By Tammy Karasek @tickledpinktam

Have you ever found yourself with looming writing deadlines and nary a paragraph completed on a page? Whether those deadlines are self-imposed or set by someone else, they seem to nag and agitate you until you get that piece done. Or worse, you panic and freeze.

We sit down to our computers 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 the car in super busy traffic. Or worse—at 3:15 a.m. and we can’t decide if we dare get up and go with the muse or turnover and trust it will be there when we get up later. Anyone relate?

I often wonder why the words don’t come when needed. I believe it’s because the writing we’re called to do, is what the Lord wants us to share. Which means that satan isn’t happy with that and will put major distractions in our paths every chance he gets. Who am I kidding? Sometimes they aren’t major but rather minor ones, procrastination, self-doubt or other issues. Unfortunately, he often succeeds.

So, what is a poor writer to do?  No, seriously—I’m asking you. I have a couple thoughts I’ll share, but I’d love for you to share yours as well.

Below is a list I use to overcome those times I’ve stared at that blinking cursor. I hope they might help you, too.

1) I keep one calendar to log all my writing jobs in and on what days they are due. Written down, I can see at a glance what pieces are coming up and if I’ve already made a note or two about a thought I had for that item. There isn’t anything else in this calendar that will cause me to miss the date.

2) I created an Excel log sheet I use for pertinent information I have on the piece such as: title, date due, date I sent, where to send and guidelines for the piece. I can look over topics I’ve already written and often another idea comes to mind based on a previous article, blog post or even story ideas.

3) I look ahead a couple of weeks in my other calendar to see what else is coming. Not only for the pieces I’m writing, but also what is scheduled outside of writing. Maybe something will be due during a very heavily scheduled week, so I might want to get a start on that. Of course, we all need those margins of time built into each day for the “other” parts of life that could happen. You know they do!

4) I leave a small tablet and pen tucked in the pocket of my car door that is easy to write in at the red light. Sometimes I’ll use my voice memo on my iPhone, but I’ve come to prefer the quick grab of the tablet. Once I’m back at my computer and staring at the blasted-blinking cursor, I pull out my tablet or voice memo and transfer to the top of the page. This helps get me started or to add to what I may already have been working on.

5) Before I close my computer lid and turn off the lights of my office every day, I open a Word document and type what’s on my mind about my WIP (work-in-progress). It could be a scene idea or something I thought of that I want to go back and change, but I empty my mind so the muse can begin to roll. Sometimes it might be another story mulling around in my head that won’t leave me alone. It could even be an idea for an article, devotion, or blog post. I’ll type all the thoughts, then I save it in my Word document file I’ve titled Brain Dump Info so I know where to find the notes when I need to retrieve the sheet later.

6) I now use a cute kitchen timer to challenge myself with word sprints. I write down a word count number, set the timer for twenty minutes and take off writing unedited writing. It might be 400 words of mush, but when you edit, you might find some great golden nuggets to add to your WIP. Also, this little timer has been helpful for setting a time limit for surfing social media, too. Just sayin’… Maybe I’m the only one with that issue. Maybe not?

7) I’m grateful for my writing partners who have been valuable to hold me accountable to keep at it. To know they will ask is often the incentive I need to push through.

I won’t lie to you and tell you I have mastered any of the seven items above, but I am getting closer to a solid routine that works for me. I do like to read what works for other writers and I often give them a try for myself. I encourage you to seek what will get you into that funky, cool writing groove that is uniquely yours.

If you have come up with a great idea or two, we’d love for you to share with the rest of us. Join in the conversation and see what more we can add to the list above to help us writers … write!

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.