PHOTO: Candace George Conradi: Author, mentor, and storyteller, crafting tales that inspire purpose and connection in readers around the world.
A Life of Writing, Teaching, and Inspiring Others
Candace George Conradi, a celebrated author, explores life’s purpose through her books, nurtures aspiring writers, and shares profound lessons inspired by her personal journey and collaborations in storytelling.
Candace George Conradi’s literary journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring themes of purpose, compassion, and wisdom. As an accomplished author, coach, and advocate for personal growth, Candace has crafted a body of work that both inspires and deeply resonates with her readers. From her debut book, Diamond Moms, A Mother’s Guide to Raising a Baseball Player, to the poignant and reflective The Gentle Pine’s Purpose, each book is a thoughtful exploration of life’s intricacies, poignant lessons, and the truth of the human experience.
Her collaborative work, The Soul Sitter’s Handbook, co-authored with Stacey Lievens, brought profound support and insight to countless families navigating the emotional paths of loss. Meanwhile, her personal favourite, Sweet Tweets, 140 Characters of Wisdom, exemplifies her ability to distil meaningful reflections into their purest, most impactful form. Beyond her books, Candace’s endeavours in founding Writers Inner Circle and the performance-based Storyteller’s Edge demonstrate her passion for nurturing and uplifting fellow writers.
Candace George Conradi’s storytelling blends wisdom, compassion, and authenticity, touching hearts and inspiring readers to embrace their own journeys.
As she prepares to release her memoir, chronicling a unique childhood shaped by a family of dynamic entrepreneurial women who built an iconic entertainment venue, Candace continues to inspire with her wisdom, creativity, and authenticity. Her voice, as both an author and a mentor, enriches not only the literary world but also the lives of all those she touches through her work. It is our privilege to showcase her story and insights in this edition of Reader’s House.
What inspired you to begin your professional writing career at the age of 50, and how did that decision shape your journey as an author?
From the age of eight I have loved to write. At 50 I had an opportunity I took advantage of. However, it took me a long time to declare myself a “professional writer.” I did not declare that designation after Diamond Moms was published. I would say things like “I love to write” or “I spend a lot of time writing.” I felt like a fraud, thinking I needed to wait for some kind of blockbuster breakthrough to “reward” me with financial success before I could call myself one. It took a long time for me to let go of that misnomer. It was only after Gentle Pine that I finally declared, without shame, that “I am a professional writer.” It’s in my soul.
Your books often carry messages of purpose, wisdom, and compassion. How do you approach weaving these themes into your storytelling?
I’ve always sought to understand life. I was raised in the Catholic tradition but since have studied an unending list of philosophers and religious cultures. I use my years of exposure to those philosophical ideals and weave my experiences into them, hopefully blending them into cohesive and inspirational content. Being human is an imperfect experience, humbling. Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life that have led to personal introspection.
“End-of-life care is a sacred experience for those who are courageous to witness it.” – Candace George Conradi
“The Gentle Pine’s Purpose” is a beautiful allegory about life’s seasons and purpose. What inspired you to write this story, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
In 2010 we purchased a Christmas tree and from the moment we chose it I had a connection with it. It stayed remarkably fresh for over 30 days, dropping few needles, and its pine aroma remained the whole month. I awakened one morning and wrote the entire first draft in 45 minutes. It felt like a gift from the pine as its life came to an end, but it also spoke to me of cycles and reminded me that life is ongoing. At my book launch, it made grown men weep. It is a hard thing to grasp that we need to be anything other than who we are, that we are enough. Gentle Pine reminds us that there is no reason to search beyond ourselves and our own personal journey for more.
As an author coach, what is the most common challenge you see aspiring writers face, and how do you help them overcome it?
Everybody thinks they are or want to be John Grisham or JK Rawlings. Having idealized and romanticized successful authors, most do not understand how much work it takes to write a book, let alone publish it. That is daunting for most. Being a writer is like being married, there are highs and lows, droughts, and creative thunderstorm moments. You have to be patient and undeterred when you are disappointed or frustrated. Add to the mix being oversensitive. Every writer needs an honest and talented editor to become better. Few can take that kind of feedback. We are far too close to our work to be objective. I don’t know if I help them overcome all these factors, I just help them face the truth. For those courageous souls that keep going after they hear the truth, I feel those are the people who can claim without feeling fraudulent that they are indeed a writer.
“Diamond Moms” offers guidance for parents raising young athletes. How did your personal experiences as a baseball mum influence the creation of this book?
Our son played baseball from the age of five until he was 21 years old, and we made some errors in judgment along the way. I hoped to share our experience with other baseball families. I focused on women because baseball was, back then more than now, a male dominated sport. Mom’s opinions and roles were disregarded, by both the dads, the coaches and surprisingly the moms. I wanted mothers to feel the power of their influence and impact on their kids. The book offered insight to steroid use (prevalent at the time), nutrition, and USA NCAA strict guidelines. So much has changed since then and I was happy to offer my experience and be part of the evolution of the sport.
Your book “Sweet Tweets” is a collection of short, impactful messages. How do you find inspiration for such concise yet meaningful reflections?
Sweet Tweets is ancient wisdom wrapped in current day phrases. Philosophers, religious leaders, inspirational writers, and social influencers all motivated me to write the Tweets I wrote on the social media platform that became the book. Shakespeare said there is “nothing new under the sun” and he was right. Sometimes we just need to hear it stated differently in order to take it in differently. Personal evolution, as Gentle Pine taught me, is a lifetime work of art and can serve as our personal paintbrush that evolves into a life of mastery.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of co-authoring “The Soul Sitter’s Handbook”, and how has it impacted your perspective on end-of-life care?
The most rewarding thing that happened was that the book led to speaking engagements and opportunities to work with hospice workers. Hospice is the finest organization on the planet when it comes to helping families deal with grief, loss, and end of life care. I recognized how uncomfortable facing death is for everyone after authoring the book with Stacey Lievens (formerly Canfield). Like birth, end of life care is a sacred experience for those who are courageous to witness it. As hard as it is to face the impermanence of life, to ignore or sidestep it leaves behind a trail of regret. There are no do overs if the surviving loved one’s discomfort keeps them from the bedside of a dying loved one.
You’ve received numerous awards and recognition for your work. Which achievement are you most proud of, and why?
Honestly, there is no greater reward than a reader writing to me and saying that something I wrote inspired them, or moved them toward a different point of view, or helped them through a difficult time. Rewards are nice but are only a momentary point in time. Making a difference is all that matters to me.
