We were lucky to catch up with SAFIYA AZAUNCE recently and have shared our conversation below.
SAFIYA, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
The funny thing about imposter syndrome is that it will have us believing we don’t belong at a table even if we built it ourselves. Somehow we believe that a mistake has been made. It has definitely been a struggle of mine in the past and sometimes I can still hear a voice in my head saying that I haven’t done enough to deserve the spot i’m in. But, I’m happy to be in a place where it no longer cripples me. Practically speaking, I first had to allow a space for that feeling of inadequacy to exist. Acknowledging rather than ignoring the feeling of being an imposter was the first blow in the fight to overcoming it. It wasn’t easy, but what made it possible was knowing that I wasn’t alone. So I think it’s important for us all who experience it to not be afraid to have an open dialogue about it.
I then had to take a realistic look at what I have actually accomplished and not be afraid to give myself credit where it was due. I’m not sure where or when it started, but somewhere along the way, I developed an aversion to pride in my accomplishments. It had this negative connotation behind it, almost as if celebrating oneself was synonymous with putting down others. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Dismantling that belief was the second blow in the fight.
The biggest thing that helped me to overcome imposter syndrome was (temporarily) removing myself from the equation when thinking about my purpose. I’ve found that when I consciously think about who my purpose is serving, I think less about wether I belong in the room or not. So If you ever find yourself struggling with the thought of wether you belong, think about how what you have to offer may be helpful for someone. Even if it’s just one person, there is someone out there who can benefit from your gift, business, or craft. You are the only one who can do it the way YOU do it, and therefore you are the only one who can impact this suppositious individual. Reminding myself of that fact was the final blow in the fight to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Professionally, I am a New York City based writer. Deep down, I’m just a little black girl with big stories to tell. However, it wasn’t always this way. When I first pursued a tertiary education, I attended Penn State to study immunology & infectious diseases. For the most part, I did this to please my mother. Even though I had been writing creatively since I knew how to write, I was taught that writing was a hobby and wouldn’t support me financially. I ended up leaving that semester with a 1.28 GPA. I didn’t know it then, but it was a necessary failure in becoming who I am today. Since then I abandoned the idea that writing was just a hobby and went on to receive my BFA in Film production at Brooklyn College and my MFA at New York Film Academy.
As a professional, I was able to garner internships at companies such as JuVee Productions and Will Packer Productions. I’ve since moved on to become a Writer’s Assistant for multiple seasons of TV shows such as “Lace”, a legal drama on Allblk TV, and “The Ms. Pat Show”, an Emmy nominated sitcom on BET. It has been my absolute honor to get the opportunity to write multiple episodes for “Lace”, which I negotiated upon being invited back for the season 2 room. And my most recent accomplishment was getting the opportunity to co-write an episode of “The Ms. Pat Show” with the brilliant and hilarious Garrianna Lee, (Staff Writer & Ms. Pat’s daughter) who I hope to work with again soon, now that the WGA strike is officially over.
What I am most excited about is the positive impact I could potentially have if given the opportunity to continue writing on these shows. Barring the concepts of these productions, they both deep down present principal ideas and arguments that I believe is important to talk about. Wether it be corrupt politics and police brutality in “Lace”, or the debate of pro-life vs. pro choice in “The Ms Pat Show”. My primary focus is to get to a place where I too, can develop a series that can speak on an issue or debate while enveloped in a captivating and entertaining concept.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first skill I’d say helped a lot, which arguably might not be considered a skill, was the art of calming down, haha. I remember in my earlier days of interning while in grad school, I would jump at any and every opportunity that came my way wether it was in alignment with who I wanted to become or not. I had this almost insufferable competitive energy that came from a belief that not everyone can eat, especially as a black woman. For some reason, I believed that there wasn’t room for too many more creatives who looked like me. I have since adopted a mentality that what is for me will find me, as well as the belief that another black woman’s success in my field does not equate to a missed opportunity for me. Doing so has allowed me to say no to certain things that I don’t believe will be in alignment with my purpose as a storyteller, as well as have more confidence in my ability to shine just as bright while standing next to someone like me with similar goals.
The second thing I’d say was refining my approach to networking. When they say it’s who you know, not what you know, they really mean it. Who you know in this industry can be the difference between succeeding in five years vs. fifteen. However, I at first had a rocky start to developing this skill. I had such a transactional view to networking, and the truth is, most if not all professionals in this industry can smell that from a mile away. I used to be a founding member of the “Let me pick your brain and buy you coffee” society. I have even found myself trying to befriend people I didn’t even like just for the sake of getting ahead. Since then I have developed the understanding that connections are not worth anything if they’re not genuine. I had to switch my thinking from “I’m making connections” to “I’m making friends who are well connected.” This way, the friendships and connections you make along the way will never seem forced or transactional.
Lastly, what has probably been the most impactful was creating a writer’s group. Regularly meeting up with a group of people who do the same thing as you can really improve your craft and confidence level. It is here where I have created a safe space for giving and receiving feedback in order to improve the writing craft for all who are involved. If you don’t have one that you’re in, it’s in your best interest to create one. Honestly, this is advice that can work in any field. Having a tribe is such an invaluable asset. I’m a strong believer in the idea that you can go fast alone, but you can go far together.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
There are three people in particular that I’d like to name. The first is Aaron Avont Johnson. He is an award winning film director who honestly should hold a Ted Talk on how to accomplish a lot at a young age. He’s been such a good friend and an inspiration to me. He doesn’t know this, but in the beginning of this year, I had put having a speaking engagement on my vision board. So when he approached me and asked if I wanted to join him in putting on a seminar about how to break into the industry, I was over the moon. One of the essential skills needed to stand out as a writer is being able to pitch and articulate yourself and your ideas well. That has always been my weak point. Pushing myself to do this seminar was such a source of growth for me in that respect, and I have Aaron to thank for that.
The next two people I would like to mention are Writer-Director Steven M. Taylor and Screenwriter James Arcega Tinsley. These two wonderful human beings are two of the most humble and genuine people I have met working in this industry. That alone is extremely hard to come by. I have been blessed with the opportunity to collaborate with them and have since developed a friendship with both that I hold close to my heart. James has helped me with navigating the industry in terms of the unwritten rules and etiquette of an up and coming writer. That has been so incredibly valuable because there’s no rulebook or tutorial on that. The knowledge of how to make it/break in step by step is expensive, and if you’re not careful, you can end up paying in mistakes and missed opportunities. Because of James, I can confidently say I have avoided some potholes on the road to breaking in.
I always like to joke that Steven and I were ordained to meet, because neither of us can remember how we became close friends so quickly. But I’m incredibly thankful that we crossed paths when we did. Steven seems to just get me in a way most don’t. He has been an integral part to my growth as a writer, considering I spend less time overthinking my writing and career trajectory since we have connected. People joke on how Lady Gaga always says “There could be a hundred people in a room and 99 don’t believe in you, but all you need is one…” But it’s true. Steven is that one person for me. He has helped me to develop the mentality of “being about it” which is a quality that over time helped me to be more successful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiyadara/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyadara/
