Today we’d like to introduce you to David Cochran.
Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town called Linwood on the mainland near Atlantic City, NJ. A residential town, it was a great place to work and play. After graduating from Ocean City High School, I ventured off to Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) to become a teacher. I stayed in the Mercer/Somerset County area, teaching in Hopewell and Lawrence Township before taking the first of several administrative positions in the Montgomery Township School District. My wife, Evelyn, and I have lived in the Village of Blawenburg for over 50 years. We have two daughters and five grandchildren.
When I was young, I loved to write, and I wanted to be a teacher. After much thought, I selected education as my career. This was a good choice for me, and I became a teacher, school administrator, curriculum leader, adult school director, and college professor. All the while, I never lost sight of the other goal in my life—writing. In high school and college, I was the sports editor of each school’s newspaper. Later, I spent three years in graduate school, culminating in the writing of a dissertation for my Doctorate in Education.
For several years, I wrote articles for youth publications, and then my adult education work led me to form a company, Fruition Publications, to prepare courses presented on cassette tapes and workbooks. Following this, I worked with a partner to publish a newsletter to support multimedia software called HyperStudio. Next came a science magazine for middle school students called Spigot Science.
Once I retired from educational work, I wanted to do more writing. I have lived in an old house in an old village, which is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, for over 50 years. I have also been an active participant in Blawenburg Reformed Church all that time. When I was the new “kid” in town, I heard the “oldtimers” tell their stories about living in the historic village of Blawenburg. In 2018, I realized that the oldtimers were gone, and now I was the oldtimer. I now write a blog called Tales of Blawenburg to capture stories of the village. Little did I know how well this would take root. Soon I will publish Blog 122. I’ve learned more about this one-square-mile village than I could ever have imagined. Its history is now in writing online (www.blawenburgtales.com), and it will become a book in the future.
Blawenburg Reformed Church (www.blawenburgchurch.org) is an important part of my life. Its members are my second family. I have served as Deacon, Elder, and Vice President of Consistory (the church board). I have written two versions of the church history and currently lead its Communications Team. The church has been the centerpiece of the village since 1832 and of my life since I moved to Blawenburg.
Most of my writing has been non-fiction. I believe you CAN teach old dogs new tricks, and I wanted to try my hand at writing fiction. In 2023, I published Where Are They? The Missing Men from Marlowe Mansion, a comedy/mystery about a mismatched pair who try to solve a 20-year-old cold case to get the big reward. The second edition is available on Amazon and IngramSpark. A sequel is in the works.
Recently, I began another blog, The Daze of Our Lives, about how we deal with the many events that affect our lives. Links to it and Tales of Blawenburg are on my website: dcochran.net.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My life has been filled with teaching and writing, and like most lives, it has taken unpredictable twists and turns. I didn’t get every position I sought, nor did I expect to live in one place for so long. Once I read a poster that said, “Bloom where you’re planted.” I feel blessed that I have bloomed in a place that means everything to me and has helped me produce in so many ways for so long.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While I have retired from professional work as an educator, I write books, blogs, and articles for other publications. Within this writing, I still consider myself a teacher.
I also volunteer my talents maintaining the Blawenburg Reformed Church website and serving the church in other ways.
A complete resume of my writing experience is on my website: dcochran.net.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have had many mentors over the years, especially in my formative years. My mother was a piano teacher, and listening to how she related to children over the years led me to a career in education.
Several other teachers throughout my schooling also influenced my choice. I credit Mr. Walters, my high school newspaper advisor, with helping me meet with success in writing. This was my first publishing experience. Several college professors, undergraduate and graduate, helped me add clarity to my writing.
Perhaps my greatest mentors were the various people who were my editors. Whether they were peers, teachers, or professional editors, they showed me a better way to write things.
My best advice for others, no matter what their vocation or avocation, is to listen to the advice you receive, especially from those with years of experience. You may not agree with all of it, but much of it will help you improve.
I am grateful to the many people who have led me to where I am today in life’s journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dcochran.net
