Summer Camp 2019 Journal
Hello everyone!It's that magical time of year again: Summer Camp! Last year was a very good one for me and one which I broke a year long writer's block by diving right into Summer Camp. I had no idea what I was doing, no plans, no preparation and not really any world to speak of besides a high concept scrawled on a forgotten notepad. This year is going to be pretty different! Araea is now up to 180k world long and many of its foundations are, no pun intended, set into stone. Last year, my goal was to prove to myself that I could do it: that I could complete 30 prompts of writing and hopefully have something half-way decent. Mission accomplished! Even if the last few prompts really dragged out! This year, my goals are: 1. To focus on a singular part of Araea and bring it up a level. For this, I'm going to go with the land around Dhanû, in the Sheoin Region. 2. To keep better track of my writing process and try to really hone in on what works and doesn't work for me. 3. And to keep encouraging, sharing, feedbacking and commenting other people's stuff. Last years summer camp was a revelation for me and if any writer was where I was, I would like to pay it forward and help them as it helped me. I'm going to accomplish this by updating this and other articles with my thoughts and my process for making them work as I go through Summer Camp, sharing articles both here, there and on Discord. Once the Article Critique channel comes back, expect to see me there. All the time. Like a wraith hovering over a cursed doll. I'm also going to try and keep better track of all my articles, worlds to follow and overall shenanigans here in this one place. Much like I did for WorldEmber! But hopefully with less mania. If you want to be featured here, send me a blocklink to an article type similar to this one! Last of all: as a challenge to myself, I am going to try and reach 300 followers for my world. It's about 299 more than I ever expected to have, so I will be content no matter what I have. If you want to support my journey of writing, please consider reading, liking and commenting on the work I do. I have Ko-Fi, but eh. Every comment and follow and everything, I appreciate it all greatly. After dreaming of being a writer for so long, I'm finally starting to feel like one, thanks to all your wonderful support. <3
And because I'm insane, I'll try to do as many of the prompts as I can for another world of mine, the Megacorpolis. Check it out!
The Prompts:
Describe a lush and fertile location in your world.
Write about an important plant in your world and what it is used for.
Describe a settlement that is famous (or infamous) for its industrial activities.
Write about a ceremonial building in your world and what takes place there.
Describe an inhospitable area in your world and what its environment is like.
Write about a constructed or natural landmark in your world.
Describe an isolated or frontier settlement and how it survives in your world.
Write about a creature that is used as a beast of burden or transport animal.
Describe a country in your world, including its political structure and history.
Write about a typical house or dwelling in one of your cultures or countries.
Describe a culture in your world which has particularly warlike traditions.
Write about a tale surrounding a mythological creature in your world.
Describe the tenets or precepts of an organised religion in your world.
Write about an influential woman in your world and what they achieved.
Describe some common idioms and sayings from a culture in your world.
Write about a conflict that shaped the political climate of your world.
Describe the tales in your world designed to make naughty children behave.
Write about a great thinker in your world and the impact they had on society.
Describe a physical condition associated with old age in your world.
Write about a mental illness in your world and how people respond to this.
Describe the culinary traditions that are unique to an ethnicity in your world.
Write about a material which is extracted, mined or quarried from the ground.
Describe the functions and uses of a commonplace item in your world.
Write about the history surrounding a unique artefact or work of art in your world.
Describe a major technological breakthrough and the impact it had in your world.
Write about a popular card, dice or board game in your world and how it is played.
Describe the functions of a vehicle used for military practices or conflicts.
Write about the properties of a material which is used for clothing in your world.
Describe a commonly used vehicle in your world and who its used by.
Write about a collection of culinary recipes from a particular culture in your world.
Tips & Tricks for Summer Camp
Having done this once, here are some tips that I found really helped me during summer camp.Think Outside The Box
Don't get bogged down by prompts you think there's no solution to. There is - you just have to make them work for you. There's no countries in your setting? Well, what's the equivalent? Are there any mad prophets who think they run one, but just sit on a heap of trash and are worshiped by cockroaches?Embrace the Challenge
In the same vein as the previous: some prompts will leave you initially stumped. Give it time. These challenges are what helps us grow as writers. Some of the most difficult prompts from last year are some of the work I ended up most proud of. We don't improve from easy tasks.Stay Hydrated!
Remember to drink water!Focus Time
I am addicted to Discord and the community there. Just ask anyone from last year. But it is important to know when you feel like you need to hunker down and write. Set time aside for writing: turn off Discord, turn off music with lyrics, turn off youtube and facebook and just start writing. Try to identify what prevents you from doing so and learn to avoid it. For me, it's youtube and discord.Have Fun!
<3Take Breaks
Every couple of hours or so, get up and move around. Exercise for 5 minutes. Take a quick walk. It can do wonders for your energy level.Support Others
While there are prizes and raffles and leaderboards, we're in this together. The real prize is improving your writing and expanding your world. Support your fellow writers, whether by leaving likes and comments or encouraging them when they are flagging on Discord. World Anvil has an amazing community - be part of it! You won't regret it! :DWorlds To Follow
By Sai, By SpartangoWar of Crowns
Tradition / Ritual
| Jun 29, 2020
A game of strategy for the most civilized of people.
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