Writing can be a lonely job. Grinding away at a keyboard in a dark room can start to grate on the soul—but add a lake, a few mountains and a class-load of peers, and sitting down to scribble becomes a little more bearable.

That’s the philosophy of Zsuzsi Gartner, distinguished local author and founder of Writers Adventure Camp.

Set along the banks of Whistler’s beautiful Alta Lake in artist-run centre the Point, Gartner’s four-day summer camp allows guests to commune with B.C.’s great outdoors while developing their writing through hands-on workshops. With renowned instructors including Heather O’Neill (Canada Reads winner), J.B. MacKinnon (Taylor Prize winner), and Dennis Foon (award-winning playwright and screenwriter) alongside other well-respected writers, Gartner has created the perfect intersection between nature and culture.

“I think for any creative person, just getting out of your normal world-view triggers all kinds of magic,” Gartner tells the Straight on the line from her home. “People just need to get away. Being able to wander outside with a writing exercise, and to be on the dock in 30 seconds with your feet dangling in the water, or to be out in the trees or walking along the railway track next to the river—it’s hugely inspirational. The site here is incredible, and our lineup of ‘camp counsellors’ are definitely going to use that in their classes.”

Nature has always been a refuge for frustrated artists, and Gartner’s event faces stiff competition from writing retreats such as Banff, Alberta, or Pelee Island, Ontario. Flying the flag for B.C., Writers Adventure Camp stands out from the crowd. Promoting a new take on the typical writers workshop, the mini-break follows a format unlike any other in Canada or the States.

“My idea was to do something where people don’t just turn up with their 20-page story, or the first chunk of a memoir about their grandmother, and expect to get feedback on it from other people,” Gartner says with a laugh. “That’s the typical workshop setup. Instead, I let the faculty pick a theme in their genre and describe what they’re going to do, and then they work with the writers. They might ask the class to bring in some excerpts, they might set exercises and other elements, but it’s all very hands-on and in-the-moment.”

That individualism is encouraged by Gartner’s diverse programming. While other festivals might specialize in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, or poetry, guests at Writers Adventure Camp can enjoy instruction in all of these genres, as well as eclectic optional sessions on self-publishing, humor, music-lyric writing, and even video-game narrative. With its comprehensive schedule of workshops, Gartner’s event provides a cross-genre experience where writers can experiment outside of their comfort zone. And then share their newly-learned expertise around the campfire.

Topping off the retreat is its crown jewel: the cabaret. So much more than just a reading event, the evening allows writers to perform in front of their peers—and when campers have spent a week honing their skills in humor and music workshops, it’s bound to be an explosive night.

“Anybody taking a class can sign up, whether they’re a full member or just coming to do one of the afternoon sessions,” Gartner says. “And we always have a great turnout. In our last cabaret, nearly all the people doing the music workshop signed up to perform. It was magical.

“The most exciting thing for me is the cross-genre performances,” she continues. “That’s what we’re all about. Last year there was this older guy who specialized in nonfiction, and he got on-stage to do a killer standup comedy routine. Sometimes people collaborate together, like when we had a fiddler accompanying a fiction reading. Another really magical moment was this older lady. She’d never done a public reading in her entire life, and one of our instructors encouraged her to get up and read a piece she’d written during the camp. It was so utterly charming that everyone cheered. And it’s not just writers in the audience—the public pay to watch the show too, so it really demonstrates how good her work was.”

With guests travelling coast to coast to claim their bunk at Writers Adventure Camp, Gartner is positive that the event’s second year will be a resounding success.

“Last year the furthest attendee came from Calgary. This year, we have a woman coming from Ottawa and another from Stratford, Ontario. The word’s getting out there in a big way. Honestly, it feels like we must be doing something right!”

Writers Adventure Camp is at the Point Artist-Run Centre in Whistler from June 8 to 12. Registration for the full camp closes May 20, and afternoon workshop registration closes May 30. Full details can be found at www.writersadventurecamp.ca.