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The focus of my new book is Ahmed and Nora from Nora’s POV. When I began writing The Almond Tree, I wanted the story to be about star-crossed lovers, Ahmed and Nora. I was inspired by a Palestinian I met at Harvard. I was unable to capture Nora’s POV. In retrospect, I can say it’s because I tried to make her into who I wished I could have been instead of who I actually was. My story just flowed from Ahmed’s POV, maybe because I heard so many stories from Palestinian males. I had to limit Nora’s role because I didn’t want Ahmed to see all her flaws. Their relationship is just a small part of his story. In my next book, their relationship is Nora’s whole story.