The Interview

Boh: What do you remember from your days at The School for Young Writers and/or being published in Write On magazine?

Azriel: I remember a great deal of things about my days at School for Young Writers, and having work published in Write On. Mainly, it was a great deal of writer's block! Very early on in my time taking classes, I would spend a lot of time looking at a blank page, unsure of how to put pen to paper and scared of what others would think of my work. But with all credit due to the tutors, I was encouraged to just try. To put aside fear of failure, and just get a first draft. 

I remember the words of my first tutor, Heather, very vividly.

“You can not edit an empty page.”

Boh: Which early experiences/ opportunities/ classes have influenced your writing the most?

Azriel: My time at the School for Young Writers greatly influenced my writing. I think at the time I underestimated the value of just putting pen to paper for a few hours every single week. Just spending that time being able to write, and learning how to edit drafts put me in good stead for the years to come. It also helped me to overcome a fear of failure and learned how to see the first draft as a friend, and not an enemy.

Boh: How has your writing evolved over the years?

Azriel: My writing has become a lot more concise. Later learning how to write for news, I had all the unnecessary words and information slashed through with a red pen. But what made this easier to deal with, was my time at School for Young Writers. Throughout my life, being to the point has never come naturally to me. I’m very grateful looking back, to have had the opportunity to have my work critiqued and offered feedback. That set the foundations for what I now do for a living. I think my writing has now matured, and I can critically look at what I have produced and do my own slashing. That habit was improved by time in the media, but it was planted in me, as a pre-teen on Saturday mornings in Hagley.

Boh: How did what you learned in writing classes help you with your journalism?

Azriel: I learned to be free of judgment on my first try and to be discerning with my word choice. My tutors were always very strong on just getting something down, anything down. Get words on the page, and then edit from there.

Boh: What sports did you play when you were younger and do you have to write about all sports now?

Azriel: I played football when I was younger, and grew up as an Arsenal fan. Now I have to write about all sports and I've had to diversify my interests to get a wider knowledge base. It has definitely been a learning curve.

Boh: Thanks so much and all the best with your journalism career.