My characters are not underachievers; they aspire to great things, but they are limited by the world around them. Said Sayrafiezadeh aspirecharactergreat Change image and share on social
In many ways I'm similar to Barack Obama, who also has a strange name but was raised by a white American mother. His background is far more complicated than his name would suggest. Furthermore, the fact that I was a child during the hostage crisis has caused me to equate being Iranian with being alienated. Said Sayrafiezadeh alienateamericanbackground share on social
The daily quota I've set for myself is 500 words or approximately a page and a half double-spaced. Which isn't much, except that I'm extremely slow, extremely meticulous. 'Le mot juste' haunts me. On a good day, I will finally secrete the 500th word at about 5 o'clock, and I'll reward myself by going to Housing Works Bookstore to read. Said Sayrafiezadeh 500thbookstoredaily share on social
I work in the most non-Communist job. I work for 'Martha Stewart Living.' Said Sayrafiezadeh communistjoblive Change image and share on social
I need to feel as if everything is clean and in its proper place before I can even attempt to write one word. At least, that's what I tell myself. I make the bed, I put away the dishes, maybe I dust, maybe I do the laundry, maybe I go to the post office. Said Sayrafiezadeh attemptbedclean share on social
We were poor, my mother and I, living in a world of doom and gloom, pessimism and bitterness, where storms raged and wolves scratched at the door. Said Sayrafiezadeh bitternessdoomdoor Change image and share on social
The year the bus drivers went on strike in Pittsburgh, I was twenty-three and living on the edge of the city in a neighborhood that was on the verge of becoming a ghetto. I had just been fired from a good job as a cartographer in a design studio where I had worked for about four months. Said Sayrafiezadeh buscartographercity share on social
There's always been something a little pathetic for me at the work parties I've attended, especially thinking back to the restaurants I worked in. I remember a Christmas party in which we all got free T-shirts with the restaurant on the front and our names on the back. Said Sayrafiezadeh attendbackchristmas share on social
I feel more Jewish than I do Iranian. Said Sayrafiezadeh feeliranianjewish Change image and share on social
My childhood was defined by my father's absence. His presence looms so large. Up until the age of 18, he was a superstar for me. Said Sayrafiezadeh absenceagechildhood Change image and share on social