A literary inspiration for students, a writer of stories for hard times, Chico’s Rob Davidson discusses his new book and why fiction matters

By Samin Vafaee

“One of the most intelligent professors I’ve ever met.”

“Really cares about his students and wants them to succeed.”

Not everyone in academia likes RateYourProfessor.com, but the site speaks volumes about the teaching style that Rob Davidson brings to his writing classes at Chico State University.

Davidson is an accomplished English professor whose impact extends far beyond the classroom. Known for his engaging approach to instruction and his dedication to student success, Davidson has inspired countless people to embrace literature and writing with confidence and creativity. 

In addition to his work as an educator, Davidson is also a published fiction writer, with one book of literary scholarship and five books of short fiction under his belt so far. 

Davidson’s literary journey began with his undergraduate studies in English at Beloit College in the 1980’s. 

“There was kind of a renaissance of the American short story at the time,” Davidson recalled. “Writers like Raymond Carver, Bobbie Ann Mason, and Tobias Wolff were kind of breathing new life into the form, and as an undergrad that was super exciting to discover.” 

Although Davidson described himself as an ambitious student, he confessed to walking away from writing for a period after graduation. It was only marrying his wife, Linda – who gave him the push he needed – that Davidson got back into it. By 23, he’d rededicated himself to the craft. 

Davidson then joined the Peace Corps and spent two years with Linda on a remote island in the Eastern Caribbean. He wrote every day. By the time he returned to the states, Davidson had an abundance of short stories and decided to continue his education by pursuing a MFA in fiction from Purdue University. He eventually earned a Phd in American Literature. 

Davidson gradually discovered a deep passion for teaching others. He enjoyed sharing his expertise and inspiring the next generation of students.

“Being a writer is at once the most exciting and liberating feeling but also kind of terrifying because you have this blank page,” he observed. “What I hope I give them is some confidence that they can be a writer. I try to promote to my students that writing is more than just Emily Dickinson in her bedroom putting poems in a box. It should be sending things out into the world and hopefully provoking a response.” 

It’s clear that the confidence Davidson hopes to instill in his students is having an impact: Joshua Hurst, a student currently in Davidson’s Fiction Writing class, credits his improved writing skills to the supportive and passionate teaching style of his professor. 

“Professor Davidson creates a safe, comfortable and engaging learning environment for each of his students,” Hurst attested. “I’m not afraid to make mistakes in his class, knowing that any criticism of my work is constructive and offers me the priceless opportunity to improve.” 

Hurst also developed a newfound love for writing short stories thanks to the freedom Davidson offers his students. The instructor encourages them to explore any fictional genre in class, as long as it represents the most artistic version of that genre.

“His Fiction Writing class focuses on the short story form, which I’d never been too interested in before, but I am now infatuated with,” Hurst said. “Professor Davidson’s open-mindedness and encouragement has helped me feel less like a novice and more like any other forever-improving author. His class has drastically deepened my love of writing as well as my confidence.”

Although Davidson is currently a successful professor with tenure at Chico State, he also continues to fulfill his own dreams as an established writer and author. 

After a friend gave him the book “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” by Raymond Carver, he was inspired to evoke the same emotions in others that he felt while reading it.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be bored of the short story,” Davidson reflected. “There’s a gravity that pulls me in. It’s less that I chose the form and it’s more like the form chose me.” 

Davidson also believes short story style is more applicable in this day and age where attention spans seem to be getting shorter, making novels more of a commitment to a reader. 

“For a writer, novellas have some of the dexterity and speed of a short story, but then also something of the pacing and the longer sort of story arc of a novella,” he pointed out. “It’s this perfect middle space that would be the perfect literary form for this generation.” 

While teaching overseas in 2016, Davidson started his most recent book titled “Welcome Back to the World,” which features a collection of short stories that offer lessons of hope during darker times.

“This dude named Donald Trump somehow suddenly became the candidate for President,” said Davidson. “Every story in this book was written in response to issues that came up or were exacerbated by the Trump years.” 

Davidson feels there is a moral urgency to each of the stories and hopes to humanize many of the narratives shaped by the Trump administration. The stories cover a range of topics, from immigration and border control to lack of healthcare and housing. 

“I hope the reader will see the whole story and think, ‘How did we let these things happen in our society? Why are we the richest country in the world, but we can’t afford universal healthcare for every person who lives here?’” Davidson mused. 

One word that Davidson credits when it comes to his successful career in writing and teaching, is persistence. 

“If I’ve learned anything over the years it’s get your butt in the chair at the desk and clock in,” Davidson stressed. “I’m not saying I’m the greatest thing ever, but if I have a scale that has helped me it’s that I refuse to quit.” 

Learn more about Rob Davidson on his website at https://www.robdavidsonauthor.net/