WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR OF
Ekta Garg’s The Witch’ Apprentice and Other Stories
Book Summary
Have you ever wondered why Jack and Jill needed that pail of water in the first place? Or how Sleeping Beauty managed to prick her finger despite a royal order to destroy every spindle in the kingdom?
Fairy tales and nursery rhymes have given us some of the most iconic characters and images in storytelling; think Cinderella’s glass slipper or Jack’s oversized beanstalk. But what about the in-between moments? The ones that never made it to the page?
In this enchanting micro-collection of short stories, award-winning author Ekta R. Garg explores the untold scenes between the lines of some of our most loved tales. Find out what the Wicked Witch of the East was doing in the road before Dorothy’s house fell on her. Learn where Goldilocks came from. Meet the conmen who convinced the emperor he had new clothes and more.
Rediscover the wit, heart, and magic of the classics, and see them as you’ve never seen them before in The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.
Purchase a copy of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories on Amazon. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
Julie’s Review:
I personally love a twist on a commonly known story. Retellings can be awesome when done well. Like the TV Show Once Upon A Time, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories twists up some well known stories and gives you a new perspective. I love a new perspective on a character or even a new back story (I mean, my obsession with Wicked, HELLO) so the first story and title story of this collection drew me in right away. Why was the Wicked Witch of the East in the street anyway for the house to fall on her? Well this is a fun story showing more of her wickedness, and giving us a new character who goes on to grow her gifts and becomes an important character in a different story.
As with any compilation of short stories, I connected with some more than others. Stories that I am more familiar with or a bigger fan of made a more fun read for me. Also there were characters I didn’t expect to be sympathetic for. But I guess I have a soft spot for heartbroken thieves. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, so if you enjoy a good twist or expansion on a well-known fairy tale, check this book out.
Book tour-themed prompt: In your opinion, why do you think fairy tales (in any form) still resonate with readers today?
Fairy tales still resonate with me because they’re never really just about magic; they’re about us. They carry those timeless themes of love, loss, courage, and identity that show up in every stage of life. As someone who reads a lot of fantasy and is obsessed with Wicked, I especially love when a story flips the script and gives us the other side of the tale. It reminds me that no one is just a hero or a villain, we’re all a mix of both, shaped by perspective and circumstance. That’s why fairy tales, in any form, still feel so powerful today: they evolve with us, and we keep finding new pieces of ourselves in them.
Guest Post: Choosing Your Story’s Theme…Or Letting it Choose You
By Ekta R. Garg, Reviewer, Editor, Author, Dreamer
In writing, we often hear talk of themes—big-picture ideas like “love conquers all.” But how do we pick a theme for our work? Or does the theme pick us? Here are 10 questions to help you figure all that out.
- What is a theme?
The main underlying idea or meaning explored in the story; the universal facts of life
Are theme and plot the same?
No. Plot tells us what happened. Story tells us why it happened. Theme tells us what the story meant within the context of the plot.
Plot: “The queen died, and then the king died.”
Story: “The queen died, and then the king died of a broken heart.”
Theme: “The king died from loneliness, because the queen was his one true love.”
- What are examples of themes?
Good vs. Evil
The effects of love (in all forms)
Coming of age
- Can you have a plot without a theme? A theme without a plot?
On a subconscious level, stories help readers make sense of their own lives. Themes give them universal truths to live by. A plot without a theme is a character’s itinerary. A theme without a plot is a TED talk.
- When should I start working on the theme?
If you didn’t start with one, your theme will most likely appear during revisions. When it does, play it up with elements like dialogue or symbolism.
- Should I look for the theme in my story as I’m writing or let it emerge?
If we want our stories to be full and complete, we have to let them breathe. Starting out with a specific theme in mind might restrict the work in some way, so don’t force one. If you notice a specific theme early on, great! You can even let the theme guide you in writing choices.
- Should I explain my theme?
Your characters can state the theme or your narration could touch on it, but don’t put a metaphorical neon-colored flag over it. The story and your craft should do that for you.
How many themes should I have in my story?
Short stories should stick to one main theme, although they often do touch on more. A novella or book-length work lets you explore more than one theme, but be careful about including too many. Trying to put too many themes in a work can make the story sprawl, because it’s trying to do too much all at once.
- Can I use the same theme in more than one work?
Absolutely. Just find different ways to tackle the same idea. One love story can be about romantic love; another could trace the love between siblings.
- Does my story have to have a theme?
Books and stories help us connect to the writer and the characters, but they also help us connect to ourselves by reflecting life’s greater truths, its themes, to us. You don’t have to sit down and start writing with a theme in mind, but it’s highly likely you’ll end up with one even if you didn’t plan on it.
About the Author
A Reviewer, Editor, Author, and Dreamer of stories and books, Ekta has worked in niche publishing since 2005—she’s written and edited about everything from healthcare to home improvement to Hindi films! Ekta judges writing contests, hosts writing workshops, and podcasts about great books and how to write them. She’s currently the Content Coordinator of Neighbors of SW Champaign, a hyper-local magazine focusing on and lifting up the Champaign, Illinois, community. Ekta’s award-winning holiday novella, The Truth About Elves, and her award-winning fairy tale for grown-ups, In the Heart of the Linden Wood, are available from Atmosphere Press.
Website: https://ektargarg.com
Blog: https://thewriteedge.wordpress.com
Instagram: @EktaRGarg
X.com: @EktaRGarg
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ReviewerEditorAuthorDreamer
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