Origin Story

Writing Advice for My Younger Self

Writing was not the thing. It got me to the real thing—how I saw myself and my relationship to the world.

Mar 04, 2020
Between Sex Work and Poetry, a Proposition from a Writing Professor

“I trusted him, as students must their teachers, and he betrayed my trust.”

Aug 29, 2017
How to Write Iranian-America, or The Last Essay

“The essay will feel like it’s killing you and the ending will not be what you thought it might be.”

Making Art Under Military Siege

We stayed inside for days painting papier-mâché objects. Outside, Kashmir had come to a standstill.

Jun 09, 2016
The Reluctant Writer

“Is it ever too late to live some version of your dreams?”

Jun 08, 2016