Remarkable Conversation: A Chat with 14-Year-Old Novelist Saanvi Rai
Fresh Content:
14-Year-Old Prodigy, Saanvi Rai, Pens a Guide to Recognizing and Resisting Power
In a world where many teens shy away from writing and reading, one youngster is making waves. Meet Saanvi Rai, a Grade 9 student with a penchant for understanding the intricacies of power and influence. At the tender age of 14, Saanvi has managed to publish her first book, Power: A Beginner's Guide to Spotting and Defying It. A captivating new addition to our literary scene, we had the chance to chat with Saanvi, delve deeper into her journey, and uncover what drives her curiosity.
Saanvi Rai is no stranger to the Birla Open Minds International School, Danapur, known for nurturing students with voracious minds. For as long as she can remember, she's been obsessed with understanding the undercurrents that propel the world - focusing particularly on the fascination of power and its inner workings in everyday life. This insatiable curiosity led her to craft Power: A Beginner's Guide to Spotting and Defying It. An illuminating and accessible handbook for young readers, it aims to help them navigate the complexities of power with greater insight and strength.
To add some magic to her masterpiece, Saanvi designed the striking cover herself, showcasing not just her design savvy, but also her commitment to the project.
Saanvi is not just a budding author, she's a pioneer with a heart. Aspiring to become an entrepreneur and politician, she hopes to rally young minds like hers to join her in creating meaningful change. Emily Dickinson once said, "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." With a similar mission, Saanvi desires to bring awareness to social and political issues, empowering her peers to become critical thinkers and change-makers.
Saanvi's school has played a crucial role in her success. Offering a nurturing and supportive environment, the institution allowed her to explore her ideas freely and provided the guidance and resources she needed. Her teachers and peers' steady encouragement helped her overcome challenges and remain focused during the years leading up to publishing her book. Truly, it takes a village to raise a child, and in Saanvi's case, that village helps raise an author.
Interview With Saanvi Rai
Q: What prompted you to write "Power: A Beginner’s Guide to Spotting and Defying It"?
A: I've always been intrigued by the concept of power, from a young age. I recall devouring books on psychology, manipulation, and strategy out of sheer curiosity. But over time, the pieces began to fall into place. I started observing power dynamics in friendships, families, schools, and even online.
My motivation behind writing this book was to illuminate power's hidden aspects, especially the subconscious control tactics that many people get sucked into unknowingly. I wanted to give young readers a toolkit, a way to (proactively protect their minds and make informed decisions) rather than waiting to be molded by societal influences.
At the core, this guide is about understanding power, recognizing manipulation, and taking control over its impact.
Q: How did you come up with this topic? What fueled your inspiration - books, people, or personal experiences?
My inspiration was a smorgasbord of factors - books, people, and personal experiences, all colliding to spark my curiosity and steer me in the right direction. The most challenging aspect was distilling my thoughts into digestible, relatable language. But thanks to the support from my teachers, friends, and Birla Open Minds International School, I was able to do it. This book is my humble offering to those eager to learn about power dynamics.
I started diving into books on psychology, manipulation, and strategy at a very young age. I couldn't understand much of it initially, but I knew there was something profound hidden in there - like hidden messages in plain language. As I grew older, I began to connect those ideas to real-life situations in which power played a role - both obvious and obscure.
There have also been personal experiences that left their mark on me - times when I felt powerless or watched others get manipulated, and couldn't unsee it. That sparked a burning desire within me to delve into the depths of power, determine its patterns, and share what I discovered with others.
Q: Give us a glimpse of what the book is about and what you believe young people should understand about power.
Power: A Beginner's Guide to Spotting and Defying It enlightens readers about the subtle aspects of power - those that can be invisible or go unnoticed. It's not about politics or status, but rather understanding and recognizing manipulation, emotional coercion, and control in everyday life.
The book introduces techniques to spot hidden power, explains how people exploit others, and provides strategies to defend oneself intelligently. My aim is to create "power-literate" minds, with young people as the primary target.
