Writing my first novel wasn’t just about telling a story; it was about learning how to tell one. I didn’t come into it with a writing background. I had to figure out the structure, the language, the character development—everything. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most […]
Learning as I Wrote: The Challenge of Writing My First Novel Read More »
When I think about the voices that have shaped me as a writer, a few stand out, especially one book that hit me hard: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. He’s an Afghan writer, and what he captured in that novel—the pain, the trauma, the complexity of what happened to his country and his people
Who Are Your Favorite Authors or Books That Have Shaped Your Voice? Read More »
Western media has painted a narrow and often distorted image of Iran for decades. For many people who don’t have a personal connection to the culture, the country is reduced to headlines about nuclear threats, religious extremism, and authoritarian rule. But that’s not Iran. Not the Iran I know, and not the Iran most Iranians
Redefining Iran: Beyond Headlines and Misconceptions Read More »
Right now, I write in English. That was a personal challenge I set for myself early on, and it’s something I’ve been committed to mastering. English isn’t my first language, but I’ve always believed that if you want to reach people, especially in a global context, you have to speak the language they read and
Do you write in English, Farsi, or both, and how does that affect your storytelling? Read More »
This is a question I get a lot, especially from people who know that writing isn’t my full- time job. Like many writers, I wear multiple hats. I have a demanding career in medicine, family responsibilities, and a life outside the page. So, how do I make time to write? The truth is, I don’t
What’s Your Writing Routine Like With a Busy Professional Schedule? Read More »
I talked about this a bit in my last post, but the truth is—my personal experiences have shaped everything I write. I lived in Iran for 27 years. That means most of my youth was spent under the current regime. I saw and heard firsthand how people were treated, and from a young age, I
What Personal Experiences Influence My Writing? Read More »
Dead Man’s Pacemaker was never just a story. It is a collection of lived experiences, collective memories, and silent hopes. The people I’ve known, the places I’ve lived, and the things I’ve witnessed all came together to shape this book. First, there’s my childhood. I spent my early years in Iran during the brutal eight-year
What Inspired the Story Behind Dead Man’s Pacemaker? Read More »
I didn’t sit down and decide to write political thrillers. It just happened naturally! a mix of my background, my experiences, and honestly, a lot of struggle with language. English is my fourth language. My mother tongue is Azerbaijani, which is a Turkic language. I grew up speaking Farsi, and then in middle school, they
Why I Write Political Thrillers? Read More »
