Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 50

Tech fails and successes (plus, it’s May!)

Hello, Write Edge readers! First, my most sincere apologies. Last Friday I had every intention of posting my latest Biblio Breakdown episode. I had it all written, recorded, and then…tech fail. In a major way. Long story short — which you all know the ending to — is that I did not, in fact, post the episode.

However, I’ve figured out my tech problems and am thrilled to be posting it this week. I haven’t decided what day yet; I still need to re-record the episode and clean up a few things. Rest assured, however, that it’ll be posted.

Now! On to our normal week of content. First, this week’s short story. I came up with a fun piece of flash today, and it made me smile. Here’s an excerpt:

Just then Janice yanked on his arm, and he found himself powerwalking across the small park while trying to hold onto the hot dog.

“Janice,” he said, “jeez. Will you take it easy?”

“I want to meet our new neighbors,” she said, her speed contradicting her easygoing tone. “What’s the big deal about that?”

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a brand new book review. This week is the release of I Thought You Said This Would Work by Ann Garvin. Find out on Wednesday what I thought of this new women’s fiction novel about friendship. Check it out on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

It’s the second quarter of the year, which means we go back to Thursday R.E.A.D.s When I launched this new feature on The Write Edge last year, I tried to focus (mostly) on books I loved. However, once in a while it’s also nice to take a deep dive into books that I didn’t like quite as much. This month I’ll share my thoughts as a Reviewer, Editor, Author, and a Dreamer on Sally Hepworth’s newest novel The Good Sister. The first installment lands this Thursday!

Finally, it’s back to Instagram Fridays. Check out what’s going on in my corner of the world, writing-wise and otherwise, at the end of the week. Look for older posts here on the blog, or go to Instagram and use my handle, @EktaRGarg, to find me (and, hopefully, follow me.)

Have a great day and week, readers!

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Win, the newest thriller from Harlan Coben. Here’s the opening to my post:

An ultra-rich, privileged man with connections to the FBI is called in to consult on a case. As he digs deeper into the information on hand and uses his own resources to find out more, he discovers that the decades-old case has ties close to home. Author Harlan Coben is back with a fantastic thriller that combines swag and mystery in his latest book Win.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Boookshelf!

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

And spring has finally arrived…

Hello, Write Edge readers! We got our last spritz of winter last week — snow for about a day — and now the area has worked the colder temps out of its system and is ready for spring. Just in time for the last week of the month.

It is the last week, which means our writers’ showcase. It’s such a pleasure and thrill to read works by other writers. This month I’m sharing a story with a fun twist, micro fiction that packs a punch, and more. Check it all out now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

In the middle of the week, I’ll share my review of Harlan Coben’s newest book Win. Does this thriller live up to the reputation of his previous novels? Find that on The Write Edge Bookshelf on Wednesday!

Finally, on Friday, my writing podcast, Biblio Breakdown, is back! This month I’m examining The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner. Curious to know what Biblio Breakdown is? Check out previous episodes on my author website!

Also, a quick plug for a writing event I’m doing this summer. If you need help on a story, let’s brainstorm together on it. Sponsored by our local library, this Zoom event will give the opportunity to get support from the writing community to get unstuck on a story that’s giving you fits. Believe me, you don’t want to miss it!

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a fantastic day and week, readers!

E.R.G.

Parenting adventures now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. Here’s an excerpt from this month’s entry:

The context might change a little… The argument, however, is always the same. Take me to Starbucks. Buy me a treat.

Read the whole Chart now on Growth Chart!

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Take care of each other, readers.

Have a great weekend!

E.R.G.

This week’s book review!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted this week’s book review for you. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on The Good Sister by Australian author Sally Hepworth. Here’s the opening to my post:

A young woman with sensory issues decides to give her sister the ultimate gift to show her gratitude for her support. As the woman delves into the tricky world of emotions, she begins to learn that her sister may have kept secrets that affect them both. Sally Hepworth builds an intriguing storyline let down by a major plot twist in her latest book The Good Sister.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a wonderful day, readers!

