My First Summer Camp

My Pledge

For the sake of comfort (and keeping my sanity), I’m pledging for the Gold badge. Every bit of me wants to type “Diamond” and go all in, but I also know how much pressure that would put on me if I fall short. And honestly? I don’t want this to turn into a stress-fest.

So, to be safe rather than sorry, I’m setting a goal I know I can strive for without burning out. I promise myself - and anyone who enjoys my work - that I’ll give it my best to reach Gold. I’ll be working across both of my worlds during Summer Camp, though I’ll try to give a little extra love and focus to my new post-apocalyptic setting.

Anything beyond that? Just a happy bonus. And I’m totally okay with that!

Week 1

Theme: Nourishment

I’m very, very happy with the theme for the first week; it’s like the cherry on top of my Summer Camp excitement! I already feel like I have a ton of ideas bubbling up for both of my worlds. To keep things (somewhat) organized, I’m using bullet points to sketch out my thoughts.

Meta

The meta for both of my worlds has been updated recently, so that part's already done so... yay! As for outdated articles... Crux Umbra is still fairly new, so with the few articles it currently has, I don't think any of them are really outdated yet.

Kena’an, on the other hand, is definitely a work in progress. There are several articles that could use a rework, and at the top of that list are my deities! I’ll get to them eventually… just not sure exactly when.

Week 2

Theme: Roots

This week’s theme is so incredibly broad; just a single word, yet it holds countless meanings and possibilities. Roots can lead us in so many directions: from the deep ties of culture and tradition to the timeless stories found in myth and folklore. They can take us into the natural world, to the underground networks of trees or the ancestral origins of a people. Roots also speak to language, identity, and the foundations of who we are. The ideas are already flowing, and inspiration is everywhere. It’s shaping up to be a promising theme of discovery and creativity.

Homepages

I'm very happy with how the homepage of Crux Umbra looks. I have a primer that I believe sets the mood well, along with an introductory article that covers most of what you need to know to follow the setting and its story. One thing I still want to double-check is readability. It's a dark world, and I’ve tried to make that feeling come through the design when someone first lands on the homepage, but I’ve received some feedback that certain elements (like the title or the divider image) are a bit hard to discern. I’ll look into that and get back to you!

Kena’an recently got a fresh polish on its homepage. The main thing missing now is an overall introductory article, which I hope to finish by the end of June. I'm a little unsure about how cluttered the homepage might feel, but that’s something I’ll need to think through. If you have any thoughts on that, I’d love to hear them!

Back to my Roots

Funny how some roots grow without us even noticing, until one day we look back and realize how deep they’ve gone. Most of my earliest writing is in Greek, but I shared a small part above (whice I probably wrote around 2008?). You can hover over the greek text, to see the english translation if you'd like.

My first memory of writing goes back to when I was about 10 or 11. We had accidentally bought the wrong kind of school notebook, one where each page was split in half: the top half was blank, and the bottom half lined. So, I decided to write a fairytale. I drew some pictures in the top half (I always loved how my child self wasn’t afraid to draw, even if the pictures were awful) and wrote the story of Tristan and Ioli on the bottom. It was about a princess and a poor servant boy who fell in love. I think I finished it, but I’m not quite sure. Sadly, that notebook was lost during some spring cleaning. Still, I like to imagine it’s buried somewhere in a box in my childhood home, even though it’s probably not.

Of course, back then, I had no idea what worldbuilding meant. I kept writing over the years, but the first time I actually encountered the concept was when I started playing D&D. The first thing I ever wrote about Kena’an was 11 years ago. I was working a shift at a café, bored out of my mind. I grabbed a napkin and started scribbling something that was probably a little poem. That’s how Kena’an was born.

Week 3

Theme: Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is a fascinating - if slightly abstract - theme. The best part is that it fits Crux Umbra like a glove. As I mentioned before, my goal is to focus on this world during Summer Camp, and since Crux Umbra is all about transformation through destruction, I’m sure there’s plenty to explore.

Kena'an, on the other hand, feels like more of a challenge for this theme. Still, I’ll try to come up with some ideas either way.

