Does this sound like you?
Do you wanna write a book?
"My notebook is filled with half-baked ideas.”
“I haven’t published anything yet - I am no writer.”
“I know I want to write, but I'm not sure where to begin.”
“I'm a 'serial starter' but not a 'serial finisher.”
“This has been written about so many times already - what is the sense of it?”
“Hitting a daily word count feels like a monumental task.”
WRITING CAMP
Join a group of passionate writers who want to nourish their craft! In this camp, we’ll explore your connection to writing, identify the challenges you face in your creative journey, and unfold ways to actually start writing your next big idea.
say good-bye to the scary first blank page!
how to overcome the blank first page after picturing the sad ending
how to return to a writing project you abandoned many times before
how to integrate all the shiny new book ideas into your existing WIP
What we’re gonna cover:
Have you ever stopped at a traffic light, let your mind drift off into dreamlands & scenes with full-blown dialogues come to mind, or was it just this one good line that Jennifer would scream at her long-lost best friend who decided to show up an hour before her wedding ceremony? See.
This is how easy it is to come up with all these new storylines, characters, subplots, or … even a novel?
Believe me, when I tell you that every single time I get a new story idea, the thought of having to sit down and actually write a novel around it is still very intimidating to me and will very likely demotivate me from writing at all.
Questions dawn on me like:
Do I actually have the time to write a 50K novel?
➡️
Is this even the standard amount of word count in which the novel’s genre would be set in?
➡️
How about I just put together a vision board on Pinterest or curate a music playlist for it now and then start writing it?
We’ve all been there and we do need a good music playlist at some point to pull through with a first draft that will keep us awake for at least the next six months. … But what if you never start writing it? What if you stop right after projecting this beautiful image of story in our minds, our little cinema?
What if six months later, we don’t have a first draft finished, all that’s left is the Pinterest board or Spotify playlist we discover while scrolling on our phones, reminding us that we once did have a pretty good story idea for this one novel?
I’m saying it’s never too late. How? you ask.
The answer: You can always come back to it!
This is what we’re doing this summer at Writing Camp.
Imagine this, you and a few other writers come together, get to meet each other, discuss your creative endeavours and desires, and then you unarchive that one story idea you had a few Summers ago, or that one moment you had in a conversation where you asked yourself the precious question of What if …? or you bring a novel that you started writing and abandoned at some point because you didn’t know how to go on with it.
The first NaNoWriMo weekend (November 1st-3rd) will be spent exploring ways on
how to overcome the blank first page after picturing the sad ending
how to return to a writing project you abandoned many times before
how to integrate all the shiny new book ideas into your existing WIP
SCHEDULE:
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November 1st - three sessions:
EST: 8-11am, 1-4pm, 6-9pm (New York, Toronto, etc.)
PST: 5-8am, 10am-1pm, 3-6pm (Los Angeles, Seattle, etc.)
CET: 1-4pm, 6-9pm, 11pm-2am (Paris, Berlin, etc.)
GMT: 12-3pm, 5-8pm, 10pm-1am (London, Dublin, etc.)
(following this link will convert the sessions into your timezone :)
The structure of each 3-hour session can be viewed below. Now you can join one or all of them. Despite the structure repeating, the topic we discuss each day is forever ongoing and depending on who joins the conversations will be always different + the writing sessions are definitely worth joining.
Workshop #1: (one hour)
getting all of our ideas onto one place
how to move forward with all of them
how to actually start or return to write a story
Writing Session: (two hours)
settling in + setting intentions
20 mins of flow:
suggested: pulling up the project file, re-reading previous writing, simply sitting with the page or you already feel called to write
check-in
one hour of writing
wrap up + share how it went
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November 2nd - three sessions:
EST: 8-11am, 1-4pm, 6-9pm (New York, Toronto, etc.)
PST: 5-8am, 10am-1pm, 3-6pm (Los Angeles, Seattle, etc.)
CET: 1-4pm, 6-9pm, 11pm-2am (Paris, Berlin, etc.)
