Official Apex Reviews Interview: Georgette Lee (Layers Of Living)

Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Georgette. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.

What inspired you to craft this quite revealing, surprisingly uplifting memoir?

Georgette Lee: The idea for the book ‘Layers of Living’ grew out of Chapter 8, Arrested Development. After the life-changing event of losing my husband and child in one instant, I decided to journal my experiences. Then many people told me I should tell my story, and hence the book.

AR: What's the significance of the book's title?

GL: The title represents the myriads of experiences that one has in life- some happy, some sad, some shallow, some deep. The term ‘layers’ is suggestive of the depths, as well as the uncertainty of such experiences. Life is a multi-layered gift which is spent uncovering those layers to reveal the full potential that God has placed in us.

AR: Throughout all the challenges that you were forced to endure, what inspired you to keep pushing and never give in?

GL: My faith in God kept me going. I clung tenaciously to God’s promises in His Word- the Bible. It was my only chance of survival to believe that my life was spared to fulfill some greater purpose.

AR: What kinds of responses have you gotten to the book thus far?

GL: So far, everyone is saying that it is a page-turner. Many people were not aware of those past experiences that fashioned me. Now, they are able to better appreciate the person who I am. Above all, I’m told that it is an inspiring book.

AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?

GL: The main message is that when life deals you lemons make lemonade or a lemon meringue pie (LOL). The whole idea is to work with what you have to get what you want, and to never lose hope.

AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with Xlibris?

GL: Very satisfying. Xlibris is a top-notch and very professional company. They took care of my every need and the minutest detail from the second I gave them my manuscript. I am very pleased with their work.

AR: You're also the author of two poetry collections. Please share more with us about your other writings.

GL: Poetry is my first love. My first book ‘Seasons’ is a personal collection of poems that covers various themes of the human experience such as love, loss, happiness- just life in general. My second book ’Poetically Speaking: Poems for the Elementary Classroom’ was written for a younger audience and introduces students to different kinds of poetry and its literary elements.

AR: What are your long-term writing/publishing aspirations?

GL: I have lots of ideas floating around in my head- there is a journal I kept of my son that I may turn into a book. I also want to write about surviving widowhood, and produce some children’s books. For now, I’ll just keep writing…

AR: In addition to being an author, you're also a veteran educator. Please share more with us about your endeavors in that field.

GL: This year marked my thirty-first year of being an educator, and I’ve had the distinction of working in three countries at the elementary, middle and high schools, and college and university levels. I’ve also earned my PhD in education, so I look forward to continuing my influence in the field of education by impacting and producing educators.

AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?

GL: Readers can visit my website at www.layersofliving.net.

AR: How can they contact you directly?

GL: I can be contacted at gglee777@hotmail.com.

AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?

GL: I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to those who have supported my writing efforts, and to encourage other readers to get a copy of ‘Layers of Living’. Be inspired and be encouraged. Thank you for this interview.

AR: Thanks again, Georgette, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!