Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 83
March 27, 2019
Postponement and an announcement
Hello, Write Edge readers! I know I promised you all a new book review today, but with several other projects on hand I didn’t get to finish Jean Lee’s Fallen Princeborn: Stolen. I will definitely have it finished by next week and will share my thoughts then, however. And who knows? If you all are good, I might even have two book reviews! :>
I’m not going to leave you completely hanging here, however. After much thought, time, planning, brainstorming, and even a little bit of procrastinating, I’ve launched a new extension to The Write Edge that will now function as my author website. Check it out by clicking here, and be sure to give me your feedback!
Have a great day, readers!
E.R.G.
March 25, 2019
Wrapping up March…
Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend. We’re coming off spring break here, so while the kids were up on time this morning there was also a little bit of complaining about having to go back to school.
(Don’t worry, I waited until they’d left before doing a little happy dance that break is over. :>)
The kids are back in their regular routine, which means my routine can go back to normal too. It’s the start of the last week of March — can you believe it? Here in Central Illinois, the weather has begun to shed its winter weariness and is starting to exert a little bit of courage to change. Spring means new things — and new stories. :>
But first, our inspirational quote for the week. I especially love this one, because I believe it succinctly captures who a writer is and, by implication, what a writer can achieve. Check it out:
“A writer is a world trapped in a person.”—Victor Hugo
Isn’t that wonderful? Because it means there are many worlds to explore. It’s the last Monday of March, which means our monthly writers showcase. Which means new worlds to visit. This month I’ve included a serious piece, a relatable piece, and even a poem. Read all of the work in this month’s showcase now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
One of the greatest things about pursuing an artistic endeavor is the sense of community the participants foster. I’ve mentioned before the anthology Elemental Tales, by the Facebook writing group called Stone Soup. Get the book, read my story “Washed Clean”, and review the collection on all your favorite review outlets!
As my writing community grows, I get to meet new writers and am so thrilled when I can make a connection with one of them. Author Jean Lee approached me and asked if I would review her YA book Fallen Princeborn: Stolen. I’ve started reading it and will post my review this Wednesday. Come back this Wednesday to read my review on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
I announced a couple of weeks ago that I’ve begun my foray into Instagram. I’m still trying to figure out the app, but it’s definitely fun. At the end of the week I’ll have more content posted, so find me on Instagram this Friday to check out my latest pics!
Have a great week, readers!
E.R.G.
March 22, 2019
Parenting adventures up!
Good evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. Here’s a sneak peek:
“It was a fake name!” I exclaimed. “What does it matter how they spell it?”
She looked at me in mock horror. “It matters!”
I just shook my head.
Read all of the Spurts now on Growth Chart!
Have a lovely weekend, readers!
E.R.G.
March 20, 2019
Book review up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Burning Fields by Alli Sinclair. Here’s the opening to my post:
A young woman returns to the family farm after a stint in the big city. As she works through the challenges that threaten her family’s livelihood, she learns to trust her instincts and stand up for herself in a male-dominated world. Author Alli Sinclair brings the Australian sugarcane farming community to life in the somewhat uneven but fairly enjoyable book Burning Fields.
Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a great night, readers!
E.R.G.
March 18, 2019
March is almost done!
Hello, Write Edge readers! We’re exactly two weeks away from the start of another month. Does anyone else feel like this year is zipping by??
I hope those of you who are Instagram-savvy have visited me there. As a reminder, my handle is @ektargarg. Be sure to check out my photos and follow me there!
And now, we’re on to this week’s content. For today’s motivational quote, I wanted to share a little something I read in a great book. Last week I had a fun talk with someone about why the arts make us feel so vulnerable. I think Betsy Lerner hits it on the head here:
“[T]he child writer … has figured out, early on, that writing is about saving your soul.”—Betsy Lerner, The Forest for the Trees
As we talk about saving things, we move on to this week’s short story. I’ve thought a lot about fairy tales. This week’s short fiction is inspired by a story most of you know well. The trick, as always, is to give well-loved tales a fun twist and to offer something new. Here’s an excerpt of my effort:
The answers back then seemed simple enough. If she scrubbed the windows well enough, the sunlight would cheer her up. If she beat the dirt out of the clothes, she would look pretty and presentable. Not that, back then, she had anyone to look presentable for. Other than the other servants in the cottage, no one saw her.
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 week I offer you my thoughts on historical fiction Burning Fields by Alli Sinclair. Check out my review on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
At the end of the week, we’ll go back to my parenting adventures. Want to know what the girls and I have been up to? Find out this Friday on Growth Chart!
Thanks, as always, for all the support, readers, and keep doing so by checking out Elemental Tales, an anthology with my short story “Washed Clean.” Enjoy the onset of spring, and have a lovely week!
E.R.G.
March 15, 2019
Latest feature to join The Write Edge!
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I promised you all something new, and here it is. I’ve joined the intrepid world of Instagram.
Now, mind you, the world of Instagram is intrepid. I am not, at least not while I’m figuring it out. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, and I’m in the craft (and business) of words, then I think it’s high time I add a few pictures too. :>
I’ve posted my first three pics, so if you’re on Instagram check them out! My handle is @ektargarg.
Every two weeks, I’ll share three new pics: one personal, one professional, and one in support of the writing community. These will also include covers of books that I’m #readingnotreviewing — books that I’ve decided to read but not necessarily review in a professional capacity. After all, a bibliophile has to keep some of the fun for herself, right?
Thanks for the continued support, readers! Share the new Instagram handle. And while you’re at it, here are some other social media handles to share too:
Facebook: @ReaderEditorAuthorDreamer
Twitter: @EktaRGarg
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/TheWriteEdge
Happy Friday, everyone, and stay warm!
E.R.G.
March 13, 2019
Book review up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn. Here’s the opening to my review:
A young girl, spiteful and mean, dies from illness, and her classmates think they won’t have to worry about her anymore. When she returns as a ghost to haunt one of them, however, they realize she may never truly leave them alone. Author Mary Downing Hahn tries to infuse a story of bullying with a sense of intrigue in the dismal World War I novel One for Sorrow.
Read the full review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
E.R.G.
March 11, 2019
Something new coming…
Hello, Write Edge readers! A quick reminder about the book launch of the anthology Elemental Tales, which happens this Saturday on Facebook. I’m thrilled to join the other writers in the group known as Stone Soup for their first-ever anthology. The eleven short stories in this collection feature the elements; each author picked an element of nature to use as a focal point of his or her story. Come to the launch, and support Stone Soup and the authors by getting your copy here!
I’m excited about this week because I have something new planned for all of you. I announced a couple of weeks ago that I would start posting Growth Chart on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. That allows me more time for other writing and editing that needs my attention right now. It also allows me to build something new into The Write Edge for those Fridays when a new Growth Chart doesn’t go up — and I have the answer.
But you’ll have to wait until this Friday to find out. :>
In the meantime, we’re on to our regular content. Those of us with enough courage (or, some might say, recklessness) to pursue a life passion that doesn’t guarantee success understand that we’re going to fail often. In fact, that part actually is a guarantee. Some of that failure comes from less developed skills. Some comes from lack of knowledge. Whatever it is, in the fact of that failure we need to exercise our greatest courage. Check out this week’s motivational quote for more on this idea:
“I think a certain fearlessness in the face of your own ineptitude is a useful tool.”—Michael Cunningham, author
Speaking of fearlessness, this week’s new short story features a couple of sisters who possess it in spades. I’ve posted it for you, but here’s an excerpt:
Grace issued the first warning, Mercy the second. The townspeople knew that the third strike meant disciplining. The Higgins twins knew too, or at least residents assumed they did. How could they not? Everyone within 50 miles knew the way the Sisters handled matters.
Read the whole story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
In the middle of the week, I’ll share a book review that talks about a different kind of fearlessness. This Wednesday, I’ll let you know what I thought of One for Sorry by Mary Downing Hahn. Check out my review in the middle of the week on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
And Friday, as I said, is a day for a surprise, for something never before seen here on The Write Edge. I think you all will like it. I’m excited to try a new mini venture. Check it out at the end of the week.
Have a great day and week, readers!
E.R.G.
March 8, 2019
Parenting adventures up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. Here’s a quick snippet:
Don’t worry. (Imagine me scoffing.) Sure. Easy enough for her to say.
Read the whole Chart now on Growth Chart!
Have a great weekend, readers!
E.R.G.
March 6, 2019
Latest book review posted!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on Convergence by author Ginny L. Yttrup. Here’s the opening paragraph to my post:
Strange occurrences remind a psychologist of a horrific event from her past, and she must deal with the post-traumatic stress. As she does so, she turns to her faith for guidance and also goes with her instinct to confront the incidents. Seasoned author Ginny L. Yttrup tries her hand at the suspense genre in the well-meaning but ultimately unsuccessful novel Convergence.
Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a great day, readers!
E.R.G.
