Today we’d like to introduce you to Candis McDow.
Hi Candis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Reading was something I enjoyed leisurely. Writing came naturally. I’d write grateful paragraphs to my mom in Valentine’s Day cards, while my peers simply signed their names. My mom knew I would be a writer by age six. Written words were an escape and therapeutic for me. I loved going to the library, and to this day it’s a nostalgia I can’t quite explain.
As a teen, my favorite cousin and I would create short stories and exchange them on weekends, and they were brilliant. There were no restrictions, just raw talent and creativity. I continued my journey writing for the high school and college newspaper. I majored in English, later changing it to Mass Communications to have a broader range to expand creatively.
After college in 2012, I had no clear direction and found myself obtaining and quitting many jobs that didn’t align with my passion. Writing was always the goal, but there is no linear path to acquiring a writing position, let alone getting a book deal. So I found myself continuing the cycle of working jobs that didn’t make sense, and honestly made me miserable at times.
A few years passed, and a life-altering experience changed everything for me in 2014. Depression set in hard, but once I rose again, I was different. In 2016 began to seek out writing again. I started taking creative writing classes online and building my confidence. My professor encouraged me to submit one of my essays to Chicken Soup for the Soul, and to my surprise, they want it.
My career catapulted afterward. I began to freelance write for multiple publications. I also began to write my memoir, Half the Battle. As I wrote, I sought after bigger names and worked with the likes of Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, Yahoo!, Pop Sugar, and my dream collaboration, Essence.
Today, I’m a contributing writer for Her Agenda and an international publication, States of Mind. Every time I see my byline, I am reminded of the little girl who loved to go to the library. The little girl who wrote simply for the love of the written word. I keep her close, because she’s who drives me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No path is linear, I learned that early on. There will be many rejections before you receive approval, but if it’s your passion, you’ll keep going. The writing industry is brutal, but it’s what I love. They say if you’ll do something for free and have talent, then that’s how you know. I’ve known since I was six years old.
My struggles trying to figure out where to begin, who to trust, and who to pitch to, among other things, are the beautiful parts that make it all worthwhile. I appreciate the journey because it’s my own.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My best work is definitely my memoir, Half the Battle. It’s my baby, and I poured my soul into it. It’s available on Amazon, by the way. Secondly, I’d say the work I’ve been cultivating with Her Agenda has really unlocked a new level for me. It’s challenged me to be a better writer, and I love the outcome. I used to only write lifestyle articles about relationships, dating, mental health, e-commerce, and the like. Now I am expanding, interviewing celebrities, women in power, writing features, news, you name it. The growth is definitely there, and I’m so grateful!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Hmmm… something surprising about me? I was a songwriter in my past life. I mean, the way I love music and value lyrics and songwriting is uncanny! I love a songwriter! I was absolutely in the studio writing hits before this, lol. I’m talkin’ about ballots, up tempos, you name it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://candisymcdow.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candistypes/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candis-mcdow-70438450/
Image Credits
Candis McDow
