This summer, set your creative spirit ablaze with IGNITE! Writing Camp for Adults, which takes place in the evenings on the week of August 31. You're welcome to attend all five sessions (at a discounted price!) 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 over refreshing drinks.
Individual class sessions are $63. Sign up for more than one and you'll get an automatic 5% off!
Thursday, September 3, 6-8pm: Focus & Flow with Melissa Jean
A growing body of research tells us that a mindfulness practice makes people feel more creative--but why? What is it about the practical art of present-moment awareness that makes people feel more compassionately, alertly, and creatively engaged with the world around them? And what are ways that writing itself can also support this engagement with the present moment? In this workshop, we will embrace mindfulness as a practice that can foster focus, flow, and a deeper connection with creative projects. Through guided meditations and prompted writing exercises, we'll discover a toolkit of skills and practices that participants can take with them and incorporate into their routines.
Monday, August 31, 6-8pm: Jumpstart Your Writing Practice with Lisa Bubert
Tuesday, September 1, 6-8pm: Recovering a Sense of Play in Your Writing with Frank Ewert
Wednesday, September 2, 6-8pm: The Art of Inspiration—Taking Your Ideas to the Page with Emily Whitson
Friday, September 4, 6-8pm: Beyond the Draft: A Writer’s Guide to What’s Next with Emily Whitson
IGNITE! Open Mic Night: Friday, September 4, 8-9:30pm
Wrap up IGNITE! Writing Camp with our Open Mic Night, a free event open to all writers. 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. We’ll allot approximately five minutes per reader to ensure everyone has a chance to share their work. 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. Register here.
Melissa Jean is a professor of environmental studies. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University, and a PhD in Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Science and Management from Utah State University. Her writing has appeared in The Colorado Review, SWING, and the anthology Reckoning: Tennessee Writers on 2020, as well as a variety of online journals, including most recently Roi Faineant, Backchannels, The Hopper, Dream Geographies, Waxing and Waning, and Causeway Lit. Melissa is also a mindfulness facilitator and forest bathing guide, certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
“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!”
