“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: I finished I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios last week and absolutely loved it. More about why in Friday’s February Reading Wrap-Up post, but for now I’ll just say that it’s totally a Katy Book. Now, I’m reading The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and I’m digging it. It was a bit of a slow start because it took me awhile to figure out what the hell was going on, but now I’m completely hooked.
What I’m Writing: I ~think~ I’m going to finish my first draft of Stars Like Dust (the contemporary YA romance I started for National Novel Writing Month) today. Send some positive writing vibes my way, would you please? More on my writing (plus an excerpt) in Monday’s #WriterRecharge post.
What Else I’ve Been Up To: It’s been awhile since I’ve done a What’s Up Wednesday post, so I’ll backtrack a bit…
My girlie and I had mama/daughter pedicures on Valentine’s Day, courtesy of my incredibly thoughtful husband. He made the appointment in secret, took us out to lunch, then dropped us off at the salon. Best part? He remembered to bring flip-flop so our pretty toes wouldn’t get smudged on the way home. ❤
I celebrated my 34th birthday with my husband and my daughter. They got me an antique French blanket chest (above) because I’ve been wanting a new coffee table for ages. I adore it! Speaking of birthdays, I posted a Thirty Before 35 Progress Report last week. One year to accomplish the rest of my goals!
The other night, my daughter played her last basketball game of the season. She knew nothing about the sport when she started back in November, and I’m so proud of the progress she’s made. She’s even starting to throw a few elbows. 😉
What Works For Me: So, I got a new planner. (It’s Erin Condren, and I love it. Thanks for recommending them, Sara and Donna! If you’re interested, check them out HERE!) I’ve been writing everything down in it — chores, to-dos, meal plans, workout goals, errands, water intake — and my OCD absolutely refuses to allow me to skip out on my plans once they’re on paper. Like, yesterday I woke up feeling tired and kind of sick, but I’d already written down that I was going to hit the elliptical, and there was no way I was going to cross that item off without achieving it first. So, I hauled myself out of bed and did the damn elliptical. I’ve also been using my planner to track writing progress. I give myself a literal gold star for every hour of dedicated revising I manage, and every 500 new words I write. I know that sounds kind of juvenile and silly (I thought so too, at first), but seeing my progress has helped so much. Totally recommend this motivational method if you’ve yet to try it.
Tell me… What’s up with you today?
katyupperman.com 
Best of luck finishing your novel! How exciting. 😀 You can do it!
Sounds like you and your daughter had a lovely Valentine’s Day. Have a great week!
Thanks so much, Jess! I’m going to start writing as soon as I’m done commenting here. Have a great week, lady!
These planners seem very popular! I like mine, but I may keep this one in mind for next year 🙂
Sending positive vibes your way! Have a brilliant week.
I’m loving my Erin Condren planner, Cole. Totally bent to the trend, but I see now ~why~ they’re so trendy. I hope you have a wonderful week!
That planner looks fab, I might have to invest in one! I love the gold star method I always use it for first drafts but maybe I’ll start using it for revision too.
I’ve heard so much about The Girl on the Train, I’m 1259 on the library hold list, so I might just have to buy it 🙂
Looks like you had a lovely day with your girl, what a thoughtful present. The mention of flip flops made me sigh I think I remember what it was like to wear something other than my snow boots!
Have a great week and good luck with the revisions.
Um, yeah, it sounds like if you don’t buy GotT, you’re going to be waiting for eons! I’d say it’s worth purchasing. I’m about halfway through and totally captivated. Hoping it stays strong through the end! Have a wonderful week, Alexa!
You are always reading books I hear such great things about 🙂
I really cannot wait to read I’LL MEET YOU THERE—I have a break next week and plan to devour that book. I’ve only ever heard great things about it and loved how the author donated to Wounded Warriors Project.
I love that about Heather Demetrios and the Wounded Warrior project, too. I thought I’LL MEET YOU THERE was fantastic. It’s got amazing voice, and it’s angsty and emotional without being completely depressing. I really loved it. You’ll have to let me know if you do, too, Kim! Have a fantastic week!
I’ve heard lots of good things about I’ll MEET YOU THERE and THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. Maybe it’s time to step the reading on those. So sweet of your hubs to do that. Although the mention of flip-flops made me get goose bumps.
Yeah, I’m a huge flip-flop fan, and I often where them here in FL. Though, we’ve had some chilly mornings lately! I’ve actually got ski socks on right now. 🙂 Have a great week, Tonja!
We’re totally on the same page today, Katy. 😉 I feel like a bit of a copycat, but I guess I have you to thank for the Erin Condren planner idea and for finally convincing me to try the stars method. Thanks! I know both of them are going to be super helpful. You’ve just reminded me that I still need to email you and Tracey my thoughts about I’LL MEET YOU THERE. Have to get on that! Fingers crossed that today is the day you finish your draft. You’ve got this!
