Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 72

No book review today

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I promised you a review of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, but (cards on the table) I didn’t finish the book. Despite my best intentions to do so, it just didn’t draw me in. So I didn’t read it all the way through and can’t review it.

It’s on to the next book on my reading list, however. Hopefully I’ll have a Christmas present in the form of a review for you next week.

Meanwhile, it’s back to writing my own novel. Have a lovely rest of the week, readers!

E.R.G.

Two weeks to the end of the year!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! We’re halfway through December — two more weeks until the end of this year and this decade. Can you believe it?

I’m plugging away at the novel. It’s been quite the mental exercise, especially knowing that I’m working toward a dream that has a 50-50 shot of coming true. When I write it out like that, I like my odds. :> I have to remain mindful of the fact that the odds go in the other direction too. To that end, though, I think it’s still important to make those efforts, to pursue those life passions. To throw ourselves headlong into the process, because even the process is rewarding as this week’s quote tells us.

“I love my rejection slips. They show me I try.”—Sylvia Plath

My writing for The Write Edge Writing Workshop may have gone on hiatus this month, but the reading never stops. In the middle of the week, I’ll let you know what I thought of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. Come back on Wednesday to know my thoughts on this book!

At the end of the week, it’s back to Instagram pictures. Check out my previous posts with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page (where you can find other fun stuff exclusive to Facebook.) Check it out this week before you get new Insta-pics this Friday!

Have a wonderful week, readers! (And stay warm. :>)

E.R.G.

 

Parenting post now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. Here’s a quick excerpt:

The trouble with this kind of tolerance, I believe, is that it leads to another type tolerance: the kind where we implicitly give people permission to say and do whatever they want and not suffer consequences.

Read the full post now on Growth Chart!

Have a lovely weekend, readers!

E.R.G.

New book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope you’re having a great day so far. I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I’m letting you know what I thought of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley. Here’s the opening to my review:

A boy and a grandfather share a wonderful secret: when the grandfather was young, he visited a special circus meant only for children to attend. The boy makes it his mission to go back that same circus and call in a favor when his grandfather becomes ill. Author Cassie Beasley introduces several wonderful, endearing characters in her excellent novel Circus Mirandus.

Find the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great rest of the week, readers!

E.R.G.

Doing more than “just” living

Hello, Write Edge readers! We’re well and truly into December now, and with only 22 days left in the decade I hope you all have plans for some merriment. I also hope that if you’re pursuing a particular passion or goal that the holidays remind you of the incredible gift these pursuits are. Some don’t have the luxury of pursuing anything beyond the source of their next meal. Please remember that and be generous in your giving.

For those of you on a schedule even through this holiday season, I have a quote to remind you to stay on track. The quote speaks to writers, but, as always, I think you could substitute any creative endeavor (or, really, any passion you have that you’re sincerely pursuing) and the quote still apply. It reminds us that life is about more than just going through the motions.

“Why do we write? Because we cannot simply live.”—Pattie Smith

As I announced last week, The Write Edge Writing Workshop is on hiatus for December as I continue to work on my novel. It’s so much fun! Of course, I do miss meeting new characters and following them on their stories. I can’t wait to get back to the Workshop in January. In the you’re more than welcome to check out previous posts.

This week I’m reviewing a book that isn’t necessarily new to the publishing world but is new to me. Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley came across my review list a few years ago, and I’m finally getting the chance to read it. Find out what I thought of it this Wednesday on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

At the end of this week, we go back to my parenting adventures and all that my girls and I are up to. Check it out on Friday on Growth Chart!

Have a wonderful day and week, readers!

E.R.G.

 

Instagram and a book review (about my writing)

Good evening, Write Edge readers! I hope you’re safe and warm. We’re almost ready to crack open some pizza boxes with good friends, but I knew I couldn’t let the weekend start without saying hello to all of you. :>

First, a book review, but this time it’s about my writing instead of one I’ve written. Several months ago, I had the good fortune to be published in the multi-genre anthology Elemental Tales by the Facebook writing group Stone Soup. Here’s one of the most recent reviews, which mentions my story, “Washed Clean”, by name. If you haven’t checked out the collection, please do so and leave a review as well. Reviews, positive and negative, all help writers gain visibility. Check out the review on Curled Up With a Good Book  out of the U.K.!

