A Writer’s Accolade of One

 

By Tammy Karasek

 

I finally entered a contest I finalized in. And the crowd roared, well, the crowd of one—and maybe my biggest fan—my hubby.

 

While I didn’t win a top prize, I felt I had won none-the-less. I put on my brave and entered the contest. That often takes a lot out of a writer, to have the courage to let someone else see your work and to be receptive to any feedback they may offer.

 

I really won more than entering a contest. I won something of value that can’t be measured or seen—the knowledge that I had walked in obedience. I followed the directive I’d received from God in June 2011 when listening to a Father’s Day sermon about tools in God’s tool belt. I asked Him what kind of tool I could be for His kingdom. Now that I had become an empty nester, my time of daily mom-hood had changed. My employment had changed. What was next?

 

His answer? Write. How do I know that was His answer? I had set my Bible on the pew while I was taking notes. When I went to pick it back up for the next Scripture reading, I noticed the Bible had fallen open to a page in my concordance, not at all where I’d been following along with the pastor. I looked down and the word write stood out loud and clear. I stared.

 

I have no doubt it was a message from God. I’ve read books and journaled my entire life. Seeing the word write was not a shock. But I wondered if He wanted me to write for a specific purpose or for someone other than my personal journals. That’s when I began to write with eagerness and to learn the craft.

 

Unfortunately, I’ve not fully used my oar. I’ve piddled and paddled. Yet I’ve barely moved the boat at times.  

 

I’ve written some here and there. But never for a long stretch—rarely every day. You know, every day, like they recommend if you’re going to be a serious writer.

 

This past year, I sat down and wrote from obedience. I felt the nudge to do the work on a couple of books I’d started and were hiding in my Scrivener files. I also had committed to a brand-new Novella. This time I obeyed that nudge, without questioning if I should. I followed the leading of Him who began this path of writing for me many years ago.

 

I finished that Novella. It will release this month.

 

When I finished, I didn’t look for the acceptance of those writing friends around me. Instead, I told the one I share a home with who high-fived, and cheered loudly for me. It was great.

 

Then I came back to my computer, bowed my head, and sought out the One who sent the directive for me to write. God was the One whose accolade I wanted and appreciated most. I didn’t need an award. I wanted to know I had done what He’d led me to do.

 

What about you? Are you seeking the accolade of the One that gifted you with this talent and sent you on a mission to write? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

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 giggle ready to release! 

Tammy writes romance—with a splash of sass. Her book, Launch That Book, re-released December, 2025. She’s also published in several compilations: Sustaining Life’s Victories, The PAC Method for Writers, and Cool-inary Moments. She’s also a regular writing team member for The Write Conversation, Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference Blog, The Write Editing, New Mercies Café, and The Word on Wednesday.

Contact: https://www.tammykarasek.com.