What’s Up Wednesday

WUW2

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a  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. If you’re participating, make sure to link your What’s Up Wednesday posts to the list on Jaime’s blog each week. That way, others can visit your post and check out what you’ve been up to.And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: I finished Rebecca Behren‘s middle grade debut When Audrey Met Alice and oh my goodness… It was SO GOOD. One of the best middle grade novels I’ve read. Cute, cute, cute, and it makes me want to read an Alice Roosevelt biography! I’ll rave about it more in next week’s Bookanista post. Up next? These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

What I’m Writing: I’m taking a break from my revision to beta read my friend Liz Parker‘s incredible YA manuscript. It’s a unique blend of history and fantasy and romance and adventure, and I’m pretty much the worst beta reader ever because almost all of my comments consist of the words awesome and love and wow. I hope at least some of my feedback helps Liz! I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to read for her because I’m learning tons about pacing, characterization, and stakes from her story. After this, I’m back to applying what I learned to my own manuscript. 🙂

What Else I’ve Been Up To: Cheering the Seattle Seahawks on to a win, for starters. Over the weekend, my brother came from Jacksonville to watch the game with us, and we made an event out of it. Beer, pizza, and wings. Good stuff.


He doesn’t have kids and isn’t nearly the Disney freak my girl and I are, but he (sort of) held his own during Head Bandz. 🙂


I finally baked in my new kitchen! Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies… The recipe I linked calls for chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but I was fresh out of those, so I used Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips. They turned out great!

   
Daphne the kitty is fitting into the Upperman family quite nicely. She’s super playful and sweet, incredibly patient with her six-year-old master, and (mostly) tolerant of Daisy, who really just wants to scarf down her cat food. We’re technically fostering Daphne to make sure she’s a “good fit” for our household, but on Saturday we get to sign official adoption paperwork!

What’s Inspiring Me Now: Writing-wise, a recent post from my savvy and witty agent Victoria Marini titled On ALMOST Making It. Similarly-themed, a post from brilliant author Courtney Summers about Closed Doors. On the artistic front, I continue to be inspired by an experience we had when we were in New Orleans a few weeks ago. We visited Gallery Burguieres, a French Quarter gallery owned and operated by artist Ally Burguieres. We were only there for a short while, but I left feeling absolutely inspired. Ally’s paintings are gorgeous — cheery and colorful and whimsical — and Ally was charming. She welcomed us into her gallery and answered all of our art-ignorant questions. She even let us pet her sweet pup. If I had thousands of dollars to drop on original art, I’d totally invest in Ally’s. As it is, we’re on a budget, but we did splurge on an Alice in Wonderland print for C’s bedroom. It looks adorable hanging on her wall!

{Original art by Ally Burguieres}

Tell me… What’s up with you today? 

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51 thoughts on “What’s Up Wednesday”

  1. Liz Parker says:

    First, I love that photo of your brother. I laughed so hard when it came up on my instagram feed. Out loud. Glad you’re enjoying my WIP 🙂 Thank you so so much for reading it. Whenever you have a need for a reader, hit me up! Have a great week!

  2. Rebekah says:

    Love that Liz’s MS is inspiring and teaching you new things about writing. I think that is one of the most amazing things about having critique partners that are so talented and interesting.

    I read that post by Courtney Summers, and loved it, and maybe should post it in my office somewhere I can see it. Have a wonderful week!

  3. Jennifer Pickrell says:

    Baking for the first time in a new kitchen always makes it feel more like home.

    In that pic of Daphne, she looks like a tiny girl version of one of my cats – I’ll pretend they’re long-lost cousins 😉

  4. Juliana Haygert says:

    Dude, you and your cooking … I wish we lived closer so I could “accidentally” stop by your house and eat it all! lol

    Aw, cute cat! I’m not much of a cat person, but I sure am a dog one. My daughter and I are trying to convince my hubs of getting a dog, but he’s firmly set on NO! We used to have a dog, a couple of years back, and we miss him a lot – I think my hubs is still hung up on him 😦

    I love the blog posts you always share. They are so inspiring!

    Have a great week!

    • katyupperman says:

      Juliana, I’m not a cat person either, but Daphne is pretty much the most dog-like cat ever. She fetches her little toy balls and follows us around and comes when we call for her. She’s definitely not one of those hide-under-the-bed kitties. Best of luck convincing your husband that you need a dog. I think they’re great companions for kiddos. Oh, and if you lived closer, obviously I’d invite you over for cookies. 🙂

  5. Temre Beltz says:

    Ooh, Katy, thank you so much for sharing your love for both Rebecca’s WHEN AUDREY MET ALICE and Liz’s manuscript! I hope I get to read them both someday! Also, love seeing Daphne (she is so cute!) and congratulations on her upcoming adoption 🙂 What a sweet addition to your family. As always, your cookies look amazing (yum!), and I love the pictures of Ally’s artwork! It is my favorite type – lots and lots of vibrant colors and so whimsical, just beautiful 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful week and are continuing to settle into your new home ❤

    • katyupperman says:

      Tem, I think you’ll really like Rebecca’s WHEN AUDREY MET ALICE. It’s out next month and it’s a really fun read. I look forward to reading it to C in the future. I pretty much justify all of my book purchases that way. 🙂

  7. Kate Scott says:

    It sounds like life in your new home is falling nicely into place. Your baking always makes me jealous, if you lived down the street from me, I think I’d be dropping by for some of those chocolate peanut butter chip cookies right about now.

