Let’s Remember the Five W's of Writing

Edie here. Today I'm over-the-moon-excited to celebrate our very own columnist, Tammy Karasek's newest (and first) book: Launch that Book! Personally, I hire her for all my book launches, but she's booked almost a year in advance, so that's not always an option for others. Because of that, Tammy has shared some of her best tips and how-tos on launching a book in today's marketplace. Join me in celebrating Tammy, and her amazing gift!!! All the info on the book is at the bottom of the post. 

Let's Remember the Five W's of Writing

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I don’t know about you my writing friends, but this year has been one of the fastest years for me in a very long time. Like most of you, I’ve had very high days and some low days, both in my personal life and my writing life. At times I sat and stared and wondered if I would stop writing, or find a strength deep inside to persevere. 

But writers are a creative lot, and we can figure out how to work things out for our writing most of the time. If we’ve learned anything from the dreadful year of 2020, we’ve learned to be resourceful and not stay alone in our writing world, so to speak. We know how to gather some writer friends into a Zoom chat for some fellowship, help with plot holes we didn’t see, brainstorm time, or some critique suggestions. We can send texts, emails or even a telephone call to hear a friendly voice that knows the rises and falls of the writer’s life. 

As we approach the end of this year, though, I’ve noticed a few people slowing down and retreating inward and away from other writers. Not just slow down, but almost like a funk is hovering over them. Myself included somewhat. It reminded me of something I used to tell our daughter at the end of every school year from middle school all the way through her Doctorate. I’d notice that in the last month or so she’d lose steam. I would offer the same advice each year. Finish strong, you’re almost done.

As writers, we may have lost our fervor to keep writing also. I’d offer the same thought to you as well as myself. Finish strong, dear writer, this year is almost done. To do that, let’s return to the five W’s of writing we base our stories on. 

1. WHO

Who are we writing for? We are instructed to write for a particular person or people group, but is that really who we should be writing for? Isn’t the One we want to please the most God? Then return to writing your words back to Him. He’ll make sure those words reach the people he chooses.

2. WHAT 

What is it that you’re trying to say? Is your message clear? Would your words encourage, teach or edify another person? Write those.

3. WHERE 

Where are you writing now? Do you write at home in the same spot every day? Are you a writer who writes in a coffee shop or library? Have you thought about a new spot to write to add some change or excitement to your writing time? If not, now would be a great time to create a special spot that brings you into the mood for writing, even if it’s just rearranging your writing space in a different way at home. Set yourself up for success. Change up your scenery if necessary. Buy a bouquet of flowers for the corner of your writing spot. With winter, it does get dreary, liven up the space you write.

4. WHEN

When do you write? Often, we see the musts of writing. You must write before others wake up. You must write every day. You must write 3,000 words a day. But what if those don’t work out well for you, is something wrong with you? No, that’s false. All that means is that it’s not how your body, schedule, or family functions. Search what works best for you and make that your own personal must of writing. Then do that.

5. WHY 

Why do you write? I loved the comment I read years ago regarding that question. “Why do you write? It’s because I can’t not.” Grammatically so wrong, but such truth in the words. We write because we can’t stop ourselves from doing it. Maybe this year has given you and I odd challenges, and maybe we’re not writing with the same determination we used to. I suggest we remember back to when God first gave us the nudge to write. When we realized He’d given us a calling to write the words he’d pour into us. Let’s return to that why.

As we wind down this year, let’s return to those five W’s as they apply to our writing lives. Instead of writing like it’s another chore to mark off of our list, may be all remember those reasons above and renew our excitement to write. 

Will you join me in giving the final weeks of this year everything you’ve got? 

Let’s finish strong, writing friends, this year is almost done.

TWEETABLE

Let’s Remember the Five W's of Writing from author @TickledPinkTam on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Launch That Book!

by Tammy Karasek

Stressed over the details of how to launch your book?

Launch that Book will take you from stress to success in getting your book into the hands of those who need it. Tammy Karasek walks authors through a pragmatic management approach as she educates, equips, and encourages in getting the most mileage out of the book launch process.

Learn step-by-step

∙ how to gather a team

∙ exactly what to do with your team

∙ when and how to say farewell

Plus, so much more.

“I can’t say enough good things about her and her process to get the books into the hands of readers and onto the bestseller lists.”

Lynette Eason, best-selling, award-winning author of the Extreme Measures series

Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out! A writer of Romance—with a splash of sass. She’s also The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and also a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors. Don't miss her recent book, Launch that Book, just released in November. 

Her work was also published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, MBT Monday Devotions, The Write Editing and more. Connect with Tammy at HTTPS://WWW.TAMMYKARASEK.COM.