Dodging–and Handling– Curve Balls: Interview with Memoirist Krishan Bedi About Engineering a Life
Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler with Krishan Bedi@kriskbedi
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work”~ Colin Powell
Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Image “Heavy”
It gives me great pleasure to feature Memoirist Krishan Bedi in this guest interview about his new memoir, Engineering a Life. Krishan and I met online and after reading his memoir, persistence and determination took on a new meaning. He dodged multiple curve balls to go on to fulfill the American dream. He also offers a vivid glimpse into the timely topic of immigration and leaves no doubt that we are all better off for his presence on our soil.
My reviews of Engineering a Life can be found on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThings and Riffle Books.
Welcome, Krishan!
Memoirist Krishan Bedi
Dodging Curve Balls: Interview with Krishan Bedi About Engineering a Life
KP: What inspired you to write your story, Engineering a Life, as a memoir?
KB: To share my experiences with everyone that how I handled the plethora of curve balls thrown my way with determination, humor, hope, and unwavering faith that everything would work out. People can take away and learn that you must not give up, no matter what, and must tackle the obstacles and move on. It is a story of an immigrant who achieved The American Dream against all the odds. My friends enjoyed listening to my stories and indicated that I must write a book. It is way for ordinary people to discover and share the extra ordinary in their lives.
KP: There were so many details from your past that you shared. What was the research process like?
KB: In the beginning the idea of writing my memoir was quite exciting but then started gathering the specifics. That was not an easy task. First, I was able to get my grades from my colleges to narrate the failing part. To narrate the summer job experiences, I requested SSA to send me the list of my employers since my arrival in this country (1962 thru 1983). At times I was stuck not knowing the details so called several of my friends. It was amazing to hear their responses that Kris what are you talking about how am I to remember what you did….but with some conversation it all came back.
It is by no means an easy task but if you are determined to write then you will find the facts. At times I had discussion with my wife and that brought some unpleasant and emotions were rekindled. That was quite tough.
KP: What were the most rewarding and/or challenging part of writing your memoir?
KB: Of course, it was quite rewarding that I have completed writing my memoir after seven years of hard work. The challenging part was to reduce the length of my original manuscript of 200,000 words to close to 90,000 words. The decision of which story to keep and delete was very tough for me. Not knowing which stories are the appropriate and readers would love it. You must listen to your inner voice.
Then, the challenge was getting it published. That turned out to be quite a learning experience of getting your memoir published. Again, stay with it. Just think, you are almost there………
KP: What are you working on at the moment? What should readers keep an eye out for in the future?
KB: Currently, I am working on promoting my memoir to various organizations. I am working on speaking to several local organizations. I had a book signing at Barnes and Noble on April 6, 2018. I am working on doing motivational and inspirational speaking engagements throughout the county.
KP: Do you have any book recommendation(s) for our readers looking for more books by Asian authors?
In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope
by Rana Awdish
Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self
by Alex Tizon
Love, Hate and Other Filters Hardcover
by Samira Ahmed
In the Country We Love: My Family Divided
Book by Diane Guerrero
Engineering a Life Synopsis:
Included on BookBub’s “The Most Exciting Memoirs Coming Out in 2018” list
Krishan Bedi came to the United States in December of 1961 at the tender age of twenty. He had only $300 in his pocket, and he had made it out of his small village in India on sheer faith, determined to get education in the US. For him, there was no option but to succeed—so he began his new life in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he had to adapt to the culture shock not only of being in the US but a Punjabi man in the South in the 1960s.
Engineering a Life is an examination of Bedi’s life, and how he has handled the plethora of curve balls thrown his way with determination, humor, and an unwavering faith that everything would work out. This is a book about values and faith and the importance of friendship, family, and hard work. It’s a story about achieving the American Dream, proving that no matter how thoroughly you map out your life’s journey, no matter how many blueprints you draw up, when you veer off the course you’ve plotted—as we all do, somehow, in the end—you end up where you’re supposed to be.
About the Author:.
Krishan Bedi came to the US by boat with only $300 in his pocket in December 1961. A twenty-year-old from the tiny village of Punjab, India, Bedi had big dreams and ideas of what he wanted to do with his life. His journey has been a bumpy one and not without a host of failures and obstacles. Bedi learned that it would take an abundance of hard work and persistence to create the life he wanted for himself. Bedi eventually earned a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee. Krishan returned to India after nine years to have an arranged marriage. Together they returned to the States so his wife could experience the American lifestyle. Back in the US, he developed a career as a Healthcare Executive, becoming successful and ultimately presenting papers at professional healthcare societies. He’s since served as member of several healthcare professional organizations, and is currently a member of the board of Indo-American Society of Peoria.
Krishan later moved with his family back to New Delhi to open a new five hundred-bed state-of-the-art medical center based upon western patient centered care. While in India, he opened a television assembly plant, and later partnered at a leather jackets export venture, spending a few months in Germany before moving back to the States for good.
Bedi now lives with his wife. They have three successful sons and five grandchildren. In his spare time, Bedi enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and participating each year in St. Jude’s 465-mile Memphis to Peoria relay-run, which has raised over $80,000 for the St Jude Medical Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Connect with Krishan Bedi
Twitter @kristkbedi
Website: Krishan K Bedi
Facebook: Engineering a Life:
Instagram: KrishanKBedi
LinkedIn: Krishan K Bedi
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Thank you Krishan, for sharing your memoir writing process with us. You have shown us how dodging those curve balls helped you move on to fulfill your dreams.
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How about you? Have you written about dodging curve balls in your life?
We’d love to hear from you. Please join in the conversation below~
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Next Week:
Monday, July 30, 2018:
“Choosing the Right Title for Your Memoir”
July 2018 Newsletter: Monthly Updates, Memoir Musings, Max Moments:
“Freedom to Choose”
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