GREETINGS, BOOKWORMS! I’m Aisha Kandisha, Head Librarian at Kandisha Press. Join me in the dusty stacks of the library I will never leave again as I chat with some of my favorite Women in Horror. Today we feature author Candy Madonna!
What made you want to become an author? Did you have an “Aha!” moment when you knew you were born to write? Or perhaps a beloved book inspired you?
I never had any plans on becoming an author. My father is an author and I never thought I would be as good as him, so I never pursued it. Looking back now, I see that it was my destiny to become a writer. Since I was a little girl, I had always loved to write. I kept a journal since the day I learned to write. Writing essays and stories in school was always my favorite thing to do. I still never pursued it. I even had a job once that sent me to several writing classes so I could begin writing the blogs for the company but even still, I never took it seriously. It wasn’t until I had received my spiritual awakening that my purpose became clear. I asked the spirits that guided me to show me what I was supposed to do. The next day I was given a gift of new Oracle cards, with any new deck I meditated over them and asked how we would work together. The card I drew was the spider. Meaning of that Oracle card was to write. Write and create inspiration for the world around me. For the next few days, I began noticing new spider webs around the entrance to my home and greeted my new friends. I took that as my sign to begin writing a book, so I did. I had no idea what to write so I just let the words flow from my fingertips as they wished. Eventually my first book was formed Gotta Be Shifting Me. Before that I had written guided journals and I continue to write those year after year. Writing was something that I am meant to do. Not sure which piece will be my purpose, so I will continue writing until that purpose is fulfilled.
What do you believe are your strengths in writing? And when you feel you need to improve on a particular writing skill, how do you go about it?
I honestly don’t know my strengths in writing, I feel I can tell a pretty good story that gets the audience hooked but suffering from identity issues, I will never feel good enough. So, I just write and allow. I write what I am guided to write and allow the reader to like or dislike what is written. My purpose is served and that is all I can really do. As far as a weakness, I feel sequencing and editing are always my biggest downfall, so I am always hopeful for feedback to assist me with improving.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community? Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
Today I see more and more people reading, which fills my heart. I remember just 3 years ago before the pandemic, everyone I suggested a book too said they were just too busy to read and didn’t have the time. Now I see those same people suggesting books on social medias and starting up book clubs. The book community is beginning to see a very large boom. It is about to get much easier for independent writers, population is growing, and larger authors can only write so fast. Now is definitely the time for independent authors to make a difference.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
I haven’t written many published stories. My first book was obviously my biggest accomplishment because I did it. Most people always talk about making a dream come true but never going for it, but I made it happen. I was terrified but I did it anyway. Taking that leap really opened a new world for me. Got me over that fear. Fear of failure kept me from going after my dreams for so long and that was such a waste. My first book didn’t make me any profit at all, but it gave me pride. Pride knowing that I went for my dream and made it happen and now I can do it again and again and maybe one day something even bigger will happen. I just can’t give up, the journey before me will be such an amazing adventure.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
Recently began writing horror and it is giving me an outlet that I never really imagined before. I’ve always been a lover of the strange and unusual. I love to be scared and to scare others, but I never thought to write about horror. I completed my first piece not long ago and it was absolutely thrilling to my soul. I look forward to continuing that style of writing and see where that path leads me. My first horror piece Karma & Camile will be published by Kandisha Press
KANDISHA PRESS 