1.
Please introduce
yourself. Tell us a little about the person behind the pen.
I’m Lori Foroozandeh, but if
I were honest I also have five other names, but most of them I’ve divorcedJ
Well the book pretty
much is my WHOLE LIFE, if I tell you things about me then it would be
repetitive in the book. But in short I’m
a 47yr. old who lives in Michigan and LOVES ANIMALS. Part of my profits from the book goes towards
the HSUS. I was born on 12-11 at the time of 12:11,
which to me was very odd. I am not one to follow any superstitions or doctrines
based on numerology but the way my life has went I now wonder if that
birth-date and time, which coincide so perfectly, might in all actuality have a
purpose.
2.
Why did you
decide to write (non-fiction)? What is the appeal?
I only wrote one book
and it was my life story with the focus on escaping from a POW camp in Iran
after 911. If I hadn’t had any tragedies
in my life (and trust me this isn’t the only one) I probably wouldn’t have written
one. Everyone told me that I should
write a book and it would be a great catharsis.
3.
How much research
goes into your books, and how do you tackle that?
The only research was my memoryJ
4.
What is the best
comment you ever received from a reader? The worst or weirdest?
I received it from Tom Clancy and he said “YOU SURE
KNOW HOW TO WRITE A BOOK FOR THE “REAL” AUDIENCE.
My worst was, “you suck and you know nothing about
Iran or Muslims”….as you will find out I actually doJ
5.
Tell us a little
about your writing style? Do you plan and plot your stories, or do you just
plow through them?
I literally plowed through it, I sat down and just
wrote for three-six months. I never
re-read it because it was too hard. So I had John re-read it and my literary
agent for errors. My therapist and I
started going through the chapters then stopped when I started having
flashbacks.
6.
Can you tell us a
little about your current work, (Lori’s Song)?
It’s my true story of being held captive in a POW type
camp in Iran for six weeks. The book
also deals with my childhood sexual abuse, substance abuse, PTSD and living
with bipolar. It is a very graphic book when it comes to scenes during the camp.
My book is available on Kindle, paperback and
hardcover. Its available through Amazon,
Barnes & Noble and anywhere online.
Search “Lori Foroozandeh”.
These are my social networking links and I also have a
blog.
http://www.loris-song.com/ (WEBSITE)
http://lorissong.com/ (BLOG)
https://twitter.com/Loris_Song (TWITTER)
https://www.facebook.com/lforoozandeh#!/lforoozandeh (FB)
http://lorissong.com/ (BLOG)
https://twitter.com/Loris_Song (TWITTER)
https://www.facebook.com/lforoozandeh#!/lforoozandeh (FB)
Here is an excerpt from my
book:
Anyway
getting back to "blows done to humility": The two other girls and I
all of which we're not the only females in the camp were chosen as the soldiers
"toys"! This meant that when they got bored or just for sadistic
purposes they would choose one of us and rape us, all of the soldiers would....
Which if you counted them all it meant anywhere from 20-29 on any given day...
The first time that they came for me, I knew it was coming....I had this sudden nauseating feeling in my stomach, and kept watching the ground intently, while the soldiers approached. All I could hear by the time that they got to me was my heartbeat within my ears. I felt a sudden jerk on each arm and a kick to the back while I was being drug away from Faresh. Yes this was the only time that the cuffs came off....I did the usual screaming and fighting although I knew that in the back of my mind this didn't help, there were too many of them, and only one of me....When the first soldier grabbed me, the other two stood back and pointed their guns at me...and I knew what was happening....I just kept asking the soldiers where in their fucking Qur'an did Allah tell them to do this??? Which only angered them more...
The first time that they came for me, I knew it was coming....I had this sudden nauseating feeling in my stomach, and kept watching the ground intently, while the soldiers approached. All I could hear by the time that they got to me was my heartbeat within my ears. I felt a sudden jerk on each arm and a kick to the back while I was being drug away from Faresh. Yes this was the only time that the cuffs came off....I did the usual screaming and fighting although I knew that in the back of my mind this didn't help, there were too many of them, and only one of me....When the first soldier grabbed me, the other two stood back and pointed their guns at me...and I knew what was happening....I just kept asking the soldiers where in their fucking Qur'an did Allah tell them to do this??? Which only angered them more...
Thank
you for allowing me to be featured on your blog, your very gracious. If readers have any questions they can email
me: lori@loris-song.com
Every time I read your story I am more amazed at how you have overcome such terrifying experiences. A great story of survival.
ReplyDeleteTrish,
DeleteYou'd be surprised at what the human soul and body can endure as long as they don't lose hope or sign of seeing the ones they love again. Thank you for reading it and your review:)
Lori, I, too, cannot imagine surviving--let alone thriving, as you seem to be. There is just no way to understand man's inhumanity to man. How could those animals treat you as a toy, even less than a toy because they probably didn't consciously try to destroy their toys.
