Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, and myself. Find the rest of the details HERE.
* How I did on last week’s goal(s).
1. Complete a revision of my contemporary YA, Where Poppies Bloom… IN PROGRESS. I revised seven scenes.
2. Complete the first draft of my contemporary YA, The Road So Far, by the close of RSW… IN PROGRESS. I wrote about 4K new words.
3. Read (on average) one YA/adult novel per week… IN PROGRESS. I’m reading Laini Taylor’s Dreams of Gods & Monsters. It is epic and looooong. What I’ve read so far is probably equivalent to one average-lengthed YA. 🙂
4. Read (on average) one MG novel with my daughter every two weeks… IN PROGRESS. We’re working on one of Sara Mylnowski’s Whatever After books.
5. Maintain my tan… YES! I’ve spent most of the last week poolside at my parents house in Phoenix. #HappyPlace
* My goal(s) for this week.
I have BIG goals because I’ll have A LOT of Katy Time over the next week. Specifically, I hope to finish my revision and begin a read-through of Where Poppies Bloom, as well as add at least 5K to The Road So Far.
* A favorite line from my project OR a word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.
From Where Poppies Bloom…
I’m not sure what to do with this information, but my heart’s skipping around in my chest, joyfully, and Tucker’s passing me the kitten and I’m accepting it like I’m prepared, like people gift me living, breathing creatures all the time. The kitten’s little body is warm and delicate, and I snuggle him against my chest, a mixture of gratitude and confusion and elation making soup of my thoughts.
* The biggest challenge I faced this week.
I’ve been hanging out with my daughter and parents all week and we’ve been doing lots of fun things that don’t involve reading or writing. I think that’s okay though, because I rarely see my parents and family is so important. My reading and writing goals will be waiting for me after this trip, which ends tomorrow. 😦
* Something I love about my WiP.
Both of my WiPs are set in the same world and follow the same two main characters, Callie and Tucker. My very favorite thing about their stories is their romance. They have all sorts of issues, but they’re still incredibly respectful and supportive of each other, and they have great chemistry (I think!). I love to see relationships like that in YA.
How did RSW go for you this week?
katyupperman.com 
love the “keeping my tan” goal. what else is summer for? have a great week!
I love the way you think, Kim. 🙂 Hope you have a great week as well!
I love that line even more after reading it again! And from the bits and pieces you send me, I already love Callie and Tucker SO MUCH. Also, great job on meeting your goals and enjoying the family and all the things! I’m excited for all your productivity in the coming week, mainly because it means I’m that much closer to getting to read POPPIES. 🙂
Email coming soon, friend. And hopefully THIS WEEK we can write together. I should have made that a goal!
I am so glad (and relieved!) that you love Callie and Tucker! I’m not sure I’d be motivated to continue working on these stories if you didn’t! I’ll have tons of time for writing dates starting Wednesday — pretty much whenever. And yes, email please!
I love WIPs set in the same world! And I love your snippet – of course I melted into a puddle over the mention of a kitten 🙂
Enjoy your Katy Time!
Ha! I think kitten/cat lovers will enjoy POPPIES. There are two cute kitties. Maybe that’s how I should ask my agent to pitch it: If you like cats, then you’ll LOVE this story… 😉 Have a great week, Jen!
Love this snippet, Katy. I am so excited for you to finish revising POPPIES and I can’t wait to see where it goes!!! 🙂 Have a wonderful time on your trip, as well.
Thanks, lovely! I can’t wait to see where it goes as well! Have a great week!
Great job balancing writing with your vacation/family visit, Katy! I’ve struggled with the same thing for the past week too. It’s DEFINITELY okay to prioritize family over writing, especially when you don’t see them often.
Good luck with your goals for this week! 🙂 and I love your snippet about the kitten! Melting!!!! ❤
Thanks, Kaitlin! I like my cat but I’m not really a cat person, so I’m glad this kitten bit is resonating. 🙂 Can’t wait to see how you did with your goals, and I hope you have a wonderful week, lady!
Katy I love that line. I really love your voice in every snippet you share. Good luck catching up on your goals this week! Hopefully we’ll be writing together 🙂
Thanks, lady! And yes, definitely, to some Twitter writing this week. Let me know when you’re around!
Congrats on all the progress, and good luck with all your goals next week! I really like the voice in that excerpt. 🙂
Thanks so much, Emma! I hope you have a great week as well!
It’s nice to take some time off and come back to the writing refreshed and invigorated and I think hanging out with your family at a pool in Phoenix would be just the thing to do it. Love the titles you’ve chosen. Good luck this week.
Thanks so much, Dawne! Hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Whoa! Big goals for you this week. Best of luck with everything. Also, love this part of the snippet you shared: “like people gift me living, breathing creatures all the time.” That line really resonates.
Big goals because my girl is going to be spending time with Nana and Poppy. 🙂 And thanks for your kind words about my little excerpt, lady! ❤
Love the excerpt you shared, Katy! 😀 I’m very impressed with how much you got done this week while away visiting family. That kind of puts me to shame lol. I’m glad you had a good time and still managed to squeeze in some writing. Good luck this week with all that Katy time! 😀
Thanks, Jaime! I’m hoping to be as productive as possible, though I’m tempted to just catch up on my movie watching. 🙂 Hope this week is great for you!
You will never believe it but I have tan lines! They aren’t very prominent…but they’re there.
Good job getting what you did done while away. That’s rough when you don’t get to see family. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up.
Aw, a kitten! So sweet. Love that little insight into the book.
Enjoy your last bit of time with the family.
Congrats on the tan lines! Mine are becoming rather epic. Such a point of pride. 😉 Looking forward to (hopefully) getting together this week!
Loved the snippet you shared- beautiful!
I definitely need to start working on my tan. Thankfully it’s stopped raining around here so maybe I can get a littles sun. 🙂
Thanks so much, Melanie! I hope you get your sun time very soon. Happy writing!
I love your excerpt! There’s nothing like being handed a kitten. =) Glad your trip has gone great, sorry it’s ending soon. Best of luck for your goals this week!
Thanks so much, Leandra. Hoping to be *extra* productive in the coming days. Best of luck to you as well!
Me = a sucker for cats. More cats in books!
Family and vacation time can be super important to creative output. That statement sort of zapped the fun out of vacation time, but it’s true! Rest up and re-energize 🙂
Ha! No, I totally knew what you meant with that statement, and you’re write! Also, I agree: more kittens in books for sure!
Awesome excerpt! That voice sucked me right in :). Good luck with your goals this week!
Thanks so much! I hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Yay for lots of YOU time this week! Glad you had fun with your family! Have a great week!
Thanks, Karyne. I’m not going to know what to do with all of my ME time. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
That excerpt is so good. Love the voice and, you know, it has a kitten so I’m all in. 🙂 Good luck with your writing and revisions. Sounds like you’ve gotten a lot done already!
Aww, thank you! I have gotten lots done, but it seems like there’s always more to do! Have a fantastic week!
Love the excerpt! And I have to say, I’ve been eyeing your IG pics with jealousy because I desperately need some pool time, lol. But so glad you’re having fun and keeping up with that tan goal. 😉 Good luck with getting back to the grind this week!
I feel so lucky to have this pool time. The beach is awesome, but the pool is definitely more relaxing. I hope you find time to swim soon, Alice, and best of luck with your goals this week!
That picture of you and your daughter is so sweet! It seems like you’re having a wonderful summer! Love the snippet! Great job on your progress, I hope this week brings you much success 😀
Thank you so much, Patrice! We’re having an awesome time swimming together! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Love the kitty snipit!
Thanks, lady! ❤
Loved the excerpt! There must be something about boys and kittens because I have a scene involving them in my ms too. Way to bump up the adorable factor! Enjoy your Katy Time this week and good luck with your BIG goals!
Haha! Thanks! And I agree with you about boys and kittens. My fictional boy shares a few scenes with them, and they’re some of my favorite. Have an awesome week, Erin!
Oh my gosh, I looooove your excerpt. It turned me into a sappy little puddle. 🙂 I can relate about reading DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS. I liked the book but, boy, it took forever to read! Enjoy your last day with family and have a great week!
Oooh, kitten! Kittens make my thoughts soupy, too. Sorry you have to get back to reality soon, but I hope you enjoyed your family time! Good luck on your BIG goals this week 🙂
I, too, have a goal of maintaining my tan…my Washington tan 😉 But seriously, though, SPF 50+ is my BFF since I start burning almost immediately after stepping out of the door. (Except for my feet, for whatever reason. I always have awesome flip flop tan lines by the end of the summer.)
Good luck with your goals this week!
Nice work hitting your goals even while on vacation! From the photos you’ve been posting on Instagram, it looks like it was a great week. I love that excerpt you shared! Good luck finishing up your revision this week!