I’m jumping in on “What’s Up Wednesday,” a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.
Awesome, right? Here’s what’s up with me this week…
What I’m Reading: I recently finished Nantucket Blue by Leila Howard, which is sweet and romantic, a lovely summer read. I’ll be posting a Bookanista recommendation of it tomorrow, so check back in. I’m currently reading The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. It’s a beautifully written adult literary novel with an incredibly unique premise. I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I’m really enjoying it. Also, I must mention that yesterday my most anticipated 2013 novel, The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, came out in physical book form (it’s been available as an eBook for a while). I CANNOT WAIT to read it!
What I’m Writing: Jeez. Nothing. I haven’t touched my WiP in a week. *sad face* It’s been crazy around here. My daughter is getting ready to graduate from kindergarten and there have been lots of school-related activities to attend. Plus, some of our friends/neighbors are moving away soon and we’ve been trying to see as much of them as we can. Also, I’m beta reading a fantastic contemporary manuscript now and that’s taking up a fair chunk of time. There’s really no excuse for my WiP slacking, but yeah… It’s been a hectic week.
What Else I’ve Been Up To: My girlie performed in a guitar recital the other day and it was adorable! She played Lightly Row and Yankee Doodle and Rise and Shine, which she also sang along to. I love that she has not one iota of shyness when it comes to performing for a large roomful of people. Even as an adult, I’m terrified to speak in front of groups!
Just before the big recital…
What’s Inspiring Me Now: Ready. Set. WRITE!, the summer writing intensive I’m hosting with Alison Miller, Elodie Nowodazkij, Erin Funk, and Jaime Morrow. As you can see from the “What I’m Writing” section of this post, my writing habits need a good kick in the pants. I can’t wait to start summer off with a bang, and some serious WiP productivity. I’m so excited to become reacquainted with my characters and immerse myself in their story. I’m also excited to set some goals, and to write along with all of the other Ready. Set. Write! participants. 🙂
What’s up with you this week?
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Yay for your girlie going to first grade! Congrats on the guitar recital, too. I am not a huge public speaker, either, but the only time I ever felt at home was up on stage, dancing (I was in classes for 7 years); it’s funny how those things work! And hey – sometimes we need a break from our writing; don’t feel back about “slacking” 😉 I want to read SEA OF TRANQUILITY too! I just need to find it in a bookstore 😛 We’ll have to compare reviews.
Yes, we’ll definitely have to compare. I have heard that it’s AMAZING. I can’t wait to read it, and I hope you are able to find it soon. 🙂
Gosh, you’re girl is so cute! My daughter isn’t shy too – I hope that doesn’t change much.
I’m very excited and inspired by the summer intensive too! Can’t wait!
Thanks, Juliana! I’m so looking forward to writing with you and everyone this summer. 🙂
Yay for kindergarten graduations 🙂
I love the cover of Sea of Tranquility – it’s definitely on my TBR list!
I’ve heard amazing things about that book, Jennifer. I’m sure I’ll post my thoughts on it eventually. 🙂
I loved AGE OF MIRACLES! My book club read it and LIFE AS WE KNEW IT (YA with a similar premise), then compared and contrasted. Very interesting discussions about what makes YA/MG, etc.
Enjoy the WIP break! Sometimes we need one, right?
Ooh, now I want to read LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. I just finished THE AGE OF MIRACLES, and I thought it was excellent. Loved its poignancy and unique premise. 🙂
Yay, congratulations to your girlie, Katy! Also to you, mama! Having a kindergartner is a big deal, and I have loved so much hearing about her updates this year ❤ I also think I might participate in Ready. Set. WRITE! I always feel so bad when I sign up for something awesome and end up not finishing, but I would love so much to finish a project this summer so I think I have determined to try! With two girlies at home, a beach very close by, and it just being summer, it seems there are always so many distractions (good distractions, but still balance is important!). As always, thank you for the inspiration, I just love stopping by here! Hugs ❤
I hope you join us for Ready. Set. Write!, Tem! The whole appeal is that its customizable to individual needs. I’m going to set goals, but goals I know I can manage with my girl at home. I still want to be able to enjoy the summer with her!
