Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candis McDow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Candis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Writing my memoir was the biggest risk I’ve taken in my entire life. Being completely vulnerable and sharing truths that no one but myself knew was as if I was shedding skin like a snake and bearing it all. My memoir freed me of all secrets, childhood traumas, heartaches, depression, and self-doubt. I found purpose for life and my existence through writing my memoir.

The memoir came about after I searched for months for a relatable book to read on mental health, specifically being diagnosed with a mental illness: bipolar disorder. Nowhere could I find someone telling their story and expressing how you can overcome the stigma and still live a wonderful and meaningful life while living with a mental illness. This is when I found the answer to my prayers; write the book you’re searching for. I’d been writing since the age of six, always knowing that I wanted to write a book one day, all while not knowing what the book would actually be about; and just like that, it was presented to me.

My biggest risk was betting on myself. Had I not believed I could, no one would. The outcome was overwhelmingly beautiful. My book signing was packed to capacity, and to this day the response and feedback for the memoir is amazing. I am helping people, connecting with people, and serving my purpose.

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 Candis Y. McDow from Atlanta, GA. I am an Author/Freelance Writer/Poet. I’ve been writing since I was six and have been an avid reader for the same amount of time. My first professional piece was published with Chicken Soup for the Soul in 2016, which was a full circle moment; I read those books as a pre-teen continuously. After that placement, my writing career began and I’ve gone on to write for over 32+ magazines and publications. I even self-published my memoir Half the Battle which is available on Amazon.

I write mainly about mental health/illness, but I also write about relationships, self-care, DIY, e-commerce, celebrities, music, body image/weight loss, self-love, current events, s*x, domestic violence, reviews and so much more.

I am most proud that I can do something I’ve loved since a child and gain revenue from it; but more than that, I am proud to be able to create engaging stories and articles that reach people on a grander scale. The feedback I receive is unmatched, and that’s ultimately what keeps me going. The writing industry is brutal, and if your heart isn’t in it, it can be easy to give up; However, my love for the written word is ingrained deep, but when I feel defeated I think of all the people I’ve reached, that have ultimately inspired me, and it makes all of the challenges worth it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is there is no cap on possibilities. What I mean by this is, when I begin to write there is a clean slate. A blank page has all of the potential in the world. I start fresh and produce an idea, that idea becomes a creation, and the creation becomes a body of work. I never know how it will turn out, but that’s the beauty of it. Its mine. I’ve created something that no one else has.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn is everyone’s opinion of you is not true. Just because someone doesn’t approve or agree with you doesn’t mean that’s law. I’ve encountered editors who have tried to belittle my work and berate me like a kid, but I wasn’t going for it. I learned that I won’t mesh with everyone, and my work isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. I am not here to please or entertain everyone. I have a purpose and an audience specific to people who understand the content that I produce, and that’s who I write for. Unlearning that negative feedback can’t hurt me was my biggest superpower in the writing industry, because saying it’s cutthroat is an understatement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://candisymcdow.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candistypes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterCandisMcDow/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candis-y-mcdow-70438450/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/candisthegreat

Image Credits
Candis Y. McDow