GMT: 12-3pm, 5-8pm, 10pm-1am (London, Dublin, etc.)
(following this link will convert the sessions into your timezone :)
The structure of each 3-hour session can be viewed below. Now you can join one or all of them. Despite the structure repeating, the topic we discuss each day is forever ongoing and depending on who joins the conversations will be always different + the writing sessions are definitely worth joining.
Check-In: (one hour)
space to share how it's going
ask for support with challenges or ideas
cheer each other on for showing up!
Writing Session: (two hours)
settling in + setting intentions
20 mins of flow:
suggested: pulling up the project file, re-reading previous writing, simply sitting with the page or you already feel called to write
check-in
one hour of writing
wrap up + share how it went
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November 3rd - three sessions:
EST: 8-11am, 1-4pm, 6-9pm (New York, Toronto, etc.)
PST: 5-8am, 10am-1pm, 3-6pm (Los Angeles, Seattle, etc.)
CET: 1-4pm, 6-9pm, 11pm-2am (Paris, Berlin, etc.)
GMT: 12-3pm, 5-8pm, 10pm-1am (London, Dublin, etc.)
(following this link will convert the sessions into your timezone :)
The structure of each 3-hour session can be viewed below. Now you can join one or all of them. Despite the structure repeating, the topic we discuss each day is forever ongoing and depending on who joins the conversations will be always different + the writing sessions are definitely worth joining.
Workshop #2: (one hour)
what happens after the first few weeks/pages with a project
how to build trust that you'll be continuing or returning after a break
ways to still show up for your writing after this weekend → the famous writing routine
Writing Session: (two hours)
settling in + setting intentions
20 mins of flow:
suggested: pulling up the project file, re-reading previous writing, simply sitting with the page or you already feel called to write
check-in
one hour of writing
wrap up + share how it went
TICKETS:
Join at a reduced rate. Ideal for those who need a more budget-friendly option to access the camp.
flexible pricing:
Experience the camp at our standard price. This tier reflects the typical cost and helps sustain this offering.
standard pricing:
Participate yourself and support fellow writers to join the journey as well.
pay-forward pricing:
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Any ticket allows you to enter the writing camp on any day and time during the weekend! We're covering all topics in each session over the certain day.
Because of life and different time zones, this allows you flexibility in showing up. This way you don't have to be there for all sessions and meetings and don't feel like you're missing out on the experience.
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access to all meetings (2 workshops, each repeated throughout the day, + 3 daily writing sessions)
Notion workbook (can be adapted to pen & paper too)
community in group chat & access to private chat with me for clarity
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Here are ways to utilize the sessions:
You don’t have to come live at all. All workshops and check-in sessions will be recorded and uploaded at the end of each day. You’re gonna have access to this until January 2025. The only thing that I won’t record are the writing sessions.
You can join to the sessions that suit your time zone the best. Showing up to one session per day is totally enough. Because the sessions are ‘repeated’ throughout the day due to different time zones, you’re not gonna miss out on anything and get everything provided out of Writing Camp.
Join all of them or more than one per day; due to the different time zones that the sessions cover, new people will join and the conversations will probably be different + this will give you more time to play around with the prompts and topics I’m discussing.
Join only the writing sessions at the 1h mark of each session; utilize this weekend as accountability for yourself and your writing. No pressure to hear another strategy about writing or to make conversation. Just using these sessions to be there for your idea is quite nice.
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brain dump of all your book ideas + ways to make them come to life on the page
different writing techniques & routines to try out and experiment with to find out what's best
the beginning!! of your book
^ say good-bye to the scary first blank page!
But what if you never start writing it? What if you stop right after projecting this beautiful image of story in our minds, our little cinema?
This Writing Camp is gonna explore ways on how you can trust your writer self that you will come back.
