By Tammy Karasek @tickledpinktam

Writers posting our holiday graphics consistently see our social media rolling with beautiful Christmas cookies and baked goods. The grocery store shelves are also loaded with supplies as well. The colors and creativity are mesmerizing. The choices abound. As a classically trained cook, the joy I get perusing magazines, Pinterest and cookbooks is probably like the joy my hubby gets as he walks through a chocolate shop! Both of us take our time, imagining the taste and thinking through just what we will buy. Although my thoughts are more like what will I make or create to share.

What does food have to do with writing?

The cook of the home has many choices about what they will cook. They have an abundance of food items to create something special to be shared with others. Similarly, as we journey through our writer’s life, we have many choices to make as well:

• What topic will we write about?
• Will we write fiction or nonfiction?
• Will we try to be published traditionally or independently?
• Will we co-write?

Like perusing through the markets and gathering ideas, writers watch and listen to people and actions around us and also gather ideas. We become like sponges absorbing the activities and conversations around us. Did you know it’s okay to eavesdrop as long as you don’t respond? So I’m told, wink!

As a cook mulls over the recipe choices, writers mull over how they will share the thoughts whirling through their minds:

• Will it be a blog post?
• Will it be a devotional?
• Will it be a magazine article?
• Will it be part of a book?

Once the recipe, or writing piece, has been chosen, it’s time to move to the next step. The prepping or in cooking terms, mise en place (everything in place) is next and necessary in both scenarios. Writers do their research and put it all together to be used when needed. A cook gathers all their ingredients ready to be added at the right time.

Once the first draft has been composed, it’s much like the cook’s dish—it’s time to let it sit and simmer. Time to let the words blend just like the ingredients of the food; both need to work together to have the perfect taste intended.

We know that foods should have a good taste, but can words do the same? I believe so. I think a ripe slice of summer watermelon has a good taste and takes me to a happy place! Kind words can do the same thing through encouragement to your soul. But unkind words can leave a bitterness similar to unsweetened cocoa, a bitter food. Words of anger can be like a spicy hot pepper. Both leave a memory that’s not so good in your mind.

But there is another type of taste connected to words, and that is through spiritual food:

            Taste and see that the Lord is good; Psalm 34:8a NIV

            Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 NIV

As writers, are we offering up words that direct people to the best taste ever? Do our words point to the Bread that gives life to all who accept it?

The next time we go through a market with all the colorful baked goods ingredient choices, think about the many ways Jesus can be shared through our words. How boring would the market be if it had row upon row of red sprinkles for cookies. Like each and every cookie decorating option we pick up is different and unique in its formation and color, each and every word we choose can be used to draw someone closer to God. Choose words specific to that person when possible, like you would choose a friend’s favorite cookie you make and give it to them.

Will you join me in sharing the abundance and wonderful taste of Jesus to those around us? Share with us how you will plan your 2025 writing plan to give the sweet words of God to your readers.

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.