We were lucky to catch up with Charles L. Chatmon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Charles L., 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?
I have always been a creative person, so what I do is carry a notepad with me and write ideas down. I find myself looking at story ideas, poems and other literary thoughts twenty years ago or longer. I find by reading stories or tales that capture my interest to spark my creativity too. There were times I would visit my local library, take a fiction book from the shelf and start reading it. Most times, I would come up with my own story ideas based on what I read. I used to watch a lot of television growing up. Late at night, there would be nothing but black and white horror or science fiction movies which would scare me, but also made me think of concepts I would like to use in a story if I had time. Now, not only do I write my ideas down, I record them on my phone. I speak into my recorder and say a plan for my next creative project into it, so when I return home, I can play back what I said and write it down in my notes for future reference or type it into my ideas folder in my laptop. I find that by simply writing or recording my ideas is a great way to keep my creativity going.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an author of several books. My genres range from poetry to short stories and a novel. I have been writing since my adolescent years and I love what I do. I find as an author, I have opportunities to meet people I never thought I could, and visit places I never thought I would be. Writing is such a joy to me. It’s my identity and is what I am today. Soon, I will release a science fiction anthology of short stories that I’m excited and anxious to release at the same time. I only hope whatever I write, the public will enjoy my written works to read over and over again.
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?
When I look back, I am grateful for the opportunities early in my life that allowed me to share my written works with others. I read my poetry in front of large crowds, wrote for my high school newspaper and through a friend, wrote an article for my campus newspaper. I feel these efforts early in my life helped me to continue my craft, developing it to the point where I am happy with myself and my written works. I feel I can only get better as time goes on.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Four years ago, I had two strokes in a row. The second one caused me to spend a few days in the hospital. Although it’s been a while, I ended up without complications from them although the doctors warned me about watching my stress levels and to eat healthy. So far, I try my best to stay out of stressful situations at work, and to watch what I eat so my weight won’t be an issue moving forward. At the time of my strokes, I had lost my father a year before, so I had a difficult time without him, as I considered him not only as a father, but a best friend. Now, I have the support of my wife and mother who encourage me to keep going. There’s no guarantee I won’t suffer another stroke or worse, so I am constantly taking time to take a break, relax, and go out for a walk when I need to get away. As a stroke survivor, life means so much to me not to enjoy it. I also know it’s a challenge to stay healthy and keep a sound mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charleslchatmon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleslchatmon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslchatmon
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/charleslchatmon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwrites
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@charleslchatmon
Image Credits
Curtis Jermany
