The IMWA is excited to announce Marijke McCandless, author of the upcoming memoir/self-help book “Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present,” as our July 2023 Member of the Month! Please take a minute to read Marijke’s interview with IMWA Board Member Janet Hafner.
- How did you first discover SDMWA?
My first book, a memoir called “More…Journey to Mystical Union Through the Sacred and the Profane” (written under a pen name), was published in June 2016. At that point, I had been working closely with Marni Freedman. She had talked to me about wanting to create SDMWA. I was totally on board and was one of the founding members in December 2016!
- Have you always been a writer?
In many ways, yes. As a child and young adult, I often carried a journal with me. In my early thirties, I began freelance writing travel articles for newspapers and magazines. Still, when I found myself in the middle of a personal crisis (the subject of my memoir), I took a seventeen-year hiatus from writing for others. My writing was once again contained only in the pages of my journals. Eventually, I realized that those pages contained the raw, honest details of a story that might help others. I have been writing for others ever since.
- What impacts do writing classes and workshops have on your writing?
Writing classes, workshops, and groups have been absolutely instrumental in my writing life. When I was writing freelance articles in my early thirties, I started by taking continuing education classes, then participated regularly with read & critique groups, and eventually was on the board of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, where I helped plan events for others. After my writing hiatus, the first thing I did to jumpstart my writing again was sign up for the San Diego Writers. Ink 2012 Fall for Writing Conference. I hungrily attended lots of classes and group events. We writers gain so much from our teachers and each other!
- We’d love to hear about what you are presently writing.
I just received a contract for my second book, “Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present.” It’s mostly a self-help book but also a part memoir with many personal essays sprinkled throughout. (More details about the book are below.)
I have also been writing related articles to get media exposure before the book launch. My latest just appeared in Mother’s Day Magazine and is called I Cried Almost Every Day for Seven Years, and Here’s How It Made Me a Better Mother.
Finally, as my biggest stretch, I have been working on a TEDx talk and have been busy pitching my idea (“Getting Naked and What That Really Means”) to TEDx venues on the West Coast.
- Who are your favorite authors? Favorite memoirs?
I read almost exclusively memoirs. I just love a true story! The subject matter is often all over the place. I get a thrill walking in someone else’s shoes and learning the lessons that changed their life. It all started with the “Little House on the Prairie” series, then “Papillon” as a teenager, and “The Snow Leopard” as a young adult.
I love many of the new classics, like Jeanette Walls’ “Glass Castle,” Tara Westover’s “Educated,” and Helen McDonald’s “H is for Hawk.” I loved the two incredibly well-written and related memoirs, “Autobiography of a Face” by Lucy Grealy and “Truth and Beauty” by Anne Patchett, about her friendship with Lucy Grealy. Most recently, I have read and loved Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart,” Jeanette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” and Raynor Wynn’s “The Salt Path.” Heck, I even like “Spare” by Prince Harry.
- Any advice for new writers?
I think the best thing a new writer can do is to join a group of writers. This could be a read-and-critique group or something like the IMWA. It helps so much to be surrounded by other writers, not only for the solidarity and companionship during the lonely writing process but because we learn so much from each other, and nothing beats practice!
- Marijke, please tell us about your book and any launch activities you have planned. What have you learned about the process?
The book: “Naked in the Now: Juicy Practice for Getting Present” is a unique and playful guide for anyone feeling disconnected from their vitality and uninspired to make a change. I believe what everyone truly desires in life is to be present. But getting present often sounds like work. “Naked in the Now” is my invitation to the reader to consider, “What if getting present was more like being seduced by a lover?”
The book is filled with short, fresh practices designed to arouse our curiosity, help us change our mindset, teach us about the power of vulnerability and authenticity, restore and rejuvenate our relationship with ourselves and others, and, most of all, help us experience moments of delight—available right now.
The book launch prep: My book is currently in the “proofing” stage with the publisher. I have not yet received the publication date, though most likely, it will be in early 2024. I will keep you all apprised of my book launch plans! One of my dreams is to do a book launch at Watkins Bookshop in London. Watkins Publishing is the parent company of John Hunt Publishing (my publisher). They also own one of the oldest esoteric bookshops—Watkins Bookshop—in the world in London! How cool would that be? I will most likely host a local event in Las Vegas or San Diego.
Meanwhile, I am already working on getting the word out about the book. I’ve started writing-related articles and being on podcasts. I am on a visibility campaign!
The process: One of the things I have learned about the process stems from my experiences writing my first book under a pen name. It was difficult to get the word out there without the reach of my own family and friends. This time I am doing it differently. I started by rebranding myself and creating a new website where I allowed my pen name identity to be linked to my real name. (Thank you, Monkey C Media!)
Now that I have a beautiful website and a single identity, I add it to all my signature lines so people can easily find me. With regard to my latest book, “Naked in the Now,” I am talking about it now with everyone I know—getting the word out ahead of the launch. I also worked hard to reach out to influencers to get blurbs (aka endorsements) before the launch. This is so scary to do and yet vital!
Finally, I am learning a lot about developing my platform (who doesn’t automatically think “YUCK!” when I utter those words.) I’ve come to realize it is an integral part of the process, and instead of spending all my energy whining and resisting it, I have been having fun with it. I now post and create reels on Instagram and Facebook all the time—not just about my writing but about my life. After all, that’s what we memoirists are practicing—talking about our life.
- Please let us know how we can reach you. Website? Social channels?
- Online “Juicy Practices for Getting Present” coming soon! (Visit my website!)
- Free Write Now Mind classes are held regularly
- Where people can find me: