(I plan to do a “Currently” post every other Tuesday, and I think y’all should join me… Find the origins of the idea HERE.)
Loving
Author Natalie’s Whipple’s (wonderfully transparent) When It Feels Like Everyone Is Getting What You Want blog post. Free (quick and intense) workouts on Cassey Ho’s Blogilates YouTube channel (thanks for recommending them, Jennifer!). Writerly/YA-ish podcasts: This Creative Life, First Draft, and The Oral History. This adorable dandelion travel mug (thanks for pointing it out, Jaime!). And old-school notecard plotting:
Reading
Last week I read Erin Bowman’s Forged, which was a fantastic conclusion to her Taken trilogy. I love when a series wraps up in a gloriously satisfying way. You can read my thoughts on Forged and all of my April reads HERE. Now, I’m finishing up Emery Lord’s The Start of Me and You, which I’m loving, possibly even more than her debut, Open Road Summer.
Watching
I’m nearly done watching the first season of Gilmore Girls, which I adore. Lorelai and Rory have such an interesting relationship, and I’m totally crushing on Luke. I’m still now sure how I didn’t catch this series in the early nineties, but I’m so glad to have found it now.
Listening To
Hozier… Take Me To Church is grossly overplayed on the radio, but I’m loving Like Real People Do and Someone New. Good writing music.
Thinking About
My WiP. I still haven’t started to draft, partly because I’m scared, and partly because I’m not entirely sure if I want one narrator or two, or if I want to use first-person or third-person. I know what my instincts are telling me and I know what is traditionally an easier sell. Unfortunately, this time instincts and marketability aren’t meshing, and I’m so torn! What would you do?
Anticipating
Home! My husband and I have been house-hunting for the last four days and I miss my girlie. Can’t wait to see her! ❤
Us, on one of our many trips to the hotel’s bar. Because finding a nice rental in Virginia is really freaking hard!
Wishing
That you’ll all be able to read my friend Elodie‘s latest manuscript soon. I’m beta reading it now and oh, my gosh… It’s uber creepy, in the best sort of way. She knows how to write a thriller, that’s for sure!
Making Me Happy
The beach. I’m going to miss living on the Gulf Coast — it’s truly beautiful.
What’s currently making YOU happy?
Katy Upperman ~ Author 
So glad you’re enjoying Gilmore Girls! And I have to agree on Luke. Despite his crusty attitude, he looks pretty darn huggable in those flannel shirts.
That’s a tough call about your new WIP. I’d say go with your instincts because it’ll feel more natural when you write the story, and what’s marketable one day could change the next. But if publishing is your top priority, then it might be better to stick with what’s usually an easier sell? Sorry, I’m no help lol.
I really hope you guys find a great place to rent soon. House hunting is so stressful. Good luck!
House hunting is the worst! Wait, no — unpacking boxes is the WORST. 😉 And your comments about instinct vs. marketability are helpful. It’s nice to know that this stuff doesn’t come easy for others. Solidarity! Have a great week, Erin!
I would love to do these currently posts. I need to set an alarm to remind myself! And yes, Elodie’s MS omg. Uber creepy. Also #hurryupandmovetoVirginia
Soon! We’ll be here for good in about 40 days. Hard to believe! And I saw that you did a Currently post. Can’t wait to read it!
I would go with your instincts too, I second Erin above me. I love these currently posts. I do wish there was a link sign up so I could figure out whose blog to go to next 🙂
Maybe I’ll do a link for the next time, in two weeks. That would make blog hopping easier. Thanks, Rachel!
I’m a big believer in going with your instincts…always.
I hope y’all found a place. And how marvelous that you’ll be living so close to Sara ❤ and all the other writers in that area. 🙂
And then when you come visit the area, we can meet! 🙂
Oh, and, like I tell myself (constantly) it’s a first draft, not a bomb. So, kick fear in the teeth and just start writing. You can try both POV versions and see what feels right. ❤
You’re so right! In my head, that makes all sorts of sense. I’ve just got to start putting words down and trust that they’ll all work themselves out eventually. Thanks, Lola!
I should check out those podcasts! I think you should write what you want, worry about marketing when the time comes.
Btw, I did a currently… post, too!
Can’t wait to check out your post, Fida! And definitely check out those podcasts. They’re all fantastic!
love this!
Thanks! We post every two weeks. You should join us!
I’ve been looking for more writing podcasts, so I’ll have to check those out!
Instincts vs marketability… the eternal struggle! I always go with instinct, because whenever I try something to fit the market, it never feels right. I think some stories are just better-suited to first or third person, past or present tense – and I’ve used all of them at some point, depending on the story! Maybe try out both versions and see which sounds right. 🙂
That’s a good idea, Emma. A few chapters written various ways, just to see what feels most natural. Thanks, lady!
The sunshine is currently making me happy, it’s so nice not to need gloves and hats!
I have been binge listening to First Draft (I found it through you so thanks for that, it’s great!) and the advice that seems to come up again and again is write what you want to write don’t worry about the market. So I’d say go with your instinct on your WIP.
Good luck house hunting, it’s such a stress.
I’m so glad you’re like First Draft, Alexa! I think it’s super inspiring. And you’re right about writing what you want. Besides, I suppose I can always revise. Enjoy your sunshine, lady!
