Saying NO, the power behind it, and news!

July 15, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

The power of saying no.

NO is a powerhouse of a word that opens up space for yes. A million years ago I majored in economics. And while I understand the concept of opportunity cost, I find it difficult to apply to my writing life. I want to write all the things. All the things take time.

My husband’s former co-worker (RIP B. Bowden) had a beautiful way of saying NO. “We have no interest in this deal on any level.” I love this and always thought it was the equivalent business-speak for “Bless your heart.” End of story. NO room to come back and say, “Well, what if we do it this way?”

I say all this not to moan or preach or pontificate but simply to explain why these days I’m not blogging as often as I once did. Not blogging as much means I’m working on Book Two. Working on my new book means I haven’t been able to pitch freelance article ideas even though I really want to. Maybe I’m a slow writer. As Popeye says, I yam what I yam.Continue Reading

How hard is it to write a book? Let me count the ways.

June 24, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Forgive me while I complain for a moment. The truth is, writing a book is difficult under the most ideal circumstances, when the words are flowing and the light is faultless both inside and out, when I’m swimming in the deep end of creative waters. BUT. Writing a book is impossible when Japanese beetles are chomping away on my rose bushes.

Yesterday, I planned out the whole day—an entire luscious day with nothing to do but work on the book I’m writing. But you know the saying. The best laid plans of mice and men and writers. Somehow, even though I am “one with my garden”, piddling around in it at least daily, often twice a day, even so, yesterday morning completely by chance I noticed Japanese beetles swarming my roses like something straight from the Old Testament.

The Book of Exodus, to be specific.
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Gracie Lee’s Anniversary and a fab GIVEAWAY!

January 26, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

It’s Gracie Lee’s anniversary!

Today marks the one year anniversary of the release of The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee. To those of you who are still with me on this journey (and if you’re reading, I suppose you are), a humongous thank you all the way from the bottom of my heart.

No really.

THANK YOU.

On Gracie Lee’s anniversary, the book is selling well and may even be picking up steam. That’s a cool thing, especially for a first-time author one year later. And I have you to thank for it. Because when you tell a friend about it or write a review or post something on Facebook, the buzz builds little by little.

Of course, we must celebrate. Right?

Celebrate = cool GIVEAWAY! (Woodworx Workshop is sponsoring this giveaway, but all opinions are my own.)