Q&A with Mark David Gerson – Author Interview

Mark David Gerson is an author who doesn’t just write stories, he invites readers into transformative journeys. Known for blending storytelling with deeper spiritual and personal themes, his work often goes beyond entertainment, encouraging reflection, growth, and a stronger connection to creativity. There’s an openness and authenticity to his voice that makes his stories feel both imaginative and deeply personal.

In this Q&A, Mark shares insight into his unique approach to writing, the inspiration behind his work, and how creativity plays a powerful role in both storytelling and everyday life. With honesty and warmth, he discusses the lessons he’s learned along the way, offering readers and aspiring writers a meaningful glimpse into his world and the ideas that shape his stories.

About The Author

Tell us more about you.

Although I’ve lived in the US for nearly 30 years and am now a dual US/Canadian citizen, I’m originally from Canada, which is where my writerly journey began. I grew up in Montreal but have also lived in Toronto and Nova Scotia. Through my time in the US, I’ve lived in five states, some of them more than once…like Arizona, where I now live. For the fourth time!

What are the three items you’d take on a deserted island?

Assuming that things like food, drink, clothing and shelter were covered (because if they weren’t, I probably wouldn’t be alive long enough to enjoy my three things!), I’d probably choose a book I’d be keen to read over and over. Maybe something by Dickens. A pair of binoculars, not only for its practical potential but because it would allow me to get a closer look at some of the birds and wildlife. Finally, a musical instrument that I could teach myself to play. A guitar? Harmonica? I can’t play either, but I guess I’d have a lot of time to teach myself!

Who is your biggest role model?

From the world of books and writing, I’d probably have to say Madeleine L’Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time and several memoirs. Her approach to both writing and spirituality were powerful influences on me in the early days of my creative and spiritual journeys.

What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

As an indecisive Libra, I’m going to have to pass on this one. I don’t do “favorites-choosing” at all well. When asked (and writers are asked this one all the time!), I generally reply, “the book/author I’m currently reading”!

Do you prefer e-books, physical books or audiobook?

Absolutely no preference. I love a good story and don’t really care how I consume it. Having said that, I’m fairly new to audiobooks, only having discovered them when I recorded The MoonQuest, the first book in my Legend of Q’ntana fantasy series, three years ago. Until then, I’d never listened to one. I started listening to them to prepare me to record my own and was immediately hooked! I love the flexibility of them: I can listen in the car, while I’m walking the dog while I’m shopping…just about anywhere. And ebooks are just so convenient!. Still, nothing can beat the sensory experience of holding a good, old-fashioned paperback or hardcover in your hands.

Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?

Yes and no. I write, of course. But everything else I do is somehow related to writing. I teach writing workshops. I coach and mentor writers. I consult on other writers’ manuscripts. And I have a podcast, Stories & Reflections, which is focused on storytelling.

What social media platform do you like and use the most?

I’m on a bunch of them! Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok, BlueSky, YouTube and LinkedIn. I post regularly on all of them, but tend to spend the bulk of my time on Facebook. Links to my socials:

Your Writing Process

How do you go about starting a new novel?

My writing process is very organic. (In fact, my book on screenwriting is called Organic Screenwriting!). I rarely know much about the story when I start, and it’s even rarer that I know a whole lot about the ending until I get there.

Some call writers who write like that “pantsers,” but I don’t see myself as “writing by the seat of pants.” Rather, I view my stories as their own intelligent entities, and I trust them to know themselves better than I do…or ever will. Put another way, I get out of the way and let my stories guide me as I write. When I do that, when I trust that my stories are smarter than I am, what emerges is far more compelling, evocative and creative than anything I could have planned or plotted out with my conscious mind.

I’ve written all two dozen of books – fiction and nonfiction – that way.

Where do you like to write?

No favorite place, although I do like to write in cafes. Having said that, different books seem to make different demands on me — in terms of where they want to be written but also what kind of music (if any) I listen to while writing and whether I drink tea or coffee while I write.

What do you like most about writing?

What’s the best thing about being a writer? The opportunity to discover and put into words worlds beyond my conscious imagining…which brings us back to why I never plan, plot or outline!

What do you find stops you from writing more?

Time! My time is also taken up in working with other writers — in workshops and one-on-one as a coach and mentor. And as a one-man-band-of-an-indie-publisher, all the tasks involved in getting books produced and promoted also eats into my writing time. On top of that, there’s my weekly podcast. Oh, and eating and sleeping also get in the way!

What genres do you like to write and why?

I write across multiple genres: fiction (fantasy and literary) and nonfiction (self-help, books on writing/creativity, inspiration, memoir). I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite (remember me and favorites!?). In the end, I just like telling stories, and I tell each story in whatever form and genre best suits it.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

Trust your inner voice and take the first step onto the page, even if it’s a small one. Don’t be discouraged by self-doubt or the fear of getting things wrong. Writing is a process of discovery, and the act of writing itself will lead you to unexpected places. Embrace the unknown, and don’t be afraid to let go of control. Allow your creativity to flow naturally and remember that every piece of writing starts with a single word. So write that word…and another and another. Just keep writing, and trust your imagination.

Showcase Your Book!

How many books have you written and if more than one, what’s your favourite?

I’ve written 24, and asking an author which is his favorite is like asking parents which is their favorite kid!

Still, if you promise to never repeat this loudly enough that my other books will hear, I’d have to say it’s The MoonQuest. It was my first book and the one that smashed through years of creative blocks.

How long did The MoonQuest take you to write?

It depends on how you’re measuring that. It took eight months over the course of a year to write the first draft and about four months to get through a second draft. The remaining drafts (no idea anymore how many) were spread over the next decade or so.

Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being an author?

It’s what I said earlier, in answer to another of your questions: the opportunity to discover and put into words worlds beyond my conscious imagining.

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