Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 84
March 4, 2019
The best-laid plans…
…get laid by the wayside, right? :>
Hello, Write Edge readers! I had many plans today of writing and editing goals. With non-writing responsibilities claiming some of my time, I didn’t get to all the writing (or editing) that I had noted in my writing day planner (yup, I’ve got a separate one just for all thing story related.) This evening as I did the dinner dishes, the quote about the best-laid plans came to mind.
I had a writing prompt picked out for today’s brand new short fiction but couldn’t create a story to go with it. I guess that means that story will have to be that much better next week, right? I did, however, have an inspirational quote to share. It has to do, once again, with the crafting of words, but in the larger scheme of things this quote is reminding us that any hard work we do toward our life’s passion can count. It can also be…well…hard.
“Editing is often small, tiny, and eradicating. Revision can be large, grandiose, and sweeping.”—Amina Gautier, novelist
No short story today, but I do have some new writing to announce. Last year I experienced three submission acceptances, all for short story anthologies. While I wrestled with these stories and their characters, I’m proud of all three of them.
The first one will come out in an anthology called Elemental Tales: A Multi-Genre Stone Soup Anthology. Ten other writers and I wrote pieces where one of the five natural elements plays a central part to the plot. I grew up in hurricane country, so it kind of made sense that I wrote about a storm — but not necessarily in the way you might think. Here’s the information and pre-order link for Elemental Tales by the writers group known as Stone Soup.
The second anthology comes out in April as part of the annual anthology release by the Facebook writing group Authors’ Tale. When that link goes live, I’ll be sure to share it so you can check out. This will be AT’s third anthology. In the meantime, you can go find the first anthology, Once Upon A Wednesday, at this link and the second book, called Heart Of A Child, by clicking here.
I do have plans to share a brand new book review with you. On Wednesday I’ll let you know what I thought of the novel Convergence, a first-time effort in the suspense genre by seasoned author Ginny L. Yttrup. Come back on Wednesday to The Write Edge Bookshelf to read my thoughts!
This Friday I’ll be back with new parenting adventures. At the end of the week, I’ll tackle a feature shared among all parents. Check out what’s new in my parenting world on Growth Chart!
Have a fantastic week, readers, and stay warm and dry!
E.R.G.
February 27, 2019
Book review up!
Good evening, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on the middle grade novel The Stone Girl’s Story by Sarah Beth Durst. Here’s the opening to my review:
A girl made must go on a journey away from the only home she’s ever known if she wants to save herself and her friends. Along the way she’ll encounter new people and creatures and learn the true story of her heritage. Author Sarah Beth Durst offers middle grade readers a sweet story that, unfortunately, drags in places in The Stone Girl’s Story.
Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a great rest of the week, readers!
E.R.G.
February 25, 2019
Rounding out the month of love
Hello, Write Edge readers! Here we are almost at the end of the month already — can you believe it? Time passes so quickly, and I hope it’s moving toward warmer weather at least. :>
It may be the end of the month, but it’s the start of the week and that means #MondayMotivation. Check out this week’s inspirational quote. It speaks directly to writers, but I think there’s a kernel of truth here for anyone pursuing a life passion: whatever you do must be extraordinary:
“You must dazzle your readers if you want to keep them, but they may be just as dazzled by a description of a lonely cloud as by a mushroom cloud.”—Betsy Lerner, editor, author
On this last Monday in February, I’m sharing yet again another writers showcase. For the first time ever since starting the showcase, I’m featuring a book review. As I scrolled through my reader, it caught my eye and kept me glued to the screen all the way to the end. Check out the review as well as the pieces of fiction that made me take notice on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
In the middle of the week, I’ll share a brand new review with you. Children’s author Sarah Beth Durst tells the story of a girl with unusual powers and abilities in The Stone Girl’s Story. Come back on Wednesday to The Write Edge Bookshelf to read the full review!
As I announced last week, Growth Chart will continue on an amended schedule for the next few months so no new post this week, but you can come back next week for a full Chart.
Have a great week, readers!
E.R.G.
February 22, 2019
Parenting adventures now up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’m posting my latest parenting adventures with a small caveat. Due to increased writing and editing responsibilities, I’m scaling back on Growth Chart just a little bit for the next few months. Instead of trying to post every Friday, I’ll post the second and fourth Fridays of the month.
Hopefully this alteration to the schedule will be temporary. In the meantime, there are new Spurts to enjoy today. Here’s an excerpt:
“Oh, wait,” I said in the middle of our laughter, “we’ve solved the mystery! Now we know what Sleeping Beauty was suffering from!”
“Breaking news!” Ten said. “Sleeping Beauty suffered from long-term anesthesia!”
Read all of the Spurts now on Growth Chart!
Have a great weekend, readers!
E.R.G.
February 20, 2019
Book review up!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my newest book review. Today I share my thoughts on Immoral Code by debut author Lillian Clark. Here’s the start to my post:
A group of teenagers take revenge on a parent when his indifference prevents one of them from going to college. As the friends navigate their elaborate plan, their relationships will reach new junctures. They’ll also have to decide whether their anger is worth risking all of their futures. Debut author Lillian Clark brings to her story five relatable protagonists in the mostly enjoyable novel Immoral Code.
Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a great evening, readers!
E.R.G.
February 18, 2019
Small changes
Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend. Winter continues to keep us in its firm grasp here in Central Illinois. It’s a good excuse to write and read.
Many of you regular readers may have noticed a post missing last week. Rest assured, I haven’t forgotten about it. In fact, I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit. The fact that I’ve missed Friday’s Growth Chart posts with some regularity made me realize it might be time for a small change to that particular arm of The Write Edge. But more on that later this week.
For now, we start our week with motivation for our life’s passions. While this famous author was speaking directly to authors, I think it’s safe to say that his intention can be translated to any heart-deep goal you pursue. Whatever that goal might be, you have to reach for it from every level of yourself. To that end:
“The writer’s individual humanity, his word or gesture toward the world, has to appear almost like a character that makes contact with the reader.”—Truman Capote
It’s not the last Monday of the month, but it is the last Monday of February where I’ll post new fiction. I promised stories about love this month, and that’s what I’ve tried to give you. Today’s short piece is no exception. Here’s a snippet:
I preferred to sit so I could dive into one of the books that had made its way from a pile in my apartment to my messenger bag. Before opening the book to my marked page, however, I always looked at him once. Just once. Did he like to read? I wondered. What kind of books would he read if he did?
Read the whole story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!
In the middle of the week, you’ll get a brand new book review. I’ll let you know what I thought of the new release Immoral Code by Lillian Clark. Check out my thoughts this Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
And, yes, there actually will be a new Growth Chart this Friday, along with a small change to how the posts come. Come back for all of that at the end of the week on Growth Chart!
Have a wonderful week, readers, and do stay warm!
E.R.G.
February 13, 2019
Book review up — writers, this one’s for you!
Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you, and today this one’s in a category close to my heart. Today I’m reviewing The Emotional Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, 2nd Edition by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. As might be obvious from the title, this isn’t a novel or fiction. It’s for those of us who create fiction, who look forward to spending time in worlds we’ve invented with people only we can see to better explore and explain the human experience.
In other words, writers.
Here’s an excerpt of my review:
Unlike the first edition, this version of The Emotion Thesaurus also comes with a quick primer at the front of the book. Writers will find this little resource handy when they want easy tips about how dialogue can convey emotion and the importance of subtext. They can also come to the front of the book for help with brainstorming new approaches to familiar feelings or how to conduct research into their characters to use emotions to make them three-dimensional.
Find the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a wonderful day, readers!
E.R.G.
February 11, 2019
The week of love!
Hello, Write Edge readers! Here we are, in the week of love. I encourage each and every one of you to reach out to someone you love this week and tell them so. It certainly doesn’t have to be a romantic love. The deep-seated caring shared between siblings, parents and children, and even friends can often mean just as much (and sometimes more) as that you share with a romantic partner.
It may seem a little silly to say so, but extend some of that love to yourself too. In this day and age, it’s easy to get discouraged. We hear of atrocities and shenanigans on the news, and we wonder just what it’s all about. What’s the point of making efforts, especially creative ones, if the loudest thing in the world is negativity?
Creative endeavors are needed now more than ever, and that means those of us in creative fields are needed now more than ever. We’re known for our neurotic approach to life: crumbling under self-doubt one moment, puffed up and preening like peacocks the next. This week’s inspirational quote definitely speaks to this:
“You wouldn’t be an artist if you didn’t feel somewhere in your heart that you’re better than everybody else and you’re going to blow them away. ”—T. Coraghessan Boyle
Maybe dialing down the arrogance is a good idea, but hang on to that self-confidence with your fingernails. It’s invaluable. As is love.
To that end, I’ve posted this week’s short fiction. Because it’s a micro piece, I can’t post an excerpt. I can tell you, however, that you can find it on The Write Edge Writing Workshop now!
Speaking of love, Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, founders of Writers Helping Writers, believe in giving back to the community they love: writers. The second edition of their popular The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression releases next week. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reviewer’s copy of the thesaurus. Come back Wednesday to The Write Edge Bookshelf to find out what I thought about it!
Of course, at the end of the week we’ll go back to a feature that so many of you love: Growth Spurts. Find out on Friday on Growth Chart what the kids and I have been up!
Have a wonderful day and week, readers!
E.R.G.
February 8, 2019
Parenting adventures posted!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. They run along the lines of growing up. Here’s an excerpt:
In all honesty I don’t know what’s making her think of the topic of marriage these days. No doubt, though, that it’s on her mind. Two nights ago, after dinner, she stood up from her chair with a pronouncement.
Read the whole post now on Growth Chart!
Have a lovely weekend, readers, and stay warm and dry!
E.R.G.
February 6, 2019
Latest book review!
Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on The Girls at 17 Swann Street by debut author Yara Zgheib. Here’s the opening to my review:
A ballerina allows herself to be admitted to a facility for the treatment of eating disorders after collapsing. As she meets and gets to know the other girls in the facility, she gains strength from their stories and learns to reevaluate her own body image. Author Yara Zgheib’s debut novel takes readers inside the mind in heartbreaking detail of a person suffering from anorexia but misses the mark on the story level in her first book The Girls at 17 Swann Street.
Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!
Have a great night, readers!
E.R.G.
