Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 66

First installment of Thursday R.E.A.D.s !

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’m here today for the second installment of Thursday R.E.A.D.s. For those of you who may not have gotten a chance to explore this newest Write Edge feature in February, starting in 2020 once a quarter I’m going to take a deeper look at a book. I’m offering my thoughts as a R.eviewer, E.ditor, A.uthor, and a D.reamer of stories and novels all month long.

The first book of the year was The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. You can find that analysis here.

This month, I’m going to examine Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The first installment, where I look at the book as a R.eviewer, is up now on The Write Edge Bookshelf.

Here’s a bonus for you if you’re a writer and want extra content or if you like podcasts about books as they relate to writing: At the end of May, I’ll be sharing my entire analysis and more on The Writescast Network created by author and amazing writer advocate r.r. campbell. More about the podcast in the coming weeks, but I think you’ll really enjoy it.

Happy reading!

E.R.G.

Book review up!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on The Apartment by K.L. Slater. Here’s the opening to my post:

A single mother desperate to find a new home jumps at the chance to live in a high-end apartment. Afterward, however, unexplained circumstances make her second-guess her decision. Author K.L. Slater tries to dial up the mystery but misses the mark in The Apartment.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

May the Fourth be With You!

Happy Star Wars day, Write Edge readers! Even if you’re not a fan of the franchise, you have to admit that Baby Yoda is cute. He makes you smile right away. And, really, who doesn’t need an instant smile these days?

We’re into May. Illinois is still shelter-in-place until the end of the month, so we still have a ways to go. But the content here on The Write Edge continues. Plus, some fun new stuff is coming this month!

Let’s start with this week and the motivation to get us through the next seven days. We’re living in trying times. Even so, we can find ways to excel. How? By making it a part of our regular lives. Find out what one of the most quote people in history had to say about this:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”—Aristotle

Next, this week’s short story. If I didn’t have so many fun things going on, I would have spent more time on this concept. Still, the idea did pique my curiosity. Here’s an excerpt of my attempt:

He went in the office just behind the main desk and shut the door. Sam assumed that would be the end of it. After all, she didn’t follow him. But next thing she knew, she was standing next to a filing cabinet in the office.

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll post a new book review. This week I’ll let you know what I thought about the recent release The Apartment by British author K.L. Slater. Come back on Wednesday to read that review on The Write Edge Bookshelf.

It’s been three months since my previous Thursday R.E.A.D.s — my deep-dive analysis of a book. This quarter we’re going to examine Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. You’ll find out what I thought of the book as a R.eviewer, E.ditor, A.uthor, and D.reamer. Check out the first installment this Thursday!

On Friday it’s back to Instagram and the magic of pictures. You can find my old posts by using my handle, @EktaRGarg, or going to my Facebook author page. A quick summary of pictures will show up here on The Write Edge on Friday.

Now, for some fun stuff. If you’re a writer, you’re going to love this one. I’ve teamed up with author r.r. campbell, creator and host of The Writescast Network for two fun podcasts. Next month I’ll be a guest on “Novel Approaches,” the show that looks at different aspects of the craft. If you want to have a say in what we talk about, head over to Twitter now to vote for either Inner Conflict and Theme or Voice. You only have until tomorrow to vote!

If you miss it, though, don’t worry — there will be another opportunity to vote on Instagram, and I’ll post that when we get closer to that time.

At the end of this month, though, you’ll get to hear me — yes, hear me! — talk about Where the Crawdads Sing on “Biblio Breakdown” for the Writescast Network. I’ll do the deep dive of the novel but also include writing exercises for those of you looking to improve the craft. More on that as the time gets closer, but keep an eye out!

Have a fantastic day and week, readers!

E.R.G.

Newest parenting post up!

Hello, Write Edge readers, and happy Friday! It’s a new Growth Chart this week. We go back to Instagram next week. In the meantime, you get to enjoy a brand new parenting post. Here’s an excerpt:

We didn’t exactly do particle physics, and when I think of those weeks I can still feel the underlying anxiety that plagued me as the mother of two toddlers. I always felt like I was doing something wrong or was about to do something wrong or that everything would blow up.

Read the whole post now on Growth Chart!

Have a wonderful week, readers. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy, stay positive!

E.R.G.

Book review up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on the British novel Logging Off by Nick Spalding. Here’s the opening to my post:

A graphic designer discovers that his mobile devices are affecting his health. When he agrees to a digital detox, he discovers just how necessary—and not—technology is to his life. Author Nick Spalding hits every note perfectly in the laugh-out-loud humor novel Logging Off.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

Almost to the end of April

Hello, Write Edge readers! Can you believe we’re almost to the end of April? With the events of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders taking up the majority of the news, the days have been slipping by at a fast and furious rate. Who knew coming into the last month of school would be like this?

