The Sunday Roast

This Bloke Never Talks Through His Hat

This week's interview is with Pappy,

who writes the blog Pappy's Balderdash.

The first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

First I would like to thank our host, David McMahon, for the privilege of being featured on his "Sunday Roast". I am a relative neophyte to the blogosphere, although I’m not sure if the life span of a blogger has been accurately determined yet. I am retired and in my sixties. For most of my career, I was a criminal investigator. I taught high school for one year before I decided that law enforcement was a less dangerous pursuit. I taught English in high school and I wrote a little in my spare time. However, when the press of making a living took over I put writing on the back burner. After I retired, I started writing again and I was looking for another outlet for my work. My first cousin, Beth, suggested blogging. She started a blog and she told me how it was done.

What's the story behind your blog name?

I named my blog "Pappy’s Balderdash" using the name I wanted my grandkids to call me combined with a description of my writing style which is eclectic and sometimes senseless.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

I wanted something to force me to write everyday. I find this is one of the biggest advantages to this medium. I had no idea in January of this year when I started it would become so addictive. I feel guilty when I don’t have anything to post. I didn’t know how universal a blog was. I have readers and commenters from all over the world.

I also visit blogs around the globe. I enjoy hearing opinions from those who live away from my home area. I also enjoy the photos from other places. I feel something akin to a friendship with those who visit frequently although I don’t even know what many of them look like.

What key advice would you give to a new blogger?

I encourage others to try blogging. When I first started, I visited other blogs and tried to see what I liked about each layout. I used the old trial and error method in the beginning to come up with a style I felt was comfortable for me. I participated in every meme I could find (after I found out what a meme was) and this increased my exposure and my readership. I now am more selective.

Blog your passions. If you have a hobby or pastime you might find blogging a good way to link up with others who share your interests. Don’t worry about messing up. Everyone does from time to time, but fellow bloggers are for the most part encouragers. Keep your posts as short as possible. Bloggers like to come and go quickly.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

I have read so many great posts it is hard to list one as the best without leaving someone out. I think the ones I enjoy most are those that highlight our human frailties. These touch me on a personal level and elicit empathy.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I would have to leave it to my readers to decide which of my blog posts would qualify as significant. I have posted most of my published poetry and short stories. I broke the stories up into serial like parts to keep them short enough to fit my rule of keeping things short. I try to make my readers think, laugh, cry, and sometimes get riled. When they respond with emotion then I know I’ve succeeded. I probably need to regain control of my time and write some new original material so I don’t become stale. Come by and plan to stay a while. I would love to meet you.


Today's Sunday Roast with Pappy is the 56th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.