Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 79
July 1, 2019
Hiatus on a half shell
Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s July — can you believe it? We’re almost at the halfway point of summer.
Around our house, we’re in planning mode for some upcoming travel. Between that and trying to work on the first draft of the last section of the novel, I thought it would be more prudent to put The Write Edge on a semi-hiatus — that is, I’ll schedule motivational quotes and book reviews and also share new photos on Instagram, but new weekly fiction and Growth Chart entries will have to wait until August to return.
It’s better, believe me. This way I get some sleep. 
June 26, 2019
Book review now up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Check out the opening to my thoughts on The Girl in Red by Christina Henry:
A young woman finds herself without family or friends as she tries to travel hundreds of miles on foot to escape disease and chaos. Along the way she will need to call on every single instinct to help her survive. Author Christina Henry takes the familiar story of “Little Red Riding Hood” and gives it exciting twists and edges in her newest book The Girl in Red.
Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a fantastic rest of the night, readers!
E.R.G.
June 24, 2019
Milestones…
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve hit a second milestone for the year. Not only did I turn 40, but also I’m now officially the mother of a teenager.
Heaven help us all.
June 21, 2019
Instagram today!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted new pics on Instagram — check them out with my handle @EktaRGarg or by visiting my Facebook author page (where you can find other fun stuff too, by the way.)
Have a lovely weekend, readers!
E.R.G.
June 19, 2019
Second review for today!
Hello again, Write Edge readers! I’m posting my second review for today. In this review, you get my thoughts on Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim. Here’s the opening paragraph:
A young Chinese American woman comes home to fulfill a dream. As she gets to know her mother’s neighbors and works on making her dream come true, she discovers secrets and gets answers she’s sought for much of her life. Author Roselle Lim draws on her own cultural heritage to give readers a story full of delicious recipes but light on substantial fare in the cooking-related novel Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune.
Enjoy the full review on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a good evening, readers!
E.R.G.
First book review of two!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted the first of two book reviews for you today. Here’s the opening to my review of The Griffins of Castle Cary by Heather Shumaker:
Three siblings run into ghosts and mayhem during their vacation. What starts as a venture into the unknown turns into a rescue mission when a ghost wants to adopt one of them. The three will have to trust one another’s special talents if they want to make it back home without losing anyone. Author Heather Shumaker gives readers a warm, sweet story about the sibling bond and spooks her target audience without truly frightening them in the charming novel The Griffins of Castle Cary.
Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Keep an eye out for the second review in a bit, readers!
E.R.G.
June 17, 2019
Just another manic Monday…
Good evening, Write Edge readers! Yes, just another manic Monday, in which I’m plugging away at my novel, judging stories for writing contests, mentoring young writers, and, yes, thinking of all of you. Finally, the wait for today is over! :>
In a way, my late posting tonight is reflected in this week’s inspirational quote. It’s often been said that the most successful people aren’t the smartest or brightest or fastest; it’s the ones who didn’t give up. I think this applies to all your life passions. Today’s quote, of course, deals with writing but could easily be interpreted for anything else:
“I believe myself that a good writer doesn’t really need to be told anything except to keep at it.” — Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic
I’ve posted my short story for you today; it’s not so much a story as it is a reflective piece told from a fictional point of view. My original thought was to take the writing prompt in a darker direction, but then I started thinking about how yesterday was Father’s Day. Here’s a line or two:
A man burst out of the room where I’d begun to feel the wear of all the footsteps, and he pumped his arms in the air.
“It’s a boy and a girl!” he yelled.
Read the whole story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
In the middle of the week, I’ll share two new book reviews with you! The first will be for The Griffins of Castle Cary, the first children’s book from author Heather Shumaker. Then later in the day, I’ll post my thoughts on Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim. Come back for both reviews on Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Then it’s back to Instagram and my world of visual posting at the end of the week. Check out all my posts thus far with my handle @EktaRGarg or on my Facebook author page!
Have a lovely week, readers!
E.R.G.
June 14, 2019
Parenting adventures posted!
Hello, Write Edge readers! What a long week, especially since I’ve been caught in a crime. If you want to know more, check out this excerpt from this week’s Chart:
Prosecutor, from table: “What did they get from Panera?”
Judge peering over his glasses at prosecution: “How is that relevant to the case, counselor?”
Prosecutor shrugs: “It’s almost lunchtime, and I’m hungry.”
Read the whole transcript for the case on Growth Chart now!
Have a great weekend, readers!
E.R.G.
June 12, 2019
Book review up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner. Here’s the opening to my review:
Two sisters face tragedies and challenges through the decades. Along the way, they will encounter the trials unique to women and learn to come to terms with how gender plays into their personal narratives. Author Jennifer Weiner gives her characters free rein, to the detriment of the plot, in her overly long novel Mrs. Everything.
Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a wonderful night, readers!
E.R.G.
June 10, 2019
Another summer day…
Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s been another lovely summer day. Honestly, I know we have harsh winters here in Central Illinois, but the summers make up for them. Moderate temperatures are great motivators to smile big, breathe deep, and write. :>
Speaking of which, here we are at the start of another week with another motivational quote. Any life passion worth pursuing can make us a little afraid but can also offer us our greatest source of hope. This week’s quote comes from someone who knows all about both:
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” — Anne Frank, Jewish diarist
I’ve also posted this week’s fiction for you. It’s a micro fiction piece — 50 words exactly — so no excerpt. Go ahead and check it out now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
This Wednesday I’ll share a new book review for you. Tomorrow is the publication date of Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner. Find out what I thought about the book on The Write Edge Bookshelf in the middle of the week!
On Friday we go back to my parenting adventures on Growth Chart. Check those out at the end of the week!
Have a wonderful week, readers!
E.R.G.
