Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONA fellow blogger recently asked (tongue-in-cheek) whether I have several "Santa's little helpers" writing this blog for me. So here are my answers ....
Do other people write this blog? No, I am the only person who writes this blog. I write every post, every caption, every headline, every Verse And Worse poem and every sub-title. I also take every photograph that appears on this blog.
Why do I regularly feature the work of other bloggers? Because I enjoy promoting the work of other bloggers. Also because I like to point others in the direction of posts I have enjoyed by other writers and photographers.
Where do I find the time to visit the 229 sites on my blogroll? I can't visit them every day, but I do keep in touch. If I spent two minutes on each of these 229 sites every day, it would take almost eight hours out of my day.
Why do I help other writers? Because I had no help and no one to advise me when I was a would-be novelist. Simple as that. Now that I am lucky enough to have had my first novel on the bestseller lists, I want to provide as much help to aspiring writers as possible. I wrote a 19-part series called Telling Write From Wrong that I hope will answer common questions and assuage some doubts.
Why did I stop the Weekend Wandering meme? Because I no longer had the time to visit those who took part. That's in spite of the fact that I approach each day as if it has 30 hours!
Do I maintain contact with other bloggers? Yes, I always answer queries and emails. No, I don't employ anyone to do this for me!
Are ABC Wednesday and Picture This also my blogs? No. Authorblog is my blog. ABC Wednesday is Mrs Nesbitt's original concept. On the other hand, Picture This is Dot's original concept. They administer their respective blogs.
What do I do with my time? I am a full-time journalist, a deeply committed husband, a hands-on father, a novelist and a photographer who has been fortunate enough to get invited to other parts of the world.
Do my professional qualifications give me credibility as a blogger? Bloggers don't need professional qualifications, but I am a former managing editor (production) of The Age newspaper; I briefly edited Melbourne Express, a newspaper published by Fairfax; and in my early twenties I was associate editor of a national magazine called Sportsworld. Twice in the past four years I was shortlisted for a national News Award and I am also a Walkley Award-nominated journalist - that would probably be the Australian equivalent of the Pulitzer.
Wonderful insight into a bit of who you are David!
ReplyDeleteYour postas and photos are always wonderful!
I would love to read your novel... I will hunt it down!
All the very best from a fellow ex-journalist!
Brilliant David. Was really good of you to take the trouble to write this post.
ReplyDeleteI will point that person your way!
If you ever DO find those Santa's Helpers, David....please send them to RoseCreekCottage. I am still waiting for them to show up and help bail me out.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, am so grateful for your blog. You have been such a positive influence in everything I am attempting to do. You are a great mentor, and I have met many amazing people through your Posts of the Day...not to mention fabulous blogs! I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
david...thank you for the painting of the man behind the words.
ReplyDelete~AirmanMom returning to her blog...
Fabulous interview here. We get to know a little more about the wonderful person behind the camera!
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
And now we know - you don't sleep do you?
ReplyDeleteDavid...I have always loved your blog for its positive nature, creative wit, and promotion of others. You are fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love dueling with you on alternative footnotes :)
The blog world is a better place with you in it David!
Bradley
The Egel Nest
Great Toot! Thanks for sharing, it is always interesting, glimpses into other's lives.
ReplyDeleteAhh David! Bless you!
ReplyDeleteYou know how I feel about you.
As everyone is saying - thank you for doing this. It is lovely to get some insight into the humanitarian that you are.
I add my thank to all the others, David. My first thought was 'what a cheek to even ask the question' but then, had they not we would know less about you. What a full rich life you lead, and we are the richer for your altruism.
ReplyDeleteThis one is quite insightful for those who don't know about you. Not for me of course ! *tongue in cheek*
ReplyDeleteAnd buoy !! I had to turn upside down to see that photographer !
Ha Ha Ha....
only you would find a perfect reflection here. I bet you are the master of the unusual reflection.
ReplyDeleteJust watched the Aussie movieThe Castle Aussie humor tongue in cheek nothing like it sandy
well, hats off to you, david!
ReplyDeleteMucho respect David...come blow your horn....Applause!!!
ReplyDeletelove the image...
