Let’s check in with Ronni Davis since her graduation in January 2025!

Let’s start with some basics. Where are you from? When did you graduate? What’s your cohort name? What have you been up to since graduation?

I graduated in January 2025, as part of the Dancing Bananas cohort! Since graduating, I’ve been writing a short story for an anthology, looking for a new agent (my old one left due to medical reasons, a lot of freelance work, and working my day job. I live in Chicago with my husband, son, and 3 kitties!

How did you fill your time when you weren’t working on packets?

Freelance work and video games! Also a lot of YouTube. So much YouTube.

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC program?

I googled low-residency MFA programs and Hamline and VCFA came up as the top two choices. I’d been very familiar with VCFA, but Hamline was new to me.

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

Prior to entering the program, I had one novel published (WHEN THE STARS LEAD TO YOU) and was in the midst of edits for my second novel, which is out now (THIS NIGHT IS OURS). At the same time, I was ghostwriting a middle grade novel.

 

 

Tell us a favorite residency memory.

Oh gosh, where do I start? I have so many good memories. Some of us had a tradition of going to Wet Paint at least once, to buy pens, and that was always fun. Late nights at the hotel with friends, just talking about everything and anything. Fam dinners. Ordering ice cream, having drinks, smelling the wildflowers on campus. Winning the Anne Tews Schwab award for my critical essay. Hanging out in GLC all day when it was too cold to go outside. Wild turkeys, treks to Gabe’s, being so punch drunk and tired near the end, but also feeling so inspired and full and loved. So many more, but I don’t want to go on and on.

Residency is something special, for sure. I hope to come back as a grad ass soon.

Can you share a little about your creative thesis?

My creative thesis is called The Promposal Planner, and it’s a rom-com about a girl who loves party planning and helping people create dream promposals so she can make extra money, but refuses to fall in love herself because she’s seen how loving, and being left, can destroy a person. She wants no part of that. So of course a boy comes along and challenges her resolve, and she realizes she’s not as immune to falling in love as she might’ve thought.

Ugh, I’m terrible at short pitches! But I will say that people laughed and laughed during my reading, which I’m glad about!

 

What did you write your extended critical essay about?

I wrote my critical essay about how setting reveals character! I struggle with grounding my characters in my own writing, so I did a deep dive into how other authors use setting as more than a place, and I think it’s been a big help.

What changes have you noticed in your writing since MFAC?

I feel more confident in my writing. I still tend to hold back, but I’m being braver and trying to take more risks. I can draft a bit faster than before as well. But I think confidence is key in helping me enjoy writing again. I also feel like ideas are coming more quickly—for a while I was worried I was a one-trick pony and that I’d never be inspired again.

Any thoughts for those considering the program?

Hamline MFAC is one of my favorite things I’ve ever done. I had no idea that the community there would grow to mean so much to me. The program is not meant to be a fast track to getting an agent or getting published, but if you’re looking to grow your confidence in your writing, work one-on-one with amazingly talented authors, make some amazing friends, and pump out an incredible amount of words, the Hamline MFAC program is a good place to do it. You will learn so much, and you might not think you’re applying it to your own work, but you absolutely are.

Anything else you’d like us to know?

This morning, I opened a new water bottle I’d ordered, and my first thought was “this is going to be great to use at residency.” Then I remembered that I’m done with residencies, and I got a little sad. So, I’d like you to know that for me, this program has made a huge impact in my life. I felt so accepted and loved. I felt inspired and challenged. I felt exhausted and enlightened. And even though I’m excited to be done with packets, there are other parts that I already really miss. For me, it’s worth everything.