Can’t wait to read THE START OF ME AND YOU. I really enjoyed her debut, and I’ve been hearing from several people that this one is better. I’m so happy you’re enjoying Gilmore Girls! I’m re-watching it and am in Season 4 right now. It’s been ages since I last watched it, so it’s like it’s new all over again. 🙂
Crossing my fingers that you guys find an awesome place in Virginia. House-hunting is the worst. Been there too many times to count. So have you, I expect. Also hoping you figure out which route to take with your new WiP and are happy with the decision. That’s so tricky, isn’t it? Have a great week, Katy!
I’m enjoying THE START OF ME AND YOU so much, Jaime! It’s motivated me onto the elliptical twice during my trip, just so I can read. Sign of a great book! We actually did find a house yesterday, and we’ll have the lease to sign soon. Such a HUGE relief! Can’t wait to start drafting so we can write together again. Have a wonderful week!
Yay for Gilmore Girls and SO SO HAPPY you’re going to be much closer soon ❤ Thank you so much for reading my manuscript, crossing my fingers you still think it's creepy as you continue reading it 🙂 (and that you kind of fall in love with Jeremy cause I kind of like him. A lot.) 🙂 🙂 🙂
For your WiP, I think you're also feeling burned by another manuscript (which by the way I STILL love & think about quite often!) but it shouldn't prevent you from listening to your instinct. At the end of the day, you're going to spend so much time with this manuscript that you need to feel like it's yours. Am I making any sense?
You’re exactly right about being burned by The Manuscript That Shall Not Be Named. Third person hasn’t treated me well in the past. I might need to give it a shot to redeem itself. 🙂 And Jeremy is adorable, by the way. No worries regarding his ability to charm me!
Good luck with the house hunting! And so excited that Elodie’s got another book coming someday 🙂
Me too, and this one’s pretty fantastic! Have a great week, Tonja!
I love Gilmore Girls so much. When I was a teen and watching it I kept telling my mom I wished she had been a teen mom so she’d be like Lorelai, which probably wasn’t her favorite thing I’d ever said.
Good luck house hunting. It’s brutal in NoVa. That area is insanely expensive. But on the plus side, awesome writing community! Though I do wish you moved to VA while I was living there. 🙂
Ugh, and I hate the eternal struggle when getting ready to write a story–do something different or go with what’s marketable. It’s always tough, but I think you need to forget the market and write the story as you need to write it. Go with your gut. You can always do a huge revision later, but get the story out as you see it in your head. Writing it the way you feel it needs to be written will make it a better story and will make you like it more.
Thanks for getting these Currently posts going. I finally did one today. Just the push I needed for my blog!
Ha! Loralei and Rory’s relationship almost makes me wonder if being a teen mom wouldn’t have been so rough. Maybe it’s just *slightly* glamorized. 🙂 So glad you’re joining in for a Currently post today, Trace. Can’t wait to read yours!
I’m jealous of your time in DC, though I do not envy house hunting! I hope you find something perfect soon!
Thanks, Jennie! Have a great week, lady!
Wow, beautiful photo! 😀
Good luck with working out where to go with the plotting and the writing. As a writer without an agent, I go with my gut every time. I can’t force myself to write something that’s not working just because it might sell that way. I’m sure once I have an agent I’ll learn to be a little more flexible.
I think going with your gut is a luxury that us pre-pubbed writers have and maybe don’t appreciate for all its worth. Or, at least I don’t. I suppose I should go with my gut now because assuming I’m published one day, I’ll have an editor to answer to down the road. Have a wonderful week, Cole!
Yesss Hozier (love him!)! Like Real People Do is one of my favorites as is Work Song and From Eden! (Take Me to Church is still great but agreed – waaaay too overplayed!!)
I saw on Twitter you might’ve found a place, so yay for that! Safe travels home, Katy!
Thanks, lady! I’ll have to branch out on Hozier’s album. I’ve been hooked on my few faves. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
I second the sentiment that it’s hard to find a nice rental in Virginia, especially if you have pets. Plus everything around DC is so crazy expensive. Fingers crossed that you all find something amazing!
I say go with your gut for now when writing. You can always change your mind later 😉
Love Gilmore Girls!
DC rentals are INSANELY expensive! Twice what we’re paying in FL. Craziness! I think we’ve found something good, though, so that’s a huge relief. Hope you have a wonderful week, Jennifer!
I totally think you should go with your instinct on this ms vs what you think will be better for the market. In the end, what will sell is your amazing writing + story, and that will shine more on what feels like is the best choice for the book, you know?
Yes! Great points, Jess. I think I’m going to go with my gut in this case. I don’t want writing to feel like a drain or a chore, and if I write to the market, that’s exactly what it’ll become. Thanks, lady!
Good luck with the house hunting! I’m going to agree with the go-with-your-gut comments. I think it’s often easier to get that scary first draft on paper when you’re using instinct over market/expectations–and it’s easier to revise something to make it more sell-able than to make it more instinctual. (I’ve had a similar dilemma lately, so I’ve loved reading all the comments about this!)
That’s actually a really good point. Maybe that’s why I haven’t started yet — I’m scared because I’m not sure I can pull off what might be an “easier” book to sell. Ugh. This business is so tricky! I hope you have an awesome week, Rebecca!
I think you should go with your instincts on the WIP. If we all write to please the market everything will be the same…
I hope you find the perfect house!
Ha! Great point, Sarah! I hadn’t even looked at it from that perspective. 🙂
Just write the book the way you want to write it. If your heart isn’t in it, it’ll be obvious, and then it still won’t sell 🙂
Thanks, Steph! Awesome advice. That’s what I’ve decided to do. 🙂