So let’s start! Tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests.
Hi, I’m Arti Agarwal. I am a writer and researcher. I am right brained as well as left brained :) So, I love writing on a variety of subjects. I am also a published author. My book Cownomics was released earlier this year, and focuses on a sustainable, humane lifestyle.
Interesting! What was your latest Hackernoon Top story about?
My last top story explained a few important differences between a CBDC and decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The two, though seemingly similar, are poles apart in terms of the goals they achieve.
Do you usually write on similar topics? If not, what do you usually write about?
I have written on a plethora of subjects in the past, though my current focus is on technology, economy, data science and cryptocurrencies. I also own an independent publication called “A Random Variable” which focuses on these topics.
Great! What is your usual writing routine like (if you have one?)
I don’t have a set routine. But that said, I prefer to write during early morning hours or late evenings, as the part of my brain which is responsible for staying focused and being creative seems to be more active during these hours. I have found it extremely difficult to write anything in the afternoon. So I schedule tasks for myself accordingly.
Being a writer in tech can be a challenge. It’s not often our main role, but an addition to another one. What is the biggest challenge you have when it comes to writing?
I wrote on multiple subjects, have authored a book and am on my way to publishing a second book and also write a Substack. But writing on technology is something I find personally rewarding. It is challenging because there is often a steep learning curve. Sometimes the challenge is in grasping a new topic in a short amount of time and committing to realistic timelines---it may take you far longer to wrap your head around a subject than you thought, and that makes the timeline pile on additional stress. But with more experience, it becomes easier to give achievable timelines.
But in some other ways it is far less challenging than writing on low-tech topics. For example, when writing on topics which are low-tech and which everybody believes they understand, there is too much emphasis on the style and tone and nuance and you can get caught in endless loops of feedbacks and revisions. Whereas in highly technical topics, if you’ve got your grammar right and subject matter accurately covered, the job is 95% done.
What is the next thing you hope to achieve in your career?
I am working on building more content and readership for my independent publication on technology, economy and cryptocurrency I also want to incentivize tech startups to talk about their actual technology, rather than funding, work culture and the usual page-3 stuff.
Wow, that’s admirable. Now, something more casual: What is your guilty pleasure of choice?
I’m going to go with hoarding books. I have been a booklover since childhood and this is a personal hobby and perhaps an obsession which nobody has been able to rid me of! I spend a lot of time researching and looking for books I want to buy. I think I am beginning to sound like a proper nerd.
Do you have a non-tech-related hobby? If yes, what is it?
I love reading--especially historic fiction--and watching movies and documentaries with a historic background. I don’t think our education system teaches us enough history to make sense of the world. I am trying to fix that through activities that appeal to my introverted self.
What can the Hacker Noon community expect to read from you next?
I am working on a few pieces, though not sure which one I will finish fastest :) One of the stories I am working is on the future of jobs in AI, and another on the growth of the telemedicine tech industry.
Thanks for taking time to join our “Meet the writer” series. It was a pleasure. Do you have any closing words?
It’s amazing to be a writer. Although it is my profession as well, I personally think everyone should take time out for writing now and then. It connects you to parts of yourself that you did not know existed!