Today we’d like to introduce you to Candis McDow.
Hi Candis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Writing became a natural interest for me at the age of six when I learned to read and write. There was something so fascinating about the power of a book; you could literally be in two places at once and live vicariously through the characters, or gain confidence for being tall from a fictional character like I did from Barbara Park’s Beanpole. In many ways reading became an escape, not that my world was a miserable place, but it allowed me to imagine a life outside of my own, which led me to know for sure that I wanted to become an author one day.
I started out expressing myself in writing via holiday cards for my mom. While other kids would simply write “Happy Mother’s Day”, my card would read my appreciation for my mom’s many sacrifices, taking care of me and my cousins, and my endless love for her always being there. She’d always rave about how detailed I’d get and always said if someone read it and didn’t know me they could see what I wrote because my words were just that vivid.
As I progressed in school, I excelled and was a true scholar, so much so that I would cry if I received a B on my report card. I’d always get great feedback from my teachers whenever I wrote essays, and I began to write scripts and short stories with my cousin as a hobby when I reached middle school. In high school, I was a part of the school newspaper and continued during college. All the while I knew I still wanted to accomplish writing professionally, and become an author, however, I had no idea where to start because I didn’t know what a book from me would be about.
After a traumatic event that transpired into a mental illness diagnosis, I was presented with God’s gift, my story! That would come to be known as my most prized body of work, my memoir Half the Battle. Freelance writing also became an unexpected inception that has continued to bring me grace and gratitude today. I can honestly say I am living my dream, writing!
My first ever professional placement was with Chicken Soup for the Soul, which was a full-circle moment because I read those books as a teenager; and I’ve gone on to write for over 35 publications. Essence, Cosmopolitan UK, and international placements like Daddy in Germany as well as Cool Accidents in Australia have been great feats to have my byline reside. I am only living my dream because I took a chance and kept going. That’s the key for me, just to keep going.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t believe anything in life is smooth unless we’re talkin’ ice cream. Life is a rocky road (pun intended). No, struggles add character, and as the great poet Sir Jermaine Cole once said “There’s beauty in the struggle”. I found out how badly I wanted to become a writer every time I received a rejection letter. It could’ve hindered me, yet I let it fuel my hunger.
Getting people to believe I was a great writer when I had no professional placements was the biggest challenge. But before that, reminding myself that I was a great writer was most important. After every rejection letter, I simply deleted it and pitched to another publication. One thing I kept telling myself was “someone will eventually say yes” and when they did, I never let up!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to call myself a “Hope Dealer”. When I write it’s to tell a story that’s engaging, entertaining, yet informative. I pride myself on being a diverse writer, I never want to pigeonhole myself to one style or sector of writing. I believe I am capable of limitless possibilities.
I write books, articles, essays, listicles, how-to’s, personal essays, e-commerce, reviews, features, short stories, and poetry.
I specialize in mental health as I am an advocate as well as a Certified Peer Specialist.
I am most proud of my memoir Half the Battle, it’s what I’ve worked for my entire life.
I think the first three letters of my name sets me apart from others, in fact, it says it all. “Can”, yes I can do anything.
I’m currently focused on my latest business venture L.I.S.E. (living intentionally surpassing expectations). L.I.S.E. will be a live virtual mental health support group. Mental health is so imperative to life and overall well-being, and this support group will be a great outlet to utilize. I am currently hosting a fundraiser to aid in launching the company in January. If you are interested in learning more and purchasing a t-shirt or donating please click the link below
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Tenacity and determination are what has been most important to my success. I am a go-getter and I’m very passionate about things that matter to me. There was no way I could be ok leaving this earth without etching my name in the literary pool. They say authors are immortal because their words never die, well, I say that is the catalyst.
Pricing:
- $20 for my memoir Half the Battle on Amazon.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.candisymcdow.com
- Website: https://www.bonfire.com/believe-the-lise/
- Instagram: candistypes
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Half-Battle-Candis-Y-McDow/dp/B08QBYGM7J
Image Credits
Candis McDow
