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“The Woods”

February 26, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

The Woods - The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee

“The Woods” provided mystery. “The only patch of woods in our flat world of cotton and soybean fields passed the window in a dark blur.” Kids see the world through creative and colorful lenses, their imaginations pushed to high gear. If you’ve read my book, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, you know about this particular stand of trees. Gracie Lee and her little sister, Abby, studied the woods from the back seat of Momma’s car each time they traveled to and from Boon Chapel—at a minimum, twice on Sunday.

Any place unusual in the Delta was considered interesting and worthy of extra thought and usually given a special name such as Thrill Hill or Dead Man’s Curve or Blue Hole.

But especially The Woods.Continue Reading

about the Setting for my Novel…

December 21, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Setting: The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee

Today I’m discussing the setting for my novel, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee. First of all, the definition of setting… Setting includes the environment and surroundings of a story. From A. A. Milne’s 100 Acre Woods to Henry’s hospital bed in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, the setting includes the landscape and time period as well as items on the kitchen counter.

The setting for my book is rural Mississippi County, Arkansas, the place I grew up. In my story, not only does the setting provides background information and paint a picture of the place, but the setting is integral to the story, affecting tone and mood. At least I hope you’ll find that to be true.Continue Reading


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: May 25, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025

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