humility.
God bless you and all those like you.
With fond regards and deepest respect
David
I read your comment with difficulty through bleary eyes. Phew! what a tribute to all your mentors. And though we haven't met except on the net, I can see you're still the same David that I saw in The Diary of Anne Frank. No, I didn't know your name back then, or maybe I forgot what it was through all these years, but every detail of the play is still very vivid in my mind. My youngest sister on the other hand asked right away when I told her about you and VV, "Is it the same David Mcmahon, the one from Anne Frank?"
;-)
Rene.
Hi Rene,
Acting in that play as a fourteen-year-old (yes, I was young for my class) really shaped my view of the world and of the need to be discerning yet tolerant.
I'm amazed that your sister remembered that far back!
Cheers
David
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