About Jaiprakash Agrawal
Jaiprakash Agrawal is an Electrical Engineer by profession and an author and poet by passion. He is a retired senior executive from PSU and managing his own consultancy firm. He writes non-fiction and poetry on themes of religion, spirituality, philosophy, and inspiration. His two poetry books ‘Our journey of life’ and ‘Nurturing Nature’ have been published and available on Amazon. Our journey of life is about philosophy of life and Nurturing Nature is about various facets of Nature and inspiration from it. His one non-fiction book ‘Lessons from Tulsidas Ramayana’ has been published which is a spiritual book and describes lessons from different characters of Tulsidas Ramayana. Shri Jaiprakash Agrawal lives in Greater Noida.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: ‘Our Journey of Life’ is a collection of poems which describe various aspects of life’s journey. Life has various stages of life like birth, childhood, youth, old age, and death. The collection of poems presents philosophical aspects of life. The intention of writing the book is to take readers on life’s journey from birth to death. The collection will inspire readers for a living purposeful life and enjoy every moment.
If readers are benefitted from poetry, Poet will consider his efforts successful. Reader’s thoughts and suggestions are welcome.
LiFT: Why you chose this title?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: Since the poetry is all about journey of life and touches various stages of life through poetry, hence its name ‘Our Journey of Life’ is most suitable.
LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer and what’s your inspiration behind it?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: Its natural. The feeling and emotion are hidden in the heart. Only the feeling and emotions come on the surface at the appropriate time. Profession consumes most of the time but after retirement, passion resurfaces. There is enough time for creativity and energy to pursue our passion. Hence, my writing started naturally after my retirement in the year 2015.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: I do not forecast future because life is uncertain. Man proposes and God disposes. Present moment is mine so I write poetry whenever I have some feelings and emotions. This is a continuous process. Future is hidden. I hope all the best in future and devote my time in creative work like writing and fruitful discussion.
LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: I agree fully with the positivity of the question. Quality of the book along with productive marketing are needed to promote a particular book and increase its readers. Marketing is the tool which acts like a bridge between quality of the book and the readers. Marketing helps the authors creation to reach the like-minded readers who like category and theme of the book.
LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: My message is simple. Write honestly what you like and think what people would like. Be natural. Whatever you write, fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, read a lot and write without bias. My writings are specifically aimed to spreading awareness towards spiritualism, religion, inspiration, and philosophy. These are themes which give meaning to life. These give purpose to life.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: Well, there are lots of things to do but whatever I do, I do creative works. There are dos and don’ts in life. Both are necessary. Dos are waking early, walking, praying, reading, and writing, meditating, light diet, social get together, religious congregation, etc. Don’ts are abstaining from drinking, bad company, wasting time, gossiping, over sleeping and lethargy.
LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: Well, writers block is natural and every writer faces it. For me, sometimes I feel, I am stuck. There is complete vacuum and though emotions and thoughts are there, words are missing. Poetry needs meters and rhymes. They should be in order. It takes time to get words but finally I manage. I read lots of other writings from famous authors and get ideas and words from them. Often, I just meditate on the theme and I get idea and words. I imagine scene of Nature and humans’ behavior that show me the way ahead.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.
Jaiprakash Agrawal: Not now but thinking of writing a book on Lord Krishna. Why is He called ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’
LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?
Jaiprakash Agrawal: My suggestions are as follows:
1. Read a lot on the category and theme of your subject.
2. Attend a course on creative writing.
3. Be positive in writing. There is no dearth of subjects. The crux of the matter is your expertise and interest in the subject.
4. Research the subject which you like and be honest.
5. Get your manuscript edited and designed book cover by experts.
6. Approach good publishers both traditional or self-publishing.
7. Know about organic and inorganic marketing and fix budget. Do not overspend in book promotion.
Click here to order Jaiprakash Agrawal’s Book – Our Journey Of Life
