We recently connected with Sarah O’Brien and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

If you want to go from a good artist to a great artist you will need to take a risk at some point. Currently I sit in a cubicle, drained of energy at 35 weeks pregnant, ready to quit my day job and take one of the biggest risks of my career: becoming a full-time artist and mother.

I have never been comfortable asking for help from others. My fiance says this is what the universe is asking of me now. Yes, this was inspired by my electricity being turned off due to nonpayment. Don’t worry about it. I’m a woman of many candles. I blame my family for my discomfort of asking for help. We are Irish-Catholic on my dad’s side and Lebanese-Protestant on my mom’s side and self-reliant to the core. We also have trouble talking about our feelings. What is honest communication? We rely on jokes and insults to express love! (Hence my series of toxic relationships, perhaps. But also: my comedy career!)

I am ready to go all-in on my art. That means writing more jokes. That means finally writing my fantasy book series that I’ve been planning since 2016. That means painting again, and writing more love poems.

Recently, I took a risk by self-publishing a poetry book about a crush I had in the comedy scene (oh no) and also about my baby daddy (oh no, but louder). It was called Falling for a Mortal, and I was proud of the chapbook. I read poems from it at an open mic, giving my Instagram handle in case anyone should want to buy a copy (@fluent_saracasm). This risk led me to a coffee shop date with my now-fiance. We fell in love rather quickly after meeting, as poets will do. I’m now helping him edit his first poetry book, Winter Sound.

This is just to say sometimes a risk will pay off, even if the outcome turns out to be more of a plot twist than anticipated. As we approach the next US election (oh no, but with a protest sign), I urge all artists to prioritize their art fearlessly. Pour your heart into it. Be you, boldly and without apology. And maybe you’ll change the world. Or maybe you’ll get coffee with someone who thinks you’re cute even though you’re super pregnant. The world’s your oyster.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a poet, comedian, painter, and tarot reader. I love to write about my life and make people laugh with my absurd missteps and musings. I am originally from Massachusetts, and I moved to Nebraska in 2016 to pursue graduate school education at the University of Nebraska. I earned my MFA in Writing in 2018, and then moved back to the Boston area. However, amid the 2020 pandemic I was called back to the heartland and I moved to Lincoln. I began performing stand-up comedy and took improv classes at The Backline in Omaha. I produced my own stand-up shows in Lincoln as well. During these past few years in Lincoln I published my second book of poetry, Lover Sar, as well as three poetry chapbooks: Cliff Notes, Forecast: Babygirl, and Falling for a Mortal. Currently I am working on my third full-length book of poetry, tentatively called Last Shift at First Avenue, which will feature topics such as alcoholism, mental health, and self-acceptance. I am expecting a daughter in February 2024, and she will be the center of my universe; I love her already. In 2024, my goals include being the best mother I can be, writing books, making people laugh, and returning to my teaching career.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified. I was a comedian and bartender without health insurance. I had this idea that maybe a hospital would have health insurance and that hunch was correct! I took a job as a Customer Service Representative, answering phones in a tiny box in a big office that irked me to the core. I was the pregnant girl with pink hair, so it’s not like I blended in to the matrix world. However, I continued to create art and perform comedy throughout my pregnancy and this helped my sanity stay intact as I endured customer complaints about the costs of healthcare. Lady, I just answer the phones here. Let me transfer you…

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have a mission to spread joy and love. I am a spiritual person, which means I believe we have a purpose here and we each have a soul mission to unlock. Part of my mission is teaching others and helping to build their confidence. Self-love should also be everyone’s goal, and I work at loving myself more each day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fluent_saracasm
• Twitter: @fluent_saracasm