ReplyDeleteBut someday there will be justice; hold that thought, dear. We love you!
Thank you Joyce, and as you know I LOVE YOUR WRITING TOO:)
DeleteLori, as you know, I've read your book--and it was hard to read such cruelty-deserving of my 5 star review if nothing more than for the courage it took to write this book. For that and for what your book will do in showing the world what the terrorists are really like from a personal, painful account, I applaud and admire you.
ReplyDeleteMicki
Micki, thank you ma'am, and as you know I also ADMIRE you for all the tragedy you've been through and yet can find happiness while not allowing your daughter's memory to be forgotten. Thank you Micki for being a great friend!:)
DeleteMarta, thank you for featuring Lori on your blog. I have read and reviewed Lori's Song. Here is my review on Goodreads, which was applauded by one reader for its honesty: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6687062-lori-s-song?ac=1
ReplyDelete“Perhaps her story will reach out to others with a message of hope within a sheer will to survive despite all odds.” Sharla
Lori, you are truly a remarkable woman with courage above and beyond the norm, this can never be denied!
Sharla, Thank you so much not only for your review but for your continued support. You are a wonderful woman with books under your belt that are outstanding!
DeleteLori, someday I hope to have the stomach to read the atrocities that you survived. Right now I know that I would only hate, and you know me, I can't let that happen to my spirit and grieved. I ask that Jesus always holds you close and that someday you will be able to forgive if you haven't already. I hope to meet you one day too. Love you!
ReplyDeleteDeirdre, I think I have forgiven. It's weird because I never felt any hatred and I don't know why. If anything I tried to defend the Muslims and let people know the Qur'an does not state that you should kill people. Some people say I had Stockholm syndrome but it sure has lasted a long time then. I can't explain it nor understand why I don't harbor hate, but I don't, but I do harbor THANKFULNESS and GREATFULNESS towards God for blessing me enough to have the life that I have now:) Thank you, Lori
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, let me say that I have bought your book, but in keeping with my own integrity of being honest with myself, I have not read it yet. There are several reasons for my pushing it aside. One of them is that I believe what you wrote is true and I personally dislike any type of violence that is done to women, and that includes violence we women do against each other.
But then another reason is my own inability to understand why a woman would marry an Iranian. I saw the film "Not Without My Daughter" starring Sally Fields and I cried many tears as I watched her go from being a prisoner to finding freedom. It hurt to see her suffering and yet I had the same question in my mind as I have now with your book and that is why do people marry outside of their faith.
I have also read most of the Koran, but what we're talking about is not the Koran but the implementation of it and how it is implemented by different groups in different ways. And yes, I believe I can hear you saying to me right now, that is done by most groups or nations of people who restrict their belief to a dogmatic yes and no way of living and I must say that I agree with you.
So in closing I say I will read your book. It will be a hard read for me, but I hope that my question will be answered. One thing is clear to me, though, and, that is, that wars are the hardest on women and children. Regardless of where wars are, it is women and children who suffer the most.
All the best and thank you for being so open and allowing me also to be open with you.
Shalom,
Patti
Patti,
DeleteI didn't marry an Iranian, I married the man I thought I was in love with. Love doesn't have boundaries and God tells us to accept and love ALL PEOPLE. When people are in love they do things they normally wouldn't do. I also had extenuating circumstances that some will judge me for, but that is their right. I honestly don't see black and white, I just see "PEOPLE" and I know that's hard for some to understand. As for the QUR'AN it is interpreted the same way the Bible is; that is for people to understand it the WAY THEY CHOOSE TO UNDERSTAND it for their own BENEFITS. The Qur'an does not indicate that people commit suicide bombings or kill innocent people, it only says to fight for God/Allah when NECESSARY!
I am not a Muslim, Catholic or any other religion. I feel religion is another form of prejudice against our brothers and sisters. I'm spiritual and love my God the way that I feel is the right way, not the way a religion states how I should love him. I cause no harm to people and feel that I have my best interest as well as others at heart. And that I feel is all that matters. But thank you for your honesty:)
Oh, Lori, that must have been a traumatic thing to do, writing this book and reliving everything. I'm so proud of you and I'm very glad for your success. Don't bother with any negative comments. Not everyone is gracious about receiving the truth. I will order your book for my Nook. It sounds like it's going to be a tough read. May your success continue to grow.
ReplyDeletePosting for Taylor Fulks, who cannot enter her comment:
ReplyDeleteLori...
It takes true courage to write one's story and lay it before the public to be read, judged and often criticized. You are a true warrior. You have the heart and soul of an angel my friend...the capacity to not only forgive your captors, but forgive your peers for not being as supportive as they should. That my friend, makes you the better person.
You have the courage and backbone of a lion. Your words...your story can show the true meaning of forgiveness. Thank you for sharing your life.
Taylor