Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 77

Saturday surprise!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I know, those of you who read the blog regularly are probably thinking, “What is she doing posting on a Saturday?” Well, what I’m doing

New review for you

Good morning, Write Edge readers! As promised, I’m posting my review of the middle grade book Small Spaces by Katherine Arden for you. Here’s the opening my post:

A young girl recovering from a recent tragedy must think on her feet to help herself and her classmates out of a scary situation involving ghosts. If she can’t find the answers—or the heart to follow them—all of the kids will be stuck serving an evil power. Author Katherine Arden gives middle grade readers a fair number of thrills and touching moments in the novel Small Spaces.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

Good (early) morning!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! After a long time, I’m greeting you first thing in the morning. I’m so excited to be doing so, as well as excited about the fact that I have a full week’s worth of content to offer you.

First, our motivational quote of the week. I think it’s encouraging us to consider our perspective. It’s always so easy to allow the negative events of the world get us down. Sometimes, though, we need to focus on the positive — and the possibilities.

“No, I do not weep at the world—I’m too busy sharpening my oyster knife.”—Zora Neale Hurston

Now for this week’s short story. It’s a little scary, to me at least, that the writing prompt I picked has to do with the ocean. So did our motivational quote. Is my subconscious at work overtime in some strange capacity that I don’t know? Here’s an excerpt of this week’s new fiction.

“Ever since the rise of climate change, scientists from all disciplines have been working together to figure out what the hell is going on and how we can fix it. NASA got involved when NOAA asked us to step in, because they kept getting readings on their instruments that just didn’t make any sense with all the knowledge we have about marine life. What we found…”

She shuddered, looked around the bar again, and then grabbed her purse.

“I’m sorry, I need to go home.”

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

On Wednesday I’ll share a new book review with you. This week I’m offering my thoughts on Small Spaces, a new middle grade novel by author Katherine Arden. You’ll find that review in the middle of the week on The Write Edge Bookshelf.

Finally, at the end of the week, a new set of parenting adventures. Come back to read my musings on the summer, my thoughts on becoming the parent of one teen and two middle schoolers, and more. Check it out on Friday on Growth Chart!

Have a wonderful week, readers!

E.R.G.

New Insta-pics!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve had a whirlwind of a day but still managed to post a few pics to Instagram. Check them out with my handle, @Ektargarg, or on my Facebook author page.

Have a great night and weekend!

E.R.G.

One review instead of two :<

Hello, Write Edge readers! As you can tell from the blog heading, I’m only going to be posting one review this evening for you. With guests coming in next week, my time is a little more divided than I’d anticipated and I just couldn’t write both reviews in time. But, rest assured, that just means you’ll get to read the review next week, and I still have a review of a brand new book for you this evening. Check out the opening to my post on The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware:

A nanny discovers she got much more than she anticipated in what sounded like the “perfect” job. Between creepy elements in the house and children who won’t listen, the young woman fights her growing anxiety and paranoia until she finds herself in prison. Except she says she’s innocent. Author Ruth Ware offers readers her latest thriller in the mostly successful novel The Turn of the Key.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a fantastic rest of the week, readers!

E.R.G.

Just another manic Monday…

Hello, Write Edge readers! Well, it wasn’t truly a manic Monday. I did manage to drop an entire gallon of milk on the floor — right after bringing it home from the grocery store, no less — but if that’s the extent of the mania of my days, I’ll take it. :>

I realize I’m posting late tonight, but I couldn’t go to bed without doing so. I’m back from all my travels and ready to get to work again. That includes talking to all of you on a regular basis!

During that trip to the store today, I saw several families with school supply lists in hand. It made me think of my childhood. Funny enough, since today’s motivational quote also has to do with the early years from someone who is an expert on them:

“Happily, an essential part of myself—my dreaming life—still lives in the potent, urgent light of childhood.”—Maurice Sendak

In today’s newest short fiction for you, I touch on the idea of childhood and leaving it behind. Here’s a short excerpt:

I didn’t want Jon to know how much I’d miss him this fall. I couldn’t say that to my big brother. Boys aren’t supposed to get all mushy about crap like that.

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

On Wednesday I’ll have two new book reviews for you. The first is for the latest by British thriller writer Ruth Ware. Her novel, The Turn of the Key, is on sale tomorrow. Find out in the middle of the week what I thought about it. Then stay tuned for the second review on Wednesday of the middle grade thriller novel Small Spaces by Katherine Arden. Come back to The Write Edge Bookshelf for both in the middle of the week!

At the end of the week it’s back to regular Instagram pics. Can’t wait to share those with you. Check them out on Friday!

Have a great week, readers!

E.R.G.

Instagram — again!

Hello, Write Edge readers! With the kids out of town this week, I thought I’d save the juicy Growth Chart tidbits for another Friday. In the meantime, check out my latest post on Instagram with my handle, @EktaRGarg. This time it’s a video about Elemental Tales, the anthology featuring one of my short stories. The book is on sale at a lower price, so check it out now, read and review it, and support indie authors.

(And if you’re not on Instagram, find the post on my Facebook author page.)

Have a great weekend, readers!

E.R.G.

Book review up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my newest book review for you. Here’s the opening to my thoughts on Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah (which I read while on vacation):

A PhD student meets a young girl who claims to be an alien. Despite the student’s efforts to send the girl home, the child persists in sticking close to her. As she works through the mystery of where the child came from and what to do about her, the student will discover a spark of magic that still resides in her own heart. Debut author Glendy Vanderah draws readers into the world she’s built in meticulous detail with a touching first novel in Where the Forest Meets the Stars.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great night, readers!

E.R.G.

Back from vacation!

Hello, Write Edge readers, and happy Monday! I’m back from vacation. It was a wonderful time full of fun and new memories for our family. I hope to share some of them with all of you in my future writing.

Along those lines, I think this week’s motivational quote slides right into place. It reaffirms for those of us in creative fields that everything in our lives is fair game for our life passions.

“Art comes from the place where you dream…from your unconscious; it comes from the white-hot center of you.”—Robert Olen Butler, author

It’s the last Monday of the month, which means our writers’ showcase. Today I’ve shared only three stories instead of the usual four. The first one is long but a worthy read. Check all of them out now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop.

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a new book review with you. Even when I travel, my books aren’t far from me. I’ll let you know what I thought of Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah. Find that review on Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

At the end of the week, I’ll be sharing a fun set of parenting adventures. Come back for those on Growth Chart this Friday.

Have a fantastic day and week, readers!

E.R.G.

Latest Instagram photos posted!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my last few pictures from Norway for you on Instagram. On Saturday we come home, bringing with us dozens of memories. Check out the newest Insta-pics with my handle @Ektargarg or on my my Facebook author page.

Have a wonderful Friday, readers! Be back Stateside soon!

E.R.G.