Ask the Author: Ania Ray
Answered Questions (6)
Ania Ray
I write because it hurts not to. But also, the world has SO MUCH that can be written about. I experience too much of the world to carry it all myself. The page is quite literally a savior. It helps carry the weight. When I know there's someone out there who could benefit from the words I can put to their feelings? Well, then I write until I'm tired :) And do it all again the next day.
Ania Ray
The Cromwell Rules was my way of figuring out how someone can pour all of themselves into somebody, especially if that somebody could leave, or die, one day. Is it still worth it? I created Anne, whose husband passed away suddenly, and her daughter Lily, who Anne tried to protect from such heartbreak with these dating rules. The rest just kind of wrote itself over time!
Ania Ray
The best thing about being a writer is that I don't have to sit with my feelings any longer than it takes to transfer those thoughts and feelings into characters who are going through exactly what I may be going through - or who react differently than I personally would. Writing allows me to release what's constantly bubbling up inside. The tricky part? The creative flow usually follows a period of rest - so the process itself forces me to chill out before I mess with any of my characters ;)
Ania Ray
Find someone to share the bud of an idea with. Their engagement with your character will get you excited to make the scene y'all talked about come to life.
Ania Ray
1. Observe everything around you. Life is fodder for all writing. Pay attention to what hurts you. Then, write it down. This practice will make your characters' issues and situations real.
2. Find a community to hold you accountable. Find people who get just as excited about your writing as you do. Find a person who thinks everything you write is the most amazing thing ever. Find a person who asks questions about the characters to get you to wonder. Find a person who can give you tough love when you need it, but you'll know it's from a place of good will. Be open to that feedback. Be okay with knowing that your writing can become stronger.
3. Debilitate your self-doubt. Only you know what your insecurities are. My most common road-blocks were "You're only an English teacher; you can't do this." "You'll let your community down. They'll buy your book and be disappointed in you." Ultimately, the mantra that saved me and my novel was "No one can write this story but you." That, and if I didn't write it, I felt like I would burst.
No one chooses to be a writer. You either do it, or you don't. I'm not sure you're an "aspiring" writer - you just are one.
2. Find a community to hold you accountable. Find people who get just as excited about your writing as you do. Find a person who thinks everything you write is the most amazing thing ever. Find a person who asks questions about the characters to get you to wonder. Find a person who can give you tough love when you need it, but you'll know it's from a place of good will. Be open to that feedback. Be okay with knowing that your writing can become stronger.
3. Debilitate your self-doubt. Only you know what your insecurities are. My most common road-blocks were "You're only an English teacher; you can't do this." "You'll let your community down. They'll buy your book and be disappointed in you." Ultimately, the mantra that saved me and my novel was "No one can write this story but you." That, and if I didn't write it, I felt like I would burst.
No one chooses to be a writer. You either do it, or you don't. I'm not sure you're an "aspiring" writer - you just are one.
Ania Ray
I'm pleased to announce that my goal by June 8th is to have the first draft of the sequel to The Cromwell Rules, Breaking the Rules, finished! This novel will be from Marley's perspective, Lily Cromwell's best friend. Things have been heating up in Spain. Did you notice that Lily never asks Marley how she is doing?
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