Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Writing can feel so repetitive. So, how do you stop writing the same scenes over and over and really give your characters their unique ways of being?
First on the to-do list is to look at yourself. How are you in the world? Are you a follower or a trend-setter? Do you voice your own opinions or do you parrot others? This is not meant for you to be in judgment of yourself, it's just for you to notice how you are being in the world.
Once you notice your way of being then see if you are writing characters that are very similar to you or opposite of you. If you are writing similar characters, then open up a paragraph, and next to it, write it in a way that would be completely the opposite of what you've written. If you are writing characters that are opposite of you, then do the same but make your character take the chances you would if it were your life you were writing about.
Next, evaluate which way you like the paragraph. How did your character respond? Did a new way of being open up to you or the character?
Another thing to pay attention to is your patterns. Are you writing the same time of day all of the time and in the same setting? This rote way of doing things can lead to a boring manuscript. Some writers believe they MUST create a habit in order to write, but this kills creativity. Habits are made to be broken! So, move around your home or apartment. Try writing outside.
When I was a writing teacher for middle school students I did not have them sit in their desk seats and write. We moved around the classroom. They chose to sit under a desk, go outside, sit on top of a car, or in a swing. Someone even climbed a tree. And guess what? Their writing was fun, curious, explosive, hilarious, and unique. They changed their perspectives and their writing showed this fun change!
So - get outside! Change it up. Do something weird like sit in your closet or under the dining table. Become curious and playful and so will your writing.
Write~On
Angie Azur
Writing is a game of slamming up against walls you've built and pushing beyond yourself to see over them. Building walls and bashing them. Building walls and climbing them. Building walls and collapsing them. Walls are built for a reason. You needed to feel safe about something and so you put up a wall. These walls can keep you trapped behind them in your writing, unable to allow characters to grow because you're stuck. Once you come up against a wall, just notice it. Did your character just do something or say something you didn't think they would or could? Are you allowing your character to have his or her voice or are you shushing them because of your beliefs and your walls? Just notice at first.
Once you notice and become aware of your wall, ask yourself; Where in my body is this wall sitting? It's in your body somewhere. They always are....so where? Sit with your eyes closed and listen to yourself. Ask the question again, "Where in my body is this wall sitting?" Your body will answer you with something. It might be a word like, heart. Or it might be a burning sensation in your belly or back. Just listen to your body and find where this wall stands.
Next, put your hands on that location and breathe into that spot. Breathe deeply and long, allowing the breath to come in and go out naturally. Feel the wall, feel the energy there and breathe into it. That's all. Nothing more to do than to notice and find it and breathe into it. Any stuck energy or no longer needed beliefs will begin to unwind with the energy of your awareness and breath.
Now it's time to go write that spunky character whose voice is bursting through!
Write~On
Angie Azur
Angie Azur is Writing
She is currently revising a stand-alone Middle-Grade manuscript and concurrently writing an MG trilogy.
You will see her at the 2022 Charlotte NC SCBWI conference!
Write~On
Angie Azur
Angie Azur is on Instagram
EXPERIENCE
Whole Human Healthy, Weaverville, NC — Founder and Art & Life Coach
Aug 2020 - PRESENT
Help clients identify blocks and goals
Write content for Instagram and Blog
Provide support and encouragement using art as a healer
Develop strategies and individual plans for each client
Document progress and keep up with paperwork
Monthly emails and promotions sent with fun and exciting new programs
Paleo Magazine, Bend OR — Co-Owner | Contributing Writer
July 2013 - August 2020
Interviewed and hired new writers
Corresponded with marketing agents
Posted to Facebook and Instagram
Wrote articles and blurbs for the print magazine and online
Found and reviewed new products
Attended conferences and spoke with clients and sales representatives
Andrea Brown Literary, San Francisco, CA — Agent Intern
June 2012 - September 2013
Read & Reviewed manuscript submissions
Slush Pile Reading & Responded to Unsolicited Manuscripts
Represented to Agency at Conferences
The Golden Penn, Pittsburgh, PA — Staff Writer
July 2006 - September 2007
Wrote a monthly article
Edited the Agents and Editors section
Recruited writers
Conducted interviews
ATM Corporation of America, Pittsburgh, PA — Team Leader
June 1995 - July 2000
Oversaw day-to-day team operations
Communicated with teams about performance and goals
Wrote weekly progress reports
Hired new employees
Trained new employees
Developed a program to help appraisers reach goals
Delegated tasks and set up monthly deadlines
Created a harmonious working team
EDUCATION - Diplomas & Professional Certificates
Ubiquity University, Mill Valley, CA — Ph.D.(c)
Wisdom Studies Sep. 2019 - Present
Sound Healing, Chester, VT — Professional Certificate
Center of Light, Oct. 2021 Level I & Oct. 2022 Level II coming soon
Power Yoga Level I, II, & III + PTSD Yoga — Professional Certificates
Baptiste Yoga Institute, 2012 - 2018 RYT500
Spiritual Life Coach, Sebastopol, CA — Professional Certificate
Life Purpose Institute, May 2018 - July 2018
Usui Holy Reiki Level I & II, Bend, OR — Professional Certificate
William Rand Usui Holy Reiki, May - July 2017
The Hoffman Process Graduate, San Rafael, CA — Professional Certificate
The Hoffman Process, July 2014
Writer’s Bootcamp, Santa Monica, CA — Professional Certificate
Screen Writing Studies June 2008 - Sep. 2008
Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA — MFA (i)
Creative Writing Sep 2005 – May 2007
La Roche University, Pittsburgh, PA — BA.
Psychology | Minor Criminal Justice Sep. 2000 - May. 2003
Community College, Beaver County, PA — AAS.
Architectural/Structural Drafting Sep. 1992 - May. 1995
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISMENTS
Africa Yoga Mentor 2019
Magna Cum Laude - La Roche University
Elephant Handler at the Pittsburgh Zoo
Student of the Year - CCBC - Recruited the class project & Lead Drafter
Volunteer Firefighter
Community Lifeguard
Meals on Wheels Volunteer
Lifetime Teaching Experiences:
Swim Lessons for adults and children - YMCA, Pittsburgh PA
After School Programs - Mt. Lebanon Public Schools, PA
Group Dream Board Sessions - SCBWI, Pittsburgh, PA
Psychology 101 Classes for Lifers - Pittsburgh Prison System, PA
Elephants 101 Middle & High School Classes - Pittsburgh Zoo, PA
Private Art Classes Middle School Ages - Manhattan Beach, CA
Writing & Editing Adult Critique Group - San Francisco, CA
Yoga and Meditation - Mill Valley, CA
Creative Writing Seven Peaks Middle School - Bend, OR
Nature Poetry Seven Peaks Middle School - Bend, OR
Yoga and Meditation Namaspa - Bend, OR
Women’s Dream Group - Esalen, CA
Spiritual Coaching - Sebastopol, CA
Art Therapy Classes - Sebastopol, CA
Women’s Groups - Sebastopol, CA
PTSD Yoga & Meditation - Southport, NC
Life Coaching - Southport, NC
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