Blog

By Tammy Karasek @tickledpinktam

Today is the first day of the 2026 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The conference this week will celebrate its 50^th anniversary. That’s a great testament to God’s blessing on this conference. From the staff and faculty He’s placed in leadership to all of the conferees who’ve attended through the years, many have been changed in their writing journey by attending this conference.

For all of you who have gathered at The Ridgecrest Conference Center for this year’s conference, I offer up the prayer below. For those of us who cannot attend this year, I also offer up a prayer for you and me as well! I have to admit I might be pouting a bit today, but I have a good reason not to be there on campus this year. That reason’s name is Caroline Lauren, our very first grandchild who joined the family a couple weeks ago. So Grampy (Larry from the bookstore) and Grammy (that’s me!) will miss you all this week.

Will you join me in this prayer?

Lord, thank you for the vision you gave the founder of this conference, Yvonne Lehman, 50 years ago. We are grateful for her hard work and those who came behind her to keep BRMCWC alive. We thank you for Alton Gansky, Edie Melson, DiAnn Mills, Edwina Perkins and Lynette Eason for their leadership as well. For the staff to support the directors and the faculty you provide, thank you. Your guidance to the directors each year is appreciated. May you give faculty and staff the energy and stamina for this week.

As the conference begins today, may you give the conferees peace, open minds and hearts to hear instruction, and a willingness to step out of comfort zones to meet other writers. I ask that you pour over them divine appointments for those you know need those opportunities. Grant them joy and laughter as they gather with people they’ve never met, and change their week by adding new friends to their list of writing world connections. Those needing to make decisions regarding their writing, show them your will, Lord. Fill their minds and hearts with direction, instruction, and encouragement in their writing.

Father, I also lift up those who could not be there this year for various reasons. Do not let satan throw the jealousy dart toward them. May those of us at home pray for the folks at Ridgecrest. For the people there for the first time, maybe first ever writing conference, let our prayers cover them so they may have peace and be present in the conference.

In all of this I pray in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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. 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!

She’s a writer of Romantic Suspense—with a splash of sass. Her debut book, Launch That Book, released in November 2023. She’s published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. Also, she’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation, The Write Editing, Blue Ridge Conference Blog, and more.

Known as The Launch Team Geek, she helps authors launch their books. You’ll also find her as a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors, the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. Connect with Tammy at https://www.tammykarasek.com.