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By Tammy Karasek @tickledpinktam

Each January as I list my writing goals in my new planner, I write down a question on the page above the list of those goals: How will you write this year to change the world? Throughout the year, I refer back to that list on page one. Some items are crossed off; new goals are added. I’m working on my calendar for this last quarter of 2026 and wrote my question on the top of the October page. 

Though I write this on the first calendar page each year, the question may be rather rhetorical as it serves to be more of a reminder each time I add a new goal or project on that list. A reminder to contemplate and pray over the item before I write it down. I rewrote it on October to put my focus to finish this year strong, and where God would lead me to go in this writing path. 

I want to look beyond the word counts, topics and the story structure. I know those are important. But I want my goals to write to be more than just entertainment. Whether the reader finds my written thoughts within a book or blog post, I desire a better purpose for any words I write that make their way into the world somewhere. 

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As I pray through the various projects, I strive to follow these four statements below to line up what I’m writing each year, no matter where my work lands. Maybe they will help you, as well. 

• Write to Educate. Will the piece I’m working on teach something to my reader? As they read my words, will it assist them to learn something new and beneficial they can use in their own lives? Maybe a new skill, book to read or a system to try.

• Write to Inspire. Some of my current works in progress talk about cooking. Can I offer a recipe or technique within the story that my reader would be able to try at home to help get them excited to cook. Often people aren’t brave enough to try something, but I can use my words to take a little of the fear away. 

• Write to Encourage. We all need to be encouraged. I need to use my words wisely to lift up and edify those who read them. In fiction, I can write that through dialog between my characters. In articles and blog posts I can show kindness by sharing happy quotes, funny stories and reasons to smile. I can be a light on Social Media channels that shares the positive in life, instead of what posts sometimes do lately.

• Write to Show People Jesus. While I write my fiction story, I try to have my characters live out a Christian life that can draw people to Jesus rather than push Him away, and in a natural way, not preaching to them. Don’t give a sermon through dialog, but rather have the characters speak to one another on deep topics just like I’d speak to someone about Jesus in a regular conversation. Let my words be strong enough the reader ponders on them long after they have set my book down. 

This is the quick list I use each time I write a list—or add to that list—of writing goals and projects in an effort to help change the world. If I can help spread kindness and joy in the words that I write, then I believe I’ve done a little part to help make a better place for us all. 

What about you? Do you plan your projects to write based on how you can change the world in some way? If so, what would you add to this list to help us? 

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.