My name is Candi Sary. In 1987 I left my hometown of San Pedro to attend UC Irvine. As a student, I lived on 45th Street in Newport Beach and couldn’t believe a place like this existed! I fell in love with the area, and also with a guy at the beach named Tony. We got married, raised two children, and built a wonderful life here. I am a novelist and I’ve found an incredibly supportive literary community in the area. I’m in two writers groups, a book club, and I host author events at my house.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I met my husband at the beach 36 years ago—on 36th Street. Tony is kind, funny, playful, brilliant and I’m grateful every day to have him as my partner in life. Our children are the loves and joys of our lives. Rusty, 30, lives close by and is giving us our first grandchild in a few months! Our daughter Cinnamon, 28, now lives in New York but we stay close with FaceTime and visits. Our family also includes a dog, a cat and several ducks that hang out in our yard.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve been writing novels for 28 years. While my first 6 manuscripts taught me how to write, it took a seventh try to finally get accepted by a publisher. BLACK CROW WHITE LIE came out in 2012. I was thrilled that it won a Reader View Literary award, a CIBA award and was first runner up in the Eric Hoffer Award for fiction. My next novel MAGDALENA has just been released and I am excited to share this special story with readers. What I love most about writing is the way storytelling helps me make sense of life. I also love getting to know characters. When I spend enough time with them, they always surprise me. Life is never dull with these imaginary people around.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love going to Mothers for a comforting healthy meal, Din Tai Fung for something more indulgent, and Sancho’s Tacos is perfect after a day at the beach.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived here since 1987 when I became a student UC Irvine.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I can’t name just one in this community. I have so many vibrant and creative friends and neighbors who are interesting. I’ve also met fascinating people who work in our local shops, restaurants, and our schools. I meet them through the libraires, in yoga classes, out surfing, or walking the Back Bay. Most recently I met the lovely and exceptionally interesting Wendy Maddocks who interviewed me for THE FACES OF NEWPORT BEACH. Our community is just filled with unique and interesting people.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
One of my favorite movies is LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, and I still love watching dreams come true on AMERICAN IDOL.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Stay imaginative. Keep the child in you healthy and alive. Be kind.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I’d travel to New York to see my daughter.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would choose to have tea with one of my favorite authors, Ann Patchett. I’d love a conversation with such a creative, thoughtful and successful writer. We would meet at Kean Coffee where I often meet with local writer friends.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the surf culture here. I started surfing 20 years ago and my time at Blackies introduced me to such a cool, down-to-earth community. I hadn’t been out in the water in a couple years, but when I went back out recently, I ran into old friends like local legend Bill Spurgeon and surf teacher Rick, and everyone was as kind and welcoming as ever.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself in Newport still golfing, surfing, gardening and walking the Back Bay with my husband, still writing and engaging with our literary community, and still keeping close to my amazing group of friends. I’ll be enjoying my grandson who’s due in four months. I also hope to have my next novel out.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My family and friends know most things about me, but those outside my close circle may not know this: My closet is filled with a variety of shades of turquoise. It’s the only color I wear. It just makes me feel more like myself. I often buy white clothes, and with a blend of RIT dye’s ‘aqua marine’ and ‘teal’ I make them more “me.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A morning that starts out with a new generation of baby ducks showing up with their mama in my yard.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family and friends and all the animals in my life who rely on me for love and friendship and care.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
My loving family, my sweet animals, and the green bliss of my yard.
