<![CDATA[Kim Blevins - Blog]]>Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:31:46 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Write on the Sound]]>Fri, 11 Oct 2024 04:06:46 GMThttps://www.organicwriting.org/blog1/write-on-the-soundWrite on the Sound is an affordable, incredible conference that offers something for every kind of writer. It was held October 4-6 at the Frances Anderson Center. It was my first time attending but won't be my last.

Anne Elliott’s “Rendering Time in Fiction and Memoir” session was really helpful to understanding how to use time and how to deal with back story. During Christine Fairchild’s workshop on “First Pages” I rewrote the first line of my book and will use her advice as I continue to edit. 

Bill Kenower’s presentation “Using Five Senses in Personal Essay and Memoir” was so good that I bought his book Fearless Writing and will review it here on the blog when I finish. I’m only on page 36 and yet it has already heartened me in my writing journey. 

Elena Hartwell talked to us about how to revise in her session “Intentional Rewrites.” I’ve been bogged down in how to revise my 125,000 word memoir. Her steps made sense and are doable, not easy of course as none of this is easy,  but she broke things down in a way that made sense but I hadn’t thought of. 

In his workshop, “Keep Readers Reacting: Or, Triggering Readers the Right Way,”  Eric Witchey, a linguist and writer, shared a formula for revision that literally blew my mind with its genius. 

In addition to being inspired and refreshed by the conference, I enjoyed my time in Edmonds. I’m new to the PNW and had not spent any time there yet, but I will be back soon. I want another cinnamon latte and croissant breakfast sammich at Cafe Louvre with time to sit by their fireplace and write.
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After the conference I went to the beach. I watched the cars flowing onto the ferry for a bit. Then I walked down to the end of the boardwalk. The Olympics arose on my left while Mt. Baker shone on my right. I kinda fell in love with Edmonds on this weekend. I’ll be back to visit and maybe, if I’m lucky enough, maybe I’ll live there someday.]]><![CDATA[Getting started: the mind map]]>Mon, 26 Aug 2024 19:36:05 GMThttps://www.organicwriting.org/blog1/getting-started-the-mind-mapPicture
Sometimes a mind map is just the thing to get started. When you have so many ideas swirling around and need to just look at them all, and sort of organize it, try a mind map. 

Click the graphic to get a step by step from Stephan Hitchans. 
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