Interview with Avani Verma, Author of The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki
1. Congratulations on the release of The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki! How does it feel to become a published author at such a young age?
Avani Verma:
Thank you so much, Team Literatureslight. Becoming a published author at a young age feels both exciting and rewarding. It is a dream come true to see my ideas and hard work transformed into a book that readers can enjoy. At first, it felt surreal to hold a copy of my own book, but it also gave me a sense of responsibility as a writer. This achievement has boosted my confidence and motivated me to continue writing stories that inspire, entertain, and make people think about important issues. I am grateful for the support of my family, teachers, and readers who encouraged me throughout this journey.
2. What inspired you to write this thrilling story about Naina Solanki and her fight for survival?
Avani Verma:
The inspiration for The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki came from my interest in stories that combine suspense, courage, and resilience. I wanted to create a character who faces an extraordinary challenge and must rely on her intelligence, determination, and bravery to survive. Naina represents the strength that ordinary people can show when faced with difficult situations. I was also inspired by the idea of highlighting themes such as leadership, teamwork, and hope in the face of danger. Through this story, I wanted readers to experience an exciting adventure while also reflecting on the importance of courage and perseverance.
3. Naina is a brave and determined character. Was she inspired by anyone you know or completely fictional?
Avani Verma:
Naina Solanki is a completely fictional character who came to my mind one day. As I developed the story, I imagined myself in her place and wanted to experience this incredible journey through her perspective. While Naina is not directly based on any real person, some of her qualities reflect the values and aspirations that inspire me. One important influence was my father’s dream of joining Indian intelligence. His admiration for courage, discipline, and service to the nation inspired me to create a character who possesses these qualities. Naina keeps her true identity hidden until the right moment, and her heroic actions demonstrate bravery, intelligence, and selflessness. Through her character, I wanted to show that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when faced with challenging situations.
4. Why did you choose the action thriller genre for your debut novel?
Avani Verma:
I chose the action thriller genre because I have always been fascinated by the excitement, suspense, and fast-paced storytelling it offers. As a big fan of Indian Bollywood films, action thrillers have always been one of my favourite genres to watch. They combine emotion, danger, strategy, and courage in a way that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end.
At the same time, I am a very calm and non-violent person in real life. Interestingly, I have always been curious about shooting, weapons, and tactical missions, but I never had the opportunity to experience that world firsthand. Writing this novel allowed me to explore those ideas creatively and safely through fiction.
Through the character of Naina Solanki, I could imagine myself in intense situations and portray qualities like bravery, quick thinking, and resilience. The action thriller genre gave me the perfect platform to tell an exciting story while expressing a side of my imagination that I could not explore in real life.
5. What was the most challenging part of writing The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki?
Avani Verma:
The most challenging part of writing The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki was maintaining suspense throughout the story while keeping the events realistic and engaging. Since the novel is an action thriller, I wanted readers to constantly feel the tension and excitement without making the plot seem unbelievable.
Another challenge was balancing Naina’s bravery with her human emotions. I wanted her to be a strong and capable character, but also someone readers could relate to. Writing the action sequences, planning the twists, and ensuring that every event contributed to the story required a lot of thought and careful planning.
As a young author, managing my studies alongside writing the novel was also challenging. However, my passion for storytelling kept me motivated, and overcoming these challenges made the completion of the book even more rewarding.
6. How long did it take you to write and complete the book?
Avani Verma:
It took me approximately three months to write and complete The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki. The journey was both exciting and challenging because I was balancing my studies while working on the novel.
During these three months, I spent time developing the storyline, creating the characters, writing the action sequences, and revising the manuscript to make it as engaging as possible. Although the process required dedication and patience, seeing my ideas come to life and eventually become a published book made every moment of hard work worthwhile.
7. Are there any important messages or lessons you hope readers will take away from the story?
Avani Verma:
Yes, absolutely. While The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki is an action-packed thriller, I hope readers take away some meaningful lessons from it. The story highlights the importance of courage, resilience, and staying calm during difficult situations.
Through Naina’s journey, I wanted to show that true heroism is not about having extraordinary powers but about making the right choices when faced with challenges.
I also hope readers understand the value of determination, leadership, and self-belief. No matter how tough a situation may seem, perseverance and courage can help us overcome obstacles. Above all, I want readers to remember that even ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary difference through their actions.
8. As a student and a writer, how do you balance your studies with your passion for writing?
Avani Verma:
Balancing my studies with my passion for writing can sometimes be challenging, but I have learned to manage my time effectively. I always make sure that my academics remain my top priority, and I dedicate specific hours to studying and completing schoolwork.
Whenever I have free time—during weekends, holidays, or after finishing my assignments—I focus on my creative interests.
Apart from writing books, I am also deeply interested in songwriting and poetry. These forms of writing allow me to express my thoughts, emotions, and imagination in different ways. Whether I am working on a novel, writing lyrics for a song, or composing a poem, each experience helps me grow as a writer and enhances my creativity.
For me, writing is more than a hobby—it is a passion. With proper planning, dedication, and support from my family and teachers, I am able to pursue both my studies and my love for writing successfully.
9. Which authors or books have influenced your writing style the most?
Avani Verma:
Rather than being influenced by one particular author, my writing style has developed from reading a variety of books across different genres, especially action, thriller, mystery, and adventure stories.
I have always enjoyed stories that keep readers engaged with suspense, strong characters, and unexpected twists, and these elements have inspired my own writing.
I am also influenced by films, poetry, and songwriting, which have helped me develop a creative approach to storytelling. As a writer, I try to combine excitement, emotion, and imagination in my work while creating characters that readers can connect with.
10. Do you have plans for a sequel to The School Siege or any new projects in the future?
Avani Verma:
Yes, I can certainly plan a sequel to The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki in the future. Naina is a character with immense potential, and I believe her journey does not necessarily have to end with just one book.
There are many new missions, challenges, and adventures that I could explore through her story. Although I am currently focused on my studies and other creative pursuits, I would love to revisit Naina’s world and continue her story when the right idea comes to mind.
Publishing my first book has inspired me to keep writing, and I am excited about the possibility of bringing readers more stories in the future.
11. Are you active on social media? How can readers connect with you and follow your writing journey?
Avani Verma:
Yes, I am active online through my YouTube channel, The Thought Corner, where I share my views on social issues and topics that encourage meaningful discussions.
Readers can also follow my journey through my travel blog, The Traveller’s Corner, where I will share travel experiences, stories, and insights from the places I visit.
Through both platforms, I hope to connect with readers and viewers who share similar interests in storytelling, exploration, and learning. Their support and feedback inspire me to continue growing as a writer and content creator.
12. Where can readers purchase The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki?
Avani Verma:
Readers can purchase The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki on platforms such as Amazon, Kindle, Google Play, and Google Books.
13. Thank you, Avani, for answering our questions. We wish you great success with your book and look forward to reading more of your stories in the future.
Avani Verma:
Thank you so much for your kind wishes and for giving me the opportunity to share my journey as an author. It has been a pleasure answering your questions and talking about The School Siege: The Story of Naina Solanki.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my publishing team at Literatureslight for their guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. A special thank you to my publishing manager, Shubham Chourasia, whose belief in my work and constant assistance played an important role in bringing my book to life.
I am also grateful to my family, teachers, friends, and readers for their unwavering support and motivation. This achievement would not have been possible without them.
I look forward to continuing my writing journey and sharing many more stories with readers in the future.
Thank you once again for your support and best wishes.