That's quite a resume, David! Thanks so much for sharing all of that. One of the things I love best about reading your blog is those personal bits you share that let me get to know you better.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Thank you for writing that post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I have tried to find your book in the UK but even Amazon is quoting £37.95 for a used copy. Why is it so expensive?
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice to hear a bit more about you and why you blog. I think that we are all here for such different reasons, but mainly to share, after all, we wouldn't be blogging if we didn't want to share would we? Or at least I hope we wouldn't!!
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that David personally answers comments, as I comment most often on the Verse and Worse post. David's encouragement has led me to start my own poetry blog, Whattville's on the Other Side of the Tracks.
ReplyDeleteAnd he and I have exchanged emails well past midnight his time.
Lovely to know a bit more about your goodself.
ReplyDeleteAnd a great photo!
"Toot My Own Horn" is the expression I've heard. Words can be fun... through words and pictures we all meet and experience each other here in Blogland. I'd pat you on the back if I could reach that far.
ReplyDeleteDo you know, for once, I am lost for words! I am still reeling from some one actually questioning your motives. I mean, at the end of the day, who are you hurting? No one. Who do you benefit? Loads of people.
ReplyDeleteI would still be blogging in obscurity if you hadn't featured me on a POTD. For that I am grateful. Through you I have found some of my dearest blogging friends, yourself included on there. Like other commenters, I have had replies and correspondence from you at all hours of the day and night. You have never once forgotten a correspondence.
Of course you can't visit 229 sites each day. In fact, there are more than 229 sites because you visit BOTH my blogs and they aren't listed on yours. There are many others you visit that you haven't had time to add to your sidebar.
Re ABC etc - the person levelling the criticism obviously does not READ the blog thoroughly. Nuff said.
I miss Weekend Wandering. Please reconsider.
Your dedication to your family and your work is evident in your posts. You are a talented writer and photographer, an encourager, upbuilder, motivator and mentor to many.
You don't have to explain yourself. To anyone.
(But so glad you did because now we know more!)
And I have ALWAYS said that Australia runs on a 36 hour day. That is how you do it. Plus only 2 hours sleep average. ;0)
(Loads more I could say but I'll give your readers a break.)
PS. I evidently was not THAT lost for words! LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd having met you, I can personally tell everyone that you are a very personable chap! Don't forget to let us all know when your next book comes out!
ReplyDeleteAfter you left a message on Stinking Billy's blog I thought I'd have a looksie at yours just to see what all the fuss was about, even though I said I wouldn't be interested. I was wrong, you have a great blog and I love, love, love your photos. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteI loved your post and this insight to you as a blogger, but most of all I marveled at that fantastic trumpet photo!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is agood shot of the trumpet with the reflection. And nice to read your article..
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your weblog...and while more of a reader than a poster for now....have always been honored by your encouraging comments....
ReplyDeletegonna check out that 19 part series
Sounds like your trumpet is well worth blowing. I don't know how you manage it, I have lots of time and couldn't get all that done. I hope you take time to exercise!
ReplyDeleteI indeed thank you for the time and attention you have returned to me.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap! All those credentials. I'm sweating even thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty cool shot, too!
I very much enjoyed finding out more things about you. Thank you, David! I knew, already, that you were special, I just didn't know how *very* special you are and how you got that way. Thanks for blowing your own horn!
ReplyDeleteThanks David, always good to hear a little more from you...
ReplyDeleteI know for sure I remember some hints you give..eg "Look behind you"..served me well when I found a sun halo behind me the other day! I hope you don't mind my quoting you though!
Annie
David: How wonderful that you have shown this as a refletion of you. You share your love of blogging with your blog friends and this is so inciteful.
ReplyDeleteReally neat photo of the horn.
Imagine writing a book on top of all that .. yup, he's working on another ... Now all of you go read the first one ... there's a copy up for loan at http://bookswappers.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteHonestly Den Mom, you are the best!
Late getting to this post, but glad I did. Thanks for the insight to the man behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteA curriculum for sure but in a much nicer way!
ReplyDeleteVery cool post.. and fantastic shot.. reflective even.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of being lost in a sea of comments...neat perspective for the photo!
ReplyDeleteI admire you for your time mangement skills (now that would be a new them for a series here!), your wit, not to mention photography and writing skills. Thank you for sharing all of these and more with us! :-)
ReplyDelete