What’s Up Wednesday

0a7bd-buttonlargenoborder

“What’s Up Wednesday” is 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. 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 Jamie Blair’s  Leap of Faith and absolutely adored it. My only (tiny) complaint is that I wanted more from the ending. Not a different ending — just more. I fell so in love with the characters and I was left feeling a little uncertain about their futures. Maybe Jamie Blair will write a sequel? That would be awesome! Now I’m reading Lucy Christopher’s The Killing Woods. Her Stolen: A Letter to My Captor is one of my favorite YAs ever, so I’ve got super high expectations. So far I’m intrigued and I like the dual POVs a lot. It took me a little while to warm up to the story itself because there are so many unknowns, but so far so good!

What I’m Writing: Incase you missed it, I’m cohosting a #WriterRecharge with Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, & Sara Biren. We’re setting goals for the month of February, posting them, writing/revising together on Twitter, and holding each other accountable. It’s an awesome way to stay motivated and up productivity, plus it’s just fun! If you’d like to sign up, you can do so at Sara’s blog. My main goal for February is to have a readable draft ready for my CPs by the month’s end. It’s a big goal, but one I *think* is doable.

Writer Recharge

Thanks to #WriterRecharge, I’ve been revising A LOT. It’s crazy how knowing that people will be checking in on my progress motivates me. Whatever it takes, right? I’m about halfway through this major first revision and I’m feeling pretty good about it. Thanks to some help from one of my CPs (you’re the best, Alison!) I’ve got one of my big issues worked out. Now I’m mostly trimming all the fat so I can make room for the awesome new bits I know I need to add.

What Else I’ve Been Up To: Cheering on the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship, of course. Like most Pacific Northwesterners, we are beyond excited about Sunday’s victory!


I took a break from running over the last several weeks, but now I’m back at it. My endurance has suffered (last spring I could run five miles in under forty minutes), but I’m not too discouraged. I’m taking it slow and building up my stamina, and even though my neighborhood is ridiculously hilly, I’m enjoying it.


My girl turned six-and-a-half on Monday. We don’t celebrate half-birthdays with parties or presents of course, but it’s a big milestone in her little mind so we indulge in a bit of coddling. She got to choose dinner (homemade chicken strips, mashed potatoes, and “build your own” salads), and she got lots of extra hugs and kisses from us and Daphne. ♡

What’s Inspiring Me Now: Seattle Seahawks Changing Future of Football with Yoga and Meditation — yes, this article is football-centric, but there are lots of awesome points about positivity and building players up that can be applied to all aspects of life, including writing and parenting. Clearly, these unconventional methods are working for this year’s Super Bowl Champions. 🙂 Also inspiring: Taylor Swift’s latest release All Too Well. I’ve loved this song since my girl and I bought the Red album last year, but lately its lyrics have really spoken to the tone of my WiP. This bit especially…

And maybe we got lost in translation
Maybe I asked for too much
But maybe this thing was a masterpiece
Till you tore it all up
Running scared, I was there, I remember it all too well

And you call me up again, just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of being honest
I’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
Cause I remember it all all all too well…

Tell me… What’s up with you today? 

Advertisement

40 thoughts on “What’s Up Wednesday”

  1. Elodie says:

    The lyrics of that Taylor Swift song are definitely inspiring and I think what I’ve seen of your writing so far already shows the despair your characters are in. Yay for working out big issues 🙂
    That pic of your daughter is really adorable! And I need to read the new Lucy Christopher’s book 🙂 Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

    • katyupperman says:

      So far I’m really liking it, Elodie. It’s definitely different, and I’m very curious to see how it all plays out in the end. Thank you for your kind words about my story. I *hope* I’m doing these characters justice. Have a wonderful week, friend!

  3. Kaitlin Bartlett says:

    LEAP OF FAITH is on my TBR list for sure, so glad you liked it!

    And “All Too Well” is one of my all time favorite Taylor songs. I think it took her songwriting to a new level. ❤

    Good luck with your Writer Recharge goals! Hopefully you can knock out these revisions this month! 🙂 Have a great week, Katy!

    • katyupperman says:

      Totally agree about T-Swift’s songwriting in “All Too Well.” Such gorgeous lyrics. And LEAP OF FAITH is awesome. It’s one of those books that made me physically tense and nervous, with a very sweet love interest. Big recommend, and big thanks to Tracey Neithercott for recommending it to me!

  4. Jennifer Pickrell says:

    That TSwift song is actually on the playlist of my current WIP 🙂 So are a few of her other songs – nobody sings beautiful teen angst quite like her.

    Good luck with revising this week!

    • katyupperman says:

      I’ve got T-Swift songs all over my WiP playlists too. One of her songs actually saved one of my stories thanks to a big lightbulb moment while listening. 🙂 Hope you have a great week too, Jennifer!

