Sisters and Storytellers: How Two Young Writers Are Crafting Worlds Beyond Their Years
Originally published as Two Sisters, Two Worlds: Teenage Novelists Build Their Own Literary Universes By Vanessa Thomas
Original version published on Patch online news and this is the extended version with more Q & A.
In a time where we’ve become accustomed to storytelling in captions and short-form video, however two teenage sisters have quietly done something far more expansive: building entire worlds, sentence by sentence. Their novels—fantastical, ambitious, and deeply personal—emerge not from classrooms or publishing pipelines, but from late nights, early mornings, and a shared devotion to imagination.
In a conversation that reveals both discipline and sibling dynamics, the young authors, Veda and Samaira, discuss how they found their voices, how their ideas take shape, and what it means to finish a book before even finishing high school.
Q: What first sparked your love of storytelling, and how did that evolve into writing your own novels?
Veda: I’ve always loved reading, especially fiction. When I was younger, I liked to write stories and share them with my friends and family. As I grew older, my stories got longer and more complicated, and it became a goal of mine to turn them into a real novel, which got me started on that path.
Samaira: It’s the same with me. From the moment I started reading, I also started making up little stories. I eventually started writing them down, usually on little scraps of paper here and there. Eventually I started keeping track of them, writing short stories online and making them longer and better with each one.
Q: Can you describe the worlds you created—what makes each of them unique and personal to you?
Veda: My story takes place on an island hidden from the rest of the world. While it started off simple, as I continued writing, I kept developing new characters, places, and rules, until I had created an entirely new world. I think the aspects of this setting that really set it apart are the different characters and ways of living.
Samaira: My world is a series of kingdoms with a sort of medieval feel. I wanted a world with no boundaries—something I could design however I felt, without having to stick to geographical or technical rules. That’s why I love writing fantasy: you have no limits. I kept adding details, making each kingdom unique and the whole world feel real.
Q: Where did your inspiration come from—books, places, experiences, or something else entirely?
Veda: My writing style was definitely inspired by many of the young adult books I’ve read. The setting of my novel, however, was loosely based on places my family and I have traveled to—like Tahiti and the Maldives.
Samaira: Mine is 100 percent based on books I’ve read. Aspects of almost every book I’ve enjoyed show up in my story, especially in my writing style. Books have influenced how I view my characters and my writing. Every book I read helps further my skills as a writer.
Q: How do your personalities or interests show up in your characters or storylines?
Veda: There aren’t any characters who are exactly like me, but many share similarities. One main character loves reading, like I do, and another has a fondness for animals. I’ve also included a few “easter eggs”—references to places I’ve traveled or even my math class. I’d love to see if readers can find them.
Samaira: I mainly read fantasy, so that has definitely influenced my storyline. I’ve also started basing characters off my friends to make them feel more real. And I include inside jokes in my book—that way, the people who share them with me have more fun reading.
Q: What was the most challenging part of writing and finishing your books, especially at your age?
Veda: One of the hardest parts was finding time each week to write. I’d also never finished a manuscript before, so I had to really commit to the plot and keep going. And after the writing was done, I had to navigate publishing on my own—researching how to edit, format, and market the book.
Samaira: Committing to my plot was definitely a challenge. I’d get bored sometimes, and when that happened, I’d take a break and come back fresh. The editing process was also hard—it’s long and, honestly, kind of boring. Veda helped me get through it with constant nagging.
Q: Did you collaborate or share ideas with each other while writing, or did you prefer to keep your stories separate?
Veda: At first, we kept our stories separate, but once we shared them, we realized collaborating was much better. We’d read each other’s chapters and give advice—mostly me telling my sister to plan ahead and develop her characters.
Samaira: I always shared my ideas with Veda—she just refused to share hers at first. Every time I walked by, she’d cover her screen. But I like having her to bounce ideas off of. She helps me solve problems when I get stuck and gives really useful feedback.
Q: How did you balance school, activities, and writing your novels?
Veda: I used whatever free time I had—during homework breaks or after dinner. Even writing a few words each day helped me stay connected to the story. Toward the end, I started waking up early just to write. I even worked on it at school during free periods.
Sama: I started my novel near the end of the school year, so I wrote intensely over summer break and finished before school started. For editing, I also woke up early and used all my spare time.
Q: Fantasy often includes adventure and conflict—how did you approach writing action scenes or high-stakes moments?
Veda: I would tune out the world and imagine I was actually in the scene. I’d write quickly to match the pacing and tone, then go back later to edit. Sometimes I got so absorbed—I once wrote for an hour and a half without realizing it.
Samaira: Action scenes are harder for me, but I base them on books and shows I’ve experienced. I imagine it like watching it happen—who strikes first, how a character reacts. Knowing your characters really helps.
Q: What did it feel like to see your books completed or published for the first time?
Veda: Typing the last words was exciting, but holding the book in my hands was even more special. All that hard work became something real I could share. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
Samaira: Finishing felt amazing at first—but then came editing, which felt overwhelming. When I finally submitted it, I worried about mistakes. But once I held the finished book, I realized how far I’d come. That’s when the happiness really set in.
Q: What advice would you give to other young writers who dream of creating their own fantasy worlds and stories?
Veda: Keep going, even when it’s hard, and don’t give up on your ideas. If something isn’t working, change it. Writing should be enjoyable, and your story should be something you’re proud of. All the resources you need are out there if you look for them.
Samaira: Stick with it—and write about something you’re passionate about. If you don’t enjoy your story, it’s hard to keep going. Writing shouldn’t feel like a chore. Put in the effort, don’t get discouraged, and you can absolutely publish your own novel someday.
For these sisters, storytelling is not just a pastime—it’s a practice in persistence, imagination, and shared growth.
The publication earned Samaira a shoutout in her school newsletter – “We are excited to celebrate Fallon student Samaira Raman on the publication of her very first book! What an incredible achievement, way to go, Samaira! We are so proud of your creativity hard work and accomplishment. Her book is available for checkout in the Fallon library and for purchase online.”
The publication earned Samaira a shoutout in her school newsletter – “We are excited to celebrate Fallon student Samaira Raman on the publication of her very first book! What an incredible achievement, way to go, Samaira! We are so proud of your creativity hard work and accomplishment. Her book is available for checkout in the Fallon library and for purchase online.”
For these sisters, storytelling is not just a pastime—it’s a practice in persistence, imagination, and shared growth.
Besides giving copies of their books to their school libraries they are also generously donating books to the community through the Backyard Book Quest that utilizes one of the “Go Park Read” little libraries, specifically the ‘Bookworms Box’ painted by yours truly and now housed at Shannon Community Park.
Follow their activities on Instagram @ramanbooks