I believe understanding power is crucial for young people. They're taught to follow rules, respect authority, and avoid conflict. Yet, they're rarely taught how to recognize when someone is using power against them unfairly. My hope is that this book empowers young readers to identify control tactics, develop critical thinking skills, and confidently navigate the world.
Q: You mentioned it took you 4-5 years to fully grasp the idea of power. Can you share some pivotal moments that helped you gain a better understanding of power?
Definitely! My understanding of power was shaped by a series of small, revealing moments that gradually shed light on power's hidden aspects.
One instance that stood out was witnessing how certain people maintained influence over others without uttering a single harsh word - using subtle persuasion, nor with their actions. It was an eye-opener, making me realize that power doesn't always present itself loudly; it can manifest in seemingly innocuous actions, words, or even silences.
Another moment came from observing how adults behaved. I noticed that sometimes people agreed publicly but rebelled privately, opening my eyes to the dichotomy between appearance and reality. This was an essential lesson in recognizing the various ways people exert power and control.
Lastly, books played a significant role in my journey. Rereading the same materials years apart helped me fully grasp complex concepts like gaslighting and emotional manipulation. The key to understanding power is seeing its patterns where they're hidden - something I managed to do with the help of real-world experiences.
Q: Are you also passionate about design, as you designed the cover all by yourself?
Design isn't something I pursue for leisure. But after years of studying power dynamics, I've discovered that design, when used effectively, can be a valuable tool for exerting influence. That's why I intentionally designed the cover of my book to catch the eye, grab attention, and convey the book's themes effectively.
For the cover, I selected gleaming gold, fiery red, and deep black with purpose. Gold represents wisdom, value, and hidden power - emphasizing that the ideas inside are crucial and often concealed. Red showcases passion, intensity, and danger - mirroring the young readers' energy and alerting them to the risks associated with unchecked power. Black signifies mystery, control, and seriousness - reflecting the hidden nature of true power.
In summary, I approached the cover design strategically - using design as a crucial means to communicate, influence, and make an impact.
Q: If you could offer one message about leadership and change, what would it be?
True leadership comes not from seeking power over others, but from deeply understanding power and using it responsibly to create positive change. A real leader perceives the hidden forces shaping the world and acts intelligently, empathetically, and selflessly.
In essence, my message would be: Leadership is about awareness - knowing when power is being used justly or unjustly, and having the courage to resist injustice and inspire others to do the same. It's not about enforcing rules or wielding force - it's about cultivating understanding, wielding empathy, and empowering others to bring about meaningful change.
Q: How are you promoting and marketing your book?
With the help of my publisher, I'm focusing on official promotions and ensuring my book reaches the right circles. Furthermore, family, friends, and educators in my circle are sharing the book with their networks, adding a personal touch to the marketing endeavor.
In addition, I'm seeking honest reviews and feedback from fellow writers and readers, which helps build trust, credibility, and a broader readership. It's a team effort, blending professional support with personal connections to ensure my book reaches those who will benefit from it.
Q: What's next for you? Any future projects or ideas in the pipeline?
Absolutely! Writing Power: A Beginner's Guide to Spotting and Defying It marked the beginning of my journey. Currently, I'm working on an intermediate-level guide that will delve deeper into power dynamics and propose advanced strategies for recognizing and defying power.
On top of that, I'm developing a book on philosophy, tackling broader questions about power, ethics, and society. Simultaneously, I plan to explore public speaking and workshops to help young people develop critical thinking skills. Finally, I'm brainstorming ideas for building a community for young leaders who can connect, learn, and support each other in their quest for understanding and positive change.
The future is bright, and I'm excited about the opportunities ahead to grow, learn, and continue sharing my knowledge with the world!
- Saanvi Rai aspires to become an entrepreneur and politician, using her influence to rally young minds like hers and create meaningful change.
- Saanvi's new book, Power: A Beginner's Guide to Spotting and Defying It, is not just a tool for recognizing and resisting power, but also a step towards personal growth and education-and-self-development.
