Gracie Lee and Eudora Welty ~ common connections…

The protagonist of my book, Gracie Lee Eudora Abbott, has an obvious connection with Eudora Welty. But there are not so obvious connections, too, that you will begin to understand as you read The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee.

Eudora Welty is one of my favorite American writers. Just before Christmas when I wrote about the setting for my novel, I quoted Welty who said, “One place understood helps us understand all places better.” Welty wrote about the South, always creating a strong sense of place in her writing. And y’all know I love the South:)

As we sit here two days from the release of my novel, I have a suggestion if you’re up for it—sort of a prerequisite assignment—but not really because it’s optional. Read Eudora Welty’s short story, Death of a Traveling Salesman. (Not to be confused with Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, for which there is no connection to my book as far as I know.) Without giving away anything, I’ll simply say there are a few common themes, as well as a direct correlation beyond Gracie’s name.

I bet your local library has shelves devoted to Eudora Welty. What’s your favorite Eudora Welty novel and/or short story?

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Gracie Lee & Eudora Welty connection. @LemuriaBooks @SouthernAuthors #debutnovel #TheAccidentalSalvationofGracieLee[/tweetthis]

P.S. Don’t forget to join me this week at noon CST for Pop-up Book Readings on Periscope. Yesterday’s reading has been downloaded to YouTube for your entertainment. Click HERE to watch.)

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Musical Pairing:
Linda Ronstadt, Long, Long Time