Finding the Escape Hatch: A conversation with Stevie Mack on Magical Realism and the Modern Woman

For Stevie, writing is not just a creative outlet, it’s a “shot of escape.” In her upcoming work, Broken Trad Wife, Mack explores the boundaries that define womanhood. Weaving elements of magical realism into domestic life, she illuminates the internal struggles that often go unspoken.

In this interview, Mack discusses her discipline to daily creativity, influence of narrative structure and why it is never too late to rewrite your own story.

The "Shot of Escape": When Magic Meets Reality

Transitioning from a grounded scene to one touched by the extraordinary is a delicate balance. For Mack, this shift is a narrative necessity.

"It is really where my mind takes me," Mack explains. "When a situation becomes so extreme that it feels almost laughable, or so overwhelming that it seems impossible to bear, the narrative needs a 'shot of escape.' That is usually the moment where magical realism enters the frame. It serves as a necessary release when the reality of a scene becomes too heavy."

This approach allows her to explore emotional truths where others shy away. By introducing the "impossible" into the mundane, she provides her characters, and her readers, a comfort.

Atmosphere as Character

Setting plays a vital role in Mack's work. Whether she is drawing from her own surroundings or imagined landscapes, the environment has a unique rhythm in her writing.

"When I feel myself becoming completely submerged in a place, I want to evoke that same immersion for the reader," she says. "As a setting becomes more vivid to me, it begins to present its own metaphors. The things I see around me offer interesting ideas and comparisons that naturally shape the way the story is told."

Subverting the Status Quo

At the heart of Mack's storytelling is a focus on women in traditional, imposed roles. Her work seeks to pull back the curtain on the "hidden" internal lives of these characters.

"I relate to the ways women have been historically oppressed or pushed into specific roles by those around them and by society at large," Mack notes. "I want other women who might be feeling that same weight to know they aren't alone. I want to show that feminism isn't a 'dirty word', it is the realization that you don’t always have to follow the status quo."

The Discipline of the Daily Word

Balancing a dedicated writing practice with the "all-encompassing" nature of motherhood requires discipline. Mack’s approach is rooted in an unwavering commitment. Even in a life that she loves deeply, she carves out space for her creative identity.

"Because I am the type of person who gets 100% involved in whatever I do, I have to be very strict with myself," she admits. "I dedicate time every single day to writing and reading; I don’t allow myself to skip it, even if it’s only a few minutes here and there. It is a non-negotiable priority."

Literary DNA and the Power of Perspective

When discussing her influences, Mack points to works that challenge our perception of time and reality. She cites Martin Amis’s Time’s Arrow, a novel told in reverse chronological order, as a primary example of the "magical" in the everyday.

"The way he describes things like food reforming onto a fork is fascinating," she says. "It’s that blend of the mundane and the impossible that really resonates with me."

A Message of Resilience

As she nears the completion of Broken TradWife, Mack’s ultimate goal is to leave her audience with a sense of agency. Her writing serves as a reminder that the current chapter of one’s life is never the final one.

"The one truth I hope readers find is that your life is not over at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80," Mack concludes. "No matter what stage you are at, there is always a chance for change. You are not stuck in your circumstances. Even if you are in a situation or a relationship that feels impossible to leave, there is a way out. There will eventually be an end to whatever struggle you are facing."