When Will It Be My Turn? Encouragement for Writers Waiting for a Yes

From Edie: Tammy Karasek knows how it feels to be discouraged by writing rejection and/or others’ success. She helps writers find encouragement to trust God’s timing, overcome comparison, and keep writing.

When Will It Be My Turn? Encouragement for Writers Waiting for a Yes

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writing conferences are happening all over the country, and there have been many so far. With all of them, we’re hearing about the successes of our fellow writers. While we listen to the contest finalists announced, friends are being asked to send in proposals to various agents or acquisition editors, many of us may pause and wonder—when will it be my turn? We listen to their exciting announcements as we may receive rejections. Or worse, no response at all. 

How to Reset Your Writing Routine When You're Overwhelmed

From Edie: Tammy Karasek helps when a writer feels overwhelmed by deadlines and too many writing projects. She shares practical ways to reset your writing routine, regain focus, reduce stress, and write with renewed purpose and joy.

How to Reset Your Writing Routine When You're Overwhelmed

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

My summer writing schedule hasn’t gone as I planned back in early Spring. Maybe you can relate. What I thought would be a calm, laid back time of writing has turned into a cross one task off the list and add three new items—many projects and with near simultaneous due dates. 

What’s a writer to do? 

A Writer's Choice: How to Know Which Writing Advice to Follow—and Which to Ignore

From Edie: Tammy Karasek can help when you're feeling overwhelmed by conflicting writing advice. Learn how to evaluate suggestions, avoid common traps, and build a writing process that works for you.

A Writer's Choice: How to Know Which Writing Advice to Follow—and Which to Ignore

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

If you’ve been writing for a while, it’s safe to say you’ve heard a lot of advice. Some say listen to all advice—while others’ say don’t listen to any advice, do the research and lessons for yourself. Talk about extremes. 

Do Authors Really Need a Book Launch Team? What Every Writer Should Know

From Edie: Do authors really need a book launch team? Tammy Karasek shares why launch teams matter for both self-published and traditionally published writers, plus practical tips for creating a successful book launch strategy.

Do Authors Really Need a Book Launch Team? What Every Writer Should Know

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Every writer, no matter if they choose to independently publish or go the traditional publishing route will need to know the answer to this question—now that my book is finished, how do I let people know it’s available?

10 Reasons Every Writer Should Attend a Writers Conference (And Why It’s Worth the Investment)

From Edie: Wondering if a writers conference is worth it? Discover 10 powerful reasons every writer should attend to grow skills, connect with industry professionals, and build a lasting writing community.

10 Reasons Every Writer Should Attend a Writers Conference (And Why It’s Worth the Investment)

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I’ve had a lot of conversations with writers about the value of attending a writing conference. The comments I receive are as varied as the folks I talk to. Most who have attended are enthusiastic about them, and share their favorites or talk about a new one they’re going to attend this year. We trade experiences and create an excitement for the next one we’ll go to.

Then there are folks who have not gone to any writers’ conferences at all. They have many reasons why and a few are valid points for their circumstances. I have to admit, though, the response that often leaves me puzzled is this: why should I bother spending the money and wasting my time? 

Stuck at the Blinking Cursor? How to Overcome Writer’s Block One Word at a Time

From Edie: Staring at the blinking cursor with no words coming? Discover a simple, practical method to overcome writer’s block by starting with just one word and building momentum back into your writing.

Stuck at the Blinking Cursor? How to Overcome Writer’s Block One Word at a Time

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I’m surprised at how many writers I’ve spoken with of late that express frustration with that taunting, blinking cursor. Try as we might, we sit in our spot of choice for writing and sometimes we are stuck. Mind is frozen. As writers this is hard to admit because we are known for our love of words. People picture us tapping on our keyboards all day writing thousands of words. 

At times, we’re fortunate if we have managed to string a few words together before our brains shut down again.

Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Christian Writer

From Edie: Struggling with self-doubt in your writing? Discover faith-filled encouragement and practical reminders to help Christian writers trust God’s calling and move forward with confidence.

Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Christian Writer

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I’m not sure what frame of mind you’re in regarding your writing as we begin this year, but I know many writers around me are struggling with the good enoughs. I know, that’s not a real word—but it sure is a real issue. I’ve heard too many times lately—I’m not good enough, I don’t know if I should be writing or who do I think I am calling myself a writer? I’m not excluding myself from this problem, either. Those words have flashed through my mind off and on over the last few months. Far too often.

One Word for Writers: How a Theme Word Can Restore Your Writing Life in 2026

From Edie: Choose a One Word for your writing year and rediscover joy, focus, and momentum. Learn how a theme word can restore your writing schedule, creativity, and confidence in 2026.

One Word for Writers: How a Theme Word Can Restore Your Writing Life in 2026

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

It’s January and you’ve probably seen posts and comments about a one word for the year. Folks choose one word and often a scripture verse to go along with that word to pray over for changes or focus for the coming year. If you are one to choose this one word each year, I ask you this: have you ever chosen a one word specifically for your writing? No worries if you haven’t, you’ve done nothing wrong. I haven’t done this for myself. 

Then the one word chose me and become obvious it was to be a major focus in and over my writing plans, not necessarily over my life for the year.

In 2024, I felt led to the word Release. My thoughts were to spend time that year and pray over any thoughts I still allowed to pop into my brain which I would let take up far too much time in my overthinking habit. An odd problem happened. Half way through the year, I looked at the comments in my journal and found many of the thoughts to release were those which I’d been holding onto regarding writing. Some were words I’d been taught regarding certain writing rules, misinformation or styles. Others, were hard statements about my writing—some said with harshness and rejection that became lodged in my brain and were hard to ignore at times. 

I worked hard to release all of them and to pray them away. 

I believed I had come to a good place and figured my word for 2025 would be to Restore. After all, I had made peace with so many of those items from 2024, I felt that was the next step. To restore my desire to write. 

What happened is what often happens when “I” choose the word for the year. God shows up and gives a more appropriate word, and the one I am to pray my way through. By the end of January 2025, that new word kept coming up in all sorts of ways. Apparently I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box, it took me a bit to accept it. Mostly because I didn’t understand it. But who am I to question God, right? That word was Pivot. 

Pivot? What in the world does this have to do with me and what I would need to change or turn away from in my life? Then the aha moment came somewhere around April. The pivot wasn’t necessarily in my life, but rather in my writing journey. Again. And like a mad toddler, not getting my way, I threw one giant hissy fit. Why do I need to pivot? What would I pivot from? What does this have to do with my writing? Why, what, how come? They swirled through my mind. I wanted an answer.

It's so true though—watch what you ask for?

God showed me places in my writing schedule (and sometimes lack thereof!), items which needed to be removed—such as social media groups that no longer fit where I wanted to go with my writing, some of those rules and ways I tried to follow from others’ suggestions that wore me out trying to do it exactly as they did, because after all they talked with authority. He showed up and made my chasing of certain writerly things that added no value to my journey so clear that I was embarrassed of the time I’d wasted on them. 

The year of the pivot was hard. Very hard. I gave up things I “thought” I needed to do which I held with a tight grip. I won’t lie. I wrestled with a lot. In the end, once I let them go and a bit of time had passed, I saw the good in the pivot. 

Which brings me to my one word for 2026. That word is now Restore, the one I thought I was ready for in 2025. I obviously jumped too fast after the year of Release and needed more work before I could Restore my writing plans. 

In November, when I began to put thought to what my word would be in 2026, Restore jumped in front of me a few times. In truth, I ignored it. I prayed over it and wondered why God had brought it back to my thoughts. I had an overwhelming feeling that it was if was giving me permission and I thought—I’ve released, I’ve pivoted, now I can restore. Restore what, you might ask. The list of five things below is what I will be praying for in this new year and with the One Word—Restore as my direction and the Lord as my Director.

Five things I will work on to Restore my writing plans for 2026:

• 1. I will Restore my love and enjoyment of writing and putting words to paper.

