DiveSpots: How did you get started blogging for divester?

Willy: Actually, I applied to write for one of Divester's sister blogs -- Gadling -- which is focused on travel. I didn't hear anything for a few weeks, and then one day, I got an email asking if I was interested in writing for Divester. Apparently, I had commented on a lot of Gadling's dive-related posts, and I was recruited by the editorial staff. I submitted a writing sample, and I got hired. That was 2400 posts, and 580,000 words ago. I'm happy it worked out the way it did, because I like the focus Divester provides. The wide-ranging theme of "travel" would drive me batty. I like the little spotlight I have to use.

DiveSpots: Based on the number of blog posts, you obviously have a passion for writing. How do you find the time?

Willy: I write whenever I get the chance: I wake up early each morning and write for an hour. I write on my days off. I write occasionally in the evenings, or as my wife is getting ready to go out. I like to think I'm motivated and budgeting my time carefully. My wife, however, thinks I'm freakishly obsessed and demented. She's right about most things.

DiveSpots: What's your secret? Where do you find all of the great material you uncover?

Willy: I started writing for Divester in March, 2005. At the time, I didn't really know where to find any information, and for a while, I just kept trolling the same sites and linking to them. Then, I started to explore the sites that the sites I was exploring linked to. And then I explored those sites, and so on.

In 2005, I had never used a feed reader before, and I didn't really know what RSS was. Now, I compulsively add feeds to my reader -- which has about 60+ dive, underwater, and science-related feeds in it today. I also read a lot of magazines and books, and when I discover something interesting, I mention it. That said, while I love both Scuba Diving and Sport Diver, generally-speaking, once something appears in magazines, the news is too old for Divester.

DiveSpots: Divester is owned by Weblogs, Inc., which was purchased by AOL one year ago this month (October 2005). Did the AOL purchase limit your creative license in any way?

Willy: Not at all. When Jason Calacanis -- the man behind Weblogs -- sold Weblogs to AOL, he made certain AOL wasn't going to tell us what to do. And they haven't. Not even once.

DiveSpots: Is there someone at Weblogs that edits or reviews your work before it's posted?

Willy: Never. Basically, they presume that they hire the best, most talented people they can to write about the stuff they love. In other words: I'm the expert, so why would they censor the expert? Moreover, blogging is supposed to be a "fast" medium, so reviewing my work only delays the process.

As long as you stick to the "theme" of your blog, you're never going to be censored or edited, which, of course, is the best part of working for Weblogs. For the most part, I can write whatever I like, how ever I like -- as long as it relates at least somewhat to diving or the marine environment. If I started bashing policy in Iraq routinely, then I might get a talking-to. In the meantime, I'm free. Log in. Write. Publish.

DiveSpots: You recently dabbled in Podcasting. I enjoyed the "Podcast Interview with Foots" you posted back in December. Did you find that to be a successful medium for your audience?

Willy: First, let me say that Foots may be the coolest guy on the planet. He's living his dream, despite appearing a little nutty.

Podcasts require a lot of coordination -- I have to be available at the same time as the interviewee. Then, I have to spend time editing the recording into a manageable length. While I think my podcasts were warmly received, they consume a lot of time and energy.

In the meantime, Divester is starting a new feature called "10 Questions for...", which involves simply using email to correspond with a dive personality. This is a far more manageable process for everyone involved -- although it may not be as "cutting edge." However, it doesn't require any of Divester's readers to use any kind of software to access the interview, or listen to something they'd prefer to skim for highlights. I think it's just easier.

DiveSpots: Do you foresee more Podcasts, or possibly a YouTube video or two?

Willy: I foresee more podcasts in the future -- but they'll probably only be a few minutes in length. In terms of vodcasting -- or video podcasting -- I plan on attending DEMA, and I may try to throw some videos up on YouTube from the event.

DiveSpots: You've submitted 76 stories to digg.com. I noticed that the one that got the most "diggs" was one provocatively titled "What about Shrinkage?" It got a whopping 727 diggs! Do findings such as this influence your writing style?

Willy: For websites interested in generating increased traffic numbers, not much beats having your content get linked to on Digg or Netscape. However, by and large, neither of these sites is geared towards the diving community, so hoping you're going to generate big traffic from these sites is somewhat pointless. After all, most people aren't divers. Frankly, the best way to increase your traffic over the long term is to provide interesting content or perspectives that no other sites provide.

DiveSpots: We both write and talk about diving. What about "actual" diving? Do you? How long have you been diving?

Willy: I started diving when I was 13. I have about 500 dives to my name now. Although I write about diving on a daily basis, I dive once or twice a quarter. About once a year, I go on a big trip. The last one was to Cayman.

Actually, I went diving this weekend, which was nice. I tried two different operators, much different in scale and scope. Both were great. Soon, I want to visit Foots in the Brac, and I'd really like to hit PNG. I want to see the walking sharks.

DiveSpots: Tell us about your most memorable dive.

Willy: It's always the last one I did. In this case, it was Palm Beach County's Captain Tony. A 167-foot-long freighter in about 85 feet of water, the Captain Tony is almost entirely covered with coral, including some gorgeous, delicate bluebell tunicates. The sun was out that morning, and the current was mild, so the wreck was brightly illuminated and easy to dive on. The highlight was the pair of Goliath grouper on the wreck -- one of which kept making that distinct "thunk"-ing sound. So cool.

DiveSpots: Are there any cool new technologies on the horizon for Divester or the blogging platform that you can share with us?

Willy: Soon, you'll be able to access Divester via mobile phone. Is that cool? I don't own a cell phone, so for me, it's not that cool.

DiveSpots: Somewhat off-topic, but extremely interesting... You volunteered for the Peace Corps for 3 years up until 2001. Fantastic! How cool of an experience was that?

Willy: It was a great experience, and one that will shape my life forever. I taught rural communities in Zambia, Africa, about safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. We also applied for some grant money and used it to have HIV/AIDS prevention workshops and build wells and latrines. For the first three months, I swore each day that I was leaving. Then, a few minutes later, something amazing would happen, and I'd be thrilled I was there. By the end of my two-year commitment, I realized I was in the middle of several projects, and if I left, I'd never see them through to the end. Consequently, I decided to stay for an extra year and finish the projects. I'm glad I did, but I was ready to come home after the third year.

DiveSpots: I read your article titled "An Exorcism in Zambia". The article tells a great story about a community communicating with dead relatives to solve a problem -- to "make something happen". Did the experience change the way you approach problems?

Willy: It reminds me that my way is not always the best way. Being an only child, I often forget this important concept.

Comments:

	Posted by WillyVolk, Oct-11-2006 @ 12:35 PM CDT Dang, I'm handsome!
	Posted by gottes, Feb-9-2010 @ 02:34 PM CST Nice interview, thnx you a lot! cheap essay
	Posted by masini, Feb-20-2010 @ 01:56 PM CST Yes, in the water. piese auto I like this interview.
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