Identity and Writing: Interview with April Farlow

Hello Book Lovers! Today, we’re interviewing April Farlow about identity and the process of writing her new book, Pieces of You (available for pre-order at 20% off). She is a speaker, coach, advocate, and now, an author! She has spent 20 years motivating audiences to get out of their comfort zone, speak up, and represent their values.

She is also the founder of Lydia’s Place, a non-profit serving young adults who have experienced foster care or homelessness. A cornerstone of Lydia’s Place is to provide housing. Through partnerships with local non-profits, it has opened 20 bedrooms to care for young adults in need.

Now, she’s drawing on all those experiences to write a Christian living book for women about discovering your identity in Whose you are.

Without further ado, let’s get into the interview:

SH: What makes your book’s main theme, knowing your identity in Christ, so compelling to you?

Farlow: I spoke at an event for young adults aging out of foster care many years ago. Hearing the stories of so many teenagers who had negative or no parental influence really changed me. I started an organization called Lydia’s Place, where we serve young adults who have experienced foster care or homelessness. We have 20 bedrooms in Athens, Georgia, where we offer housing while students seek independence. 

Serving these young adults has made me so aware that knowing where you come from has a large impact on where you are going. As I talked with the students, I relayed so much advice I had heard from my own parents—and I saw how much they craved guidance. I also saw that the content I had been teaching as a corporate coach is relevant at any age. 

Serving also expanded my faith in a huge way! As my faith has grown, I have found it harder and harder to talk about identity and values or vision without incorporating God into that message. This book has allowed me to explore my faith alongside advice I share both in corporate settings and with students—and I realize it is truly all connected. Connecting my own pieces has been a gift, and it is my prayer the readers will connect their pieces as well! 

SH: What need do you see in the world that Pieces of You helps to fill?

Farlow: I believe that now, more than ever, we have more voices telling us who we should be.  When we know who we are and understand that our Heavenly Father created us uniquely, it brings clarity in a world filled with confusion. It helps us make decisions, live on purpose, and move towards the future intentionally. 

SH: What research did you do to prepare for writing this book?

Farlow: The research for this book was my greatest surprise. I invited thirty random friends to explore each of the topics that became the chapters in Pieces of You.  The women, who didn’t really know each other when we started the groups, became friends with very real conversations. My friends didn’t want to leave. There are questions at the end of each chapter to encourage other women to have similar conversations.

We crave a place to stop comparing and to share, and I believe the questions help drive meaningful conversations for women to be real. 

It was also interesting that I taught this to two different groups. In each group, often the same questions led to very different conversations. It made me understand how very personal each of the topics are to our stories and our identity. 

SH: Did you struggle with any beliefs and perspectives through the process of writing this book on identity?

Farlow: Yes! For years, I have taught a session called “Disagree Agreeably.”  In the exercises, participants have to clearly state evidence before sharing their opinions. This would largely be focused on work related topics or world issues. During the writing of this book, I got to practice the exercises specifically related to my faith. I got to explore not just my beliefs but where they came from, and it has certainly given me a stronger sense of my own identity—which is the same goal for the reader. 

SH: How are you going to celebrate the launch of your book?

Farlow: I am so excited to invite my Kaleidoscopes, the thirty women who helped me write the book back together to launch this book. With their help, I will be hosting 3 Kaleidoscope-themed events for women to explore some of their pieces in small groups, just the way we did!