Yes yes, possibly the worst month of the year is here. Winter feels like it’s dragging on, our capitalist society is insisting that we shower our lovers with materialistic goods, and well … *gestures broadly.* There’s a lot going on. Good thing it’s only twenty-eight days! And luckily for you, there is something happening in Rutherford County all throughout February for all you bookish lovelies!
First, some motivation …
Let’s do something a little different here. I want to offer an encouraging word because if you’re like me right now, you need it. February is a notoriously slow month for writers, and it can often feel like we’re dragging ourselves through whatever projects we’re working on. (Even reading; I’ve been having trouble motivating myself to finish the stuff I’ve been reading!) But last night, I attended an online poetry craft chat with Dorsia Smith Silva, thanks to the Writers’ Center in Maryland and their publication, Poet Lore. Dorsia read some impactful pieces from her new collection, In Inheritance of Drowning, and we ended up talking a lot about the importance of joy and play in writing. “It’s such a gift, I feel, to be able to do what we love, which is write. The rejections are gonna come. That’s just part of being a writer. But so will a yes. Hold on to the yes. … You’re writing because you really have something to say, and it’s worthy of being said.” As I used to tell my students, “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!” Take a break (because, say it with me, rest is productive) and write again when it brings joy to you. Someone told me fairly recently that being a writer doesn’t mean you write; being a writer means living a life that always brings you back to writing.
Now, the events!
Saturday, February 1st, at all Rutherford County branch libraries: Take Your Child to the Library Day!
The Technology Engagement Center will be having a slew of fun crafts and stories from 10-12, Linebaugh Library is going to have a Bluey-themed celebration from 12-3 (COUNT ME IN!!), and the Smyrna Library is going to have a special story time from 3-3:30. You can hop from one library to the next and take your child to all the libraries!!
Monday, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th, 6-8 PM, at MTSU STU 210: Raiders Write
If you’re an MTSU student looking to get plugged in with a writing community, check out Raiders Write! More info about their meetings here, and you can join their Discord server here!
Wednesday, February 5th, all day and everywhere: World Read Aloud Day!
I first heard this from Read to Succeed, but apparently World Read Aloud Day is a time to, you guessed it, read aloud! Consider getting in touch with a school or library to see if they’d like someone to volunteer to read to a group of kids, or just find someone to read to! Enjoy the act of sharing the written word—by speaking it!
Sunday, February 9th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl: Writers’ Mingle with ME!!
So at Poetry in the Boro, we’re getting more and more people coming to our monthly readings, and they come early and stay late to chat with other poets and writers. We! Love! This! So the PitB team came up with this idea for writers of all kinds and all levels to get together and just … hang out! And RAA and MTSU Write agreed to co-host! There will be a place to do fun writing games and challenges, a “Shut Up and Write” space where you can (you guessed it) shut up and write, and then I’ll be offering some writerly inspiration at 3:45, as well as just hanging around to answer questions about craft, publishing, and all that good stuff. Because it’s our first event, we’re asking people to RSVP so we can get a headcount. RSVP here and click the image above for more info!
Saturday, February 22nd, 10-12 AM, online: MTSU Write Spring Saturday with Tony Acree
The first Spring Saturday for the semester will be with Tony Acree , a publisher and author who will provide industry insight and perhaps review some "first pages" for feedback from a publisher perspective. To save your seat, email Dr. Mary Leoson at mary.leoson@mtsu.edu.
Sunday, February 23rd, 6-8 PM, at Dapper Owl: Poetry in the Boro Gen Z Invitational!
The monthly poetry reading and open mic for February will feature our younger poets! We’ll be highlighting work from PitB’s own Bliss Button-Hale and Jai Wilson, and we’ll invite Gen Z poets (or younger!) to share their work. (We expect we’ll have time for everyone, if you’re older and still want to share. But if nothing else, COME SUPPORT YOUNG POETS!!) Click the pic for more details!
Thursday, February 27th, 7-9 PM, at Walnut House: The Bloom Stage presents “Still”
Bloom Stage proudly announces the first show in its 2025 series, “Still.” Themed around water, movement, and wintering, this edition of the quarterly storytelling-based series will draw inspiration from the frozen hush of winter, the comfort of a crackling fireside, and the refreshment of a forest stream. Bloom Stage is a quarterly event that brings a blend of storytelling, poetry, music and art to the Murfreesboro stage at Walnut House. The series is produced by Kara J Kemp with assistance from Kory Wells, Poetry in the Boro, and other community arts leaders. Admission is free, though there is a suggested $10 donation. Click the picture for info!
Opportunities
Following in the footsteps of Central Magnet student Angel Hu in 2023, a student from Rutherford County could be the next Tennessee Youth Poet Laureate! Ages 13-19 can learn more and apply at youthlaureate.org.
The Friends of Smyrna Library Run to Read is open for registration now! The race itself is not until April (which gives you plenty of time to train!), but if you want to participate, you’ll need to sign up here.
As always, don’t forget to check with your local library or bookstore for their groups and events that I might have missed. There are a lot going on!! And if you have something you’d like highlighted in next month’s blog, shoot me an email: taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. Til next month, stay warm and well-read! :)
Image courtesy of @darwiiiin
