Behind the Pen – Author Interview: Mary Rajotte

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another author interview. Today we’re going to be doing a deep dive into the wonderful author, Mary Rajotte. Mary is a Canadian author that I’m so excited to get to know further, follow along for our interview!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into writing?

I’m an author from Toronto, Canada. I started writing little stories and poems in grade school. After taking a short story class in high school, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I’ve been taking classes and workshops and devouring writing craft books ever since. I first started sending stories out to publishers in 2009, and since then, I’ve had over 70 stories, poems and articles published, and my debut novel The Bone Key came out in October 2024. Hopefully with many more to come!

(side note: woooo Canadian author!!!!)

What inspired you to become an author?

My grandmother Bernadette Rajotte was also a writer, and she had quite a few stories published, so it’s something that’s in my blood. She wrote children’s stories, and I remember her sending a copy of a Christmas story she’d written to myself and my 4 siblings when we were kids. She’d typed it out and put it in a red binder with a Christmas card as the cover, and I remember being so fascinated at seeing her story in print that way. It was definitely one of the first times I felt inspired to be a writer, even as a kid.

What does your typical writing routine look like?

I don’t necessarily have a set day or time when I write, but when I do sit down to write, I use a couple of different techniques. I use timed writing sessions with short breaks in between, which helps me to stay motivated while still moving closer to my goals. I also started using the Zero Draft method last year when working on my latest book. It’s a low-pressure way to get my ideas down for a given scene, where I focus on the main events like I’m an outside observer. Later I rewrite those scenes, adding in dialog, setting, and all the details that help me to flesh the scene out.

Do you outline your stories or dive right in?

I’m an avid plotter. I love having a road map of where my story goes. I feel having that plan allows me to have a solid structure, while also knowing that plot details often change during the writing process. But I try not to stick too rigidly to the outline if it doesn’t feel right while writing. I’m totally open to exploring new ideas or brainstorming something outside the box if I need to. I think allowing myself that freedom also means I won’t risk writing the first thing that comes to me, that sometimes, you have to push past those initial ideas to find something that’s much more exciting.  There’s always more to discover! 

Do you prefer writing in silence or with background noise/music?

Definitely with music! Mostly I listen to instrumental music, like dark ambient or electronic music, but I’m also a huge Chelsea Wolfe and Ethel Cain fan, so they’re often on my playlists. Anything to set the scene and help me to tap into that creative mindset.

What was the inspiration behind your latest book?

The Bone Key started out as a short story about a young woman who discovers an imprint left behind by an owl on her window. But she knows this was no ordinary owl, and recognizes it as a warning from her coven of owl shifters. I kept that initial idea about the coven and added elements of Mexican folklore, including La Lechuza, the owl witch, and black witch moths, who are harbingers and often appear as an omen of someone’s impending death. I became fascinated by both, and I knew I wanted to explore their mythology with a modern twist in my book.

Which character in your book do you relate to the most?

Definitely my main character, Valeria. Not only did I mirror her mixed heritage with my own (my Mom was Mexican American and my Dad was French Canadian), but I can relate to her feelings of self-doubt and struggling to find her place in the world.

What was the most challenging scene to write?

Since my witches transform into owls, the scenes when I show them shifting were definitely the most difficult. I first had to imagine what it would feel like or look like when they shifted, then describe those changes in a way that readers could imagine experiencing that magical ability my witches share. I hope I was able to do that, while also creating the world of magic and wonder my witches live in.

What message or theme do you hope readers take away from your work?

The main message for Valeria is to believe in her power, and that by honoring and embracing her heritage, she can unlock the very magic that’s inherent within her. I think we would all benefit by following her example and truly cherishing every aspect about ourselves. Even if I might sometimes forget that, it’s definitely something I try to do.

What’s your favorite writing snack or beverage?

Coffee, coffee, and more coffee – usually iced, with a salty snack on the side.

What’s next for you—any upcoming projects you can share?

Right now, I’m finishing the sequel to The Bone Key. I’m seeking out publishers and/or an agent with my dystopian horror novel about a tattooed Reaper who rises up against forces that want to pit him against his fellow Reapers. I’m also outlining a folk horror novella, and putting together a collection of my favorite published folk horror works, along with a few new stories to accompany them. I’m always busy in the Writing Nook!

Where can readers find more of you?

My website is https://maryrajotte.com/blog/. I’m MaryRajotte on Instagram, Threads and Bluesky. You can also find all my social media details and a link to my newsletter at https://bit.ly/Mary_Rajotte

HUGE thank you to Mary for joining me for this interview. I don’t about you guys, but I’m 100% adding The Bone Key to my TBR! Leave a comment below if you’ve read the book and what your thoughts are!!

See you next time for another exciting author interview :)