Where to start?

Hello,

I am a 36-year-old American journalist who wants to live in Iran and teach English (I'd do it for free) while I write a novel. I have a regular paycheck and while I'm not wealthy, I can survive. Because my government insists on continuing its ridiculous foreign policy to the detriment of the Iranian people, there aren't a whole lot of signposts pointing me in much of any direction here. I've been to the region as a journalist and I've found the people to be very warm, intelligent and cultured. I don't know what direction to go, so if anybody has any ideas or resources they'd be willing to share I'd greatly appreciate it. Mamnoon!

Peter