New parenting post — and a surprise! (No, not the parenting kind. :D)

Hello, Write Edge readers, and happy Friday! I hope you’re all staying warm this week. Here in Central Illinois, it’s chi-lll-lll-y. We’ve got snow and a few spots on the sidewalks are still a little icy. Despite that, I see more people this year out and about during the winter. I even saw a pair of girls bundled up in heavy jackets rollerblading today!

It’s the last Friday of the month, so for those of you who are long-time followers you know that means it’s time for my monthly parenting post. Here’s a quick excerpt:

I wonder sometimes, though, if it’s possible for us to be overly sensitive. To start walking on eggshells because we’re too scared to say anything. Too scared to make a joke or to speak without thinking.

Read the whole piece on Growth Chart now!

Also, I promised a surprise earlier this week, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. Some of you may remember that last year I was fortunate enough to become the host of Biblio Breakdown on the Writescast Network podcast collective for writers. Sadly, Writescast folded at the end of the year, but founder Ryan Campbell gave me his blessing to continue with Biblio Breakdown in the same format with the same name and schedule — and I’ve posted my first independent Biblio episode for you today!

As a quick recap, Biblio Breakdown is a writing podcast where I talk about a particular aspect of writing using a recently-released novel as an example. I talk about what the book did well and then offer exercises so writers can practice the same things in their own manuscripts.

Today I’m discussing giving your readers too much information and focusing on Savage Road by Chris Hauty. Find the whole episode on my author website, EktaRGarg.com, and share it with your writing friends.

Wear a mask, stay socially distant, wash your hands, and have a fantastic day and weekend, readers! Stay warm out there!

E.R.G.