In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the incredible Marjan Kamali to discuss her bestselling novel The Lion Women of Tehran. 🌍✨

The novel follows the intertwined lives of two childhood friends, Homa and Ellie, as they grow from girls in 1950s Tehran into women navigating the complexities of adulthood. We dive into the inspiration behind this captivating story, the rich depiction of Iranian culture, and the unique challenges of writing historical fiction. Marjan shares some evocative excerpts from her book and reveals how her own childhood friendships and family history have shaped the narrative. Together, we explore themes of friendship, the fragility of freedom, and the timeless nature of storytelling. 📖💫

Listen now! 🔗 [Link to episode]

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Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Meet the Author: Marjan Kamali03:03 – The Story Behind The Lion Women of Tehran04:37 – Exploring Themes of Friendship and Betrayal05:33 – The Historical Context of Women's Rights in Iran14:07 – The Writing Process and Developing Characters30:22 – Imagination's Role in the Writing Journey30:50 – When Characters Take Control of the Story31:41 – Drawing from Emotional Wells and Writing Trauma32:38 – Method Acting: Bringing Characters to Life33:25 – Writing Challenging and Emotional Scenes36:17 – The Heart of The Lion Women of Tehran37:06 – The Many Faces of a Lioness40:36 – Navigating Difficult Scenes and Character Growth45:49 – The Importance of Friendship and Freedom50:20 – The Joy of Reading and Discovering New Stories51:59 – Marjan Kamali’s Upcoming Projects53:18 – Final Thoughts and Farewell

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