We all, I know, have redefined normal, writers included. For us, many things have stayed the same and others are different. Our goal — or, at least, my goal, and the goal of many writers I follow and chat with — is still the same: to touch hearts and lives. To make people feel something. To reassure everyone that we’re not alone. And by meeting these conditions, often we’re left encouraged.

That brings into play this week’s motivational quote:

“What we [writers] do might be done in solitude and with great desperation, but it tends to produce exactly the opposite. It tends to produce community, and in many people hope and joy.”—Junot Diaz

To that end, to produce community, I’m sharing the latest writers’ showcase. It includes a quick reminder to take care of yourself by way of a simple walk, a dystopian-type story that might produce a delicious thrill, and more. Find these stories now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

Next, in the middle of the week, I’ll share a review of a brand new book. In these times of uncertainty, we’ve found ourselves turning more and more to technology to keep us connected and entertained. What if you made a choice to dump tech for a while, though? That’s what happens to the main character in Logging Off by Nick Spalding. Find out what I thought about the book this Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

As for Friday, I know I owe everyone a new Growth Chart. If I get my act together this week, I’ll have a new parenting post and new Instagram pics to share. Let’s see what happens at the end of the week for all that. :>

Thanks for reading and sharing, readers. Stay strong. Stay safe. Stay home. Stay healthy.

And don’t forget to wash your hands.

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on the YA novel The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson. Here’s the opening to my post:

A school shooting survivor struggles after the event to resume normal life. She deals with anger and guilt and tries to run away from it all. Instead, she discovers that what she feared most is the only way to begin the healing process. Author Liz Lawson aims to add to the conversation of the effects of school shootings on young people with a story that looks too far inward in her new book The Lucky Ones.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

The hope of spring

Hello, Write Edge readers! Another week of social distancing, of waiting for numbers to fill the news. So many people have begun to get anxious and protest what they think are unreasonable measures. I wish they’d listen to the medical professionals in charge and stay put. There’s a reason why we’re being asked to stay at home. Don’t agree with the measures? Fine. But ask yourself and your loved ones all a question:

Would you be willing to stake your life or their lives on it?

***end of soapbox***

Here in my corner of the world, I’m still writing and editing, still reaching out to others in the virtual writing community to do my part to help them. I’m getting involved with new opportunities, and I’ll be sure to share them as they become newsworthy. In the meantime, we march on here at The Write Edge!

First, our motivational quote for the week. I love this, because it reminds us to push past those fumbling first efforts. It also reminds us that creative pursuits are worth their weight in gold simply for doing them.

“Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, do it.”—Neil Gaiman

Speaking of creative pursuits, I’ve posted this week’s short story for you. I have to admit, this one’s taunting me a little bit. I might have to turn it into a regular piece, because I don’t think this story or its unnamed narrator are quite done with me yet. Here’s a quick excerpt:

I ran my fingertips across the envelopes I still held. The paper seemed to stiffen. Like someone who’d been hurt and was offered a gentle touch, but they didn’t know whether they could trust the other person.

“If you want, you can put fresh stamps on them and drop them in the mail.”

I scoffed. “Do you really think they’ll end up where they’re supposed to go?”

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

On Wednesday, I’ll share a brand new book review with you. Earlier this month, the YA novel The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson released. Find out what I thought of the book in the middle of the week on The Write Edge Bookshelf.

And, finally, on Friday, I’ll go back to parenting adventures and let you in on how staying at home is affecting us in Weeks 5 and 6. Come back for that at the end of the week on Growth Chart.

Have a good day and week, readers. Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy.

E.R.G.

Instagram pics posted

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest Instagram pictures, and, as you all can see, you can now catch a glimpse of the posts right here on the home page of The Write Edge! I don’t think you’ll be able to get all the details (and my fun hashtags :D) without an Instagram account, but at least you’ll have a sense of what’s going on.

For those of you who do live an Insta life, find me by my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page where you’ll find other fun stuff exclusive to FB. Have a great day and weekend, readers. Stay safe, stay healthy, wash your hands, and treat one another well.

E.R.G.

Book review up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel. Here’s the opening to my post:

After her release from prison, a mother squares off with her daughter in a contest of wills. Both women want revenge for the wrongs committed against them, and despite the history that binds them neither are willing to offer the other any solace. Author Stephanie Wrobel traces the causes and effects of a bizarre syndrome in her compelling novel Darling Rose Gold.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a lovely day, readers!

E.R.G.