This summer, set your creative spirit ablaze with IGNITE!, our inaugural Writing Camp for Adults, to take place in the evenings on the week of June 17. You're welcome to attend all five sessions or opt for individual drop-in sessions as you prefer.
Whether you’re tangled in the web of writer’s block, seeking to establish a steady writing practice, or simply in search of a creative community, IGNITE! is your beacon. Each evening, Monday through Friday, immerse yourself in transformative sessions led by a diverse lineup of instructors, each bringing their own innovative and possibly intersecting approaches to the craft of writing. Our camp caters to enthusiasts of all genres, aiming to motivate, inspire, and perhaps most importantly, to move you from inertia to action. The grand finale? A celebratory open mic night in our cozy backyard setting, where participants, instructors, and community members alike gather to share and revel in the week's harvest of words—all over refreshing drinks and light fare.
• Monday, June 17, 6-8pm: Jumpstarting a Writing Practice with Lisa Bubert
Learn how to start and sustain a writing habit that can withstand the tests of time and distraction.
• Tuesday, June 18, 6-8pm: The Art of Observation with Lauren Nossett
Unlock the potential of your everyday observations to enrich your narratives with vivid detail and life.
• Wednesday, June 19, 6-8pm: Stronger Together with Meredith Lyons
Discover the strength in creative collaboration, and how working together can lift your individual writing to new heights.
• Thursday, June 20, 6-8pm: Rinse Out the Shame with Minda Honey
Explore writing as a means of confronting and cleansing personal and shared shame, liberating your true voice in the process.
• Friday, June 21, 6-8pm: Focus & Flow with Melissa Jean
Embrace mindfulness in your writing to foster focus, flow, and a deeper connection with your creative projects.
• Friday, June 21, 8pm onwards: IGNITE! Open Mic Night
Wrap up IGNITE! Writing Camp with our Open Mic Night—a free event open to all. This celebration under the stars in The Porch’s backyard features a mix of stories, poems, and more, shared by a diverse group of voices. IGNITE! participants get priority sign-up, but all levels and genres are welcome. Enjoy drinks, refreshments, and the camaraderie of fellow writers. Whether you’re sharing or cheering on others, join us for an evening of community and creativity.
Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout for 10% off through May 6! (Porch members, check your email for your special earlybird discount code.)
Melissa Jean is an Assistant Professor in the Mindfulness Studies masters’ program at Lesley University. She teaches courses in academic writing, creative writing, research methods, and mindfulness and the environment. She received an MFA in Fiction Writing from Lesley, and a PhD in Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Science and Management from Utah State University. Her writing has appeared in The Colorado Review and a variety of online journals, including most recently Junoesq, The Hopper, Waxing and Waning, and Causeway Lit. Melissa is a Forest Therapy Guide, certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. She has also participated in the Tennessee Naturalist Program.
“Melissa is a wonderful teacher. She uses a variety of interesting materials to make connections, and I felt the class was structured in a thoughtful manner.”
"Melissa combined her experience and expertise as an educator, writer, and mindfulness guide to create a safe, comfortable, and grounded space for connecting with ourselves, our consciousness, and our written expression. Her work as a nature and forest therapist came through as she encouraged us to use our senses to experience the present moment with awareness and bring a more embodied and non-judgmental approach to our creative writing."
“I’ve loved all of the Porch classes I’ve taken so far. Y’all do an excellent job designing and delivering content. I’m always surprised by how much I grow as a writer, as a human, after taking a class. Melissa was a wonderful facilitator. Wise, grounded, compassionate. I felt very comfortable speaking my mind and my heart. Having taken this class, I’ve developed a more mindful approach to writing and observing Nature. And, to my surprise and delight, I’ve discovered a deep desire to learn more about fungus. Melissa’s instruction was a real gift. Thank you!”
