Week 1: Love (Spring)
Love doesn't have to be romantic, and it definitely doesn't have to be between people (patriotism, hobbies...). Take a moment to think about various manifestations of love in your world.
Currently, there is not a lot of romantic love in any of my worlds. There are a couple of budding romances in Ruartei, but only in my WIP novel. Eventually, those will make their way into the world site. For the other worlds, people tend to have platonic love, love of their people and heritage, love for their passions, and other types of loves, but respect is much more common.
Pledge Your Goal
Decide how many Summer Camp prompts you'll aim for and which world(s) you will participate with.
I'm going to try for Silver, but if that is too much, I'll settle for Copper.
Summer Camp 2026 Pledge for JoellaKay by World Anvil Fillable PDF
Hopscotch
The hopscotch assignment is all about focusing on your existing worldbuilding materials!
I've decided to create the meta for my new world Hidden Dominions.
I ended up writing an "About" article that is not a primer, but does give some context for the world and its purpose.
1. Review and update your homepage and world primer.
Nope — I'm not ready to write a world primer for any of my worlds.
2. Review and update your world CSS and layout, OR Review your maps and timelines: Do you need new ones?
Nope — I've already been reviewing my maps and timelines for Ruartei. And I've been working on my world CSS and layout for Hidden Dominions. So I will just continue those tasks as time permits.
3. Create or update your world's meta document.
Yes — I updated my world's meta for Ruartei several months ago and reviewed it recently so no changes there. But I haven't started on Hidden Dominons yet so I'll work on that.
Well, I didn't write any meta for Hidden Dominions, but I did write an "about" page and published the world. And more CSS.
4. Update old articles from your world, OR Create some articles to get a feel for your world.
Nope — I've been updating articles in Ruartei, but I don't time for that this week since I'm actively working on the star map. And I doubt I'll have time to write any articles for Hidden Dominions or Mirielle (except perhaps the optional settlement article on love).
Optional: Warm-up Prompt
Write a Settlement that's associated with love.
I'll see if I have inspiration, time, and energy for this during the week.
I did not, but I did spend time working on important articles.
Week 2: Growth (Summer)
Growth doesn't apply to only plants and animals. People grow intellectually, cities grow in size, and a faction's influence can grow to reach every corner of society. So what kinds of things are known for having grown recently in your world?
Recent... Hmm.... I've just started Hidden Dominions, and it's mostly empty at this point. Since it's an alternate history world, I plan to write a lot of articles on the history (there will be many timelines). Most of the growth of the settlements, factions, and so forth was in the past.
But I do have one planned growth that is relatively recent — chaos. Well, not exactly chaos. Probably best described as accelerating growth of unexpected and unplanned events. Distressing to the people who've been in control for centuries as they discover something else's influence is growing.
Choose Your Area of Focus
To choose an area of focus, pick either a geographical area or an area of knowledge (such as magic, factions, etc) that is small enough to be focused but large enough to have a lot of possibilities.
Hidden Dominions is largely about secret societies and hidden powers. Since this is a new world, I think I will focus on the factions — their purpose, goals, histories, notable events, and key people. This will allow me to write articles using any template.
Hopscotch
The hopscotch assignment is about zooming in and getting your area of focus ready!
If I have time this week, I will look at drafting my basic category structure. Or perhaps I'll write about the Accords.
1. Why did you choose this area of focus? Why is it fun to write?
Writing organizations is fun. And since this world is about secret powers and factions, I think that's a good focus
2. Make a list of related articles you already have and consider expanding them, OR Make a list of concepts you'd like to explore.
- The Accords
- The Waykeepers
- Polylifers
- Lydia Grey Linden
- Henry Matthias Linden
- Simon Fairburn
- York County, Virginia
- Tidewater
3. How does your area of focus interact with the rest of the world?
The factions manage different areas of the world — but from the shadows. Something is disrupting their careful planning and so they are losing influence and control.
4. Plan the category structure for your area of focus, OR Create an article about your area of focus.
Here's the planned category structure:
- Places — where things are
- People & Organizations — who acts in the world
- Civilization & Nature — the world people inhabit
- History — what happened
- Lore & Phenomena — what people experience, share, and believe
- Cosmology — how reality really works
- Appendix — supplementary notes, references, and acknowledgements
Optional: Warm-up Prompt
Write a Geographical Location boasting different kinds of ecosystems.
I'm not going to do this one. I'm working on other articles.
Week 3: Loss (Autumn)
Loss can refer to death, but just like how trees don't die when they lose their leaves, this theme can be about so many other things! A lost language or culture, a forgotten relic, or a ritual honoring ancestors are also related to loss. Spend some time thinking about this theme and how it applies to your area of focus.
