Mike O’Mary
Mike O’Mary is founding dreamer of Dream of Things, and a writer of essays, fiction, drama and sketch comedy. He has published stories and essays in the Sunday magazines of the Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Baltimore Sun, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Detroit Free Press, and in Catholic Digest, and he was a regular commentator on WNIJ – Northern Illinois Public Radio, doing weekly commentaries as part of the local segment of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition program. He has also written and produced sketch comedy in Chicago, and he is a regular contributor to Freelance-Zone.
Mike is a graduate of Knox College (BA in Economics and English-Writing), the University of Montana (MFA in Creative Writing, MA in English Literature), and the Second City Comedy Writing Program. In addition to his creative work, Mike has more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, producing speeches, annual reports and other executive communications for many leading corporations. “I am very fortunate to have a lot of very creative people as friends,” says Mike. “I started Dream of Things because I wanted to find ways for us to work together more often. I also hope to make a lot of new friends and to work with many of them. Dream of Things is a place where other ‘dreamers’ can share their ideas and stories, and have fun in the process.”
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Mike,
I really enjoy your site and I love the video. Since I viewed it, I have shared a number of written notes to others that have made a lasting impact. I appreciate your inspiration that has driven a call to action for me.
In the same spirit, I thought you may be interested in checking out a free e-book made available from one of my all time favorite authors, Seth Godin entitled “What Matters Now.” You may also share it through your site. Here is a description from Seth’s blog:
Now, more than ever, we need a different way of thinking, a useful way to focus and the energy to turn the game around. I hope a new ebook I’ve organized will get you started on that path. It took months, but I think you’ll find it worth the effort.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/12/what-matters-now-get-the-free-ebook.html
Here are more than seventy big thinkers, each sharing an idea for you to think about as we head into the new year.
Here’s the deal: it’s free. Download it here. Or from any of the many sites around the web that are posting it with insightful commentary. Tweet it, email it, post it on your own site. I think it might be fun to make up your own riff and post it on your blog or online profile as well.
Enjoy!
Dino
Hi Dino,
Thank you for visiting Dream of Things, and thank you for your comments. It’s really gratifying to hear that people are taking “The Note” as a call to action and writing notes of their own to other people. I’m sure the your notes made the day of each recipient!
Thanks also for tipping me off about What Matters Now. I posted it on my blog on Dream of Things and on Facebook.
Happy Holidays!
Mike
mike I was just working a party for knox .logged on to knox website for info on trustees .just kept on .then I goggled your name nice work.
Thanks, Terrie!
Hello Mike
Your Dream of Things website is amazing, totally wonderful. It has a very fresh feel to it, also a lovely sort of fantasy appeal that really lifts the spirit, and the colours you use are great. I wish I could put together a site that looked so good. I also love the ‘Hello Friends’ opening too. There, what else can I say to express my admiration for what you are doing?
I write for some web magazines, http://www.seniorwomen.com being one of my favourites, and I would love to contribute to Dream of Things. I will send you a piece very soon if that’s ok.
Just to mention you had a note recently about someone from Ireland finding you – well, I’m Irish too, but I ran out of that corrupt little island to live in France, down in the very south, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. I’m in a tiny hamlet of only five occupied dwellings. It’s very peaceful, a fantastic place to be.
I have written a lot about life here, mostly for a rather upmarket Country Life magazine. I did that for four years and now of course am working on a novel, which is a challenge. I have so many ideas for things to write about that sometimes nothing gets done, that’s my problem. Endless notes and not enough projects finished.
I would love to have a fortnightly or monthly column which would introduce a deadline (and some income!) but in this recession I am afraid the word ‘freelance’ gets a negative response from most Editors.
However, I love writing. It’s what I adore about living here, having the time to do it. So, thanks for producing such a great site and good luck for the future.
Best wishes
Jane
Moulis
France
Hi Jane. Thank you so much for your thoughtful note and for the kind words about Dream of Things. I will look forward to reading some of your work. As a freelancer, you might also be interested in Freelance-Zone.com, run by a couple of very smart people with lots of insights on freelancing. I am a guest blogger there. Good luck on that novel! -Mike
Hi Mike!
Great website! I discovered it when I received my Writer’s Relief newsletter email and it told about your submission call-outs. I love writing stories for anthologies, since I have a teaching job, two young children and a crazy schedule. Creative nonfiction is my favorite way to express inspirational stories from my life. I have stories published in Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul (2003/2008) and A Cup of Comfort for New Mothers (2009).
I am a missionary kid and went to high school in Wheaton, Illinois and am now living in northern Indiana. Eventually, I’d like to write a memoir, or series of memoirs, so it’s nice to know there is a publisher nearby. Thank you for the time and effort you’ve obviously put into creating this website- I can’t wait to read more!
Hi Kristina! Thank you so much for your note. And congrats to you on making time for writing amidst the rest of your busy life. I’ll look forward to reading anything you send our way. The Dina Kucera memoir I am publishing started out as a submission for an anthology. We liked the story she sent, turned out it was part of a memoir, and voila, we ended up publishing the whole thing!
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the encouragement! I actually just sent in a story, “Reluctant Rendevouz on the Riviera”, for the humorous travel stories anthology. The list of possible anthologies on the workshop page are making me feel like a kid in a candy store. I can’t wait to develop some stories!
HI mike while at work on day I met a friend of yours I thought he looked familiar but was not sure but then I had to ask . TONY MILLER from ADMIRALS what a shock to see him . he says hello see you later terrie
Wow. There’s a name from the past! Thanks for passing along his “hello”!