Blogging breeds Networks

One of the things I never imagined I would discover when I began this blog is the new friends in cyber space that I would make.
One of those is Cathy of Kittling Books who has been kind enough to give me the following award:

It was presented to Cathy by Wendy of We Read with the following:

So if you’ve received this award you’ll see elements of your page here on mine, you will have amazed me & you will have inspired me to find out ‘how can I do that too’. But perhaps more than that you’ll have made me smile and feel good about myself as I recognise I’m not alone if I’m reading.

1) display the grasshopper award (in my last post) on your blog knowing you have touched someone you may never meet IRL.

2) pass this on to any fellow bloggers who have taught, inspired or entertained you.

My first experience of blogs came through Peter Rozovsky at Detectives Beyond Borders who first of all joined us on oz_mystery_readers back in November 2006 and then started suggested we read this and that on his blog. His blog is still a wonderful benchmark for those who haven't been doing it as long.

I have been blogging now for over 15 months, and will be able to celebrate my 600th post very soon. A number of people whom I already knew, like Sally of Books and Musings from Downunder, were well established in blogging, and they have been a great source of information and critical help.

The very first person to leave a comment on my blog was Marg of Reading Adventures, and she welcomed me to blogging. I eventually met Marg last year at the Ned Kelly Awards.

And then the 2nd comment ever was Maxine (Petrona). She was so encouraging and gave me the idea that blogging could be a conversation. Until then it had felt a bit like spruiking on a street corner. Hot on Maxine's heels came Karen of EuroCrime and they sowed the idea that this blogging thing was global, and put you in touch with people worldwide.

By mid January last year, only 15 days into my blogging life, I had managed a post a day, and held discussions with 5 people I've mentioned here. Their encouragement spurred me on to keep this blog going, so thank you. I have great pleasure in passing the Grasshopper Award, so kindly given to me by Cathy, on to each of you.