Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 70
February 10, 2020
A full week coming your way!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope you enjoyed the newest addition to The Write Edge family last week. Didn’t get to it? No worries! You can find it here. Also, I’ll be adding a new installment this Thursday, so you’ll have plenty of time to check it out.
Also, this week I’m launching another new feature on The Write Edge, but that’s a surprise for tomorrow. :> In the meantime, we move on to our regular content for the week.
First, our motivational quote. Artists have to make a lot of interesting choices when they pursue their endeavors. In artistic fields, there’s always a discussion about white space — essentially, what’s not on the page or in the piece. There’s a reason for that, and I think this quote captures it perfectly. It also reminds us that silence (or the absence of content) can have just as much of an impact:
“The more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in.”—Henry Green
I’ve posted this week’s short story for you. Today I tried to get into the head of a character bent up on doing something wrong, only to discover someone had beat him to it. What happens next? Here’s an excerpt:
In fact, now that he thought about it, the house had that distinct essence of emptiness. Even thought it made his heart beat harder, Charlie gulped and stepped into the hall. He patted the weapon at his back and strode toward the stairs, shoving open bedroom doors as he went. Nothing; no one.
Read the full story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
On Wednesday, I’ll share a brand new book review with you. Cassie Beasley is back with a follow-up to her delightful novel, Circus Mirandus. Does the sequel measure up to the first book? Find out when I share my thoughts on The Bootlace Magician on The Write Edge Bookshelf this week!
This week Thursday R.E.A.D.s is back with the next installment of my analysis of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Last week I told you what I thought of the book as a R.eviewer. This week I’ll delve into how I thought of it as an E.ditor. Check that out toward the end of the week.
Finally, on Friday, it’s back to parenting adventures. Check out what the kids and I are up to on Growth Chart.
Have a fantastic week, readers!
E.R.G.
February 7, 2020
Instagram pictures now up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest pics on Instagram. Check them out with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page. Have a great weekend, readers, and stay warm!
E.R.G.
February 6, 2020
New feature on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’m thrilled to announce a new feature on The Write Edge Bookshelf. Every February, May, August, and November, I’ll take a book and spend the month analyzing it through the view of all the roles I serve in publishing: as a r.eviewer, an e.ditor, an a.uthor, and a d.reamer. These Thursday R.E.A.D.s will appear every Thursday of their designated months.
This month I’m talking about The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Check out this latest addition to The Write Edge, and let me know what you think!
(Oh, and if you’re confused about what it means when I say I’m a r.eviewer, e.ditor, a.uthor, and a d.reamer, visit my author page to find out more.)
Have a wonderful day, readers!
February 5, 2020
Coming soon…
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I know I’ve been away from my desk, but rest assured that you’re all on my mind. In fact, be on the lookout tomorrow for two new additions to the blog. :>
In the meantime, we continue with our regular “programming.” Here’s the opening to my book review of Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald:
A young woman wakes up in the hospital after an accident and finds out her mother was murdered. Worse, the police are suspicious of her. Without any memories to support or discredit their theory, though, she’s left with no choice but to conduct her own search for the truth. Author Christina McDonald leads readers through a dismal plot and unbelievable characters in her latest novel Behind Every Lie.
Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Looking forward to sharing new content with you tomorrow (yes, on a Thursday! Can you imagine? :D) and getting back to our regular schedule after that.
Have a lovely day and week, readers!
E.R.G.
February 1, 2020
Happy Tenth Birthday to The Write Edge!
February 1, 2020
Hello, Write Edge readers! Thank you for reading the blog for ten years. Ten years! A decade!
I had no idea, when I sat down and pressed “publish” on my first post, what would transpire. Back then I was just a young mom to two young kids—Three and One, at the time—and I wanted to make my voice heard. Between the never-ending laundry and play dates and library story times and preschool, not to mention cooking and cleaning and keeping house, I’d become quiet. My writing voice had, that is.
These ten years have helped me find it, and how.
Thanks to the blog, I’ve built a career in freelance editing. I’ve met dozens of writers, both online and in person, who inspire me and motivate me and, yes, even make me envious, in a healthy way, of their careers. The deadlines I’ve set for myself and the challenges I’ve undertaken have helped me grow as a writer, by leaps and bounds. Knowing that you all were waiting for me week after week forced me to write when I was angry, depressed, ecstatic, sick, worried, confused, excited—time after time, The Write Edge brought out the best in me as a person, a writer, and an editor.
I’ve made many writing friends, traveled to conferences, and now completed a novel I’m proud to pitch to agents in the coming months. I’ve become braver, both in life and in my work, and you all are an integral part of that process. I couldn’t have done this without your support, your comments, your likes, and your talents and encouragement. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I won’t lie, there have been times in these years I’ve considered giving up the blog. I didn’t know whether pursuing my writing would be worth anything. I couldn’t fathom building a career out of this art form.
But I’m doing it. One story at a time, one edit at a time, one blog post at a time. I’m here. With your continued love and support, we’ll be celebrating another decade before any of us can blink.
I try, every year, to challenge myself to come up with new and interesting features for the blog, and I believe I’ve done that for at least two sections. I’m continuing to brainstorm ideas, but be on the lookout in the coming weeks for fun new content on The Write Edge.
I dedicate these past ten years and any successes to all of you, readers, and I pledge to make the next ten even better.
Thank you.
E.R.G.
January 31, 2020
Parenting adventures now up!
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. For anyone who missed it earlier in the year, I joined a new club last summer. In the last couple of weeks, my initiation into the club became complete. Here’s an excerpt from my new post:
Parents of teens, congratulate me: I’ve officially become one of you.
Read the full Chart now on Growth Chart!
Also, I’ve posted my latest Instagram pics for you. Check those out with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or visit my Facebook author page to see them as well as other fun content.
Tomorrow’s a big day around The Write Edge — the tenth anniversary of the blog!! Keep your eyes open for a special anniversary post. Have a wonderful weekend, readers!
E.R.G.
January 29, 2020
New book review up!
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on The Look-Alike by Erica Spindler. Here’s the opening to my post:
A young woman comes home after years in a different country where she’s tried to forget a horrific event from her past. The minute she steps into town, however, it’s almost as if her life has spun backward. Worse, the mystery that sent her running from home is alive and well, a fact that could put her in danger. Author Erica Spindler excites readers in some places but leaves them shrugging in others in her newest novel The Look-Alike.
Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a lovely day, readers!
E.R.G.
January 27, 2020
My heart encapsulated in a decade
Hello, Write Edge readers! Welcome to the start of a very special week. In a few days, I’ll be celebrating ten years as a blogger. A whole decade! I’m still trying to process what that means, and I’ll be sure to share my thoughts when the big anniversary arrives.
First, though, we have our motivational quote. Writing has been so many things to me, but I love this description of it. I think this definitely applies to all creative pursuits.
“Writing is an amazing place to hide, to go into the rabbit hole, and pull the trap door down over your head.”—Ann Patchett
Next, it’s the last Monday of the month. That means our writers’ showcase. I love the creativity and energy and bravery of the writing community. They inspire me to do better every single day. Check out some fiction and also creative nonfiction, as well as a short poem, on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
In the middle of the week, I’ll share a new book review. This week I’ll let you know what I thought of the upcoming release The Look-Alike by Erica Spindler. Find that review on The Write Edge Bookshelf on Wednesday!
And the end of the week…hmm. For once, I’m a little stumped as to whether I should catch up on last week’s Growth Chart or go back to Instagram. I guess we’ll find out together on Friday. 
January 22, 2020
Book review up!
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Here’s the opening to my thoughts on The Tenant by Katrine Engberg:
The vicious murder of a young woman leads detectives to suspect the woman’s landlord. As secrets are revealed and new information comes to light, the detectives discover the woman and the landlord are tied to one another—and the landlord might be the next victim. Author Katrine Engberg gives readers plucky detectives stuck in a convoluted plot in her new novel The Tenant.
Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a wonderful day, readers!
E.R.G.
January 20, 2020
Honing talent one week at a time
Hello, Write Edge readers! We’re chugging along through January. Here in Central Illinois, we’ve had some bitterly cold days but the temperatures will warm up later this week. Everything’s relative, right? So when the temperature was minus-7 this morning, and I look at the weather for the week and see a high of 38 for Saturday, I think, “Wow, look at how high it gets.”
