RSW Update 9

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-ish YA, Where Poppies Bloom.

2. Complete the first draft of my contemporary YA, The Road So Far, by the close of RSW… IN PROGRESS. I wrote 5,447 words this week for a total of 63,607 words in the manuscript.

3. Read (on average) one YA/adult novel per week… YES! I read Lisa Schroeder’s The Bridge from Me to You, which was absolutely delightful. Now, I’m reading Mary Kubica’s debut, The Good Girl, and I’m super impressed.

4. Read (on average) one MG novel with my daughter every two weeks… IN PROGRESS! Still working on Rump by Leisl Shurtliff — so cute!

5. Maintain my tan… YES! We went to the beach on Thursday and we were in Orlando all weekend, soaking up the sun at the Magic Kingdom. *happy sigh*

* My goal(s) for this week.

Add at least 6K new words to The Road So Far. Mentally ponder plot hole fixes for Where Poppies Bloom (tricky!).

* A favorite line from my project OR a word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

(FYI: This scene takes place at a wedding…)

The song fades into Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On, which strikes me as both borderline inappropriate and hysterically funny, considering the number of old people milling around. From across the room, Bennett gives me a smarmy smile and a thumbs up. His bride’s swaying to the music, wasted, practically riding his leg. Jesus. What are we doing here?

I’m about to comment on the insanity when Callie makes a move for our table.

I grab her hand. “You’re not gonna dance with me?”

“I thought you hated me,” she says, scrunching her face into a scowl. 

“And I thought you knew better.” I lace my fingers through hers and pull her against me. She winds an arm around my neck, pressing her cheek to mine. I hold her so close we pretty much are getting it on.

* The biggest challenge I faced this week.

I hadn’t anticipated doing much of anything, writing-wise, over the last week because we had tons of family stuff going on. So, I’m patting myself on the back for adding to my WiP at all. 🙂

  
Our little family is complete again! Plus, my girlie started cheerleading!

* Something I love about my WiP. 

I’ve got THE END in my sights! I suck at conclusions, but I’m getting there, and I’m SO excited to wrap this draft up so I can start fixing it. 🙂 Also, did you see the mood board I made for The Road So Far? I posted about it HERE.

I can’t wait to read about how Ready. Set. Write! is going for you. Don’t forget to share the link of your latest post below!

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46 thoughts on “RSW Update 9”

  1. Erin Funk says:

    I can’t believe you got so much written this week considering how busy you were. Nicely done! So glad to hear your family is complete again and that the end is in sight on your WIP. Good luck with your 6k goal and coming up with those plot hole fixes!

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks, Erin! I *think* I’m working toward filling those plot holes. I had a lot of time to think while waiting in Disney lines. Have a great week, lady!

  2. Elodie says:

    As always, loving your pictures, Katy and so happy your hubby is back with you and C 🙂 Hope you had a great time in Orlando!
    Love the excerpt, love the voice as always…and yay for progress! I’m impressed you put in that much despite being this busy! You inspire me for sure 🙂 Cheering you on!

  3. Rebecca Barrow says:

    Seconding Erin and Elodie–so nice to see your husband back with you two ladies 🙂 That extract made me actually LOL; I can totally picture it! And I’m so jealous that you’re getting towards The End…I feel like the longer I draft, the further away it gets. Good luck getting closer to it this week!

    • katyupperman says:

      I definitely have that never-ending-draft feeling somewhere around the mid-point, Rebecca. It’s discouraging! Cheering for you to push on. And have a fantastic week!

  4. Erin Bowman (@erin_bowman) says:

    Ahhh I love the excerpt. Love it. I’m so glad your family is once again complete and that you managed to churn out so many new words with all the traveling and fun. Go you. Good luck with your goals this coming week!

  5. Courtney Leigh says:

    I love seeing which books you read every week. It’s giving me a lot of Goodreads fuel!

    Awesome job getting so many words this week! And I’m very happy to see the whole family is together. Good luck with the word count and with the ruminations. You got this!

    • katyupperman says:

      Oh, I’m glad you’re finding lots of TBR books here, Courtney. Few things make me happier than spreading book love. 🙂 Have a wonderful week, lady!

  8. Melanie Stanford says:

    Love the excerpt!
    And congrats on the words this week, despite the fact that your family is all together and you went to Disney! That’s amazing. Sounds like you’re getting close to the end of your draft!

  9. Rebekah says:

    Great job meeting goals, especially since you spent extra family time this week. I think sometimes when we aren’t pressuring ourselves to write, we get more accomplished. It feel like a surprise rather than expectation.

  11. Alison Miller says:

    OMG – is it sad that I love that Marvin Gaye song? Also, LOVE that excerpt! And holy rocking word counts, woman! You are on fire! So excited for you and so glad M’s home and I hope you had the best time at Disney! YAY!

    Have a great week! And update me soon!

  12. Carrie-Anne says:

    Congratulations on so much writing progress in spite of your busyness! I’d love to go to the beach, though I prefer to visit amusement parks when it’s not so crowded from all the peak summer visitors.

    • katyupperman says:

      I like to visit parks during off-seasons too, Carrie-Anne, but we just happened to be in Orlando for an event, so we decided to take advantage. It was HOT and CROWDED, but we still had fun. 🙂

  13. sara says:

    Hubba, hubba with that scene 😉 When you gonna let me read some of these awesome stories, huh? huh? huh? Yay for having the hubs back, I bet you girls are beyond thrilled! xo

    • katyupperman says:

      I am going to be begging you to read POPPIES for me as soon as I apply Alison’s notes and get it back into shape. September-ish. Pretty please? 🙂 Let’s write together soon!

  14. crystalschubert says:

    “I hold her so close we pretty much are getting it on.” I loooove that, haha! So exciting that your husband has returned; I’m impressed you were able to accomplish so much during such a crazy week! 🙂

  20. Kitty says:

    Wow, you got a lot done considering you didn’t expect to, with family stuff happening. Way to go! Your daughter should be cheering for you! She’s adorable in her “cheer” shirt, by the way. 🙂 I love the excerpt! Have a fantastic week.

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks so much, Kitty! It seems like I always get more done when I don’t feel the pressure of having to do so, if that makes sense. Have a wonderful week!

  21. Krispy says:

    Yay for Disney and for your family being reunited!! I too am impressed with the writing you did considering all this fun family stuff. Great job, and I can’t believe you have another “the end” in sight! Rooting for you! Rah!

  23. Ghenet Myrthil says:

    Nice work getting so many words down in the midst of reuniting with your husband! I’m excited for you to write The End soon – you’re almost there! I also loved your excerpt. 🙂

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