And, of course, my Instagram pics. Find out what I got for Christmas! (Yes, I know it isn’t Christmas yet. :D) Check out the latest posts with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page where you can find other fun stuff too.

Have a wonderful weekend, readers! (Now it’s time for pizza!)

E.R.G.

New book review!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope you’re having a good Wednesday so far. I’ve got a brand new book review for you, and even though the book is a few years old I still think it’s a worthy read. It’s The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. Here’s the opening to my post:

When a child goes missing, the new parents enter what they think can only be the worst experience of their lives. As time passes, though, they learn things about one another that terrify them even more than losing their baby. Author Shari Lapena will keep readers glued to the pages of her well-executed novel The Couple Next Door.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a fantastic day, readers!

E.R.G.

Ending the year strong

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I hope you all had a safe, warm Thanksgiving full of time with loved ones and yummy meals. Now we’re back to the work week with the chill of the holidays and the Christmas season in the air!

It’s the last month of the year and the decade, and I’ve chosen to end this year strong. More on that in a minute, but first I’d like to share this week’s motivational quote. I think it speaks directly to what I’m trying to do and, really, to any life passion or goal you all might be pursuing:

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out.”—Robert Collier

As for ending the year strong, I’ve got a detailed plan in place on how to finish the current draft of my novel. That involves a lot of writing time, which I need to devote to the book almost exclusively if I want to finish this draft by the end of 2019 (there, now I’ve declared it publicly, and I’m counting on all of you to keep me honest!) To that end, for this month only, I’m going to put The Write Edge Writing Workshop on hiatus. Of course, there are still plenty of fun stories to read if you want to check out some past works. Be sure to do so and tell me what you think of them!

I’m not stepping away from this space completely, however. How could I, when all of you support me so much on a weekly basis? You’ll still get book reviews (because, let’s face it, I can’t stop reading no matter what’s going on in my life.) In fact, there will be a new one up on Wednesday. Find out what I thought about the thriller The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. Check out the review on The Write Edge Bookshelf this week!

At the end of the week it’s back to Instagram pics! You can find my previous posts with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page (where there are other fun things exclusive to Facebook.) Come back for those on Friday!

Have a fantastic week, readers, and thanks for all the love!

E.R.G.

Happy post-Thanksgiving!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I thought I’d be able to post my latest parenting adventures for you today, but I’ve been unable to finish them on time. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and I’ll definitely be back with parenting adventures and more.

Have a lovely weekend, readers! Stay warm and safe!

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! Happy Thanksgiving Eve. :> I know some of you might be traveling this holiday week, and some of you might be hosting. Please, everyone, stay safe and stay warm.

For those of you who are not doing either — if you’re taking it easy at home by yourself — one way to stay warm is a good book. I’ve got several recommendations for some amazing ones on The Write Edge Bookshelf. Today I’ve got a new book review for you and leave it up to your discretion as to whether you end up reading this one. Here’s the opening to my post:

A reporter follows her hunch when a woman approaches her about misconduct in the workplace. Despite the fact that her first source on the story disappears, the reporter persists in her efforts even as she comes closer to elements that put her life in danger. Veteran mystery author Mary Higgins Clark offers her take on the MeToo movement in the well-meaning but overly quaint novel Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry.

Read this, and more reviews, on The Write Edge Bookshelf now!

Have a fantastic holiday, readers! (And if you have the opportunity to do so, please perform an act of kindness for a complete stranger. It could be something as small as holding a door open for someone who has their hands full, but a little kindness comes back as a lot of gratitude and even more joy for the recipient. Pretty great way to spend a holiday, if you ask me!)

E.R.G.