THE VOICE OF A GENERATION

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Salva Amin is a young writer with a powerful voice based in Lahore. Her debut novel ‘Reborn’ represents a new generation of thinkers who seek spirituality beyond conventional boundaries. Through simple storytelling and deep introspection, she blends emotion and self-discovery in a way that resonates deeply with today’s youth.

At a time when young people are navigating identity crises, emotional burnout and the search for spiritual meaning, ‘Reborn’ offers a gentle yet profound reminder that returning to oneself is the first step toward returning to purpose.

“Reborn is for anyone who feels lost, overwhelmed or disconnected. It is for every soul searching for meaning,” says Salva, who is pursuing a degree in Fine Arts. She enjoys playing guitar and sketching besides reading and writing.

In a candid interview with You!, Salva talks about her passion for writing and explains why she chose to write ‘Reborn’. Read on…

You! What inspired you to write ‘Reborn’?

Salva Amin: My inspiration for writing this book comes from observing human tendencies in this generation, which are often marked by an identity crisis. The light of faith in belief systems seems to have faded from the canvas. This realisation inspired me to help rekindle that light and restore belief through this journey of writing.

You! What is the basic idea of ‘Reborn’?

SA: The basic idea of ‘Reborn’ highlights the fact that consciousness can often manipulate one’s mind when it is not stable. It questions the life we feed ourselves for mere moments of survival, as well as the light of faith leaving our souls like the fading flame of a melting candle. It does not focus on a single religion but instead explores the journey of hopelessness one may encounter at the beginning of an identity crisis. The hunger for life may indulge one’s thought process in the tempting walls of paper money, creating a distant relationship with the very presence of our loved ones. It delves into the hopeful pursuit of creating a purpose, because what is a man without a purpose? A hollow web.

You! How long did it take you to finish your debut novel?

SA: It took me 6 months to complete my novel.

You! As a Gen Z author, what do you think are the core issues faced by your generation?

SA: The major issues faced by my generation are having too much awareness but too little accurate information, as well as a lack of willingness to conduct deep research and critically examine the things we become aware of.

You! Writing such a reflective book at a young age is courageous. Did you ever doubt your voice or feel hesitant about sharing your thoughts publicly?

SA: At the beginning of the journey, people tend to feel hesitant about their thoughts. Since I was sharing a piece of myself publicly, I did have doubts at the start. However, once I stepped into the process, I gradually eliminated that hesitation with time and effort.

You! The book is concise - under 70 pages. Was this a conscious decision to accommodate the attention span of young readers?

SA: I didn’t want to bore readers by dragging the story. Instead, I focused on highlighting the main conflicts humans may face in each chapter and allowing imagination to develop naturally with the pace. The number of pages wasn’t decided beforehand; it formed organically as the story progressed.

You! What kind of impact do you hope ‘Reborn’ will have on readers, especially young people searching for meaning?

SA: I hope ‘Reborn’ encourages people to create more and consume fewer influential points of view. Whether young or experienced, I wish for readers to realise that giving up is easy - but waking up every day to search for those unanswered questions that have left you in a state of etched survival and still choosing to fight against it, is an answer in itself.

You! What is your favourite subject which is close to your heart?

SA: My favourite subject to write about is the connection between beings and the divine, reflected through the light of faith. Moreover, I enjoy exploring topics centred around purpose-making.

You! What are your five favourite books?

SA: ‘Who Will Cry When You Die?’ by Robin Sharma; ‘Mind Platter’ by Najwa Zebian; ‘A Walk to Remember’ by Nicholas Sparks; ‘Will’ by Mark Manson and Will Smith, and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen.

You! What is your philosophy of life?

SA: A free soul thrives to create.

You! What is the most important advice you can give to your generation?

SA: An advice I would like to give my generation is: In the end, art remains immortal. So we shall keep creating.

You! What did you like to read when you were a little girl?

SA: I was more driven to fiction stories when I was little, such as ‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott.

You! What are some of your favourite ways to relax and have fun?

SA: My favourite ways to have fun are hanging out with my siblings and my favourite way to relax is to reconnect with nature while listening to music.

You! Do you think there is a place for new writers in today’s techno world? Are people still interested in reading and buying books?

SA: Well, I think there isn’t much space for new writers to adjust, but what is gone or vanishing can be brought back through our determination and will to keep creating.

You! This is just the beginning of your literary journey - what themes or ideas are you excited to explore in your future work?

SA: I am excited to write about generation happenings and explore the themes of passion being crashed by love.

‘Reborn’ has been published and is now available in bookstores, online platforms and at the Readings bookstore, as well as in other cities, including Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan.