All About You:
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Like many authors I am a voracious reader. I learned the alphabet at age 4, started reading at age 5 and picked up my first Agatha Christie Mystery in 3rd grade—I knew I’d be an author since childhood. I was always thinking of stories and writing them down in my diary.
What is something unique/quirky about you?
Prior to starting a book, I live with my characters for several weeks. We talk and I get to know them to the point I’d know how they’d dress, what food they would order in a restaurant or how they would react in a situation.
I also have many interesting plot discussions with my two dogs (golden doodles). They’re great listeners.
Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!
I don’t know if it’s interesting but it was life changing. I was 9 years old when a revolution took place in my country.
I’ve lived in total oppression and then experienced the freedom of first world countries, added to that I’ve lived in war and all that—well, it changes one’s perspective.
You tend to really value what others take for granted and not pay attention to topics that many media sites focus on.
What are some of your pet peeves?
People who use books for decoration but never read them! People who mistreat books (really not acceptable!)
Where were you born/grew up at?
Born in Tehran, Iran, Raised in many countries across Europe and in the USA. This was due to my father’s job.
If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
1-I’d cook a delicious meal for my family and prior to eating it I’d take a lot of food to a shelter and we’d dance and laugh and play games.
Who is your hero and why?
Gosh there are many but for me Rumi, Ghandi, anyone who tries to be kind to others.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
One who ensures every human being is treated fairly and that all humans have the same rights—I’d also have a wicked sense of humor, maybe play tricks on my government/cabinet members….
What are you passionate about these days?
Writing, writing, writing, reading but also trying to do one good thing a day to help make the world a better place.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
Walk, swim, and read! And in no particular order.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I make time to write a 1,000 words a day.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Mom-booklover-Author-Tree hugger
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to write.
Do you have a favorite movie?
Ohhh several: “oh goodness too many—I always find myself watching the BBC Agatha Christie Series with David Suchet…..so much fun and Midnight in Paris!
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
Really all of them because they are visual as I write them. RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION could definitely be a movie or mini-series.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A dog! They are loyal, fun and loving.
All About Rumi and the Retribution Schedule:
What inspired you to write this book?
I have always wanted to write engaging thriller/mysteries, I also wanted to combine life lessons I’ve acquired as part of living and working across the globe for 25 years with the beauty and richness of the Persian culture and literature.
That’s what I’ve tried to bring to RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION
What can we expect from you in the future?
I have at least 10 stories for this series and each will be a bit different.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
YES and that’s all I can share for now!
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in (RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION)?
Gabriel McKnight (MC): courageous, loyal, kind yet distant to everyone outside of his family circle. Has a global outlook in life.
Is a former Navy SEAL, successful author—scarred by a past incident—an incident that would change who he is and how he’d approach life.
Noor Rahman: Sharp, witty, kind, a little lost and scarred by the death of her parents. She has a strong drive, global mindset and just can’t accept reasons given to her for the death of her parents death.
How are these two people connected? How are their pasts intertwined?
READ THE BOOK & YOU WILL FIND OUT!
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
I have always loved puzzles and mysteries. I also enjoy high stakes plots, I wanted to take that and combine it with my global experience and Persian poetry and culture. And that’s what I did.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Noor, well, there are several reasons for her name which you will see in the books. Gabriel is a name I’d give to an honorable, yet scarred hero.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Every part of it. For me writing has the same sensation one has when wrapping a Christmas gift for a loved one.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
Gabriel McKnight (MC): courageous, loyal, kind yet distant to everyone outside of his family circle.
Has a global outlook in life. Is a former Navy SEAL, successful author—scarred by a past incident—an incident that would change who he is and how he’d approach life.
He is a natural hero although he would be the first person to deny it. Present him with a problem and someone who needs help—he’ll dive in.
Noor Rahman: Sharp, witty, kind, a little lost and scarred by the death of her parents. She has a strong drive, global mindset and just can’t accept reasons given to her for her parents death. Justice and finding the truth drive her.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
I strive to find a title that captures the soul of the novel. RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION does that for book 1 of my series.
