About Archit Bhardwaj:
Archit Bhardwaj is an author, a play writer, and the poet of ‘Twenty Twigs of Thoughts.’ He is a passionate writer who brings out the ecstatic beauty of life, hidden away in mundane activities. This book is an effort to bring out the questions that perplex us all but often slip away when we put our minds to them. His love for writing inspired him to co-author another collection of poems, ‘Coming Home.’ Some of his best works have been published in various formats that include micro stories, short stories, and Novellas.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content.
Archit: Twenty Twigs of Thoughts is a culmination weeks of hard work. 20 poems spanning across many genres, that deal with questions none of us has the answer to. All of us at one point in our life or another have stopped and wondered or questioned our existence and the problems we face. My books neither claim to have the answer to these questions nor does it preach a path for my audience. It simply reflects the beauty of our perplexed thoughts and situations and brings a sense of commonality among us.
LiFT: Why you chose this title?
Archit: Beauty is an abstract concept that varies from person to person. For me, the little things in life are worth remembering and that’s where true beauty lies. This book is a celebration of all the little things that reside deep within our hearts but are never allowed to come out. Life is like a tree, but a tree without twigs is incomplete. 20 twigs make up this book that is why I couldn’t find a more suitable title than ‘Twenty Twigs of Thoughts.’
LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer/poet and what’s your inspiration behind it?
Archit: The beauty of stories always appealed to me but the start of my story was the doing of a teacher. My English teacher taught me how to appreciate language and literature. The joy of telling stories was unparalleled to any other and soon I began to indulge in this joy. I noticed an improvement in my writing abilities and soon it transcended from being a hobby to becoming a part of who I am.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Archit: None of us have the faintest clue what the further has in store. But that doesn’t stop us from making our plans. I see myself working in a well-reputed literary agency gaining new knowledge and insight into the ever-changing world of literature. By this point, I hope to finish the five novels I have planned and nothing would make me happier than to see them get published.
LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?
Archit: I believe that both marketing and quality of a book play a significant role in promoting the book and increasing readership. In today’s digital world, literature has become more accessible than ever before in human history. While this has enabled a greater participation and inclusivity for the creators as well as readers, it has also made it difficult to select the ideal reading for oneself from the infinite choices available. A good book without proper marketing might spend its life underappreciated like a jewel trapped within four walls. Therefore, effective book marketing strategies ought to be taken seriously to ensure that the book is reaching its right audience in this ever-growing ocean of literature. The best part of marketing in the current times is that it has become very cheap and accessible to all. We see how many authors are using the channel of social media and the web to promote their books without incurring heavy costs. However, at the end of the day if the quality of content is not liked by the audience then marketing will only bear fruits in the short term. The purpose of art is to invoke emotions and push forward the wheels of this world which can only be achieved through quality content. No amount of advertisement can make a cheap replica pass for The Kohinoor. To conclude, I’d say that word of mouth and critics’ appreciation remain to be the most effective forms of promotion and increasing readership of a book. Therefore quality of content still holds paramount importance in the literature industry.
LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?
Archit: The main theme of my writing is one of hope. Hope that inspires us, that unites us. Human beings tend to carve out beautiful stories of their own, which are filled with love, fear, joy, anger, and at the center of it all hope. I aspire to write pieces that bring out the best in people (hope) so that they can change the world bit by bit at a time.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Archit: I have a few hobbies to enjoy when I am not writing. Playing badminton and tennis is one of them. Sketching is something do, but I am not as good at it as I would like to be. But perhaps the biggest passion I have apart from writing is food. I am a foodie at heart and when I am not writing I am either eating or cooking something.
LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?
Archit: The best way to cope with writer’s block for me is to get immersed in the world of books. I catch up on my reading list and distance myself from the project at hand. A few Tv shows and movies don’t hurt either. Then after some time, I hope to approach the project with some fresh perspective.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.
Archit: Yes, I am working on a new book which is almost done and I hope to finish it in the coming month. It is a murder mystery novel that revolves encompasses the lives of seven people. Amidst these suspects are two detectives trying to uncover the truth from a broken lens’s view. It is a story that reflects the fragile nature of human emotions and the lengths people cross for those they love.
LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?
Archit: I am on a long journey that has just begun. I have had some experience in the world of writing which may not be enough to guide those who are just starting. That being said, I do have a few nuggets of wisdom in my arsenal. The first and the most important thing for a writer is to write. It is as simple and as difficult as that. Write what inspires you, what excites you, and finish writing it. Endings are the biggest teachers. Read a lot, learn a lot, and eventually, you will write a lot.
Click here to order Archit’s Book – Twenty Twigs of Thoughts