E.R.G.

Two weeks left in April!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! We’ve only got two weeks left in April, although around here winter is still poking around. The high here in Central Illinois is only supposed to be 41 degrees tomorrow with a 70 percent chance of snow. Snow! This is actually normal for us. We’ve had snow the last two years in April. It’s sort of like winter’s last hurrah, its way of saying, “I’ll be back.”

Winter, spring, summer, fall, work continues here on The Write Edge. I’m in revisions for my novella that will be released later this year by Atmosphere Press (!!!!!) I spent the weekend staring at possible covers, polling family and friends on their favorites, and trying not to agonize (too much) over this important decision. As I work toward my dream of publication coming true, I know everything matters. I just want to make sure I don’t behave like they’re the only things that matter.

That’s why I’m so grateful to have the blog to return to week after week. It keeps me humble, because it reminds me of how I started my writing journey more than 10 years ago. It reminds me, week after week, of all of you and your support and how writers might write all alone but their work only thrives because of readers like you.

Speaking of readers, I’ve posted this week’s short fiction. Here’s a quick excerpt:

A gasp zipped through the townspeople. Elder Rockwell strode forward and smacked the criminal as hard as he could. The criminal’s head jerked to the side, but he didn’t cry out. Instead, he turned back and narrowed his eyes.

“You know it’s the truth.”

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a brand new book review with you. The newest book by Australian author Sally Hepworth came out last week. On Wednesday I’ll let you know what I thought of The Good Sister. Check it out on Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

And, on Friday, we go back to my parenting adventures. Think politicians are the only skillful negotiators? Think again. Find out more about what I mean at the end of the week on Growth Chart!

I’ll also be posting Instagram pictures this Friday! More on that as we get to the end of the week.

Unfortunately, I started my day with news of the death of someone in the extended family from COVID. They struggled in the ICU for three weeks before succumbing to the disease. So please, readers. Please:

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Take care of yourselves and one another this week.

E.R.G.

Instagram pictures up!

Good evening, readers! I’ve posted the latest snapshots of my life on Instagram. Find out what I’m reading, what I’m building (as in, hammer and screwdriver,) and what I’m enjoying in nature this week. Check it out with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or take a peek at the thumbnails here on the home page.

Wear a mask; stay socially distanced. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a lovely weekend, readers!

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser. Here’s the opening to my review:

When two women discover they’re half-sisters, they also unearth new information about themselves. As they begin to build a relationship with one another, they see all of their old relationships in new ways. Author Jessica Strawser tugs at heartstrings with her newest novel A Million Reasons Why.

Read the full post now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

Midpoint of the month

Hello, Write Edge readers! Can you believe that this week we’ll hit the midpoint of the month? Neither can I.

Around here, April means spring. That means things are in bloom and there’s a sense of renewal. Of hope. This year, that feeling is more poignant than ever.

In light of that, today’s writing focuses on the season. Instead of fiction, I wrote a bit of poetry (I know, right? Me; poetry.) Here’s the opening stanza to my three-stanza haiku:

The bird swoops downward.

Lands on the branch, stakes a claim.

Spring means a new nest.

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a brand new book review. At the end of March, author Jessica Strawser’s new book A Million Reasons Why came out. Find out what I thought of it on The Write Edge Bookshelf on Wednesday!

And on Friday it’s back to Instagram. Check out where I’ve been, what I’m reading (you’ll get the #bookreviewpreview for next week,) and, possibly, what I’m eating. :> Find that at the end of the week on Instagram. See older posts with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or look for the thumbnails here on the home page of the blog.

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a wonderful week, readers!

E.R.G.

Insta posts now up!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve just posted my latest pictures on Instagram. Find out what I’m reading, eating, and cleaning this week! Check out the thumbnails here on the home page, and then follow me on Instagram using my handle, @EktaRGarg.

Wear a mask; stay socially distant. Wash your hands; find out about the vaccine.

Have a great weekend, readers!

E.R.G.