About Siddhilaxmi Naik
An avid reader since childhood, Siddhilaxmi Naik- shortly Siddhi- is from Goa. With a day time job at a College Office and a passion for history and science among other things, she dreams to travel the world and experience its different cultures.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Siddhilaxmi Naik: I have been writing since I was a teenager, writing down any thought that comes to my mind. What Keeps You Up At Night is my first book. It is a collection of musings that have kept me awake for nights and poetry that portray a feeling of wonder we all have for our dreams.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: The title of this book is very literal. I did not have to think much about what title to give my book. It was the first thing that I was very certain about even before the content of the book was yet to be edited.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: There was not any particular moment when I realized it. Ever since I started reading, it was always there in my mind that I want to be a writer. The poetry part of the book was a surprise even for me, as I wrote all the poems within a few days before publishing. I believe writing has the power to make a person immortal, if you have that depth and meaning in your writing.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: I haven’t really thought about this but I want to keep writing as it is my passion and a way of coping with life.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: Not an expert in this field but yes, marketing of a book is very important for it to be able to reach a greater audience.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: I usually write for my own self. But if I want to convey any message it would be to keep dreaming new dreams, keep working on making them a reality and never lose hope in life.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: Apart from writing, I like to read, to travel, experience different cultures and keep learning new things. I have a background in I. T. field and am working as a College official staff. I also like to research about things that I find interesting.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: I do get writers block very often, so much so that I have stopped worrying about it. I just go back to reading books, completing any pending work, going by daily life, letting my mind wander and writing down any thing that it stumbles upon. This is the easiest way to get over the fear of writers block.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: Currently, I am working on a story that is totally different from my first literary venture. The story is not yet formed properly but it will be from the genre of historical fiction.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Siddhilaxmi Naik: To keep reading, have a curious and open mind, to travel and to never stop asking questions. Keep your writing relatable yet at the same time knowledgeable.
Click here to order Siddhilaxmi’s Book – What Keeps You Up At Night
