First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing First Draft - 12th Anniversary Best of - Salar Abdoh
Jun 27, 2025
Salar Abdoh is a prominent author and professor, known for exploring complex themes like culture and migration. In this engaging conversation, he shares insights on navigating identity and cultural duality, particularly in relation to masculinity and LGBTQ experiences. Abdoh reflects on the feelings of loneliness prevalent in urban life, especially in New York City, and discusses the struggles faced by women under societal pressures. He also emphasizes the transformative power of reflective writing, drawing parallels to George Orwell's poignant reflections.
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Cultural Synthesis in Writing
- Salar Abdoh synthesizes experiences from multiple cultures to create complex fiction.
- He views life as walking through portals connecting diverse worlds that influence one another.
Violence and Love's Proximity
- Violence permeates the lives of characters, but love remains a powerful counterforce.
- The novel explores how masculinity and love coexist and conflict in contemporary Iran.
Multi-layered Reality of Iran
- Iran's culture is complex, not just black and white repression.
- Despite oppression, people live vibrant lives with love, creativity, and community including LGBTQ spaces.
