Ania Ray

I love this moment.

It does so much for me:
Reminds me of the chapter in our lives we had our own cat
Reminds me that she remembers and is gentle around one
Reminds me that she’s bigger than her 2.5 year old body,
enough that a cat can peer in and recognize it.

I love that she’s touched Mediterranean beaches
And climbs backyard playgrounds with the same joy
That Arkansas and Spain and Morocco and Chicago
provided 6 months of growth and learning and fun.

And it all comes down to moments
Moments that remind
That teach
That make us stretch just outside our comfort zones
So we can meet eyes and connect with someone
who can show us
and we can embrace that
we both belong.

Cody’s Nana is our matriarch and a bonafide lover of books. I’m lucky that she’s read every single one of my rough drafts from the very beginning — newbie writer Ania at 24 years old with what would become The Cromwell Rules trilogy.

While visiting Nana this time around, I have distinct pleasure of reading her a chapter a day of Riley’s story (a Women’s fiction novel with romance sprinkled in).

I’ve mostly been reading her first draft work, but I stopped myself short today. I told her my critique partner gave me some tips on how to make the “meet-cute” even cuter.

So: “I gotta make this scene sexier before I read it to your grandma.”

And off we go!

I had to share this with y’all!

My contemporary fiction novel, 2626, is currently with my editor Alyse of — she’s been with me since the second book of The Cromwell Rules trilogy, so that’s a 7 year relationship built on mutual trust of vision and mastery of craft.

So when I saw this message from her, I couldn’t help but grin. I had a feeling I had a strong first draft in this story, but to be told it’s hands down my best work yet — AS a first draft!? Magical.

I am so excited for y’all to read this one.

“The Building” (2626) is the home of Chicagoans who want nothing but the best. But for the main Mr. Fix It, “Stan the Maintenance Man,” this is shift work that keeps food on his family’s table. He didn’t sign up to know about what Deb’s husband is really up to or the real reason why the tenant in 4703 is such a jerk. We learn what’s really going on behind closed doors as he weaves in and out of their lives, connecting people of all ages and stages in delightful, surprising, and memorable ways.

It’s my love letter to immigrants. To my family. To the city that raised me. To the building that always accepted me - and continues to invite me back - as one of their own.

A moment for the hat.

My best friend from high school gifted it to me and it tells me two things:

1. My actions are showing my intentions: to live intentionally, to stop rushing through everything, and to be present with where I am and who I’m with.

2. I appreciate a great hat when hair washing day was definitely yesterday. 🤭

Would you wear this hat?! 👌

Somewhere between “Wow, you’re *already* two and a half” and “Wow, you’re ~only~ two and a half” 🥹

Soaking up this season for all it’s worth.

I’ve had the chance to be in the presence of some magnificent places.

So imagine my pleasant surprise at feeling pure summer Ania HAPPY driving into Chicago this evening. It had just rained, so the city was glittering. The drive on I-55 holds way too much of my story. Makes so much sense why my next novel is set in Chicago. How can it NOT be? I need a place to put all this love.

I’m feeling much better. The hardest part of the detox I’m on is done. I cut caffeine and sugar cold turkey (i know) amongst a hold of other things and am enjoying the reintroduction of greens and cruciferous veggies.

After getting back from Milwaukee with my little fam (such good quality time in a little Chicago 😉), I got to enjoy Zen yoga with my high school bff and then she took me to an amazing Japanese restaurant that could cater to my “yes, seriously, only sea salt with protein” requests (day 5 of 28, woo! I’ll share more in my monthly newsletter on the 23rd).

In short — Cheers to people who get you, cities that light you up, and dang good weekends with people you love.

“Mama! See!”
“You want to see?”
“Yeah!”
“Alright. Watch how Babcia makes some breakfast.”
And then there’s a pen in her hand and the focus on her face makes me feel so proud 🥹

And her posture!

That’s all. Just a moment in time. ❤️

That time when we climbed the Via Ferrata in Ronda, Spain.

I’ll be back in Ronda one day. To live for a short time, perhaps, but definitely to host a writing retreat. There’s magic on this cliff, this mountain town that looks down at the surrounding valley. You can feel the beating heart of other explorers and creatives and romantics who have sucked in a breath, awe like oxygen being infused within them.

I couldn’t stop taking in those big breaths of wonder. The majesty of Ronda puts everything in perspective for me: There’s a short amount of time we get to really live. So you gotta do the things that scare you, excite you, ignite you.

Be Alive.

A moment for the

☀️ 80 degrees in Chicago in a
💃 Sunday best dress with
🌺 souvenir earrings from Spain
🍴 before a nourishing meal at a restaurant with your husband, baby girl, and your parents ❤️

Exhale.

Aw man you guys.

It’s had to be actual *years* since I have drafted a new book under these conditions:
🌓 at night
🍷 with a glass of wine and
🎶 a playlist just starting for the story I’m weaving

My contemporary, 2626, is with my editor Alyse and now I am focusing on the novella I’m publishing by the end of this year. It’s part of a multi author collaboration led by .d_hackettwrites — and every time I explain that we’re each writing from the perspective of a community member from this mountain town, I can’t help but grin. This project lights me up from head to toe.

So let me tell you about it!

☘️🎹🐶🧑‍⚕️❤️

Riley O’Connor is a 34 year old piano teacher who believes her ship to become a world class musician has sailed. She missed her final exam at Julliard to care for her grandmother, but if you ask her, she doesn’t regret it. Instead, she’s content with her life in Blue Spruce Hills, a quaint mountain town where everybody knows everybody. It’s safe, quiet, and predictable. Until a dog shows up in her garden and won’t leave, and the vet who just moved to town wants his son to take piano lessons. She likes him, but he likes to hike, and she’s terrified of running into bears. When the opportunity to finally take a step towards her dreams storms through and out of the town, Riley gets to choose which to follow: love or ambition. This story is one of overcoming fears and trusting that, even when the night feels darkest, love can hold you through.

Sláinte!