Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 34

Instagram posts now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! Look at me, posting before bedtime. I’ve shared my latest photos on Instagram with you, including what I’m reading, what I’m writing, and more. Check them out with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or go now to my Facebook author page for these posts and other fun stuff exclusive to FB.

Take care of each other, readers, perform an act of kindness toward a stranger, and have a safe and healthy long weekend (for my U.S. readers)!

E.R.G.

New book review up!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen. Here’s the opening to my post:

A young woman returns to the place her mother once called home to claim it for herself. She meets new friends and learns to navigate the past while also looking to the future. Author Sarah Allen Addison makes simplicity the forefront of her excellent new release Other Birds.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Take care of each other and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this week. Have a good night, readers!

Back to fall (and, maybe, a little normalcy)

Hello, Write Edge readers! I realize my explanations for disappearing midweek may be getting repetitive. Without a doubt, my heart and mind are here with all of you on all of my regular posting days. Sometimes, though, reality has a way of crashing into my schedule, which leaves me to pick and choose how I have to spend my time.

However, this week starts the month of September, and even though the autumn solstice is still a few weeks away, I always think of September as the official start of fall. Here’s hoping (fingers crossed) that the new season will bring back a little normalcy to my posting. I’m certainly going to give it my all to make it so.

It’s the last Monday of the month, and even though I haven’t posted as regularly in the last month as I should, I definitely have been reading. Find out what stories from around the web and other writers caught my fancy during August. Check them out now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a new book review. Tomorrow is the release day for Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen. Find out what I thought of her latest magical realism offering on Wednesday. That review will go up on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

And, on Friday, it’s back to Instagram. Check out what I’m reading for next week (hint: writers, this one will specifically be for you!) as well as other bits and pieces of my week. Look for previous posts from me with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page.

Here’s hoping we can finally get back to that normal routine, right, readers?

Take care of each other, and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this week!

E.R.G.

That time when I got lost on my way to the internet…

Hello, Write Edge readers! What an absolute joy it is to be able to write that again. This hiatus wasn’t exceptionally long, but it feels like ages since I’ve chatted with all of you.

I was supposed to post my original short fiction on Monday and end the hiatus then, I know. I even had the story written and ready to go. And then I got caught up with other writing and reading responsibilities and didn’t remember to post the story until long after I was supposed to be asleep.

So, yes. I got a little lost on my way to the internet.

Never fear, however. I’m back with both Monday’s content and today’s to make up for it. First, this week’s short story. I have to admit, when I was re-reading this just before actually posting it I started to wonder a little more about these characters. Could this be a future book someday? I don’t know. Here’s an excerpt, though:

Mrs. Dutta was the only person in the entire school who knew Preeti from Before. Before boarding school and Before her sister’s death and her parents’ divorce and Before she started seeing things no one else saw. The auntie from her mother’s gossipy social circle didn’t know about the last part, and there was no way Preeti was going to give her more fodder to fuel her conversations.

Read the whole story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

Next up is this week’s book review. I met debut author Larry F. Sommers through a cool pandemic podcasting project and am delighted that I got the opportunity to read his first novel. Here’s the opening to my post on his first book Price of Passage.

An immigrant in the 1800s finds himself in the American Midwest dealing with the hardships of a new life, a new country, and new politics. As he navigates love and establishing himself, he also discovers the limits of his conscience. Author Larry F. Sommers takes readers deep into the pre-Civil War era in the promising debut Price of Passage.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Tomorrow was supposed to be the culmination of this month’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s. Instead, you’re getting all four installments in one. Be on the lookout for it tomorrow!

And, finally, on Friday I share some more parenting adventures. At the end of the week, find out what happens when parents have to sit down and break their children’s hearts in order to help them look toward the future.

Take care of each other, readers, and show a stranger some kindness this week. This world will be so much better for it!

E.R.G.

Short hiatus!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! As you noticed last week, I didn’t post anything. Between edits of my novel due to Atmosphere Press later this month, my day job, and various other end-of-the-summer activities (including bidding a fond farewell to my nine-year-old Kindle,) I’m a little tied up. Rather than let more time go by without adding new content, I thought it best to put the blog on a little hiatus. I’ll be back the week of the 22nd with new book reviews, short fiction, this quarter’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s, and more.

Thank you for your support, readers! Have a great week, take care of each other, and do a good deed for someone.

