We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cheryl Mckay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cheryl below.
Cheryl, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be an actress. For seven years, that’s what I chased. But I’ll be honest: I wasn’t very good. Concurrently, I loved writing. Even from when I was 5 years old, I’d write my first stories in an empty book known as the Next to Nothing Book. I loved it. As a teen, I’d write monologues for me to act out, not realizing my true calling was right there in front of me.
When I was enrolled in undergrad, a BFA acting program, the faculty let me know I wasn’t good enough actress but had a lot to say about my role behind-the-scenes as they encouraged a new direction. At the time, it hurt. My young, 19-year-old self, wanted to prove them wrong.
Instead, I find myself grateful that they saw the real gifts in me that were not what I was chasing at that time. I always look back on that season as the best rejection of my life. I usually say that was when God redirected me into where I belong: with my purple pen poised to write.
Once I set aside my original dream, I found that I loved writing so much more than I ever liked acting, singing, and dancing. I’m glad I did those things; having acting background definitely helps me when crafting characters and their emotions. (I act out scripts as I write. If I’m not laughing, crying or feeling moved by a scene, neither will my audience.)
Chasing a career in writing is not for the faint of heart. It can be hard to make the living. But the fact that doors have opened, that it’s worked for me to be a professional writer, has been a big blessing. I also teach writing, in hopes I can pour into that next generation of writers. I really want them all to understand the power in their pens. They can use that power for good or not depending on what kinds of stories they choose to put into the world.
I find purpose in every project I write because I only write projects that I fully believe in and have messages I’m passionate about sharing with the world.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I love writing. I love characters and creating arcs as they grow throughout whatever trials and circumstances they find themselves in, in those stories. I enjoy writing projects that I know have the chance to impact others. Two of the movies I got to co-write with directors (Extraordinary and Indivisible) were at the heart, about saving marriages. The Ultimate Gift was about becoming a better human being for the sake of those around you and the gift of a day, how precious life is. The stories we heard about how that movie affected others is what makes me passionate about what we do. Now with These Stones, my new TV series, I had a chance to write 6 episodes in our first season that each tackle a different issue that people may relate to today. But the overarching theme is to make sure everyone knows: You are Never Alone.
The short synopsis of our TV series is:
A grieving daughter finds herself drawn into the same supernatural program her late mother worked—matching undercover Bible characters with people facing challenges today. It’s all this stunned daughter can do to keep up normal appearances while seeking redemption for her past mistakes.
The series stars Madeline Carroll (I Can Only Imagine, Swing Vote), Karen Abercrombie (War Room, The Forge, God’s Compass), Charlene Amoia (How I Met Your Mother, A Royal Christmas Holiday), Rusty Joiner (Voiceless), and notable guest stars such as Cameron Arnett (Overcomer, The Forge), Erin Bethea (Fireproof, New Life, Never Give Up), and Micah Lynn Hanson (Disciples in the Moonlight, Like Arrows).
I formed Stone Impact Media with my friends and business partners, Jeanette & Sam Towne, and Mike Burns. Our overarching hope for what we put out there is to show that God still speaks today, He’s still involved in our lives, and that He works through trials. These Stones is a fantastic example of those themes.
My director, Susan Rohrer and I co-wrote an accompanying devotional study guide, in hopes that people will get together in groups, dive into the deeper meanings of the show and talk about it. But even more exciting for me is that we have sections called Activations, where there are actions viewers can take inspired by things in the series that can positively impact their communities and the people around them. You never know when a word of encouragement for someone is going to be a lifeline. That’s something we hope our show does in many different ways.
It’s one thing to create entertainment. It’s another to try to also impact those who see it and are moved by it to action.
These Stones will be airing, starting Sept 5th, 2024, on UP Faith and Family streaming service. New episodes drop every Thursday for six weeks.
Your followers can use STONES30 coupon code to receive 30% off their first month on the SVOD service.
www.upfaithandfamily.com
The study guide is out on Amazon in eBook and paperback or hardcover. It’s called THESE STONES: Your Personal Devotional & Group Handbook for Season 1 by Cheryl McKay and Susan Rohrer.
https://www.amazon.com/These-Stones-Study-Guide-Devotional-TV/dp/B0DCG85CHN
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that I believe were needed to succeed in the competitive field of screenwriting are perseverance (in the face of lots of rejection and waiting), a willingness to learn the craft in full (from classes, books, and people who are successful and good at it), and most importantly having God as a Co-Writer. Honestly, every movie or television show that gets funded and made feels like a miracle at times. And if God were not in this with me, I do not believe any of it would have happened.
Back when I started writing, the statistic was 1 in 40,000 scripts get made. I have no idea what that number is today. But it’s almost insurmountable to see anything get made. I’m thankful God helped me beat those odds. Once you get that first door to open, it makes future doors a bit easier. Especially if others refer you because you did a job well for them. I’ve almost never had a traditional agent and every job I’ve gotten has been because of someone I knew or a referral.
My advice for those who want to become writers is:
1. Take classes
2. Write everyday
3. Write a spec script
4. Then learn adaptation because most writing jobs you will get, will be based on other people’s work. (True stories, articles, nonfiction books, novels, biblical adaptations.)
5. Expect it to take a while, but do not give up!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
From as early as I can remember, my parents (Tom and Denise McKay) always used the phrase, “You can do it.” They were dreamers themselves, and taught me that I could do anything I set my mind to. Even when I wanted to be an actress, they said I could do it. They always believed in me. As mentioned, I realized acting wasn’t my best talent, but rather, writing was. But for them, their support was there no matter what. They still, to this day, are my biggest cheerleaders. They love seeing my dreams come true. I love bringing them on set to be extras in my movies or show whenever I get a chance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stoneimpactmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylmckayscreenwriter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesestones
- Other: https://www.purplepenworks.com
Image Credits
Shawna Mercer (pic of Cheryl with a photographer on the right)
Chris Price (on main photo of four people…three cast members plus me.)
No other credits required.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