Who designed your book covers?
Roan and Weatherford Publishing, my publisher.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No!
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Yes, that Gabriel and Noor’s arcs continue. They evolve as they go through each adventure.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Ah, I’d say Jake Gyllenhaal as Gabriel, and maybe Nazanin Bonyadi, Sara Shahi, or Golshifteh Farahani as Noor.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
My goal is to take you on a journey where you experience a thrill, try to work out interesting puzzles, become good friends with captivating characters while learning a bit about the Persian culture—I want to do all this and make your head spin (in a good way) with a surprise ending!
How did you come up with name of this book?
I strive to find a title that captures the soul of the novel. RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION does that for book 1 of my series.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
The unraveling of clues as well as moments characters share in their private world like dinners with family etc…
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I’d spend a day talking writing with Gabriel and Noor—I’d also have dinner with “Sheila” we’d have some interesting discussions.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
A bit of both
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
A bit of both
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read
My book will transport you into another world and won’t give you a moment to think about anything else—let alone miss the world you left behind!
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Yes 4 others. And they are in line to be published.
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
A combination of Jasmine, the scent of damp tree leaves and Persian spice.
What did you edit out of this book?
Not much I only tweaked the line editing.
Is there an writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Anthony Horowitz, he wrote the moon flower murders which is the story of an editor who solves the murder of her publishing house’s writer by reading the book. It’s a novel within a novel and you aren’t bored for a moment.
Matthew Quirk: love his plots
Tidbits:
1) There are pieces of me scattered across several characters
2) I have lived in 4 of the settings where the story takes place.
All About Your Writing/ Reading:
What are your top 10 favorite books/authors? In no particular order
- Jane Austen : Pride and Prejudice– Persuasion
- Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre
- LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Agatha Christie :All the Poirot Novels and Marple novels: some favorites are The Moving Finger-Cards on the Table-Funerals are Fatal
- Anthony Horowitz: Magpie and Moonflower Murders, then the Hawthorne and Horowitz Mysteries
- Richard Ossman’s Thursday Murderclub Series
- Nora Roberts :Suspense/mystery series
- JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Series
- Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar Series
What book do you think everyone should read?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
How long have you been writing?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing—Although I’d say I started my novel around 2019.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I know my characters well before I write about them. I spend time with them in my head until they are real and then I write about them.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I do the historical research or whatever research is needed based on the topic I’m writing about.
Do you see writing as a career?
YES ,YES, AND YES!
What do you think about the current publishing market?
I think like many other industries it’s going through change, but what I do believe is that readers will continue to want good stories!
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes, voraciously, my favorite genre is mystery/thriller, then literary books.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
In silence without distractions.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
One at a time because I’m totally immersed in my world with my characters.
If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
Ah now that’s a tough one—I love many authors however their styles are different from mine so I’d say my own books!
Pen or type writer or computer?
laptop!
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben’s Bolitar series. He has a quirky sense of humor, is kind and dives into mysteries. Also Joyce from the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. She sounds a bit flaky but is very shrewd and sharp.
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
I’ve always known I’d be an author. I just wanted to add meaningful life experience to my novels which is why I started in my late 40s after 25 years of global travel, living and working across the globe.
A day in the life of the author?
I have a full 9-5 job. Then when I come home I spend some time with family and write from 9:00 pm to midnight. Everynight!
Advice you would give new authors?
Don’t give up!
What makes a good story?
To me a good story, regardless of the genre, is one that makes the reader keep turning the pages, gives them a delightful ending and makes them want more when the story is over.
What are you currently reading?
Anthony Horowitz’s Close to Death
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I have a general outline with key milestones mapped out. I know where I start and what the end will be. Then the characters fill in the rest.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Doubting yourself
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Life’s responsibilities, work projects, etc….
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I can’t be anything but original and hope that readers will like what I write.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Trust your gut and go for it!
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
4-5 months
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I believe it exists—thankfully it hasn’t happened to me yet! Too many stories with too little time to tell them.
Thank you for spending time with us, Pooneh! We wish you luck with Rumi and the Retribution Schedule!
