Summer Camp Pledge 2022

A new summer dawns. Creative sparks fly as the hammer falls down onto the anvil. There, molded in copper, it says "I pledge to create, spread cheer , and most of all; chill!"

Every summer, World Anvil runs a community event called Summer Camp. In it, they publish several sets of prompts, and encourage people to write at least three hundred words for as many of them as possible. Complete a certain amount, and you're rewarded with badges and bragging rights. This year, 8 articles nets you a Copper Badge, 16 Silver, 24 Gold, and 31 the coveted Diamond Badge. You can read more about Summer Camp, and why I'm writing a pledge for it here.
Like last year, I make no promises to get anything above Copper. Even if I did end up going for, and getting, diamond last year, things will go as they go.
My goal isn't a set amount of articles, but to have a great time writing and following whatever inspiration comes from the prompts and the community.

My History with Summer Camp

Summer camp has a special place in my heart. I had only just joined World Anvil. At the time, I was struggling with a several years long art block. I had a streak of creative projects that just fizzled out for one reason or another. It was tough, and I felt frustrated, and I felt really lonely in my creative pursuits.
Summer camp was probably one of the best things that could've happened. Being creative alongside so many others... I felt seen and like I was accomplishing something. It was like a balm for the soul, and helped reignite that creative spark. Since then, I've written 16k words here in Solaris, and almost 120k on the morning realm! Even more importantly, I've made some awesome creative buddies ♡ (shoutout to the lodge and the WA discord!)

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Camp Chill

Last Summer Camp I heard one refrain more than any other; Diamond or die! It was amazing seeing peoples passion. There's no doubt that stretching towards a goal can be motivating and can really help push you into accomplishings things you didn't think you had in you.
However, more than I think we creatives need to push ourselves to productive extremes, I think we all could do with learning how to create and have a good time doing so. I think some of us fear that unless we force ourselves, we won't make anything. However, as Qurilion quotes; "Nothing that's forced can ever be right. If it doesn't come naturally, leave it."
So hereby I welcome you to join me at Camp Chill. The guidelines are simple. Write when you want to, and write what you want to. All that means is, don't force yourself to write. Trust me when I say that the writing you do with joy will be some of your best. Trust yourself to create without a cudgel.

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Camp Chill Guidelines

Remember the prompts are suggestions, not requirements.
Write what you're passionate about, leave what you aren't.
Relax when you feel tired.
Fight off any pesky brain-squitos trying to make you doubt your work.
Don't abandon your non-summer camp goals! Write that article you're itching to write, even if it doesn't fit any prompts.

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If you'd like to repost these rules, Amy Winters-Voss made a block version you can easily copy by adding [block:1050823] to your article

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Personal Goals

Motivation
To have fun!

Creating is my fuel. When I write and draw, I feel like myself. I want to continue that, and I've learned that the most sustainable way for me to keep creating is to keep it fun and light rather than making it feel like work.

Creative Goal
Fleshing out the world for my webcomic!

Writing Goal
Copper badge or beyond!
Reading Goal
Read and comment on at least one article every day

I would like to write four or more articles in Solaris, and two or more articles in the Morning Realm.
There's no better way to cheer eachother on than by taking some time out of the day to go enjoy what everyone else is creating. That's why I want to challenge myself to read at least one article every day, and to leave a comment while I'm at it.

Themes

Expanse

The scorched wastelands of Mercury are ripe for inspiration, from the boiling hot maria, the sharp scrapes from the shrinking of the planet, and the hidden ice sheets that the locals mine for water. I'd love to write more about the dayside and nightside and how that affects things.
Other expanses worth exploring is the interplanetary transport systems, from long haul trucking to luxury liners. Not to mention the Oort Cloud, full of horrors and, well, perhaps it indeed is best not to mention it.

Leadership

The Keystones are a big part of the setting that deserve their own article sooner rather than later. These mortals are bestowed godlike powers by their home planet to guide and protect it. Every planet has their own traditions and rituals surrounding them. I'd also like to write about the various world leaders, from Saturns Merchant Princes, to the Jovian Senate, the matriarchal monarchy of Neptune, and so on. We'll see what fits the prompts.

Discovery

I

Monstrous

Summer Camp 2022

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