Mark Stay: Master of Magic, Movies, and More – Our Exclusive Interview

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thewccs.substack.comWhat happens when you bring an author, screenwriter, and podcast pioneer onto The Writing Community Chat Show? You get an inspiring, insightful, and downright fun conversation with Mark Stay! For those who missed it, don’t worry—you’ll have a chance to watch the full interview by subscribing at the end of this post. But first, let me give you a sneak peek into why this is a chat you won’t want to miss!From Waterstone’s Shelves to Bestseller ListsMark Stay’s journey as a writer is anything but ordinary. He started out with a part-time Christmas job at Waterstone’s (yes, back when it still had an apostrophe), but his love for books turned a seasonal gig into a 25-year career in publishing. Along the way, he discovered his passion for writing, and, in his own words, “stuck with it”—an approach that ultimately paid off with bestselling books and blockbuster screenplays.In our conversation, Mark opened up about his creative upbringing and how the encouragement he received from his parents and teachers shaped his journey. He reminisced about writing plays with his friends as a kid, which later evolved into crafting screenplays and novels.Key takeaway: Whether you’re shelving books or writing them, it’s all about staying persistent and writing what you love!Writing The End of Dragons: World-Building Meets Character DevelopmentOne of the standout moments in the interview was when we dove into Mark’s latest work, The End of Dragons, the second book in The End of Magic trilogy. Mark shared his process of balancing epic world-building with character-driven storytelling—something that every fantasy writer knows can be a challenge.He revealed how satisfying it is to wrap up a trilogy but also the pressure of ensuring every loose end is tied up and every character arc is fully realized. For fans of fantasy and those just beginning their own writing journeys, Mark’s insights into creating immersive worlds while keeping characters at the forefront will be invaluable.Finding Your Voice and Staying True to ItThroughout the interview, Mark emphasized the importance of finding your own voice as a writer. He reflected on how drawing inspiration from your favorite authors can help shape your style, but ultimately, your unique voice is what will resonate with readers. This was a recurring theme as we talked about his transition from screenwriting to novels, and how he learned to trust his instincts along the way.His advice for writers? “Write what excites you, and don’t worry about trends. Your passion will shine through.”Building a Relationship with Readers and Exploring New Income StreamsMark also touched on something incredibly relevant for today’s writers: building a direct relationship with your readers. Whether it’s through platforms like Substack, podcasts, or social media, Mark believes that engaging with your audience is key to growing as an author. He also discussed the importance of diversifying income streams and how today’s writers can explore new avenues to support their creative work.Why You Don’t Want to Miss This InterviewIn this interview, Mark Stay is refreshingly honest, witty, and full of practical advice. Whether you’re a fan of his Witches of Woodville series, eagerly awaiting the next installment in The End of Magic trilogy, or just someone who loves hearing about the creative process, this conversation has something for you.But there’s even more you won’t want to miss—like Mark’s thoughts on writing horror (Unwelcome), what it was like working on a TV series (Nautilus), and the funniest piece of feedback he’s ever received about his writing!Watch the Full Interview Now!To watch the full interview, where we explore all of this and more, you can subscribe below. Trust me, it’s a conversation that will...