You’ll walk away with:
the beginning!! of your book (say good-bye to the scary first blank page!)
a brain dump of all your book ideas + ways to make them come to life on the page
different writing techniques & routines to try out and experiment with to find out what's best for you
a hands-on companion familiar with your story + vision for your book
accountability to show up and keep writing, especially when it doesn't feel good
a road-map of the future for your book
Choose what you need:
I want to write a book!!!
I’m gonna write more than just the first pages
someone supporting and helping me move towards the goals for my book
I finally wanna sit down and actually write
a community of other writers just like you experiencing the same struggles and having the same writing dreams
a writing routine that makes me feel confident in my practice
FAQs
content specific
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ABSOLUTELY! If you’ve written fifteen books or only started to write the other day, you’re welcomed and seen here. I wanna witness you writing and following your heart.
Also please poets, journalists, non-fiction writers join us! I’m so excited to meet you!
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getting all of our ideas onto one place + how to move forward with all of them
how to actually start or return to write a story + what happens after a bliss of the first few weeks/pages with a project
how to build trust that you'll be continuing or returning after a break + ways to still show up for your writing after this weekend → the famous writing routine
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Absolutely!
We'll always have time in the sessions to check-in, ask specific questions and get collective feedback, if wanted.
As well as I'm available in the group or private chat to discuss and answer any rising questions.
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You can always have camera and microphone turned off. There’s no pressure to show your face or speak up. You can totally use the chat to communicate to contribute to the conversation.
FAQs
tech + misc.
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Our meetings (co-writing sessions & workshops) are gonna be held on Google Meets, which requires no extra download (not even on your phone!).
Communication and emails will be sent through Substack. I highly recommend downloading their app, so you can participant with us all via the group chat that'll be available to us. Meeting reminders will be sent as emails as well via the chat 15 minutes before start.
There will be a Notion workbook for every writer joining this writing camp, but no experience needed in the platform as well can be done via paper & pen or another preferred digital notebook option.
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As a night owl who loves to stay up for meetings overseas, I aspire to cover as many time zones as possible. I know staying up until or setting an alarm in hopes of joining a workshop at 2 in the morning isn't something accessible and doable for everyone.
To make sure you can join whenever it suits you best, both weekends cover individual times.
Here’s the schedule for each day in the different time zones:
EST: 8-11am, 1-4pm, 6-9pm (New York, Toronto, etc.)
PST: 5-8am, 10am-1pm, 3-6pm (Los Angeles, Seattle, etc.)
CET: 1-4pm, 6-9pm, 11pm-2am (Paris, Berlin, etc.)
GMT: 12-3pm, 5-8pm, 10pm-1am (London, Dublin, etc.)
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No refunds available due to the nature of this product. This purchase is final. Please respect your initial decision to join and my work as a service provider.
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Yes, I do for the add-on of 3 months of 1:1 support from myself! Please select the button "payment plans" below the ticket selection, fill out the form & I'll be in touch with you shortly.
FROM THE DESK OF BONNIE ORBISON:
Howdy! Bonnie here 🤠 I am the creative brain behind THE CRY LOUNGE. I started writing down my daydreams into novels at the age of eight years old and haven’t stopped since then. Pursued traditional & indie publishing with my books and am always open to find new writers & listen to their aspirations. While my passion lays in seeking ways to bring my books to reader’s hands, I also interview creatives for my charting podcast Bonnie’s Legends & write the successful Substack (now in-print!) publication Howdy Bonnie!
Lexi from the Pretty Decent Café always asks “What do you secretly wanna do all day long?” Always, visions of writing endless hours and being surrounded by books and like-minded people comes into my mind. I now have designed a workshop for eager inspired writers (and those who haven’t written in some time) who seek out dedicated time for their writing with like-minded people. I want them to be satisfied and feel content in their writing journey (at whatever point they are) without having to run away from the pressure to hit daily word counts, without the urge to compare their writing routines to others or simply don’t feel good enough to write (at all).
After running a five-week long writing retreat past November, I’m coming back now with a weekend-long writing camp focusing on your connection to the craft, overcoming the challenges in your writing journey and unfold ways to start your next big idea.
See you there!