Progress (word count or a general status update): 44,038
Current Mood: So, so hopeful! I think I might actually “win” this NaNo thing… Who would’ve thought?! The end is in sight, and therefor I am motivated. Even if I end up having to write out of order, I WILL finish this thing. And by the way…. Congrats to those of you who have already won! I am absolutely in awe, and your success have given me an extra boost of inspiration!
Inspiration:
Goals as of Today: I hit my 40K by Friday goal from last week, so that’s exciting. As of today, my goal is to keep pace so I’ll see 50K on or before this Friday… YAY!
Recent Favorite NaNo WiP Bit:
There was nothing more than his hands gripping her waist and his mouth open against hers, the balmy autumn air heavy and damp against her skin. The kiss wasn’t unpleasant, exactly, but there was no emotion accompanying it, nothing that made Bree want to deepen it, or even prolong it.
Still, she was patient. She let Henry draw back first. And when he did, he was grinning, obviously proud, like he’d just cleared an enormous hurdle while wearing weighted shoes.
Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on): Our Thanksgiving was awesome. We had potluck celebration with our local military friends and fun was had by all. Also, I made a Pecan Pie Cake, and ate WAY too much.
In other news, my husband, daughter, and I saw Rise of the Guardians this weekend and we LOVED it. The story is perfection, and the movie is visually stunning. I’m not a big 3D fan, but definitely see Rise of the Guardians in 3D. You won’t regret the inflated ticket price. 🙂
In my downtime I’m reading: Mini book review… I finished Saving June by Hannah Harrington over the weekend. Guys… I adored this book — it’s a new favorite! It’s a mash-up of Jandy Nelson’s lovely prose and Courtney Summers’ s bold storytelling, all wrapped up in an epic road trip. And the boy… Jake. He totally made me swoon. And if all that isn’t enough, the songs that are a part of the various mixed CDs mentioned throughout the story are compiled into playlists at the end. I want to download them all and relive the book while I listen!
In an attempt to cure my Awesome Book Hangover, yesterday I started Reached by Ally Condie. I’m a fan of the first two books of the Matched trilogy, and I’m excited to see how the series wraps up.
You should read this blog post: Increasing Your Book’s Momentum By: Editor Laura Carlson Because: It’s full of awesome tips for getting your story up and running, and for infusing it with plenty of excitement and an unputdownable pace.
You should also read this blog post: The Fine Art of Story Resonance By: Author Susan Dennard Because: Story resonance is so important, and Susan shares lots of hints for weaving subplots together to create a deep, complex, echoing plot (think Jellicoe Road and If You Reach Me).
Gratuitous Photos (Because I love ‘em!):
Autumn treasures, my favorite little face, and a lovely California sunset.
If you’re NaNoing, are you on track to win? And if you’re not NaNoing, what’s new in your writing world?
katyupperman.com 
Oh man, that cake looks insanely good. As does everything else on that blog. Thanks for sharing!
I’m excited for REACHED too–but this month I did all my book-shopping in actual book stores and I have the rest of that trilogy on my Kindle. So it has to wait until December, at which point I can hopefully think of it as a treat for hitting 50K!
Yes, reading REACHED these last few nights has been my reward for hitting my word count goals. 🙂 It’s fantastic so far. I think Ally Condie writes beautifully!
You’re SO going to win! I’m super impressed that you managed to stay ahead this entire month. Go you!!
Thanks for the book recommendation. I need to read a lot of books in the next month because I’m behind on my 2012 reading goal. I will add SAVING JUNE to my list!
You’ll have to let me know what you think of SAVING JUNE… The more I reflect on it, the more I love it! Good luck with all those 2012 books, Ghenet!
You’re so close! I can’t believe November is almost over, but we’ll have 50,000 words to show for it. I’ve got to get an update post up–maybe tonight. Also, I’m super curious about that cake. I saw it on Instagram and have been intrigued ever since. Thanks for sharing those other blog posts too. I’ll need them when revisions start!
Check out that cake recipe, Liz. It was sort of a tedious recipe, but oh my goodness… SO worth it! And like I said yesterday, it has been a blast NaNo-ing with you! I’m a little sad it’s almost over (but also HUGELY relieved!). 🙂
I always love seeing your pictures, and your food ones always look so good! Yum!