E.R.G.

Friday fun!

Hello, Write Edge readers! First, I’d like to say I’m thinking about the flooding victims in Kentucky. I would urge all of you who can to donate to charitable organizations that can get aid to Kentucky and other places affected by natural disasters.

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It’s the last Friday of the month, and it’s also the fifth Friday! I won’t be posting any Instagram pictures today, and I’m sorry about not posting my book review earlier this week. Long story short, I didn’t quite finish the book on time. But I’m working my way through it and will share my thoughts soon enough.

In the meantime, I do have two fun things for you that only show up occasionally on The Write Edge. The first is my newest episode of Biblio Breakdown, my writing podcast where I take a book and use it to discuss writing techniques and tips. Today I took a deeper dive into The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. Check out the latest episode of Biblio Breakdown to find out what this book did well and how you can apply it to your writing!

Also, because it is the last Friday, that means a brand new Growth Chart! Want to know what my latest parenting adventures are? Here’s a quick excerpt:

I have to wonder, though, if my older child having a cell phone has made me worry about her more.

Read the whole piece now on Growth Chart!

Next week is August — eep! I can’t believe it. I’ll be back with more writing news and more reviews and stories and such.

Stay hydrated, readers, take care of each other, and do a good deed for a stranger this weekend.

Have a good one!

E.R.G.

Last full week of July!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! We’re in the last full week of July. Once August hits, we all start gearing up for school routines and the fall. While the summer has been a wonderfully laid-back time, I’ll admit, I’m ready for our schedule to be more regular once again.

In the meantime, I have new content for you! First, today is the last Monday of the month. That means it’s our monthly writers’ showcase. I love doing these. It’s always such a great lesson in the craft when I read the work of others. Find out what I’ve picked for you to read this month by going now to The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

On Wednesday I’ll share a new book review with you. This week I’m reading the recent release Peril at the Exposition by Nev March. It’s the sequel to Murder in Old Bombay, which I discovered on vacation. I fell in love with the story of Jim Agnihotri, amateur detective, and the Framji family, so when I saw that Nev March had a sequel I couldn’t wait to dive in. Find out whether the second book measures up to the first in the middle of the week on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Then, on Friday, it’s a new Growth Chart and (hopefully) Instagram photos. My goal is also to have the newest episode of up on that day too. I’ll keep you posted on whether that works out for this week (I’ve got a lot of reading, writing, and revising to do before then!)

Stay hydrated, take care of each other, and do a good deed this week, readers!

E.R.G.

Instagram posts now up!

A very good evening to you, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest Instagram posts for you. Find out what I’m reading for next week’s book review, get a peek into my vacation days, and more! Use my handle, @EktaRGarg, on Instagram to see the full photos and captions, or check out the previews here on the home page. You can also go to my Facebook author page and see the posts there.

Stay hydrated, take care of each other, and do something good this weekend!

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier. Here’s the opening to my review:

The wife of a rebounding star finds herself accused of his murder. As she navigates the justice system and deals with her husband’s death, she must also deal with secrets from her past that might undo her entire future. Author Jennifer Hillier gives the thriller genre a thoughtful read in the compelling, entertaining book Things We Do in the Dark.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Stay hydrated, take care of each other, and do a good deed today.

Have a great week, readers!

E.R.G.

Vacation? What vacation?

Good evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve been home a whole week now, and it feels like my time off was eons ago. I’m back to the normal routine of running around after the kids, for the house, behind my writing. I’m grateful to be back but also a little wistful for the time away.

I’d actually chosen a writing prompt this morning for this week’s Writing Workshop post but couldn’t fit in the time to write a whole story. Since this year is about my writing shorter pieces anyway, I thought a haiku would suffice. I’ve also added something fun to the poem from my travels for you to enjoy. Check it out now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

One of the advantages of going on vacation is how much reading I get done. This week I’ll share with you my review of the brand new book Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier. Find that review on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

And then on Friday, we go back to Instagram — I promise! Find out what I’m reading for next week’s review, get a reminder on what book I’m using for my upcoming episode of Biblio Breakdown, and more. You’ll see all of that at the end of the week on Instagram on Friday! Go to Insta and use my handle, @EktaRGarg, to see my other posts, or check out my Facebook author page.

Stay hydrated, take care of each other, and do a good deed this week. Have a good night, readers!

E.R.G.