

Writing in the Ozarks
October 9-11, 2025
Full information available 3/1/25
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2025 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

MEREDITH BLEVINS
Meredith Blevins was a creative arts therapist, and she then transitioned to a financial columnist. At night, when the house was quiet, she wrote fiction. Imagining characters and relationships that were more than the ones she knew, she went to her first writers’ conference, manuscript in hand. Through writing, she found an editor, a new love, and a new life. Over the last twenty-five years, she has had ten books published, been an award-winning travel writer, and an editor. (She also has a big, complicated family.) Meredith lives and writes in the Southwest and experiences each day as a new adventure, filled with possibilities.
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For more information on this fascinating writer, please visit her website: www.meredithblevins.com
KEYNOTE TOPICS:
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Q & A: M’s Writing Journey – getting from there to here.
Meredith's will share her writing journey, how it started, and how it continues every day. In this session, attendees will get to know each other, their writing goals, and what pleases them when it happens. Meredith will answer questions from participants on anything about writing-related or about her.
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The Nuts and Bolts—how to keep going!
Imagine becoming a plotter, an outliner, and a seat-of-your-pants person combined. We’ll discover structure as your friend, the dreaded sagging middle, and what informs plot. Helpful writing habits. What to watch out for—paying attention to your physical reactions to feedback from editors and critique groups. Plus, a favorite: Setting as character.
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What’s the Scoop about Genres?
Meredith will talk about standard POV, length, tense, and audience for some of your favorite genres. Of course, we know, there are always exceptions—it’s your story, after all.
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Interactive Dialog Play
Let your flag fly wild, and get ready to take on new personas in given scenarios. This is also the time to get into your unique writing voice. Trust yourself and go with it. Each voice is beautifully unique—make it strong!
ENTERTAINMENT

Micki Fuhrman Milom
Louisiana-bred Micki Fuhrman comes by her chops, honestly. She grew up in a home
with a perpetual soundtrack of classic country & western music, including Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Sons of the Pioneers. By the age of seven, she was singing in her grandmother's rural church...at thirteen, she joined a contemporary Christian band. By fifteen, she was headlining Shreveport's venerable "Louisiana Hayride." She recorded for MCA and Word Records, becoming one of the earliest artists to span both secular and Christian markets. Micki garnered guest spots on "The Grand Ole Opry" and toured with several major artists.
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Micki will be our featured entertainment on Friday evening. Everyone is invited to join us after the banquet. You won't want to miss Micki!