Hidden Dominions is an alternative history so there's plenty of losses. In addition, the main characters are long-lived people who have outlived friends, family, and lovers so there is loss there as well.
Plan Your Writing Time
Plan your worldbuilding schedule now. Summer Camp articles must be at least 300 words long, so spend some time thinking about how long it takes you to write this much. Think about how much time you'll need to complete your Summer Camp goal.
Planning any sort of definite schedule for writing Summer Camp articles always goes poorly for me. My inner Muse and Rebel sabotage me, and I end up getting little or nothing done.
I do keep a general planning calendar and ToDo list in order to give me some structure (ADHD, sigh), but I keep it loose so that I don't invoke resistance.
I did consider how much time it will take to meet a Silver goal — 4 articles per week. And that's not difficult if I can maintain focus, especially if the prompts are inspiring. But I will be satisfied if I only reach Copper, and that's only 2 articles per week.
Hopscotch
The hopscotch assignment is about taking some time to gather your inspiration materials now so you don't have to worry about that later!
I've listed 3 worlds that I currently find intriguing and delightful to read.
1. What's your typical creative process and routine?
I do not have a set process or routine. I have a number of different ones, and I choose the one most likely to produce results. Sometimes I'm successful and sometimes not.
I generally try to take breaks, physically and mentally. I find doing some crafting with my hands helps a lot. Sometimes taking a walk will help me figure out a plot hole. And sometimes just brainstorming on paper helps me.
2. Go for a walk! OR Spend some time in your favorite fictional world
I haven't read much fiction lately (other than World Anvil articles). Or even watched any movies or TV shows. I'll think about whether that is helpful or not.
3. Read an article (or more) from other Anvilites
There are so many interesting and wonderful worlds on World Anvil. It would be impossible to list them all. So I will just highlight a few.
I recently discovered Thirteen Realms by deryck1228, and I'm really enjoying it a lot.
I discovered The Last Home by madmooncrow a while ago. It's another intriguing and well-thought out world.
I've been following and reading articles in the worlds of Demongrey for quite a while now. He recently created Threshold, which is a alternative world set back in the days of old-style bulletin boards, and it's absolutely wonderful to read.
4. Gather music or other media to inspire you, OR Read a book to inspire you
Recently, I started acquiring some music to listen to — mostly when I'm crafting. I can't listen to lyrics and write, but I have started buying music without words so I can listen when writing.
Right now, my favorite album is Godhunter by Aviators (see his
YouTube channel). I also have several other Aviators albums.
Optional: Warm-up Prompt
Write a Language lost to time.
I'm not going to do this one. I'm working on other articles.
Week 4: Family (Winter)
Family doesn't have to be biological (what about found family?), and it can refer to a variety of different things! A family of plants or languages, tight-knit communities, pantheons... What do families look like in your area of focus, and which other meanings of "family" can you find in your world?
Families are quite important in Hidden Dominions, especially the ones who know the hidden secrets and watch over the known world. While they are largely related by blood, they also incorporate members of other families, individuals, and small unrelated groups. In Hidden Dominions, these families are referred to as "Lines", and each has a distinct set of responsibilities.
What's your goal as a worldbuilder?
Look beyond Summer Camp for a moment! Why are you a worldbuilder? What do you aim to do with the world you're creating? Then, think about how Summer Camp will help you work towards this goal.
I am a world builder, because that's just who I am. For Hidden Dominions, I decided that I don't have a purpose like writing fiction or build a setting for a game or anything like that. I'm just building this world for the fun of it.
Hopscotch
This week's hopscotch is all about making the last preparations you need to set yourself up for success.
I've been preparing for summer camp all month — mostly working on setting up my new world.
1. Which articles do you need to achieve your creative goal?
Basically just write articles that I find interesting, but I do intend to write about the families and related factions. If I get one or two of those reasonably well defined, I will consider this a success.
2. Find a community, OR Find an accountability buddy
I particiapte on Discord, both in my Chapter's chat and the Summer Camp chat.
3. Take a break and re-energize before Summer Camp begins!
Too much to do these days, but I do spend a few hours in downtime each. That is taking a break, but not exactly re-energizing.
4. Prepare your writing space, OR Prepare your worldbuilding playlist
I write on my laptop, wherever it's comfortable for me. Other than that, I recently reorganized my bookshelf of world building references.
Optional: Warm-up Prompt
Write a Myth that reveals the "true" meaning of family.
I'm not going to do this one. I'm working on other articles.
Congrats on the retirement! I hope Summer Camp goes well for you; best of luck!
> Root Directory is my hub world <
Legends of the Dragonguard • /dev/null
Summer Camp 2026
Thanks!