Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 86

Book review up!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I share my thoughts on the brand new release An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Here’s the opening paragraph to my review:

A woman joins a psychology study as a way to make some quick cash, only to discover that she’s been drawn into a situation that runs past academics. The longer she stays in the study, the more questions she begins to ask even as she realizes that every question might bring her closer to the destruction of her own life. Co-authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen return after a successful debut with another fun thriller in their latest book An Anonymous Girl.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

(It feels so great to start the new year with a great book. :> Hope you pick this one up.)

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

 

Into the new year

Happy new year, Write Edge readers! May 2019 be full of happy, healthy moments for all of you. For my writing friends, may it be full of well-rounded characters, plots with depth, and lots of publishing successes!

It’s the start of the week, which means our motivational quote. This one can apply to non-writing-related goals as well as those that require imaginary friends. :> Regardless of what dream you’re pursuing, remember to do it full-heartedly.

“Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change.”— Sarah Ban Breathnach, author, philanthropist

I’ve also posted my first short story of the year. A writing discussion question led me to realize that I often write from a female protagonist’s point of view. I don’t know if I’ll be successful writing from a male protagonist’s POV, but I’d like to try it more often if nothing else to strengthen my writing skills. Here’s an excerpt of this week’s short story:

The movies don’t talk about what happens after the credits are done. When the house lights come up and you have to look the prisoner in the eye. Deal with the reality of that person’s crime.

My name’s Mike. I haven’t spoken to my father in 17 years. He was sent to prison when I was 5.

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

In the middle of the week, I’ll have a brand new book review to share with you. Tomorrow is the release date of An Anonymous Girl by co-authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. They hit the bestseller lists with their previous collaboration The Wife Between Us. Come back on Wednesday to The Write Edge Bookshelf to find out what I thought about their latest novel!

Then, at the end of the week, we go back to some fun parenting adventures. My girls are growing up big and fast, and they’re getting smarter (and funnier) by the day. Check out some of their latest quips this Friday on Growth Chart!

It’s the start of a new week and a new year, readers. Make it a good one!

E.R.G.

Happy new year’s eve!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! As we close out 2018, I wanted to offer you a wish or two. This has been a year full of tumult for many, on many different levels and for a variety of reasons. In these times of chaos, it’s imperative that we hold fast to our dreams. When life, or world, events knock you down, gather some of the rubble and use it to build the foundation for your aspirations. Even the most sincere dreams require work, as we’re reminded in this week’s motivational quote:

“An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself.”–Charles Dickens

It’s the last Monday of the month, so I’m sharing a few pieces that caught my eye. Achieving our goals truly is a group effort, and I believe in supporting the writing community. It makes sense, then, that I turn the focus to them. This month’s picks are a little tart, a little sweet, but definitely enjoyable for consumption. Find them now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

I’ll be taking the rest of the week off from blogging to spend time with family, but I’ll return next Monday with more stories, more book reviews, and more parenting adventures for 2019. Thank you so much, readers, for sticking with The Write Edge and its ancillary blogs.

I wish you a joyful, healthy new year.

E.R.G.

Book review up!

Hello again, Write Edge readers! I’ve got this week’s book review for you. Here’s the opening to my post on Warning Light by David Ricciardi:

A CIA analyst finds himself in a conflict in the Middle East during a mission. As he does his best to dodge those with malicious intentions, he will have to draw on his instincts and his skills if he wants to get home safe and sound. Debut author David Ricciardi takes readers on a wild and implausible ride in the crazy spy thriller Warning Light.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a wonderful week, readers!

E.R.G.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you. I spent all day yesterday and today traveling to be with family and am happy to see them, hug them, and wish them in person. Tell someone close to you today that you love them. I promise you’ll only get love in return. All of you are my writing/reading family, and for you I’m truly grateful. I wish each and every one of you a peaceful, joyful holiday season, no matter what you celebrate or believe.

Now, on for our schedule! I realize we’re off by a day, but I wanted to offer you our regular content all the same. Even in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s important to keep our dreams and goals in mind. Here’s this week’s motivational quote to remind you why:

“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”—Zig Ziglar, American author and motivational speaker

Also, I’ve posted this week’s short story. Holiday-themed, yes. Applicable to any time of the year, yes. I hope it also offers you a little bit of inspiration this week. Here’s an excerpt:

I’d heard of the promotion going to someone else earlier that week, and my cheeks still burned with anger. Frustration. One plopped into the chair next to mine, and I resented the cheerfulness. The contentment rolling off in waves. Who gave anyone else a right to happiness when all my hard work had clearly been ignored?

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

Tomorrow I’ll share a brand new book review with you. Find out what I thought of a debut spy thriller from earlier this year. On Wednesday you’ll get to know my thoughts on Warning Light by David Ricciardi on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

As for this week’s Growth Chart, I’m still not sure if I’ll get to post it. If I do, you’ll be the first to know. :>

Have a wonderful week, readers! Big thank you to you all!

