In this insightful episode of "Make Your Own Map," Lisa Niver interviews David Hochman, the founder of UPOD Academy and a celebrated freelance writer. Together, they explore the essence of freelance writing, building confidence as a writer, and the importance of community. David shares his journey from journalism school to becoming a prolific writer and mentor. He also offers valuable tips for aspiring writers, including the power of the "Why Not Me?" mindset, the Pomodoro technique, and strategies for breaking into travel writing. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you navigate your creative career.
You can watch our interview, read the transcript below or listen on your favorite podcast platform.
Engaging Quotes from David Hochman
- "At a certain point, you just have to say WHY NOT ME? Why shouldn’t I be the one to tell this story?"
- "If you can’t tell a story at a party in 10 minutes, you can’t tell a story in writing."
- "You get about 45 seconds with an editor—make the beginning of anything you send absolutely brilliant."
- "Thumb Slam! It’s that one word that’s going to unlock so many doors for you."
- "A writing community isn’t just about getting published; it’s about finding your people, your support system."
Read the transcript of our interview on We Said Go Travel: https://www.wesaidgotravel.com/david-hochman
More from David Hochman https://www.davidhochman.net/
and UPOD Acaademy
https://upodacademy.com/speakersessions
More about my PODCAST: Make Your Own Map https://lisaniver.com/makeyourownmap/
Lisa's new TRAVEL WRITER 101 class on Udemy
https://bit.ly/TravelWriter101
Lisa Niver's book, Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty: https://lisaniver.com/braveish/
Show Notes
[00:00:00] Introduction
- Lisa Niver introduces David Hochman and expresses gratitude for his influence on her freelance career.
[00:02:00] The Power of Community
- David discusses the importance of community in the freelance world and how UPOD Academy provides that support.
[00:05:30] The "Why Not Me?" Mindset
- David explains the significance of confidence and why aspiring writers should embrace the "Why Not Me?" attitude.
[00:09:00] Thumb Slam Concept
- David shares his "Thumb Slam" philosophy, encouraging writers to confidently send pitches and proposals.
[00:12:45] The Pomodoro Technique
- David and Lisa discuss the Pomodoro Technique and how it helps in maintaining focus and productivity.
[00:16:00] Breaking into Travel Writing
- Tips and advice for those looking to start a career in travel writing, including the importance of personal connection to the places you write about.
[00:20:30] Writing Tips from UPOD Academy
- Key insights from the recent UPOD Academy weekend, including the importance of crafting strong opening lines in pitches.
[00:25:00] The UPOD Scholars Program
- David talks about the UPOD Scholars program and its success in supporting non-white writers.
[00:28:30] Future Plans and Personal Challenges
- David reveals his latest challenge: working on his own book proposal, and his upcoming travel plans.
[00:31:00] Conclusion
- Lisa wraps up the episode, thanking David and highlighting the impact of UPOD Academy on her career.
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