• 2. I will Restore my writing schedule according to how my life works. I won’t stress trying to write on a plan or schedule that works for someone else.

• 3. I will Restore my love of sharing about writing for those that are new to the writing journey, giving them ample resources for them to learn about writing and how to figure out their own personal journey.

• 4. I will Restore my love of meeting with other writers to encourage them – even if I can only do that online at the moment. Zoom and email at my fingertips!

• 5. I will Restore the stories within my writing projects that received harsh comments and apply things I’ve learned since those were delivered. Unfortunately, those comments caused my desire to write anything to freeze up. Constructive critique is one thing, rude and hurtful comments are another. 

What about you? Have you chosen a one word before? If so, did you ever have a word that became obvious it was regarding your writing? If not, might you consider a one word for your writing for 2026?

Share your comments below—let’s talk about this!

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One Word for Writers: How a Theme Word Can Restore Your Writing Life in 2026 from @TickledPinkTam on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

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 show them The Reason to smile. From down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life, she believes there’s always a reason to giggle! 

Tammy writes romance—with a splash of sass. Her book, Launch That Book, second edition, released December, 2025. She’s also published in several compilations: Sustaining Life’s Victories, The PAC Method for Writers, and Cool-inary Moments—A Divine Moments book. She’s also a regular writing team member for The Write Conversation, Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference Blog, The Write Editing and New Mercies Cafe. Contact: https://www.tammykarasek.com.

How Writers Can Encourage and Support Other Writers: 6 Simple, Meaningful Ways

From Edie: Discover six simple, meaningful ways writers can encourage and support other writers—through reviews, sharing, kindness, and community-building all year long.

How Writers Can Encourage and Support Other Writers: 6 Simple, Meaningful Ways

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTammy

There are a couple of things we writers appreciate from our readers. Some are very basic, read our books, tell others about it, and even write and leave a review of our book on several book selling sites. I’m going to take that one step further as we end 2025—maybe the suggestions below could be added to your Goals for 2026 list. 

Most of us enjoy receiving a gift or a kind word, wouldn’t you agree? How often are we quick to give those. I don’t mean to give your family and close friends gifts or show kindness, you should already do that. I mean do you share gifts and kindness to fellow writers also? Not only at Christmas when those are often anticipated, but throughout the year. 

Thankful to Be a Writer: 12 Reasons to Celebrate the Writing Life This Thanksgiving

From Edie: Celebrate the writing life this Thanksgiving with 12 reasons to be grateful for the gift of words, creativity, and community. A joyful reminder for every writer!

Thankful to Be a Writer: 12 Reasons to Celebrate the Writing Life This Thanksgiving

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Hard to believe, but here we are a week before Thanksgiving—well, here in America that is. November 2025 also marks the seventh year of writing with the team here at The Write Conversation. For that, I am extremely thankful. 

I decided I would have a little fun with today’s blog post. As you read along, see if a different thought and word comes to mind for the list below. Then do share in the comments below—let’s see how many items we can point out as reasons we celebrate our writing journey during Thanksgiving week and beyond. 

How to Find the Perfect Writing Schedule That Actually Works for You

From Edie: Struggling to stick to a writing schedule? Discover how to create a routine that fits your life, boosts productivity, and makes writing enjoyable again.

How to Find the Perfect Writing Schedule That Actually Works for You

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Without a doubt, there must be organization in the writer’s life. One of those items of organization is for the schedule for writing. Writers are inundated with the perfect schedule to write. Write early in the morning before anyone in your home is awake. Stay up after everyone has gone to bed. Set a timer. Don’t set a timer. Find a spot in your home or a dedicated office. No, writers go to coffee shops, sip massive amounts of coffee and write there. There are so many more perfect schedule suggestions out there, too.

Writing Sprints Explained: How Writers Can Write More Words in Less Time

From Edie: Discover how writing sprints can help writers boost productivity, silence perfectionism, and add more words to their work in less time.

