About Build, Write, Play

Hey, I’m Lakshmi Narasimhan — a developer, writer, and Carnatic violinist. This publication is where all my worlds collide.

Why this exists

I believe in building things that last. Whether it’s code, a novel, a product, or a phrase that sings — I’m obsessed with systems, stories, and steady momentum.

But more than anything, I believe in play — not as a break from the work, but as the work itself.

“The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life.”
— Jessica Hische

Build, Write, Play is a space for thinking out loud, shipping consistently, and treating creativity like a sandbox — not a factory.

What you’ll find here

  • Essays on building — technical breakdowns, SaaS stories, dev philosophy

  • Dispatches from the creative trenches — short stories, writing updates, habits

  • Dev challenges & tech book notes — bite-sized learning for T-shaped devs

  • Rituals & reflections — from daily violin to monthly novels

No growth hacks. No polished persona. Just a real person, doing real work, and treating it all like play.

If you're the kind of person who wants to ship more, stretch wide, and stay grounded — you’ll feel at home here.

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A weekly dispatch from Lakshmi Narasimhan — building a SaaS, writing code and novels, and practicing Carnatic violin. Notes on creativity, systems, momentum, and making things that last.