We were lucky to catch up with C.M. O’Brien recently and have shared our conversation below.
C.M., thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
As a writer, I have found that the more experiences I have, the more opportunities for inspiration arise. Since art and creativity put a lot of focus on human nature, it’s important to give yourself as many chances as you can to observe and / or take an active part in that nature. That’s why I try to include time in my schedule for hobbies and activities other than my main creative outlet. Things as simple as sitting by a creek and listening to the steady flow of the water, or as complex as learning Argentine Tango, are all things that add to the richness of my personal human experience. They are also things that can help shift my focus and help me to de-stress if I ever feel stuck on a project.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Caley (she / they), but most of my professional work is done under the name C.M. O’Brien.
I am first and foremost a writer, but my true passion is telling stories in any form or medium that feels right. In 2017, I graduated from Southern Oregon University with my BFA in Creative Writing, and went on to earn a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on arts and business. When the pandemic hit, I spent much of my time at home developing “Nocturnal Mind,” my personal blog and website dedicated to my writing and thoughts on storytelling.
I am the author of “Don’t Bully Buster,” a children’s story about friendship and empathy in the face of bullying, and a young adult fantasy novel titled, “The Wishtalker.”
My goal is to continue writing books and possibly graduate to film production in the coming years. I am also hoping to maintain my website as a space where fellow and aspiring writers can receive some helpful advice and spark conversations about art, creativity, and telling stories.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most important quality you can have on any personal journey is passion. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing, that’s a clear sign you shouldn’t be doing it. Especially if you work in a creative field.
Another important quality to have, especially for those who are early in their journey, is an ability and a willingness to invest in yourself. If you have a dream you wish to pursue, you need to put in the time, the research, and the effort to get yourself going. And especially when you are first starting out, you have to be your biggest fan. Not everyone becomes an overnight sensation, and in the meantime you have to deal with a lot of silence. And that can be very disheartening. But if you believe and have faith in yourself and what you do, it makes it easier to keep going.
A final quality I would readily suggest to everyone, no matter what your personal journey looks like: always have a curious and open mind. A willingness to learn and grow and empathize is what separates the person you are today from the person you were yesterday. And that is a big part of what opens you up to opportunities and to progress.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have often heard people dedicate at least a part of their success to a teacher, and I am no exception in that regard. From elementary school all the way up through graduate school I have been fortunate enough to receive encouragement and support from a number of teachers who made it clear that they saw me and they had faith in my abilities. But there was one high school English teacher in particular who spent a significant amount of her time and energy on my growth as a writer. From encouraging me to make my first submission to a writing contest, to mentoring me through my Senior Project, her support and enthusiasm has always played a big part in my accomplishments today. And that is something I will always be grateful for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nocturnalmind.net
Image Credits
Photography courtesy of Kyle Asher Artwork, “Don’t Bully Buster,” courtesy of Corey O’Brien Artwork, “The Wishtalker,” courtesy of Cassie Levy Graphics designed by C.M. O’Brien