E.R.G.

Book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Here’s the opening to my thoughts on Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak:

A family of brothers must decide how to respond to the father who deserted them when he comes home. As the boys grapple with why their father left in the first place, one of them will find a way to close the gap between everyone. Author Markus Zusak returns to the book world after more than a decade with the heartfelt but somewhat faulty novel Bridge of Clay.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.

Only one more week ’til Christmas!

Hello, Write Edge readers! We’re just one week away from Christmas, and if your house is anything like ours you’ve probably got a laundry list of tasks (including the laundry) to accomplish before then. Finish those tasks, and prepare to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. Everyone enjoys some time off and a little bit of joy.

The craziness might make writers a little more frenzied as we work doubly hard to finish our writing goals. Even as you rush to the post office to mail cards or gifts or bake that umpteen cookie, take it all in. Everything you’re doing could be used in a story one day. As this week’s motivational quote reminds us:

“A writer…must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource. All…is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.” —Jorge Luis Borges, Argentine short story writer, essayist

Speaking of motivation, every week I hunt down a writing quote that piques my interest and use it as motivation for a new short story. Often when I choose the quote, I don’t know where it will take me or what characters will present themselves. That’s part of the fun. To that end, I’ve posted this week’s short story for you. Here’s a quick snippet:

The little table she kept just inside lay on the floor, begging to be righted. The small faux crystal bowl that used to sit on it now lay smashed in dozens of pieces. A few more steps in revealed that the rest of the space looked similar. The house had been thoroughly ransacked.

It’s about time, Jodie thought, closing the door behind her.

Motivation comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including time. Last week I wrote about author Markus Zusak and the 13 years that have passed since his smash hit The Book Thief arrived in the world. He had the urge and the motivation to keep going to write Bridge of Clay, which came out this October and which I’ll review for you on Wednesday. Find out what I thought of Zusak’s book this Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

As we swing into winter break, I’ll share another set of parenting adventures for you. At the end of this week, come back to see how the kids have been driving me nuts/inspiring me lately. :> Find all the zaniness at the end of the week on Growth Chart!

Have a lovely week, readers, and stay warm and dry!

E.R.G.

New parenting adventures!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest parenting adventures for you. This past Sunday our older child got to do something she loves almost more than anything: perform on stage. Here’s an excerpt from my thoughts on the show:

Given how much Twelve loves time on stage, I thought she might want to try out for the role of Rhythm or Melody. Even the part of Queen Gliss made sense; Gliss wears a gown and a tiara and is the highest ruler of the land. What’s not to love about all that?

Read the whole post now on Growth Chart!

Have a wonderful weekend, readers, and stay warm and dry!

E.R.G.

A book review…or not

Hello, Write Edge readers! As most of you faithful followers know, Wednesdays are book review days. Today I’m sharing the preview to the book review. :> Curious? Confused? Concerned (for my sanity)? I’m currently reading Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak, the same author who gave us The Book Thief. I haven’t finished the book yet but felt compelled to share a few thoughts on what I’ve encountered so far (and anyone who has read a Zusak book knows that, yes, the right word there probably is “encountered.”) Head on over to The Write Edge Bookshelf now to read more!

Have a lovely evening, readers!

E.R.G.

This week, half done

Hello, Write Edge readers! Only 15 days until Christmas — are you ready for the holidays? :>

Even during this time of year, it’s important to keep our life’s passions in mind. I’ve started work on something big — every writer’s ultimate dream — but I don’t always get to spend time at my computer on it. Some days I bang out 1000 words or more. Today it was barely 100. But I still fight for every minute I can; even a hundred words gives me the confidence to move forward. That’s what today’s motivational quote is about confidence. Check it out:

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”—Henry David Thoreau

I’ve posted this week’s short fiction. When I first saw the prompt, I thought of espionage and intrigue. In the end, I decided to go with something a little simpler. Here’s an excerpt:

She might have been content to stay too, had he not raised a hand against her. Again. And again. By the fourth or fifth time, Jamie knew she’d had enough. She would get out. She didn’t need a Cosmo quiz to tell her what kind of relationship she was in.

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

I’m sure you’re all wondering about the title of today’s post, and it has to do with my book review. After more than a decade, author Markus Zusak of The Book Thief fame, came back with a new novel that released in October. As many of you who read his previous work, I’ve been dying to know what he would come up with next and now that I have my hands on it I’m reading it one patient page at a time.

At a whopping 540 pages in hardback, this is the longest book in a while that I’ve read. I don’t think I’ll have all of it done by Wednesday, so I decided to go with something new: a half review. Because the book will at least be half done by then. Find out on Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf what I thought of the first half of the book.

Finally, at the end of the week, I’ll share some thoughts with you about a theater performance we saw over the weekend that included one of the kids. For my latest adventures in parenting, come back on Friday to Growth Chart.

Have a lovely week, readers, and be sure to stay warm and dry!

E.R.G.