And just like that, 2026 is upon us! May your year be filled with literary community, quiet moments of reading and writing, and lots and lots of words that feed your heart and soul! And if you need help with any of that, look no further! We got plenty of stuff happening right here right now!
upcoming Events
Thursday, January 1st, 10 AM-4 PM, at The Grand Exchange Bookstore (21 S. Public Sq, Murfreesboro): New Year’s Party
TGE is having a super inspirational New Year’s Day party where you can set goals (including reading goals), find your quote for the year, write a letter to yourself (for you to open at the end of the year!), take some fun photos, enjoy a mocktail, and more! Click the image above for more info.
Sunday, January 11th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl Coffee Pub (2412 E. Main St, Murfreesboro): Writers’ Mingle
Join us for our monthly Writers’ Mingle, where you can get a coffee, meet local writers of all genres and experiences, play some writing games, have a quiet space to work, listening to an encouraging message, and just make writing friends! We’re coming up on our one-year anniversary, and we’re still going strong! More details TBA, but you can stay posted here.
Saturday, January 17th, 12:30-3:30 PM, at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St, Murfreesboro): Juanita Bompart Author Event
Come see local author Juanita Bompart at Linebaugh Library, where she’ll be reading, selling, and signing her book, Pajama Jones. Click the picture for more information.
Sunday, January 25th, 6-8ish PM (doors open at 5:30), at Dapper Owl: Poetry in the Boro Reading and Open Mic
Come join us for our monthly poetry reading! The featured poet is TBA, but maybe you will be one of the readers at the open mic portion! Come at 5:30 to sign up when doors open! Stay tuned here for more info.
Saturday, January 31st, 10 AM-12 PM, at The Spine Bookshop (244 S. Lowry St, Smyrna): Author Signing with Sherry Roberts
Join us for a special book signing with children’s author Sherry Roberts. Sherry will be in the shop signing copies of her delightful children’s books and meeting young readers and their families. This is a wonderful opportunity to support a local author, discover engaging stories for kids, and enjoy a cozy morning surrounded by books. All ages are welcome! Click here for more info.
Saturday, January 31st, 11 AM-1 PM, at Oaklands Mansion (901 N. Maney Ave, Murfreesboro): Patti Callahan Henry Luncheon and Book Signing
This is a ticketed event to support Friends of Linebaugh Library, so make sure you get tickets here ahead of time to come get some lunch, hear about the works of Patti Callahan Henry, and get one signed by her too!
Saturday, January 31st, 11 AM-1 PM, at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd, Smyrna): FOSL “Souper” Saturday Annual Membership Drive
At this year's membership drive event, each membership form and payment submitted will receive one entry into a drawing for a chance to win 1 of 10 $50 Amazon gift cards. We hope you'll join us at our membership drive event to enjoy soup and become a FOSL member. Bring your family and friends so they also learn how to become a FOSL member!
Resolutions?
So I personally love setting goals, checking off to-do lists, looking back at what I’ve done, and all of that. But New Year’s resolutions just aren’t my thing. I tend to hold off and make my goals in the spring, when the weather is warm and I’m feeling motivated to get vertical again. Besides, by then, I’ve got a better idea of how our rhythms are going for the year; kids are back in school, holidays have wound down, and all that.
But if you’re thinking about goals and ideas for 2026, allow me to share with you a bit of wisdom I’ve learned in my creative pursuits:
“Success” is super subjective in creativity. Think about process and finish lines, but don’t stress if things don’t turn out the way you thought. Everything is a learning experience and a chance to grow in your craft.
Little bits add up. In my season of life, I have to squeeze out every little bit of time I can during kids’ naptimes, after bed, before the sunrise, and on weekends when others can help out. But those little bits here and there make a big difference. Ten minutes of reading a day, for example, adds up to over an hour a week—which would have been zero if you hadn’t read at all!
Balance creative input and output. Many people I’ve talked to lately have talked about how they either do a lot of reading and little writing or are so focused on their own projects that they don’t take time to read and learn. Try to balance your work with others’—and that can come in many forms! Reading, audiobooks, movies, TV, music, video games, live theatre—all of these can feed you creatively and lead to inspiration.
Prioritize energy management. Burnout is real, so think about the “spoons” you have and how much you’re willing or able to do. I remind myself that, yes, I am my own boss—and a good one at that: one who understands that bad days happen and that sometimes I just need a day off. But I’m also my own employee—and a good one at that: I might take a day off to recharge, but then I come back ready to get the job done.
So there are my two cents. Enjoy these events through the month, make some good goals (or, you know, don’t), and we’ll see you next month! Remember to check in with local bookstores and libraries, and if you have any news, wins, events, thoughts, comments, concerns, complaints … tell someone else. Nah, just kidding; email me at taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. Thanks!!
Image courtesy of @andrewaleksandr