  9. Jaime Morrow says:

    So envious that you’re reading Liz’s WIP and that you’ve already read Rebecca’s book. Lucky girl! 🙂 I read both of the article links you shared (thanks!) and am inspired by what they both had to say. It really is easy to play the blame game or to take the easy out of just up and quitting. These were both good reminders not to do either. I’m so happy that Daphne has settled in nicely in the Upperman household. I love seeing the pictures that come up on IG with her in them. 🙂 Have a wonderful week, Katy!

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks, Jaime! I hope those articles were as helpful to you as they were to me. I’ll keep the Daphne photos coming… She’s too cute not to photograph. 🙂

    • katyupperman says:

      Yes! I bet she’ll love it. It’s fast-paced and funny, with so many sweet moments. Plus, it’s incredibly well-written. I had to keep reminding myself that the Alice diary entries weren’t actually written by Alice Roosevelt!

  12. Miss Cole says:

    Thanks for that link to Victoria Marini’s blog. So helpful ^_^
    Oooh, more delicious treats from you as always. Oh, if only I could reach through the screen and nab one.
    Beta reading such a great way to take a break from your own project, especially when the book you’re reading has such a fascinating concept.

    • katyupperman says:

      I wish I could share treats with you! My husband and I only eat treats on the weekends, so my poor daughter is stuck cleaning up the leftovers all week long. Such adversity she faces. 🙂 Hope you have a great week, lady!

  13. Stephanie Scott says:

    1. I’m home sick and those cookies look delish.
    2. kitty! and kitty asleep next to dog! so cute.
    3. I love reading a good manuscript and you just know the writer is going to be successful with it
    4. I met your agent this past summer at Midwest Writers Workshop. She is hilarious and opinionated and pretty awesome.

    • katyupperman says:

      Aww, I wish I could share cookies, Stephanie! Lucky you getting to meet Victoria in person. I haven’t yet, but I hope that day comes eventually. She’s definitely awesome! Feel better soon!

  14. Erin Funk says:

    Love the pic of Daphne & Daisy snuggled up together, and I’m happy to hear you’ll be keeping Daphne. I also love the print you bought for your daughter’s room–so vibrant! Thanks for providing those links! I’ll be sure to check them out as soon as I’m done my WUW rounds!

  19. Krispy says:

    Wow, Liz Parker’s WIP sounds freaking amazing! Love that blend!

    Looks like you’ve been settling in well! Glad Daphne is such a good fit for your household. She’s adorable! I’m more of a dog person, but I do like cats too (just my allergies don’t). Also, love the print you bought for your daughter. It is very cheery!

    • katyupperman says:

      Liz’s story is fantastic, Alice. Reading this draft is like reading an amazing published book. I have high hopes for it!

      I’m not a cat person either, but little Daphne is definitely growing on me. I do have to take a Zyrtec every day to keep my allergies under control, though. So far she’s worth it. 🙂

  20. Kim Graff says:

    These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is a must read for me, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. AND THOSE COOKIES! I’m so hungry right now and they look delicious. Also, your critique partners story sounds pretty awesome. Fantasy + history + romance + adventure? What could be better than that?

  21. prerna pickett says:

    those cookies are making me HUNGRY! These Broken Stars has been on my radar for a while and I need to get a copy from the library! I’m not much into football, but my husband was rooting for the Seahawks as well. Have fun beta reading!

    • katyupperman says:

      Your husband must be smart if he’s rooting for the Seahawks. I grew up outside Seattle and everyone in my family is fanatical about them. 🙂 Hope you get to read THESE BROKEN STARS soon. I’m starting it tonight!

  22. Amy Brashear says:

    Those cookies look good. I just might need to make a batch this weekend for the football games. I’m cheering on the Seahawks to make the Super Bowl!!! Have a great weekend!

  23. Miss Alexandrina says:

    Aww, Daphne is so cute! I could just hug her! Glad the new year is going well for you all. 🙂

  24. Colin says:

    *sigh*–you just reminded me of the MG novel idea I had… and I was just beginning to settle on what my next project was going to be. TOO. MANY. IDEAS!!

    Sorry!

    Sounds like you had fun with your brother. Neither of my brothers have kids, so it’s always interesting to see how they interact with ours. They usually step up to the plate very well as uncles… but their patience, especially with the younger ones, doesn’t always extend to parent levels. Which is understandable. 🙂

    Have a wonderful week, Katy!

    • katyupperman says:

      Get to work on that MG, Colin! 🙂

      It is fun to hang with my childless brother. He’s a great uncle — even more so as my daughter gets older and can joke around and do fun things like board games and cheering on our favorite football team. 🙂

      Hope you have a great weekend, Coin!

  25. Ghenet Myrthil says:

    I’m so jealous you got to read WHEN AUDREY MET ALICE already! I can’t wait for it to come out. 🙂

    Your new kitty is so adorable and it’s even more adorable to see that she’s getting along with your dog. Love it!

    I went to New Orleans for the first time last year and also found it amazing and inspiring. Love that art!

    • katyupperman says:

      I hope to go back to New Orleans sometimes soon, Ghenet. We didn’t get to spend nearly enough time there. Speaking of pets, are you and your husband ever going to get one? I’ve recently learned that kitties are MUCH easier than puppies. 🙂 Oh, and WHEN AUDREY MET ALICE is absolutely adorable. I loved everything about it, and I bet you will too!

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