We recently connected with Katy Upperman and have shared our conversation below.

Katy, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned to write by reading.

Because I came to writing a little later in life (my first book was published when I was 36) I was never formally educated in the craft. In college, I majored in Elementary Education (no regrets — I loved my years as a teacher!) and while I’ve considered applying to MFA programs, life keeps getting in the way.

But I am and always have been an insatiable reader.

Decades spent absorbing the words of others through physical books and audiobooks has taught me so much about writing fiction. Stories have a way of seeping into us, whether we’re reading for entertainment, or actively studying a book. As readers, we internalize authors’ rhythms and word choices. We get a feel for pacing — anyone can distinguish a page-turner from a book that drags. We discern whether a story’s stakes are high, whether characters are layered, and whether settings are rich, a lot of times without even realizing we’re doing it. When I thought I might try my hand at writing professionally, I really started to pay attention to the bones of the books I was reading. Even still, I analyze authors’ choices. When I have a strong reaction to a well-crafted character or an expertly plotted story, I examine what’s working — the hows and the whys. I truly believe that reading widely and thoughtfully is the best (and most fun!) way to become a stronger writer.

The skills I think are most essential to a career in writing are curiosity, empathy, and determination. I write about topics I want to learn more about. I write to feel, and to invoke emotion in others. And I keep writing, even when creativity is hard to come by, even when I experience rejection, and even when the world around me feels like chaos.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As well as being a military spouse and mama to two girls, I am an award winning author writing books for teens and teens at heart — truly the best job ever. My published novels include KISSING MAX HOLDEN, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US, HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN and, most recently, EVERYTHING I PROMISED YOU. The books I write are coming-of-age stories focused on family, friendship, first love, and finding oneself during a period of life that can often feel very tumultuous.

Growing up, I idolized authors like Judy Blume, Ann M. Marin, and Beverly Cleary. I read their books repeatedly, often until the spines split. But I never considered writing as a career option; in my mind, authors were celebrities. Originally a teacher, I came to writing after having my first child and taking leave from the classroom, during one of my husband’s extended deployments. While I loved being a stay-at-home mom, I was a little bored and very much in need of a creative outlet. I was reading more than ever, and I started to wonder… Why shouldn’t I spin stories of my own?

At first writing was just for fun. It kept my mind busy, and gave me something to do during nap times and evenings. Very quickly, though, crafting stories became a passion. Publishing became not just something that other people did, but a goal I wanted to work toward myself. It was scary — sharing a creative pursuit is a vulnerable thing — but my longing to see the stories I wrote on book store shelves outshined my fears. After years of hard work and determination, I landed a literary agent, and eventually a book deal. Now, four books in, I’m so proud of the work I’m putting out in the world. I hope it reaches the readers who will most enjoy it: teens and teens-at-heart looking for stories that are emotionally raw, yet hopeful.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Everyone experienced struggles during the pandemic, but I think for creative folks, the challenges were unique. Inspiration is hard to come by when you’re stuck at home, constantly worried about the health and wellbeing of your loved ones.

Beginning March, 2020, I had a year during which it felt impossible to access my imagination. My daughters, then thirteen and four, were suddenly home full-time. My husband was stationed overseas. I’d recently published my third book (yay!) but had nothing else contracted (boo!). Traditional publishing during the early days of the pandemic was uncertain at best; acquisitions were slow and most book releases seemed to be without the usual fanfare. My role as a mom expanded to fill the gaps COVID created. Teacher, housekeeper, nurse, chef, playmate. There was little time to fill my creative well, much less draw from it.

During the summer of 2020, we moved from Northern Virginia to Monterey, California, one of my very favorite cities. Still, I felt blah. I wanted to write, but I was lacking in strong concepts, and paralyzed by this wild notion that I could only sit down with my laptop when I had the PERFECT story idea. Something on-trend, something that would serve as a breakout, something that would propel my career forward. I became so discouraged and burnt out by the expectations I was putting on myself, I eventually came to the realization that I needed to take a break from writing.

So we got a puppy.

She required walks. So many, many walks.

During those walks through beautiful Monterey, I let my senses take over. I let my mind wander. Over time, I became reacquainted with my imagination. I got… an idea. It wasn’t perfect; it wasn’t even for a story, really. More like a vignette, cute and vibe-y. I hadn’t originally planned to write it — I was taking a break, after all — but it wouldn’t leave me alone. It nagged, and eventually it won.

It was only supposed to be a creative exercise. I hadn’t plotted a story arc. I hadn’t brainstormed my protagonist’s strengths and flaws. I hadn’t built the world in which she’d live. I hadn’t curated a playlist. All of the preparations I usually did before I started a project. Honestly, it didn’t even seem like a “good time” to draft a book. But writing that scene left me more excited about the prospect of creating a story than I’d been in a year.

That throwaway scene motivated me to start observing my surroundings the way I had pre-pandemic. I began to seek inspiration in the people I met, the conversations I enjoyed, and the scenery I was lucky to witness. That little scene grew and grew, until it landed in the middle of a complete first draft. That first draft eventually became EVERYTHING I PROMISED YOU, my most recently released book. I can’t really say whether it’s on-trend, or a breakout, but it’s definitely my “heart” book — a book that feels very personal and extraordinarily special. A once in a lifetime book. I’m so glad I gave myself permission to take that break, and I’m thrilled by its result. (And our puppy? She inspired the dog in EVERYTHING I PROMISED YOU!)

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The act of creating something out of nothing will never get old. To invent a whole world of people, conflicts, and resolutions — to get paid for using my imagination — is such an incredible gift. Though writing is not without its challenges, my job is pure fun 99% of the time. I will never take it for granted!

Reaching readers is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a writer. There’s nothing better than when teenager shares that they relate to my characters, or ask me to sign their books, or gush about how excited they are to read future books. I love when people tell me that my books made them laugh or — better yet! — cry. It’s awesome, too, knowing that my daughters are watching their mom see a dream to fruition. I hope I’m cementing in them the idea that they, too, can set a goal, then move mountains to achieve it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katyupperman.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katyupperman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katyuppermanwriter
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatyUpperman
• Other: PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/katyupperman/