What's Happening at DBS

June 1, 2025

We’re proud to celebrate one of our own young authors at Doha British School Ain Khaled – Aiza Anwaar from 7C! Aiza has written and published a mystery thriller, now available on Amazon.

Her incredible achievement reflects the creativity and ambition we encourage in all our students.

We sat down with Aiza to hear more about her journey, inspiration, and advice for fellow young writers. Here’s what she had to say.

1. What is the title of your book, and what inspired you to write it?
The title of my book is Whisper of the Crow. What inspired me to write it was my life-long passion for reading. Ever since I was very young, I’ve always loved stories – especially mysteries and thrillers. I would spend hours lost in books, imagining what it would be like to create one of my own. Eventually, I thought, Why not try writing my own mystery story? That’s when the idea for Whisper of the Crow began. I wanted to create something suspenseful, dark, and exciting – something that would make readers feel the way I do when I’m reading a really gripping book.

2. Can you tell us a bit about what the book is about and who your favourite character is?
The book is about a young girl named Clara, who is the main character. Clara lives in a small town and always felt there was something different about her family. Out of curiosity, she begins to dig into her family’s history – and what she discovers is shocking. She learns that she comes from a long line of ancestors known for mysterious deaths and hidden crimes. The story becomes a thrilling journey where Clara must decide whether she wants to embrace the truth or escape it.
My favourite character is definitely Clara. She’s brave, curious, and determined – even when the truth becomes too dark to handle. I admire her for her courage and how she never gives up, even when she learns things that completely shake her world. She’s not perfect, but that’s what makes her feel so real to me.

3. What was the writing and publishing process like for you as a student?
The writing process took me about two weeks. I worked on it every day, writing as much as I could while balancing school and other responsibilities. Once the first draft was finished, I spent another nine days editing it – fixing mistakes, improving sentences, and making sure the story flowed well.
There were definitely some challenges. Sometimes I got stuck on a chapter or doubted whether the plot made sense. But I pushed through because I really believed in the story I was telling. As a student, it was hard to find time between homework and classes, but I managed it by setting small goals each day and sticking to a routine. Overall, the experience was exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.

4. How did you feel when you saw your book available on Amazon?
I felt incredibly proud. Seeing my book on Amazon made everything feel real. It wasn’t just an idea anymore – it was something I had actually created and shared with the world. I was proud of myself for finishing something so big, and for following through from the first word to the final upload. It made me realize that age doesn’t matter – if you have a story to tell and you’re willing to work hard, you can achieve your dreams.

5. How have your friends, family, and teachers reacted to your achievement?
The support I’ve received has been amazing. My teachers have been so kind – especially my English Teacher, who nominated me and recognised my work, which meant so much to me. My friends have been really encouraging too. They were excited to see the book and proud that someone their age had accomplished something like this. And of course, my family has been incredibly supportive throughout the whole process. They always believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure if I could finish it. Knowing that the people around me are proud of what I’ve done makes it all even more special.

6. What advice would you give to other young students who want to write their own books?
My biggest advice is to keep your prompt interesting and your imagination open. Don’t be afraid to try something new or different. Even if it seems hard at first, keep going – the more you write, the more confident you’ll become. Also, don’t worry too much about being perfect right away. The most important thing is to get your ideas down – you can always edit later. And read as much as you can! Reading different kinds of books helps you understand how stories work and gives you inspiration for your own writing. Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to dream big.

7. Is there anyone you would like to thank who helped or supported you along the way?
Yes – absolutely! I want to thank my English teacher, who encouraged me to write and gave me feedback that helped improve my story. I also want to thank my History teacher for inspiring me to think more deeply about the past, which definitely influenced parts of the book. My Form tutor has been really supportive as well, always cheering me on. And of course, I’m so grateful to my family and friends – their encouragement, kindness, and belief in me made this journey possible. I couldn’t have done it without them.