Have a wonderful week! 😀
Ha! I read your post early this morning and was laughing about how nearly identical our “What Works” sections are. Great minds. I’m starting to think Erin Condren owes us a cut — we’re selling her product all over the place! 🙂 And yes, email soon about IMYT. Have an awesome day, and yay for sprints!
Hey, Laini Taylor uses the star stickers on the planner approach too, so not silly! Will have to check out that gorgeous planner. I love that antique French chest.
Well, if Laini Tyalor does it, it MUST work. I love her books! Have an awesome week, Margo!
Best of luck finishing your book! *waves pom poms*
I love using stickers and lists for motivation. It’s made so much difference to my writing progress. Have a great week! 🙂
I am loving the sticker-tracking. I’ve been so motivated, and I can see now why so many people do it. I’m a convert! Have a wonderful week, Emma!
I just read about The Girl on the Train in a magazine- you’ll have to let us know how it is.
Good luck finishing your draft today! I’m sure you’ll do it!
I did finish — yay! And I’ll definitely share my GIRL ON THE TRAIN thoughts next week. So far, so good. Have a great week, Melanie!
Everyone seems to be reading I’ll Meet YOu There! I’m on the wait list for the girl on train book at the library. I’m trying to keep up with the current!
I love your planner–tempting! I use my phone calendar for most of my planning, but I like the idea of adding in food and more details in there.
I use my phone calendar for events and appointments because it’s always with me, but now that I’ve got my planner, I can’t imagine another way. I love it! You’ll have to check out I’LL MEET YOU THERE, Stephanie. It’s fantastic!
Good luck with finishing your book!
I’ve never had a pedicure or manicure, which is apparently rather unusual for someone of my age. At most, I might have a professional manicure if I were getting married, but I’d still far prefer to do my own nails. That’s the only makeup I still regularly wear.
I love doing my own fingernails, but not my toes. I like the massage that comes with pedicures. 🙂 Have a great week, Carrie-Anne!
I love planners, but they just sit there and look pretty while collecting dust. Hope you had a happy birthday, and looks like you’ve been having fun with your daughter 🙂
I did have a fun birthday! And I worried that I wouldn’t stick with my planner, but it kind of rules my world now. Plus, it’s a bit of a creative outlet. I’m loving it! Have a wonderful week, Prerna!
I love the antique writing chest! And happy birthday to you. Nearing the end of a draft is always super exciting, but it makes me a little manic. Good luck this week!
I finished my draft today, and I did feel a little manic. Also, sad. I’ve still got plenty of revising to do, but this was a very satisfying story to write. I’m bummed that it’s over! Have a good week, Rebekah!
Just read your excerpt from STARS LIKE DUST, and it’s absolutely stunning, Katy! Exactly the type of prose and bittersweet emotion I love. I don’t have many positive writing vibes myself these days, but I’ll send you whatever I can. Hope you’re inspired to finish it because I’d love to read it someday!
That French blanket chest is beautiful! Your husband and girlie are so thoughtful! Have an awesome week! 🙂
Thanks so much, Erin! I actually did finish my draft today (thanks to lots of sprinting with Jaime!) and I’m so relieved to call it DONE. Hopefully revisions go smoothly. And I’ll send all of my drafting vibes your way since I don’t currently need them. 😉 Have an awesome week!
Seriously considered The Girl in the Train for the book next month. Can’t wait to hear your final thoughts!
I’ll let you know. So far, so good. I’ve actually seen it compared to GONE GIRL a few times. Have you read THE GOOD GIRL by Mary Kubica? It’s similar in tone and twistiness to GONE GIRL (only with characters that are far more likable). I recommend it!
Fun Valentines day date! And may there be lots of gold stars in your future!
Thanks so much, Niki! Have a fantastic week!
You’re the second person to post about the planner/sticker method, and it’s really making me want to try. I worry, though, that a gold star won’t be enough to motivate me. But it seems to be helping you and Jaime a ton!
Congrats on finishing your draft!!
I am a new and enthusiastic fan of the planner/sticker method. Totally recommend trying it, Tracey. Have a great week, lady!
Everyone has been talking about planners lately and I’m *so* tempted to get one. Maybe I’ll reward myself with one the next time I finish a particularly hard scene in my draft 🙂
The blanket chest is gorgeous.
Love the cover of I’LL MEET YOU THERE – I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about it.
Congrats on finishing your draft!
I love the cover of IMYT too, Jennifer, and the story totally lives up to its awesomeness. I hope you get a chance to read it soon! Also, I recommend those planners highly — plus the stickers to track progress. Best of luck with your drafting!
That chest is bee-yoo-tiful 🙂 Love the planner idea (I just need to write in my planner that I need to buy stickers…) Congrats on the book!!! Best. Feeling. Ever.
Thanks, Carrie! And yay for stickers! 🙂 Have an awesome week!