  5. Kris F. Oliver says:

    Writer Recharge is just the ticket for February! I might have to jump on board!

    And congrats on getting your run on! I am a terrible jogger. I need to up my game.

    Also, I’m sure you know this already but your daughter is adorbs! The kitty is pretty adorable too. 🙂

    Hope you have a fantastic week!

    • katyupperman says:

      I don’t care for indoor running either, Jolene. Funny how the continental US is getting hammered by winter, but Alaska… Not so much. 🙂 Hope you keep up your writing momentum!

  7. Juliana Haygert says:

    Writer Recharge sounds like an awesome challenge. Good luck, and have fun!
    I love most of Taylor Swift’s songs.
    Wait. I see a problem with your post. THERE’S NO YUMMY FOOD PICTURE IN IT! Noooooo! hehehe
    Sorry, had to tease you about it 😀

    • katyupperman says:

      I know!!! Katy Fail. I actually made the same chocolate cake last weekend that I posted about a few weeks ago. It’s so good, but I didn’t think it needed a repeat blog appearance. 🙂

  10. Colin says:

    I don’t follow sports (except for the World Cup, which is happening this summer!), so I had to ask my kids who was playing on Sunday just so I didn’t appear completely out-of-touch at work the next day. 🙂 When I heard is was Seattle, and that they won so–um–resoundingly, my brain suddenly thought, “Oh, isn’t Katy originally from Washington State? I bet she’s doing a happy dance!” 🙂

    All the best with the Writer Recharge. Knowing that others are cheering you on and taking an interest in your progress certainly is motivating. Have a great week!

    • katyupperman says:

      Yes! I was totally doing a happy dance! It’s so exciting to FINALLY have a championship winning team! Glad to hear you’re joining us for #WriterRecharge, Colin. Looking forward to getting lots done with you this month. 🙂

  12. Kate Scott says:

    Yay for the Seahawks, and for accountability. Good luck with your goal of finishing your revision by the end of the month.

    Have a great week!

  14. Carrie-Anne says:

    Good luck with your writing goals. The only writing goal I can think of for February is to have my WIP well into 1944 by the end of the month. I think it’ll help that there’s going to be about a year gap between June 1943 and D-Day, to avoid filler material for the mere sake of filler.

  15. Alexa says:

    Gorgeous photo of your girl, I love that she gets coddle on half birthdays, I like that idea 🙂
    Hoo-ray for your team! I loved the Superbowl when I lived in the US, mainly for the food though I must admit and the adverts 🙂
    Sounds like you’re making great progress, I’m excited about WriterRecharge, there is definitely something about checking in that works for me.

    • katyupperman says:

      I like the Super Bowl for the food traditions too, Alexa! But, yes, it was ESPECIALLY amazing to have the Seahawks have such an amazing year. So glad you’re joining us for #WriterRecharge. I’m all about accountability as well. 🙂

  16. Tracey Neithercott (@T_Neithercott) says:

    Ditto to everything you said about LEAP OF FAITH. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on THE KILLING WOODS. STOLEN is one of my all-time favorites, so I have high expectations for that.

    And high-five for tons of revising. Speaking of… I think I need to tweet you to join me in Revisionland tonight.

    • katyupperman says:

      I will email you when I’m done with THE KILLING WOODS, Trace. It’s very dark and intense and I like it, but I’m still not sure how it’s all going to wrap up. Interesting… And yay for an evening of revising. I so need it!

  18. Alison Miller says:

    Yay! Happy 6 and 1/2 b-day to C! And glad I could help! I can’t wait to read the WHOLE THING!

  19. Ghenet Myrthil says:

    Aww, happy half birthday to your little lady! She’s adorable.

    I’m so excited about Writer Recharge. I’m with you – knowing I will be updating everyone on my progress weekly makes me much more motivated. Maybe we should have Writer Recharge EVERY month. Just sayin’…

    I still haven’t read any of Lucy Christopher’s books, but I really want to! It sounds like she’s a fantastic writer.

    • katyupperman says:

      She’s very good, Ghenet. STOLEN totally blew my mind. I read it years ago, and I’m still a little bit traumatized. Also, I’m so happy that you’re joining us for #WriterRecharge. We really should make it a year-long event. 🙂

  20. Jaime Morrow says:

    As you already know, I love “All Too Well” to death. I’ve listened to it an alarming number of times in the past couple of weeks lol. I feel like every Taylor Swift song is an amazing YA contemporary waiting to happen.

    I think it’s fantastic that you celebrate C’s half birthday. What a fun idea! Like you say, that’s such a huge deal in their young lives, so why not have a little fun with it? Hope you’re having a wonderful week writing-wise and otherwise, Katy!

Comments are closed.