With August upon us…

Posted on August 3, 2020 Updated on August 3, 2020

Hello, Write Edge readers! Okay, raise your hand if you can’t believe it’s already August? Like you swear it was just March about 10 minutes ago?

I think, in some ways, we feel like if we could just pause the year and give scientists and our essential workers a few minutes to catch up, that we’ll be able to finish this year with a sigh of relief. That we’ll get back everything we’ve lost so far in 2020. Especially the people.

Time continues to pass, no matter how much we loathe it to.

One thing that allows us to capture a small piece of time, though, and turn it back — even if it’s in our hearts and minds — is stories. So don’t be afraid to share yours. Don’t be afraid to let people know how you think and feel and what they need to hear from you today. One way to do this is participate in others’ stories by reading. This week’s motivational quote reminds us why that’s so important:

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”—George R. R. Martin

I have new short fiction to share with you. Here’s a quick excerpt of the new story I wrote today.

What did I give Katherine that year?

He fought with his memory to bring up the answer, but it refused to yield. Refused to bring back a recollection of a trip to a store, a receipt tucked into the small zipper pocket of his wallet. Stonewalled his attempts to picture her reaction when she opened…what?

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

Speaking of stories, this week I’ll share the review of a new one. Or a new book, rather. Ironically (I promise, I didn’t plan this!) the book review I’m going to post on Wednesday is about how we tell stories. How we manage them when they get bigger than us. And how they might change lives in the most unexpected of ways. Find out on Wednesday what I thought of It Came from the Sky by Chelsea Sedoti; that review will be up on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

It’s the third quarter of the year, which means a new Thursday R.E.A.D.s. After years, Suzanne Collins released a new book, and she went back to the arena of the Hunger Games. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes came out this spring, and this whole month I’ll delve into it as a r.eviewer, e.ditor, a.uthor, and a d.reamer. Wonder what Thursday R.E.A.D.s is? Find previous R.E.A.D.s books here on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

And on Friday, I’ll have brand new Insta-pics to share, including a fun new addition to my writing studio to keep it shining bright. Find other Instagram posts by using my handle, @EktaRGarg, or go to my Facebook author page. See you for all that on Friday!

Have a fantastic week, readers, and stay safe, stay home, stay hydrated, and stay healthy!

E.R.G.