I hope to see Rise of the Guardians soon. I saw Life of Pi this weekend instead, and it was an absolutely beautiful movie. I’m not a fan of 3D (or the inflated ticket price), but I think in this movie’s case, it actually does help the story-telling, especially since so much of Pi is about vast and stunning visuals.
I am definitely not on track for winning NaNo, but I hope to get a few more words in before it’s all over. Congrats to you though! Your word count has been steady from week to week. Every time I see it I’m like, ‘Oh, so this is how NaNo pacing is supposed to go…’ LOL.
Thanks, lady! I’m very curious about LIFE OF PI. I don’t really get how it can be entertaining with the ONE character and all, but I’ve heard great things about it. I wonder if I can sell my husband on seeing it? 😉
You are SO going to win this NaNo – you’re right there! The end is in sight.
OMG. I am driving to your house RIGHT NOW to eat that pecan pie cake. It is so unfair that this is not sitting in front of me right now.
Thanks for stopping by Ghenet’s Day in the Life – your turn next? 🙂 Krispy and Alz already went…
That cake was YUMMY… I highly recommend whipping one up if you like to bake.
I’d love to do a Day in the Life post sometime… I might have to up the excitement factor of my stay-at-home mama life a bit, though. 🙂
OMG THAT CAKE. WANNNNT!
So yummy! You should whip one up, Jess. 🙂
PECAN PIE CAKE?!?! What is this delicious miracle and why have I never heard of it, much less eaten it? 🙂 Rise of the Guardians looks pretty amazing too, and I keep only hearing good things. I need to get out to the theater once this crazy NaNoWriMo thing is over. I am NOT AT ALL on track to finish on time (currently at 32100 words), but I’m determined to do so just the same :-D. I’ve been able to complete a lot of goals through pure stubbornness and hope, so I’m still irrationally optimistic. You’re in a much better position though, and I’ve been enjoying your WiP bits, so definitely keep going and win that thing!
Even if you don’t write another word this month, 32100 is amazing! But, I have full faith in your ability to finish… What an amazing feat that will be! Rise of the Guardians is the first movie I’ve seen since… Brave. Yes, I do have a child, and yes, the only time I make it to a theater is when there’s a movie she wants to see. The joys of parenting. 🙂
Katy, I have loved all your NaNo snippets, but ohmygosh this one is stellar. SO MUCH is said in those five sentences. I’m already aching for them both, bc I get a feeling that this kiss has changed EVERYTHING (even if H doesn’t know it yet.) Gah, I want to read this story 🙂 🙂
Anyway, congrats on approaching 50k. The finish line is in sight and you’re definitely going to cross it!
Thanks, Erin! Your sweet words are so very motivating. Poor Henry… He’s so naively in love. I’m kind of mad at my MC for stringing him along. 🙂
Go, Katy, go! I always look forward to your snippets in these updates. You are not only going to win NaNo, but you’re going to do it with an awesome story!
Thanks, Rebecca! I think this story has potential to be awesome. It’s currently a hot mess. 🙂
That quote is so epic! I completely agree. That connection with another human being you’ve never met is so powerful, so personal. It’s the very reason I read.
Same with me, Matthew! I adore that quote. 🙂
Congrats Katy. You are a trooper.
A off topic question: Any thoughts on The Institute of Children’s Literature? I live in Canada…no writing classes under my belt (but I know one does not “Need” them…but). Anyway, MG, lower grade, YA…and honestly even adult fiction interest me most. I also love freelance writing ….would ICL be a good thing to put money into? To spur me on? Get me organized? “Learn me”? Really throw me into this writing world so I can feel like I’ve stepped into somehow versus feeling a little lost and overwhelmed? Thanks.
Sorry, Jill. I don’t know a lot about The Institute of Children’s Literature. I would love to get an MFA with a concentration on Kid Lit some day, but for now, I don’t have the money or time. I *have* learned a great deal from reading craft books and a bazillion YA novels, as well as following and commenting on the blogs of fellow writers, agents, and editors. Those things have helped me find a niche I’m comfortable in, and have also introduced me to lots of like-minded people who make me feel like I’m part of a community. 🙂
Congratulations on winning NaNo! I had to smile when I read your other comment about your story being a hot mess. Mine is just a mess. But I just got to 50,000+ words a few minutes ago and it feels greeeat!
Yay! Congrats, Cynthia! First drafts are supposed to be a mess, right? That’s why we’ll be neck deep in revisions for the better part of 2013. 🙂