I think a good number of us having writing habits that could use a good kick in the pants, so you’re not alone. I’m really looking forward to Ready. Set. WRITE! and the accountability it will bring. I still have to check out NANTUCKET BLUE. I think it’s exactly the kind of book I feel like reading right now. Your girlie looks so excited in that pic! How awesome that she has no inhibitions when it comes to public performance. When I was that age I was SO timid. 🙂
I was super timid too, Jaime! I’m still shy in large groups, so I’m hoping my girl’s confidence doesn’t wane as she grows older. I hope you get a chance to read NANTUCKET BLUE. I thinks it’s a fantastic summer read, and great contemporary YA.
Your daughter is adorable! And talented. I’ also going to join in on Ready.Set.Write, I need something to kick my butt into gear as I finish up the draft to my WIP.
Thanks, lady! Looking forward to diving into Ready. Set. Write! with you. 🙂
I thought I’d have more time to write in the summer, but there still are those days/weeks when my poor WIP goes neglected. But, it sounds like you’ve had some wonderful distractions! What a great picture!
Thanks, Rae! I’m hoping to pick up the pace with my WiP in the next few weeks. I hate taking longs breaks and losing my momentum!
Awwh, congrats to your little girl! And good for her! I was like that when i was younger, I had no fear of singing anywhere and everywhere! These days stage fright is a little bit of a problem, but I work around it. 🙂
And I know, my writing habits are going to get into shape with Ready.Set.Write. and I hope it helps me finish this first draft before I start college. 🙂
Oooh, that’s a fantastic goal, Julie! I hope Ready. Set. Write! gets you exactly to where you need to be before you start school again. 🙂
Hooray to your daughter for her performance! That’s awesome. How does she feel about finishing kindergarten? Does she know her teacher for next year? That’s such a big milestone! Definitely take the time to enjoy things like this, and spend time with people who are important to you–and then dig back into writing with tons of energy and excitement when it’s time for that! Ready. Set. Write! is gonna be great!
I agree, Jess! My girl is sad about finishing kindergarten. She loves her teacher and her classmates and thinks she wants to stay in kindergarten forever. 🙂 Little does she know… first grade is equally fun. I bet you’re excited for summer vacation!
I just love your pictures! And congrats to Claire on her imminent graduation! And when you get the least bit weepy about your girlie growing up on you, just think of me. My “baby” is going to be in HIGH SCHOOL next year. Where does time go?
And I am SUPER excited for Ready. Set. Write! My WiP writing needs a kick in the pants too!
Oh, man… I know I’m going to be crying like a baby at the graduation tomorrow. I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling with your baby headed to high school. You must be so proud of her, but probably a little terrified too!
Woohoo for your girlie and her recital! Who knows, one of these days we may all be buying tickets to her concert! 🙂 And congrats on her upcoming graduation from kindergarten, too!
Great list of reads as always, Katy! And I just added THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY to my TBR list – this sounds like a fantastic read!
Best of luck in getting back in to your writing – I’m looking forward to participating in Ready. Set. Write! this summer!
Happy Wednesday, Katy!
Looking forward to doing Ready. Set. Write! with you, Erin! Can’t wait for a summer of climbing word counts! I’ll let you know about THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY. I’ve heard that it’s amazing, and it totally sounds like a Katy Book. I can’t wait to read it!
Kindergarten graduation! Sounds like fun. I loved The Age of Miracles. And the cover of The Sea of Tranquility has me intrigued (yes, I judge books by their covers) Happy to have found your blog through What’s Up Wednesday. Seems like everyone is Ready Set Writing…hmm…maybe I should look into this.
I totally judge books by their covers too, Melissa. That’s the point of them anyway, right? And yes! You should TOTALLY join us for Ready. Set. Write! We’re going to have a very fun, very productive summer of writing. 🙂
Can´t wait for your review of NANTUCKET BLUE. I really enjoyed it! 😀
Your girlie is adorable Katy! 🙂 And can I just say it´s quite cool she plays guitar 🙂
I´m very much looking forward to Read. Set. Write!
