Ani Shahverdyan - In a World That Is Focused on Pragmatism, There Is a Hunger for Feelings (Writer From Greece)

I am a dreamer, I often find myself wandering in my thoughts, involved so deeply in my imagination that sometimes it becomes hard to understand where I live – in the world surrounding me or the one I created in my head.

Tell us more about your background and journey.

It might sound quite amusing, but I began writing poetry after I learnt the alphabet. My early age poems were quite childish, but they were truly special for me. I remember I even stuck them on the walls in my room just to reread them before bedtime.


No surprise, I love poetry because I am a highly sensitive person. The contradictory feelings of joy and sorrow have always been the driving force behind the creation of my poetry.

I am a dreamer, I often find myself wandering in my thoughts, involved so deeply in my imagination that sometimes it becomes hard to understand where I live – in the world surrounding me or the one I created in my head.

Looking back at my life I confess that some major traumas I had during my childhood and adolescence caused me to lock inside and hide my feelings. That strangely became one of the main reasons I devoted myself to writing. The writing was the best healing therapy for me and up till now remains.

I am very honest when I write. I know that my words are reaching people and sometimes I feel vulnerable about it, but poetry has become the genre of my life and rooted in me so deeply that I totally accept the “side-effects” of being a sincere writer.

I published my first book “Ticket to All-Inclusive Life” in 2018 after working on it for about a year. Surprisingly, it`s not a poetry book, but a motivational one in the self-help genre. 

It accumulates the wisdom I have gathered in my life. After publishing it my true nature took over and poetry started flowing from me with abundance and I wrote “The Cosmos in My Head”, my first poetry collection in the same year. In 2019 I wrote “Contrast”, in 2020 – “Disaster Queen”. Now I have two upcoming poetry books one of which I plan to publish this year.



When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I have never made that decision. Writing eventually became one of the essentials of my existence and yet I haven’t put any force on myself for that just like I don`t bother when I breathe in and out. I think the reason I am a writer is that I don`t treat it like a job or a duty, I just write whenever I feel the urge.



Is it a financially stable career?

Writing can become a financially stable career once you gain popularity. I know there are many amazing writers that are not so well known, that`s the sad reality. Without enough marketing, one can barely gain recognition. That`s why I recommend fellow writers not underestimate the power of media.



Who is your favorite writer and why?

This is probably one of the hardest questions I am often being asked because I read a lot and I am easily falling in love with the new books I read. However, I would like to give huge honor to Osho, Lao Tzu, Napoleon Hill, Yuval Noah Harari for their profound impact on my mindset.



Where does your inspiration lie?

My inspiration is born from my feelings, be it joy or sadness, pleasure or pain, I always pay deep attention to my perceptions and keep my pen ready because that`s how I interpret my feelings. 

Usually, I write before falling asleep, that`s when my emotions are the deepest.



What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers?

I want everyone who has ever felt the enthusiasm and pleasure of creating art with words to never stop writing because in a world that is focused on pragmatism and practicality there is a hunger for feelings, tenderness, spirituality, and motivation. 

Technology can replace many aspects of our lives, but poetry will always be one of the most human things ever invented by mankind that can never be replaced by anything.


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Interviewed by - Ritika Malhotra