#AuthorInterview with Jasbirr Grover Author of Reflection of Life #poetry

Jasbirr Grover is a life coach, writer, poet, and creative producer. Writing became her anchor when she lost her voice due to medical issues during Covid and found herself struggling with every aspect of life.

Reflection of Life is her first published collection of poems.

“A fabulous collection of meticulously detailed poems delving into the author’s relatable, but seemingly universal experiences of family life and growing up. A worthwhile read and something which opened my perspective to new ideas and new cultures, highlighting the interconnected nature of us all and our wider shared experiences.” Edward Fairburn, Poet and Editor

Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?)

I’m Jasbirr Grover — a life coach, writer, poet, and creative producer. Writing became my anchor when I lost my voice due to medical issues during Covid and found myself struggling on every front of life. Around the same time, my younger son was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, and together we worked on our first book, Know Your Unique Self, a hand-drawn project that gave us both hope and direction.

Keeping alive my burning desire to explore all forms of writing, I moved from India to the UK at 49 with nothing but a suitcase of dreams — a shared vision of me writing and my younger son making films. At 50, I completed my Master’s in Creative Writing from Sheffield Hallam University, finally giving myself permission to share the words I had carried quietly for years.

When I’m not writing, I connect with women through coaching sessions, conduct workshops, dwell in colours through doodling, draw guidance from my oracle cards, and connect with my Divine Guru, Waheguru. I also find joy in cooking, which for me is another form of creativity and care. Alongside this, I collaborate with my younger son on film poems. Together, we created Mistaken Identity, which has been screened and recognised on platforms including the BBC — a project exploring themes of culture, resilience, and belonging. Another project, Nanakā Vehra, was created with a group of students and focused on our roots and the lost connections of old times.

What genre is your book, and what is it about?

Reflection of Life is a collection of inspirational and spiritual poetry, written with a special focus on women. It explores resilience, grief, healing, and transformation — speaking to women who silently carry responsibilities, hidden pain, and unspoken dreams. Each poem is a gentle reflection, offering comfort, courage, and the reminder that they are not alone.

What or who inspired you to write this book?

This book was inspired by my own lived experiences and by the countless women I’ve met who silently carry so much. Heroic women in everyday life — often unrecognised, sometimes even rejected by family for being different — became my deepest source of inspiration. As a mother, mentor, sister, and wife, I could connect their stories to my own, weaving together threads of loss, spirituality, and responsibility. What truly drove me was the thought that my reflections might give another woman strength, hope, or simply the feeling of being seen.

What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

First and foremost, there has to be an inner calling — a burning desire that refuses to stay quiet. It may rise from anger, fear, grief, or even a sense of magic that keeps bubbling up inside you. If you feel that spark, don’t ignore it. Allow it to come through you, and don’t wait for it to be perfect. Just write. Your raw truth carries more power than polished words ever could. Trust your journey, trust your voice — it matters more than you think.

What do you enjoy most about writing and why?

Writing feels like a sacred release. It transforms emotions into something tangible — grief into grace, silence into expression. For me, writing is a way of conversing with the soul. My simple mantra — pen, paper, and prayer — is my way of creating miracles; it feels like casting a gentle spell with words. The greatest joy comes when a reader tells me my words felt like they were written just for her — reminding me that writing is a bridge between souls.

List three interesting facts about yourself.

• I was raised by a single mother after losing my father at a young age, and I am an alumna of one of India’s most reputable institutions — Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Growing up with this grief — and often being told I was “too loud” or “too much” — eventually became the soil for my poetry. Later in life, I also carried the shared responsibility of caring for my elder sister, who lives with schizophrenia. My nurturing nature extended beyond my family — many of my university students affectionately called me Mata (mom), a title that remains close to my heart.
• I was honoured with the Dr. Sarojini Naidu International Award for Working Women by the Asian Academy of Arts, in association with the International Women’s Film Forum, at the 7th Global Literary Festival. Before moving to the UK, I also worked extensively with universities and colleges in India, training and placing thousands of students in leading global brands.
• Despite strong opposition from my husband’s family — at a time when love marriages were neither common nor accepted — I married the man I loved. We have now built a life together for over 25 years, and I am the proud mother of two sons. I also have a huge bank of journals where I write and doodle as a way of manifesting. One of the most extraordinary examples is my current house in the UK — it matches the exact code and design I unknowingly doodled back in India in 2021. Doodling with pen and colours has always been my best friend, and my simple mantra — pen, paper, and prayer — continues to be the source of many small miracles in my life.

What is your least favourite part of the publishing/writing process, and how do you manage this?

Editing was the hardest part, followed by deciding the poetry layout and page settings. Because Reflection of Life was part of my Master’s extended project, the constant refining felt heavy — almost like writing with water made of tears, each page carrying the weight of lived experience. What I never realised at the time was that the scribbles and doodles I had created over the years would become an anchor and foundation for this collection. The book now carries my own hand-drawn illustrations — something deeply personal that I never imagined would one day sit alongside my poetry.

The next challenge came with self-publishing. Formatting, uploading to Amazon, and managing the technical side felt overwhelming. Thankfully, my younger son handled everything — from formatting and setting to the final upload — teaching himself each step along the way. His support turned what felt impossible into a book that could finally reach others.

The marketing side was also daunting. As a debut author, putting myself out there felt overwhelming. I’ve learned to reframe it — it’s not “promotion,” it’s sharing. If my words have helped me heal, then sharing them might help someone else. That simple shift makes the process less intimidating.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

If Reflection of Life resonates, I’d be so grateful if readers — especially women who see themselves in these pages — could share which poem spoke to them and why. Leaving a review on Amazon or even a comment on my socials makes a huge difference. Reviews are not just numbers; they are stories that guide me in shaping future work and let another woman know this book might hold something she needs. Sharing favourite lines on social media, or gifting the book to another woman who might need encouragement, also helps keep its message alive.

What is your next project?

My next book is in the works, though I’m keeping the details close for now. What I can share is that it reflects a shift — from asking “Will I…?” and “Why me…?” to asking “How?” and “What?” It’s not about seeking predictions, but about embracing transformation.

Alongside this, I’m also building writing workshops under the theme of Release, Radiate, and Rise — blending transformation and manifestation with creative expression. I’m aiming to create soulful writing circles for women to use pen and paper as tools for clarity, courage, and gentle transformation. And, as always, my son and I are continuing to explore film poems that weave cultural narratives with emotional truth.

Where can readers connect with you?

Website

Instagram

TikTok: @jasmanifests — where I share my daily messages from the universe, spreading hope, positivity, and love.

Amazon Author Page: Jasbirr Grover

Linktree

BUY your copy of Reflection of Life from Amazon UK or Amazon US