“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 Lucy Christopher’s The Killing Woods and found it dark and strange and very compelling. I didn’t love it like I loved her Stolen, but I was certainly entertained. Next, I read Erin Bowman’s Stolen: A Taken Novella, which I adored. It focuses on Bree, my favorite character from Erin’s dystopian debut Taken, and gives all sorts of awesome insight into her history. Her backstory totally broke my heart and made me love her even more. I also read Elizabeth Scott’s Heartbeat, a lovely, romantic contemporary. I’ll talk about it in more detail in tomorrow’s Bookanista post. Now, I’m reading Veronica Rossi’s Into the Still Blue, the final book in her Under the Never Sky series. *sniffle* I’m so bummed that this trilogy is coming to an end!
What I’m Writing: I’m still plugging away at my first revision pass. I’m nearly done, only a few scenes to go, but they’re the scenes that need the most work. Back in October I rushed the ending just to get there and I’m pretty sure I’ll be paying for my hastiness over the next few days while I try to make sense of it all. In brighter news… I kind of love my story. It still needs work and I know my CPs will tear it apart in the most loving of ways, but the bones of it — the characters and the romance and the tragedy of it all — I think it’s working.
What Else I’ve Been Up To: Congratulating my husband, who has managed to become published before me. I’m much more proud than bitter. Promise. 😉 If you’re interested in how HBO’s “The Wire” can be applied to the special operations and intelligence communities, or any organization that’s involved in irregular warfare or unconventional warfare, you can can read his article HERE.
I made Danish Puff! This is another of my favorite treats. It’s great for brunch: almond-y and not too sweet, simple, and very pretty. My little family and I devoured these in a day. (Also, thanks to Juliana for calling me out on my failure to include a treat in last week’s WUW. I’m back up to speed today!)
Over the last few days, I’ve watched almost all of first season of Friday Night Lights. I have no idea how I’ve neglected this show for so long, especially considering my fondness for teen dramas (Dawson’s Creek, Beverly Hills, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, etc), but FNL is SO GOOD. Tim Riggins… Swoon.
What’s Inspiring Me Now: See above. The romance and angst and perfectly imperfect characters of Friday Night Lights have me all kinds of inspired. I can’t wait to watch more! In other (amazing!) news, my friend Elodie has taken control of her magic and decided to self-publish her contemporary YA novel ONE TWO THREE (you can mark it To-Read on Goodreads HERE). Congrats, Elodie! I’m so excited for you! As far as writing inspiration, there’s this article from Writers Helping Writers about Writing Extreme Emotion Without Melodrama. There’s such a fine line between the two, and this post has some awesome tips. Definitely check it out. And, finally my girlie, who drew Daphne in our driveway the other day. She’s so artistic and sweet. She inspires me every day.
Tell me… What’s up with you today?
katyupperman.com 
Thank you, thank you, thank you for not only mentioning me but for your support. It means a lot!!!
🙂
I am so happy you’re making progress in your WiP because I hope to read your book very soon! This pastry looks delicious and I really show start watching that show :-))))
Have a great day!
Thank you for including me in your awesomeness. 🙂 You will love FNL, Elodie. I have no doubts at all!
Congratulations on being nearly done, I always rush ending too, it’s being so near the finish line I think, I just want to sprint and get to write THE END 😀
Thanks for all those great links, I’ll definitely check them out.
I’ve only watched the first half of Season One of FNL. I must watch some more as I loved it.
Such a sweet picture Of Daphne, I love it.
Nearly done with this round, anyway, which feels pretty amazing! And yes, you should definitely watch more FNL. It’s one of those rare shows with which I can find no flaws. So good! Hope you have a great week, Alexa. 🙂
Hmmm… I think I have UNDER THE NEVER SKY on my TBR. But I have a lot of books on my TBR, sadly, and I don’t know when I will ever get to them all (sadder still!). 😦 And way to go hubby on getting an article published! One day soon, you’ll BOTH be published–I’m sure of that, Katy. 🙂
Keep up the awesome work on your revisions. It sounds like everything’s coming together for you. 😀
Aww, thank you, Colin. I sincerely hope you’re right. 🙂 The UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy is one of my favorites. It’s one of the most consistently amazing I’ve read, actually. Love it, I suspect you might too. Have a great week, sir!
Congrats on the revision progress! It’s great to see a book coming together.
It most definitely is, Emma! Have a great week!
I totally need to check out FNL now. Also, i want that danish puff!!
You should make Danish Puff, Sarah! It’s easy and so yummy! And yes, FNL is fantastic. Awesome YA inspiration. 🙂
Your girlie’s drawing just made my heart explode, it’s so adorable!
HEARTBEAT is on my TBR-list. I thought the concept was really interesting.
Congrats to your hubby! And to Elodie, I’m adding her book to my list now 🙂
HEARTBEAT is fabulous, Jennifer. The concept is unique and very thought-provoking. You’ll have to check out my Bookanista rec tomorrow. 🙂 Have a great week, lady!
So glad you “kinda love” your story lol
Congrats to your husband for getting an article published!
Oh, that bread looks yummy!
Gonna check out that article at Writers Helping Writers right now. Thanks 🙂
Thanks, Juliana! Have a wonderful week!
I’m totally into teen drama shows too but I’ve yet to watch FNL. Maybe that will be my next treadmill show once I’m finished Smallville. 🙂
I suspect you will love it, Melanie. So, so good!
That’s awesome that you’re revision is plugging along!! FNL…we made it through the first season, but stalled on the second because the baby stopped sleeping. I need to get us started back on it ASAP!
Yes, for sure! How’s the baby sleeping now? No more #ZombieMom, I hope!
