I grew up in Kabul at the American compound where my father was a chef for the diplomats. Life was fun and festive until Afghanistan showed its true colors to me and my siblings when we grew up. I was so beaten emotionally and physically—once tortured by electric shock at the age 14—that I believe I lost a third of my potential brilliance.

     Later, we lost a young sister and became refugees in Pakistan for a second time. But in the grand scheme of things, the horrific pressures strengthened me and made me who I am today in America: a film story producer, screenwriter, novelist, writing coach, and storyteller.