Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 82

New Instagram pics to share!

Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s another Friday of Instagram posts for me. Check out the latest pics to join my profile, including what book I’m #readingnotreviewing this week, what picture I put up as my #personalpost, and what’s going on in my world as I’m #writingmynovel. Find me on the app by my handle, @EktaRGarg.

Not on Instagram? No problem! You can check out the posts on my author page on Facebook!

Have a great weekend, readers, and Happy Easter to those of you observing the holiday!

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow. Here’s the opening to my review:

When her only parent dies without warning, a teen finds herself at the mercy of the foster care system. She’ll have to learn how to navigate new relationships and come up with a new definition of normal. Author Kathleen Glasgow brings her own personal experiences to aching reality in the wrenching but somewhat incomplete novel How to Make Friends with the Dark.

Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a fantastic day, readers!

E.R.G.

The midway point of April

Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s Tax Day, and I think CPAs are the only people on the planet who would call it their favorite day of the year — and that too because the bulk of their work is done. Most of us are probably fairly glum about what we have to pay in taxes, so it’s a great opportunity to do some fun reading. And what better place than to start right here on The Write Edge? :>

Let’s get right into it then! First is this week’s motivational quote. Once again it’s writing-related, but I think it’s easily adapted to any life passion. The point is, you have to keep working at it, diligently, with intention, every day, if you want to succeed. Check it out:

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” — Louis L’Amour, American novelist

Now, on to the rest of our regularly-scheduled content. First comes this week’s short fiction. I saw the prompt and grinned. While the short story format doesn’t give me much space to do so, I could see potential for expanding a story idea into something really cool. Here’s an excerpt:

Heddie went to the end of the lunch line for personnel and grabbed a tray. One thing that hadn’t changed much in 2029 in Alabama was the quality of food for prisoners. Supposedly the employees who ran the facility got slightly better eats, but Heddie had yet to see it in her four years as a manager.

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a brand new book review with you. Last week saw the release of the YA novel How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow. On Wednesday I’ll let you know what I thought of the book. Find that review in two days on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Finally, I’ve been having a blast with Instagram. It’s been fun trying to visualize my world while thinking of them as stories all at the same time. This Friday I’ll post new pics. In the meantime, don’t forget to see what I’m up to on the app. You can find me @ektargarg.

Have a fantastic week, readers!

E.R.G.

Parenting adventures posted!

A very good (very late!) evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve just posted my parenting adventures for you. This week I talk about the value of digging in your heels…sort of. Here’s an excerpt:

Maybe, years from now, we’ll be able to laugh over these showdowns, and I’ll get to gloat—just a little, mind you…

Read the whole post now on Growth Chart!

Have a great weekend, readers!

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 World War II novel The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer. Here’s the opening to my review:

A young woman grapples with the reality of a war-torn country. Another young woman, decades later, receives a request that seems impossible to fulfill. Both women struggle with truths they can’t voice. Author Kelly Rimmer gives readers a relatable story with mostly endearing characters in her latest book, The Things We Cannot Say.

Check out the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a fantastic day, readers!

E.R.G.

April with a bang!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve begun the second week of April with a bang. Last week I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writers’ Institute. I learned a lot, met many wonderful writers, interacted with amazing instructors, registered for a six-month mentoring program for my novel (!!!), and won second place in the contest held by the conference organizers for the best first pages of a story.

Needless to say, I’m smiling a lot these days.

The contest win belongs, in part, to all of you, my wonderful readers. Through your kindness and willingness to read the blog, I’ve been able to get better at my craft. I hope to continue to do you proud.

And now, on to our regularly-scheduled program. :>

For those of you pursuing life passions and big goals, I have a great quote for you to spur you on this week.

“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.”—Linus Pauling, American chemist and peace activist

My life passion, of course, is writing. Here’s an excerpt of this week’s new short fiction.

The absence of lamplight and a glow from the moon made the building take on subtle shadows. She squinted for a moment and cocked her head, thinking. Could she really do this? Could she leave the most precious part of her here on the doorstep?

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll share a new book review with you. This Wednesday it’s another World War II story with a slight twist. Find out what I thought of The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer on The Write Edge Bookshelf.

Finally, on Friday, we go back to parenting adventures. Wonder what the girls and I have been up to these last few weeks? Come find out at the end of the week on Growth Chart!

Thanks again for all the love and support, readers. Here’s to more writing successes that I can share with all of you! Enjoy the lovely weather this week. :>

E.R.G.

New Instagram pics!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I have new Instagram pics up and exciting news to share through them. This week I’m attending the UW-Madison Writers’ Institute conference and got recognized! I also had a fight with my dental floss, but, you know. Priorities.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I spent half the day traveling to come to the Writers’ Institute here in Madison, Wisconsin, which starts tomorrow. I can’t wait to meet new writing friends this week!

In the meantime, I’ve finally posted this week’s book review. I’m sharing my thoughts today on Fallen Princeborn: Stolen by Jean Lee. Here’s the opening to my review:

On the way to their new life, a high school senior and her younger sister encounter strange creatures. When the younger sister gets kidnapped, the teen won’t let unchartered territory deter her rescue efforts. Author Jean Lee brings to life a world hidden in rural Wisconsin in the fairly enjoyable but slightly problematic novel Fallen Princeborn: Stolen.

Check out my full review here!

Have a fantastic week, readers!

E.R.G.

Happy April!

Hello, Write Edge readers! No, the late post is not an April Fool’s prank. I just got caught up with all sorts of other things today. Plus, I had to let today’s writing prompt simmer a little bit in the back of my brain as I pursued said other things. So simmer it did, and now I’m ready to present you with this week’s short story, which, I hope, is at least semi-baked (if not fully. :>)

Before that, however, this week’s motivational quote. I can relate to this one this week especially, because when I chose the writing prompt I wasn’t sure what would happen when I splayed my fingers on my keyboard. Artistic endeavors are like that. Sometimes you initiate a project with a clear plan in mind. Other times? Not so much:

“True confession time: I never know where a book is going. If I knew where I was going, I’d get bored out of my mind and stop writing.”—Jane Lindskold, sci-fi/fantasy author

As I mentioned, I’ve posted this week’s short fiction. Take a gander at the excerpt:

I looked at Sandra. Her hands covered her mouth, pressed against it as if she wanted to keep all the bad thoughts and ideas from spewing out. The tears hadn’t stopped, though.

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll post the book review I promised for last week. On Wednesday, find out what I thought about Fallen Princeborn: Stolen by Jean Lee. Come back in two days for that review on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Lastly, it’s an Instagram week! I’m still fumbling my way through the Insta-world but starting to like it more. And this week is going to be really fun, because I’m attending the 30th annual Writers’ Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. So I’m sure I’ll have plenty of pics to share from the conference (and hopefully not making a total fool out of myself by pointing my phone everywhere.) Come back on Friday for those pics, and catch up with my previous pics in the meantime!

Have a great day and week, readers!

E.R.G.

Instagram update!

Hello, Write Edge readers! In case you haven’t heard yet, I’m finally on Instagram (I know, I know; took me a while, but I’m finally there. :>) Check out my latest posts, hot off the press (the camera? Is there an Insta-word for this? If so, let me know.)

Sorry, I’m done interrupting myself. I promise. I think.