We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful C. N. Phillips. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with C. N. below.

C. N., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was a little girl, about eight years old and in the third grade I had to write a story. It was about what we wanted to be when we grew up. At the time I thought I wanted to be a singer, so that’s what I wrote about. I remember really enjoying making up a story of me being on stage at some concert singing my little heart out. We had to read them out loud and my teacher singled my story out. Noting how well written it was. Before recess, when all my classmates went outside, she held me back. She just kept saying how impressed she was not only with my writing but my storytelling. I remember going home that day and thinking about how much I loved reading and writing. I didn’t really want to be a singer… I wanted to be an author. And I told myself that somehow, someway, I would make it happen.

C. N., before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am now the published author of over a dozen books that are sold worldwide and in every major store. When I was 19 I submitted my first novel and it got published. A few years later I left that company and signed with Urban Books a publishing company owned by New York Time bestselling author Carl Weber. What sets me apart from others is that I understand and accept that I am forever a student, because I am. A student that is. And I’ll always be. I love to grow. In my field, it’s kind of imperative. No story of mine will ever be similar because I allow myself to mold into something new everyday. But in order to do that, I need to focus. And to focus, I’ve put myself in my own lane. There are no boxes here.
As well as being an author of my own works, I also am a professional ghostwriter. Currently my services are only open for books, but I do plan on expanding those services soon.
I think the thing I’m most proud of is not giving up on myself. No matter how heavy my shoulders were, I believed in myself when nobody else did. I was so young, however and I was sure of my abilities. And I’m still the same way now. My work ethic and passion have gotten me where I am today. I create with intention as well as passion. Being able to make a living off of my talent is amazing. Still… there is no feeling like when new and existing readers trust me enough to follow me down the rabbit hole.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to do what I love to do and still be a full time mother is probably the most rewarding thing about all of this. I make my own schedule and that means I never miss a beat in motherhood. That was always a goal of mine when I had my daughter. I’m able to give her a firsthand example of all the possibilities at her fingertips.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think we live in a world, still, where “different” makes many people afraid. You know? If someone thinks or sees differently they’re regarded as something strange. I think the best thing society can do to support artists and creatives is to hone their talents at an early age. Let them know that they’re accepted. Because creativity should be held in high regards. No matter what form it comes in, it’s one of the most important driving forces of the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Authorcnphillips
• Facebook: CN Phillips
• Twitter: CNPhillips_

Image Credits
The professional photos were shot by my photographer Perry Taylor.