I enjoyed NANTUCKET BLUE too, Elodie. Such a perfect read for summer! And thanks for your sweet words about my munchkin. I think she’s pretty cool too. 🙂
Wow, what an awesome little girl you have! I hope she enjoys her graduation ^_^ That’s such a cute idea. In the UK, we graduate once, and that’s only if we go to university I guess that makes it something really super special!
Good luck with Ready. Set. WRITE!
Thank you! Before I had a kindergartner, I thought the idea of Kindergarten Graduation was silly. Now I think it’s cute. 🙂 Will you be joining us for Ready. Set. Write!?
Wow I can’t believe your daughter can play the guitar already, very cool! I am impressed that she can do it in front of so many people too. I jumped off the stage when I was supposed to sing at that age and I would still do that, but I avoid stages now 🙂
I have The Age of Miracles on order at the library, it looks great.
Looking forward to Read, Set, Write 🙂
I avoid stages as well. I was actually really nervous for my girl when she went up to play! I hope you enjoy THE AGE OF MIRACLES. I finished today and thought it was excellent.
Just looked up the description for THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY, and I think that one needs to go on the TBR list. Congrats to your daughter on graduating kindergarten and for doing well in her guitar recital! Big accomplishments for such a little person! I haven’t done any writing for the past few days either. I guess that will soon change with Ready. Set. Write! kicking into high gear next week! Can’t wait!
I’m sure I’ll post about THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY after I read it, Erin. I have this funny feeling that it’s going to be a total Katy Book. And I’m looking forward to Ready. Set. Write! too! I really need the motivation and spirit of this intensive.
Hi Katy! I recently read NANTUCKET BLUE and have SEA OF TRANQUILITY on my list. I’ve heard great things about it.
Congrats to your girl on her performance! Tugs at the heart strings, doesn’t it? Before we know it, our girls will be going off to college….
I’m so looking forward to the summer writing intensive… I need it! 🙂
Aaah! No college yet! I can barely fathom first grade! I made my girl promise not to grow another year older today. We’ll see how that goes. 🙂
THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY is incredible so far. I’ve already decided to hit the elliptical instead of running tomorrow, just so I can read it while I work out. Once you’re done reading, we’ll have to compare notes.
Aww, your daughter is adorable. I used to do guitar recitals myself when I was her age (in fact, I vaguely remember playing Yankee Doodle!), but I was always petrified and my playing suffered. It’s so great to see that she loves the attention.
I wihs I were doing Ready. Set. WRITE; it looks like such fun and I have a couple of ideas that I need to get down in more than note-form, but this entire month, I’ve got exams and leaving dos myself.
Thank you for your sweet words about my girl. I’m hoping she holds on to her confidence. I was shy as a child and sometimes it was rough.
If you decide to jump into Ready. Set. Write!, we’d love to have you. It’s meant to be super flexible, so you can set goals that work for you and your schedule. I think you should consider it. 😉
I was always shy about being up in front of lots of people, except when it came to band. I only ever got one flute solo, but I practically clawed other people to get it. (This is funny, because I was the most passive person on the face of the planet when I was in high school.) That’s so awesome that your daughter is already getting up there!
Nantucket Blue is waiting for me at the library. I’m excited. I’ll need something lighter when I finally finish The Host.
I hope you enjoy NANTUCKET BLUE, Steph. I thought is was an awesome summer read. You’ll have to let me know what you think after you’ve read it. Also… how do you like THE HOST? I never read it, but I’ve always been curious.
I loved The Host. It moved really slowly, but did a really great job getting inside Wanderer/Melanie’s head and developing their relationship, as well as the relationships to the other characters. It’s very much a character-driven book. I’m glad I didn’t let my less-than-excited feelings toward Twilight scare me off of it.
Good to know! I’ve been curious, especially with the movie coming out. Maybe I’ll check to see if my library has a copy. Thanks for the update. 🙂
Hi Guys!
I’m really excited for a fresh surge of motivation. I started writing my first book approximately a year ago and have been hanging steady at 50,000 words the past month…looking forward to coming down the homestretch with you all!
Katy I play a little guitar and occasionally hit open mic nights. I could use a little of your daughter’s verve!