Shake things up!

Unfortunately, due to a lack of time this month, I haven’t been able to dive deeply into new sources of inspiration. Still, one of my goals this year was to read more, and while I haven’t been consistent with it (aside from the amazing articles I’ve read here), I’m trying to keep up.

Right now, I’m reading "The Three-Body Problem" by Liu Cixin, which is fantastic. It’s also a bit of a new experience for me, since I don’t usually enjoy sci-fi as much as other genres.

At the same time, I’ve received some great suggestions for games that could inspire me more about Crux Umbra, like Metro and Fallout. When I have the time, that’s exactly what I plan to explore!

Learn from other worldbuilders

There is so much talent here! Without a doubt, World Anvil’s soul lies in its community; this beautiful, diverse, and thoughtful gathering of worldbuilders. I’ve found my home and sanctuary in this space, and I often wish the day had 48 hours just so I could experience all the hidden gems of lore and stories you all create.

As a way to celebrate this incredible community, I usually write small showcase articles each month highlighting works that have inspired and impressed me. You can check them all out here: Fireflies Under Starlight.

For this part of the assignment, however, I want to shine a light on two specific worlds that keep me company and constantly make me want to read more.

The first is The Million Islands by Demongrey. The consistency with which Demongrey writes is something I deeply admire and aspire to. The writing is exceptional, the ideas are always flowing, and the world feels alive with imagination. I wholeheartedly recommend you visit, read, and fall in love with this world.

The second is, of course, Aran'sha by Tyrdal. I’ve spoken about this majestic world of deserts and stories many times before, and after nearly a year of following it, my admiration has only grown. Tyrdal’s writing is what every author strives for: he doesn't just tell a tale, he takes you on a journey. When I read from Aran’sha, I feel as if I’m walking the golden sands of its deserts. It’s a world that teases all your senses. To me, it smells like cinnamon and nutmeg, and that is something truly extraordinary.

Finally, I want to mention some of the creators who truly warm my heart - not just through their amazing work, but also through the kindness, support, and encouragement they’ve offered me since I joined this community.

Their presence has made my journey here all the more meaningful, and I’m endlessly grateful for the inspiration and friendship they bring.

Week 4

Theme: Tomorrow

This week’s theme is equally intriguing and challenging to grasp. There is definitely potential, especially for my post-apocalyptic world, as it gives me the opportunity to explore hope in a very dark setting.

On the other hand, when I think about the future in Kena’an, my mind turns to prophecies yet to be fulfilled, as well as the final war that is supposed to determine the fate of the world. It will be interesting to explore how different characters react to such an event - especially those destined to be a part of it, whether they want to be or not.

Plan Ahead

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to prepare, and honestly, I’m not sure I would manage it even if I did. My writing process tends to be quite random: long writing sessions mixed with a million scattered notes that only make sense to me. The one thing that’s changed since Worldember, though, is that I now have a dedicated, personal space of my own at home. As long as I have that, some good music, coffee, my hubby and the comforting presence of my cats, I’m perfectly fine! Still, I plan to try mapping out some more specific ideas in advance to help me prepare better.

Connect with the Community

Feral Camper Badge by Strixxline

I couldn’t disconnect from this community even if I wanted to - not that I ever would. Being here truly means the world to me. Among all of you, I’ve found my tribe, as my husband likes to joke, and I wouldn’t trade my decision to join World Anvil for anything. I’ve made real friends here - something I never expected - and, more importantly, I’ve finally allowed myself to relax and connect with people who share my passion. While real life has made me a bit less active on the Discord server lately, that’s about to change in a week!

As for my friends outside the community, most are nerds but not worldbuilders. Still, I’m pretty sure a couple of them will poke around my articles once Summer Camp begins. And lastly, I’m so grateful to be part of an amazing group of creators: the Storytellers Circle. It’s the coziest, most welcoming safe space I could ask for, and everyone there is endlessly kind and supportive.

Final Thoughts

I am absolutely feral for my first Summer Camp! There’s no doubt it’s going to be a blast. The reasons are endless, but above all, it comes down to this: