Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a language trainer, coach and author. I have been offering my services in the field of education since the last 3 decades. I stepped into the teaching career nonchalantly and eventually discovered that this was my greatest passion in life. I simply love to have energetic youngsters around me. Teaching them, interacting with them, working with them, observing them gave me a deep insight into understanding them.
I would like to say this about myself as a teacher –
‘I am the ground on which young minds sprout. Every now and then the crop gets harvested and I get prepared to sow new seeds. My body grows older but my spirit is always revelling in the sense of timelessness.’
I have always eloquently translated my deepest thoughts and emotions into language with ease. I don’t feel that I write, I just translate my thoughts, observations and experiences into words. It is perhaps this direct candidness that reaches and touches my readers directly. This ability was first identified by my English teacher when I was just 13 when she displayed my self composed poem on the school board. I have always been writing since then, but never really considered publication. It was only lately that I decided upon organising my writing and sharing it with readers through a book.
I have also authored a bi lingual poetry collection “Rishton Ki Dhoop Chaanv, available on Amazon and Notion press. This book is my second publication. And my readers can definitely look forward to more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Teenager Talks – Understanding The Pressures of Being a Teenager is the 1st volume of the series Teen Talks.
This book got created because of my constant interaction and observation of teenagers around me. Sharing their sorrows and joys, I constantly keep discovering that their lives are not as easy as the people around them usually like to believe. Infact, their lives are extremely challenging and more stressed than ever before. Modern parents have become liberal and understanding. They think that they have managed to reduce this gap between generations. But it may not really be true. Infact, the gap has increased manifold and at a mind boggling rate. With technologically advanced youngsters, even the most modern and well educated seem to be at their wits end when it comes to handling issues related to their children. Mainly because most of these new fangled problems are unprecedented, parenting is becoming more and more challenging. We often hear distressed parents shaking their heads in disdain at their inability to put forth their point of view to their adolescent. Through this book, I have tried to bring the other side of the story, by narrating first hand experiences of some teenagers. I have also added some of my own heart touching experiences as a teacher. Subtly underlying are some messages that I would like to give to the youngsters, who should never underestimate the wisdom of the elders. I have also shared my opinions on what parents might do in difficult situations. This is my attempt to reduce the gap between generations.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As we have marched into technological modernisation, blending the demarcation between reality and virtuality, writing itself is an unusual habit. This is my observation as an English teacher. Most of the youngsters dread writing. But, as a part of a much older generation that gorged on reading and evolved with expression, writing is an integral and inseparable part of my personality. Writing for me is a natural process, just like eating or speaking. I feel my words, I live my words, I breathe my words. When I was younger, I used to feel that the day I stop writing, I will die. Writing gives me the creative satisfaction of ‘living’ and not merely ‘existing.’ I hope that qualifies as ‘unusual.’
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Paradise Lost – John Milton
Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
What are you working on now?
Teenager Talks – Bridging the Gap Between Generations – Volume 2
Do you have any advice for new authors?
‘Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.’
Richard Bach
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.’ – Thomas A. Edison
‘When you love what you are doing, you do not work; you enhance your passion.’
What are you reading now?
The Home and the World – Rabindranath Tagore
What’s next for you as a writer?
Teenager Talks – Bridging the Gap Between Generations – Volume 2
Teenagers are struggling with hormonal and biological changes impacting their body, mind and emotions. Running parallel to that are academic pressures, high expectations, peer pressure, unlimited exposure to media and networking. Also new in their life could be addictions and romance. They are not experienced to handle any of these things and often experience stress, anxiety, anger and depression.
Those stresses could be stemming up due to petty and menial causes but become huge because of the lack of understanding and negligence by people around them. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as assuring, “Go on, I’m listening…” Sometimes, all that a teen needs is a patient ear, understanding and attention, definitely not an overdose of the same. This volume discusses the possibilities for a better bonhomie between generations.
It is my attempt to bridge the gap.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Life of Pi
Gitanjali
Author Websites and Profiles
Jyoti Malhotra Website
Jyoti Malhotra Amazon Profile
Jyoti Malhotra’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile