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Ask the Author: Adib Khorram

“Ask me a question.” Adib Khorram

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I got I'll Have What He's Having in a blind date with a book from my local bookstore and I LOVED IT! I've been to Kansas City once but now I really want to go back. I hope to read more adult fiction from you in the future! DO you have plans for more?
Adib Khorram I'm so glad you enjoyed it and definitely hope you visit KC again! As for more adult books, yes! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
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Thank you for being you. I love Darius and his family SO MUCH! I guess I am supposed to ask a question here. How are you this awesome?!
Adib Khorram Ahh thank you, I'm so glad! And I'd like to think it's because I have the powers of god and anime on my side!
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Hi Mr. Khorram!! In a Q&A you mentioned that you had not gotten the chance to visit Iran yet, I was wondering if you've been to Portland before? And I just wanted to say that Darius The Great is not okay is the most beautifully written book I have ever read and I wish you all the best with your future projects!
Adib Khorram Hi there! I've been to Portland many times, from when I was a kid all the way up to visiting as an adult (and even once for author events!). It's one of my favorite cities!

Thank you for reading and thank you for the question!
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Have you ever thought about collaborating with an artist to create a graphic novel rendition of Darius the Great is not okay? I'd love to see how the characters are portrayed, and if you were to, what do you think you would change, if anything?
Adib Khorram Hello! I think that would be really fun. If I did do a graphic novel, I think a lot would have to change—as is true of any adaptation. Darius is such an introspective character, but graphic novels as a medium aren't usually the best vehicle for that, so I'd have to find ways of turning his internal experiences external, if that makes sense.
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I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I LOVED DARIUS THE GREAT SO MUCH OMG I CRIED SO HARD YOURE SUCH A GOOD AUTHOR DO YOU EVER PLAN ON DOING COLLABS WITH OTHER AUTHORS???
Adib Khorram Thank you so much! Maybe some day? If I find the right project and the right author to collaborate with. It's an intense process!
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Do you think you would write another book about Kaivan and Hunter?? (Kiss & Tell - Loved it!!)
Adib Khorram Hmmm I don't know! I really like where I left them. But I never say never! (Thanks for reading!)
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If authors 'covered' novels, the way musicians cover songs, which covered novel would you be most excited to read?
Adib Khorram That's such an interesting question, and not one I'm sure I have an answer to. With song covers, the words stay the same but the music and voice change. With books, though, the words ARE the voice. I'm not sure I know how to conceptualize "covering" a book.

When it comes to retellings, though, or reimaginings as I like to think of them, one of my favorites is Tessa Gratton's THE QUEENS OF INNIS LEAR, a reimagining of King Lear.
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Hi Mr. Khorram! I absolutely loved Darius the Great Is Not Okay and am about to start Darius the Great Deserves Better. I was wondering how long it usually takes you to finish writing a book (such as Darius the Great Is Not Okay), and what do you find to be the most challenging when it comes to writing? (P.S. I'm also from the KC area and can't get over the fact that an author I love is too!)
Adib Khorram Hi there fellow Kansas Citian!! Thank you so much. A first draft usually takes me 3-4 months; and editing a novel usually takes me about a year (which includes breaks where I'm not working because my editor is reading it).

As far as the most challenging part of writing—in some ways, it's whatever part I'm working on right now that always feels the most challenging. If I'm revising—revising is the hardest. If I'm writing an ending—writing endings is hardest. But looking at the pattern of my work, I'd say overall middles are the most challenging for me.

Thanks for your question!
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Hi, Khorram. Where do you get your inspiration and drive to just sit down and write? I aspire to write but I feel like I can never get myself to do it because it isn't exactly what I want it to be. Furthermore, I just wanted to say thank you for DTG is Not Ok and DTG Deserves Better as they definitely made me feel less alone, and it also was like someone finally understood what I was going through. Thank you so much.
Adib Khorram Hello! So part of the inspiration is bills to pay...if I don't write, I can't pay the rent! And writing for a living has definitely changed my relationship to the work.

But in general, when writing feels hard, I remind myself over and over: it doesn't have to be good, it doesn't have to be done. I'm a writer that thrives in revision; if I don't have something to revise, I can't do anything. But knowing I can always make things better later helps me feel in control of the process.

I hope this helps!
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Hello Mr. Khorram! I absolutely loved Darius the great deserves better and can't get over all the characters, especially Darius and Sohrab. So, if you do plan on writing a third book, would we get more of Sohrab like is there a possibility that the two be more closer geographically (or maybe even at the same place!? that would be an absolute dream come true)
Adib Khorram Hello! Thank you so very much! I'm not sure what would happen in a third book, so maybe? I think whatever would happen, it would have to serve the story.
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I adore Darius! Will we get to hear more from him?
Adib Khorram Thank you so much! I don't have anything planned for him right now. Maybe if I have the right idea for another book!
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Hi Mr. Khorram! I just want to thank you for creating Darius. I've never felt so identified with a character and now I don't feel so alone anymore (plus, Darius is my favorite character and my precious boy). Here's my question...of the books you've read with queer characters, who do you think pairs best with Darius?
Adib Khorram Hello! Thank you so much. I think Darius pairs well with Julian Winters's HOW TO BE REMY CAMERON or Abdi Nazemian's LIKE A LOVE STORY. (Also those are just two of my favorites haha!)
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I just finished Darius The Great Deserves Better (Loved it) and in the end you mentioned you went back to Darius because you felt like he had more to say. Do you think he has more to say? Is there a possibility for a third book or do you think that Darius has gotten everything off his chest? I personally would like to one read a resolution for Landon, he was my favorite character. (Love a man that can cook)
Adib Khorram Thank you!! I think he might have more to say, so maybe some day I'll write a third book, but nothing's in the works right now. (And I also love a man who can cook.)
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Totally loved your book & your writing . Valuable book. Thank you for sharing what it means to have depression (me too), no friends (me too), to be excluded (me too) and always feel "other." Also appreciate your showing us Americans another side of Iran, immigrants, identity and family. Hope lots and lots of young adults & adults read this. I cried near the end. Do you know where?
Adib Khorram My pleasure, and I'm glad Darius's story resonated with you. Thank you very much! What got to you?
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Hi Mr Khorram! Your book is one of the best books I've ever read. I can't wait to read more! Do you think you'll continue writing about Darius and Sohrab?
Adib Khorram I think it would be fun! But I'd have to have the right idea for a story, and someone would have to want to publish it.
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Are you working on a new book? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?
Adib Khorram I am indeed! But I'm not really in a place to talk much about it. It's another YA contemporary though.
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Where do you get your ideas?
Adib Khorram Hmm, that's a tough one. They come from all over the place, usually at a time when I can't write them down!

But if you mean in a more philosophical sense, most of my ideas come from a problem or question that I'm grappling with.
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Hello Mr Khorram, and thanks for this gem! For no other reason than my wanting to know: how is it being said in Farsi "Your Place is/was Empty"? Thanks from Germany!
Adib Khorram My pleasure! A close approximation is "Ja ye Shoma Khalil."
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