“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…
What I’m Reading: Since the month started, I’ve read Gayle Forman’s I Was Here (she’s a favorite author of mine and I loved this book, though I had mixed feelings about a few elements) and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (I guess I can see its merit, but this dystopian classic was NOT for me). Now, I’m reading The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson, and it’s incredible so far. Thanks to everyone who recommended it during the 2014 YA Superlatives Blogfest!
What I’m Writing: I’ve made progress with Stars Like Dust (new words — yay!), and I’ve been working here and there on a mindless short story. More on my writing in Monday’s #WriterRecharge Update. Goal for this week: draft some more. At least 3K, hopefully.
What Else I’ve Been Up To: I’ve had a busy few weeks! I traveled all weekend and had tons of appointments and shopping to knock out. Plus…
My girlie earned her way onto the Honor Roll (hence the giant celebratory cookie) and turned 7 1/2. Exciting week! 
Also, I posted on Instagram about my Favorite Fictional Females. From top to bottom: Hermione, Mariam and Laila, Reena, Lennie, and Bitterblue.
What Works For Me: Community… One of my Thirty Before 35 goals was to attend a writers’ retreat, and I finally did! I spent an amazing weekend in West Virginia with some lovely literary friends. We did tons of drafting, editing, brainstorming, chatting, laughing, and eating. Not only did the retreat give me the kickstart I needed to finish my first draft of Stars Like Dust, but it was excellent for my mental health. It’s amazing to spend time with smart, creative, like-minded people. Can’t wait to do it again! ❤
Tell me… What’s up with you today?
katyupperman.com 
The retreat sounds perfect! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And congratulations to your daughter! That’s one well-earned cookie.
Best of luck with your goal this week.
Defintely well-earned. 🙂 And the writing retreat really was all I could hope for. Can’t wait to do another! Hope you have a fantastic week, Cole!
I really wanna go on a writers retreat weekend! That sounds so fun!
It was awesome — we had a wonderful time!
That retreat sounds like so much fun! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. 🙂 It can be really nice to spend some time writing among other writers – they know exactly how you feel!
Congrats to your daughter, and have a great week!
Yes! I love talking with fellow writers. Supportive as my family and friends are, it’s hard to understand the weirdness unless you’re doing it too. As you probably know. 🙂 Have an awesome week, Jess!
I totally agree about Hermione and Mariam, though I’d never have thought of Mariam on my own, so thanks for that. I’ve never read the other three books though, so yay! I’ve got more for my TBR list!
Have an excellent week!
You haven’t read BITTERBLUE?! My love for that book knows no bounds. The whole trilogy is amazing, in case you haven’t read GRACELING and FIRE. Highly recommend. Also, I’m so glad we got the comment issue figured out. So glad you mentioned it! 🙂 Have a great week, Melanie!
Yay writing retreat. I’m glad you had fun. That should be on my goal list too. Thanks for sharing. 😀
I hope you can do a retreat too, Leslie. Ours was truly awesome. Have a fantastic week!
Your writing retreat sounds so fun! Happy day to C for honor roll, go girl go! I haven’t read either of your reads (…I’ve heard mixed reviews about GF’s new book so I’m hesitant) but both have great covers. Have an awesome week, lady!
GF’s book… I’m still processing. I’ve read a lot of favorable and not-favorable reviews, and I can see the merit in all of them. Story-wise, I thought it was fantastic, but there were a few aspects that made me raise an eyebrow. She’s still an auto-buy author for me though — love her style! Have a great week, Rachel!
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy BNW. It’s one of my favoritest books, and I’ve read it thrice so far, twice for various English classes and the third just for pleasure.
I’ve love to attend a writers’ retreat one of these days. My old friend Karen from Creative Writing Club sometimes hosts writing retreats in exotic places, but I’d have to be sure I could afford it and I wouldn’t have to do any writing on Friday night or Saturday.
Carrie-Anne, my husband really liked BRAVE NEW WORLD, too. He’s the one who suggested I read it. And clearly I’m in the minority, considering how long it’s stood the test of time. Just not for me, though. 🙂 Have a great week, lady!
I’d love to go on a writer’s retreat someday. Spending time with other writers sounds perfect!
Congratulations to your daughter, and best of luck with the words this week! 🙂
Best of luck to you this week, too, Emma! I hope you’re able to do a writers’ retreat one of these days. I can’t say enough about how amazing ours was. 🙂
So happy you’re enjoying KISS OF DECEPTION. I loved that one! I need to get my hands on a copy of Gayle Forman’s latest. It sounds good! Once I read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. You *have* had a busy few weeks! Sometimes busy is good, and sometimes you just want some peace and quiet and time write/read. It sounds like your busy was good, though, so that’s awesome! Hope you have a wonderful week, Katy! And that the words keep on flowing. 🙂
Yes, let’s definitely chat about I WAS HERE. I’m always curious about other people’s bookish opinions. And thanks again for reccing KISS OF DECEPTION — so good! Have a great week, lady!
Writing retreat! That looks so fun. I’ve been on a few variations of those. I’d love to plan another one.
It was fantastic, and I can’t wait to do another. Have an awesome week, Stephanie!
looks like you had a ton of fun on the writer’s retreat! I would love to go on one someday. I should really pick up a Gayle Foreman book, don’t know what’s wrong with me! Congrats on new words, progress is so nice. And congrats to your little girl on her honor roll achievement! She definitely earned that cookie 🙂
Thanks so much, Prerna! My girlie loved her cookie. 🙂 Have a fantastic week!
Awesome job on finishing your draft! I have really grown to treasure writing retreats. I’m glad you had a good time. I also have issues with BRAVE NEW WORLD. I read it in high school, gave it another read years later, and was still “meh.” But that’s fine, every book isn’t for every one. And congrats to your girl. Everybody should earn a cookie as big as their head!
Totally agree that BRAVE NEW WORLD isn’t for everyone. My husband just read it too, and he thought it was great. Made for some interesting discussions at our house. 🙂 Have a great week, Adrianne!
That writer retreat sounds amazing! I hope I’ll be able to do something like that one day.
I also love Gayle Forman and can’t wait to read I Was Here.
Gayle Forman is one of my absolute favorites. I met her at a signing once and she was truly delightful, and so smart about writing. Insta-buy author for sure! Have an awesome week, Melanie!
I’m reading I Was Here right now. It’s very good so far. One day I would love to go on a writing retreat. They sound so fun! Have a great week!
You’ll have to let me know what you think of I WAS HERE when you finish, Amy. I thought it was super strong, but I did raise an eyebrow here and there. I’ll always adore Gayle Forman for her awesomeness, though. 🙂 Have a great week, lady!
I remember half birthdays! They were so exciting as a kid and now, as an adult, I barely acknowledge my actual birthday 🙂
I have a feeling BRAVE NEW WORLD will not be for me either. The last time I tried to read it, my mind wandered on page 1. Never a good sign.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
I acknowledge my half birthday as another step toward old-lady-hood. 😉 I know a lot of people must’ve loved BRAVE NEW WORLD for it to reach classic status, but yeah… Not a Katy Book. You’ll have to let me know what you think if you ever do get through it. Have an awesome week, lady!
I miss the retreat so much ❤ and yay for the short stories! hee. But mostly yay for your recharge for Stars Like Dust!
I’m laughing… Hee is right. 🙂 I miss the retreat too. And you. And everyone else. Can’t wait to see you all more regularly!