By Tammy Karasek @tickledpinktam
This year has certainly brought some changes. Whether in our homes, communities, our country, or the world, things are happening fast. Some changes have been good and others, not so much. I’ve had several conversations lately with fellow writers who seem as if they sit down to write, but are only going through the motions, or their routine of writing.
As we approach the last few months of this year, I’ve noticed a few people slowing down. Not just slow down, but almost like a funk is hovering over them. 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 sort of lose steam. I would offer the same advice each year. Finish strong, you’re almost done.
We are creatives. We keep going because we often can’t not write. Maybe the flame is flickering. The joy of tapping the keys comes and goes. We need to finish strong. We may not be done writing just yet, so we need to continue to sit down to the keyboard or tablet and pen.
As writers, we may have lost our fervor to keep writing. If this is you at this point of the year, I’d offer the same thought to you as well as myself. Finish strong, dear writer, this year is almost done. To do that, it would be helpful if we return to the five W’s of writing we base our stories on.
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.
What is it that you’re trying to say? Is your message clear? Would your words encourage, teach or edify another person? Write those.
A Writer’s Return to the Five W’s of Writing by @tickledpinktam on @BRMCWC #Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC Share on XWhere are you writing now? Were you a writer who wrote in a coffee shop or library? Have you found a new spot to write? 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 at home in a different way. Set yourself up for success.
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 before you go to bed. 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 when sitting to write works best for you and make that your own personal must of writing. Then do that.
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. 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 2026, let’s return to those five W’s as they apply to our writing lives and not just what we write.
Will you join me in giving the final months of the year everything you’ve got?
Let’s finish strong, writing friends, this year is almost done.
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.
