Nick A. Azure

I'm just a simple man with a love for writing. Having seen the grittier aspects of life firsthand (addiction, dereliction, disability, abuse, etc.), I have an affinity for darker writing, but I'll still push out some happy material now and then. I found joy in writing when I was in kindergarten, partially as a means of escaping to an elaborate fantasy world of ghosts and talking foxes (to get away from my abusive alcoholic father), and partially for the sheer pride that comes from completing a decent work of fiction.

Nonfiction is something I've been getting into lately; a few friends of mine and myself have discovered the unusual style of Gonzo Journalism and I'm loving it. Another recent interest is Beat literature (and the beatniks in general), which has supplied me an abundance of new ideas. While living in Norfolk, I sometimes wrote lyrics for local bands with some success. Now that I live in Omaha, I hope to do more of this, as there is a vibrant and thriving local music scene here. I also write poetry as a catharsis for difficult feelings, but I rarely let others read those works.

My work doesn't appeal to everyone, but I could care less. I tend to take criticism of my work as a reflection on the beholder's worldview, not as a sign that my writing is flawed... unless they supply a good reason to support their opinion that it's not up to par. I've gotten varied but mostly positive feedback from many people with many different tastes about the work I have shared. This strengthens my desire to write and lets me know that I should stay the course. I know the quality of my writing, but most importantly I know to write about things I know well.

I won't delve much into my personal life much, unless you're the sort that can interpret the themes and motifs behind my writing, but if you find you like my work and want to get to know me, send me a message!