An Interview with Mary Janice Davidson
Interview conducted c. early 2010s
Introduction
Mary Janice Davidson is a prolific genre author best known for her paranormal fiction, including the long-running Undead series and the BOFFO novels. Her work blends supernatural elements with humor, suspense, and a distinctly irreverent narrative voice, often placing extraordinary transformations within the context of everyday human problems.
This interview was conducted during a period when Davidson was actively balancing multiple series while refining a fast-moving, idea-driven approach to storytelling. The conversation focuses on premise development, iterative “what if” construction, research demands across genres, and practical methods for sustaining creative momentum.
Davidson’s responses reveal a playful yet disciplined creative process. Humor functions not as ornament, but as a structural engine—used to explore fear, responsibility, and resilience without diminishing narrative stakes.
This interview is preserved as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, documenting the voices and working methods of contemporary genre creators.
MaryJaniceDavidson_Interview
The Interview
Life as a Writer
How did you get into writing?
I grew up as an Air Force brat and was always the new kid. Since friendships were temporary, I wrote stories instead. When I finally stayed in one place long enough for people to notice, they began asking why I was always writing.
When did you first realize that you have what it takes to be a writer?
When classmates started waiting by my locker to ask how my stories ended.
Premise
Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere. Everyday life, books, magazines, research. One idea often leads to several others. The world is full of strange material.
How do you develop your ideas into a story?
By asking “what if?” repeatedly until the answers form a coherent narrative. Each question builds on the last until the story holds together.
Genre
What kind of stories do you enjoy working with?
Paranormal romance and suspense. Writing in different universes allows me to switch projects when I get stuck.
What genres would you like to explore in the future?
Historical fiction and nonfiction about the writing business.
Structure
Do you work from an outline?
Yes. Contracts require it. Though the finished book often diverges from the original outline.
Plot
How do you build your story?
By stacking “what if?” questions until the structure is complete.
Character
For you, what makes a great hero?
Someone who does the right thing even when they’re terrified.
If one of your characters were to describe you, what would they say?
Probably something unflattering.
Setting
How much time do you spend researching the setting for your stories?
It depends on the genre. Realistic settings require extensive research; supernatural worlds allow more freedom.
What settings would you like to explore in the future?
Infernal and supernatural bureaucracies, explored through everyday problems.
Theme
Do you like to know the purpose of your story before you sit down to write it?
Not usually. Meaning often becomes clear only after reaching the end.
Dialogue
Do you have any favorite lines from your stories?
Lines that resonate with readers—or lead to unexpected real-world consequences—tend to stand out.
Writing Process
Do you have a routine?
Mornings are for correspondence and editing. Afternoons are for new writing. Background noise helps.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
By working on more than one book at a time.
Story Development
How do you go about fixing a story?
By listening carefully to editorial feedback and revisiting the manuscript after time away.
How do you know when to stop?
When most of the questions have been answered.
Words of Advice
What words of advice would you give to new writers?
Never give up. Rejection is part of the process, and persistence is essential.
Final Thoughts
What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?
I genuinely don’t know.
What are you working on now?
Several ongoing projects across paranormal and suspense fiction.
Closing
This interview captures Mary Janice Davidson’s approach to storytelling as a balance of curiosity, humor, and structural persistence. Her reflections highlight how playful premise-building and professional discipline can coexist, sustaining long-running series without exhausting creative energy.
Presented here as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, this conversation preserves a voice that treats storytelling as both craft and experiment—one “what if?” at a time.