Writing Sprints Explained: How Writers Can Write More Words in Less Time

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Alone or in a group, there is great value in a writing word sprint. There are many variations on how you can do a sprint. I’ve participated in word sprints with a group in person as well as online. Online you can meet-up on Zoom, Facebook group, Discord, and more. I prefer the in-person sprint, but it’s not always easy to get together if you’re spread out around the country. 

From Agents to Zeugma: An A–Z Guide to Writing Words

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

For many of us writers, this year has been, well—a little rough. I know of many struggling through health issues, losses of all kinds and various other reasons they may be unfocused or unable to write a lot during this time. I’ve talked to a few close writing friends of late, and see a recurring theme, myself included, and that would be the struggle to write. Life is pulling us all over and when the time comes to sit and write, words elude us. 

Move Past Writer's Block and Get Started Writing With These 8 Valuable Tips

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Have you been in the situation where a writing deadline loomed on your calendar a short- few-days away and nary a paragraph was accounted for on a page? Whether those deadlines are self-imposed or set by someone else for you, they seem to nag and agitate you until you get that piece done. Or worse, you panic and freeze.

We sit down to write but can’t think about what we want to say. Why can’t we get started? It’s not fair that the words flood our minds while in the shower or when we’re in a car in super busy traffic. Or the dreaded time—and my worst nemesis—as soon as my head touches my pillow at night. 

Find the Writing Inspiration You Need to Reignite Your Muse With These 8 Tips

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writers understand the torture from time to time when they are washed over by a lack of inspiration. We can have difficulties in finding spare time to sit and write with the schedule or happenings of our lives taking over most of our spare minutes. Even worse, when we’re in a busy season and do carve out time to sit down to our computer we have the angst of that blank screen and the nemesis of that taunting blinking cursor. 

It doesn’t matter what form of writing you are doing, you need to be refilling your writer’s tank with inspiration. I don’t know about you, but often my inspiration strikes at the most inopportune time—shower, driving, at a presentation—all situations you must be giving attention to and be in the moment. Yet, some golden ideas may have come upon us and we need to write them down. 

I’m A Writer

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I don’t know how you feel about the question “What do you do?” I know I tend to get a tad uncomfortable when asked this. As an author, I’ve heard fellow authors lament about this too, so I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. 

When asked this, I will offer up some pittance of stammering not willing to answer that question with the phrase “I’m a writer.” I wouldn’t be lying, I am a writer. I even have one book published and am included in a couple compilation books. Yet for me, it’s the questions that often follow that first one. “Oh, what do you write? What’s the title of your book? Where can I find it?” 

Have You Invited God into Your Writing?

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Happy Resurrection Day! As believers all over the world celebrate the Risen Jesus, I have a question specifically for you, writers. When you sit down to write, do you ask God to guide your thoughts and words as you begin—or do you write, then ask Him to bless your work?

Years ago, a fellow writer shared with our writing group some interesting facts she’d come across in a recently read book. Often our devotions or book reports shared in our meetings stick with me for a few days as I keep going over them in my mind. But this time, something that was shared has impacted me greatly. It’s often brought to mind to this day. 

Top Ten Writing Tips for Book Reviews

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

For authors, book reviews are important to the success of a book more than you can imagine. Whether you’re a reader, writer or an author, I believe you should make it a habit to go leave a review once you’ve finished a book. There are many places to leave them—Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BooksAMillion, BookBub, ChristianBook, Goodreads, Powells, Target, and more. It depends on where the book has been uploaded by a publisher or an independent published author. 

Things to Remember When a Writer is Struggling

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Here we are, barely a month and a half into the new year and into our writing plans. Sad to say, I’ve already heard from a few writer friends in the midst of a writer’s struggle in one area or another. Some struggle with time management. Others with topics or stories to do next. The one that is more prevalent this year is the good enough mindset. 

Writing Conference Season, Writers Be Prepared

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

The 2025 writing conference season is underway. Across the United States writers of all levels are meeting or making plans to meet up with other writers to hone their craft. Many of the conferences offer more than writing classes now. You can often find classes on how to market, create a podcast, become a speaker, write a script for theater or screen and so much more.