I loved FNL so much! I’m glad you’re finally watching it. (I think we all knew you’d love it lol.) Oh, and I hope you’re loving INTO THE STILL BLUE. Awesome, awesome trilogy all around. 😀 Good luck with your revision. I’m sure you’ll tackle those few remaining scenes and make them shine! Have a wonderful week, Katy!
I am definitely loving INTO THE STILL BLUE. There’s something about Aria and Perry’s relationship that feels very real and loving and genuine to me. I absolutely love the scenes they share. And I agree: this trilogy is one of the best I’ve read. All three books are just consistently awesome.
Danish Puff has way too much butter in it for my tastes, even considering I use vegan butter anyway! My family can’t understand why I’ve disliked butter so much since I was about eight years old.
Good luck with revisions. I can’t wait till I’m finally done with my WIP and can turn to revising a MUCH shorter book, only about 63,000 words at the moment. I’m also starting to revise and properly format two of the books I’m planning to e-publish this year.
Awesome, Carrie-Anne! Best of luck with your e-pubbing ventures. Keep us posted on how it all goes. And yeah… Danish Puff is definitely full of butter. Perhaps that’s why I love it so much. 🙂
I love seeing all the love for FNL! One of my all time favorite shows. And my husband’s as well! So awesome you’re almost done with revisions and that you love your story! I’m so nervous to read Into The Still Blue because it means it’s actually the end of the series! Sad face.
Yeah, I put INTO THE STILL BLUE off for a week or two after I got it because I’m so sad to say goodbye to Aria, Perry, Roar and the gang. I’ve only got about 100 pages let and I am draaaaaging them out. Hope you have a great week, Prerna!
Good luck with the rest of the revisions 😀
Mmmm, more deliciousness from you ^_^ And congratulations to your husband, too!
Thanks, lady! Have a great week!
You definitely inspire me to read AND write so much more Katy! I’ve been writing a book since… well, let’s just say it started off as `NSYNC fan fiction… in my head. I’ve slowly, but surely, been putting it to paper. AND I’ve downloaded a few YA books to my kindle and I’m really excited to read them. AND can I just say that I will be looking up a Danish Puff recipe after this 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration on so many wonderful things Katy!
Aww, thank you, Kristen! I hope you enjoy the Danish Puff, and I hope you love the YA you read. Of course I’m dying to know which books you downloaded. 🙂 And I’d love to hear more about the book you’re working on. You should email me sometime when you have a spare few minutes. Have a great week!
Yay for loving your story. It’s always great when that happens. And congrats to your husband on his publishing debut. 🙂
Have a great week!
Thanks, Kate. My story and I have had a love/hate relationship since I started drafting it, but we’re finally starting to see eye to eye. 😉
FNL is so great! I was also a latecomer to it (watched when Netflix picked it up). I actually slowed my pace intentionally so it wouldn’t be over … haha. I think I could rewatch it again, it’s been a few years. I’m currently watching Gilmore Girls reruns on ABC Fam–I have it recorded every day. I’m kind of obsessed.
Yeah, I’m dragging FNL out as well. It’s so good! And it just so happens that Gilmore Girls is my next to-be-Netflixed show. 🙂
First of all, congratulations to your husband on his article. That’s so cool!
I’m sad that Veronica Rossi’s trilogy is at an end too, but I’ve heard great things about INTO THE STILL BLUE and I can’t wait to really get into it. I haven’t read both her novellas, but I recommend ROAR AND LIV if you’re looking for more in that world.
I’m so surprised that you’ve never watched all of FNL before. Isn’t it great? As for Tim Riggins, did you know he’s Canadian in real life. Yes, all Canadian boys are that swoonworthy lol (kidding).
Keep at those revisions and I hope you have a super week!
I haven’t read ROAR AND LIV, but I’m probably going to have to when I finish INTO THE STILL BLUE. I have a feeling I’m going to have quite the book hangover when it’s over! Oh, and I know you Canadians are famous for your swoonworthy men. There must be something in the water up there. 🙂 Have a great week, Erin!
Oh Tim is swoon worthy. I loved friday night lights. Like you I watch all those types of shows. I watched FNL ages ago, and now I am thinking I should revisit it. Love love that show.
Yay on finishing your first draft and still loving it.. That is great.
Hope you have a great week.
Thanks so much, Angel! I’m looking forward to having this WiP ready for readers. 🙂
I never watched FNL. Football really isn’t something I’m interested in, but I do love teen dramas so maybe I’ll Netflix it sometime. It’s great that you love your story — even if you know it needs work. That’s the important part 🙂 I’m sure you have a great story! Elodie’s book sounds really great. I had to go and add it to my TBR list.
To be honest, Kim, FNL is more about relationships than football. I mean, there is football, but not a lot of time is devoted to games and stuff. This is why my husband isnt all that impressed. 😉
FNL is my jam yo. I just finished all the seasons in about a month. Yes I have Netflix binging problems.
Also…you are going to hate me Katy but I put down STOLEN at about 70%. I just couldn’t get into it. 😦 Sigh. I picked up another book and am loving it, though.
And I hear ya on the revisions. I just finished my 3rd draft with revisions and rushed the ending…again. I don’t know HOW to slow it down. I get SO BORED with my own book. Yes. I know. But it’s the truth. I do! LOL. Hopefully one day soon I will learn how to slow down. Hoping to be able to query this thing in March (or April) but we’ll see! So close so close!
Rachel! I can’t believe you couldn’t get into STOLEN! Crazy how subject and personal reading can be. It’s totally one of my favorites! Best of luck with getting your ending in check — endings are SO hard for me. I hate to drag them out (because that’s so boring when it happens in pubbed books), but it’s important to tie everything up too. Tricky, tricky. 🙂