Ana Johnson
Photo by Bryce Murdoch
Live Online Writing/Creativity Workshop Series by Ana Johnson, Ph.D.
Free live virtual writing/creativity workshop series every other Thursday, 3-4:30 PM Eastern time.
6-sessions: October 8, 22, November 5, 19, December 3, 17, 2026.
Join all six sessions, or one at a time.
Whether you are an emerging writer or seasoned and interested in writing prose, poetry, even academic writing, or if you are curious about the group, mindfulness, body flow, or writing, journaling, this group is for you. We meet live virtually and write together.
Tap into who you are and who you would like to be. Write about it, visualize, paint, draw, dance! Explore the unconscious.
Welcome into my living room!
Methodology
The sesssions are organized around elements of mindfulness: breath, thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. We access mindfulness through our senses: hear, smell, touch/sensation, see, taste.
Photo by Bryce Murdoch
Workshop Format
Guided prompts for creativity, body awareness designed to unlock deep creative expression: only when we feel safe, present, and grounded can we deeply access our creativity.
Creativity
We seek to be aware of our sensations before thought. In doing so, we can cultivate self-trust to feed our creativity, synchronizing internal and external awareness.
Before language
In times before language, before writing, we were aware of our bodies and emotions, the moon, planets, sky and surroundings. Let's access that primordial space, before language!
What to bring
Bring yourselves, something you are already working on, or we can write together -- anew! Pen/pencil, paper, lap top if you are revising something.
Community
Optional opportunities to read your writing aloud, share insights or reflect on your creative process in a supportive space.
Where
Session 1
We just had our first session - making a connection between our inner selves and the exterior surroundings and the environment.
Optional homework (Session 1)
- Write for 15 minutes each day upon awakening, no interruptions; at the end, book another 15 minutes for some time during the day. Click here for more details on homework/home practice.
Optional Homework (Session 1 Part 2):
- See if you remember, write down your dream or draw or paint. If you don't remember it, it's ok, just be aware of any thoughts, emotions.
Optional Homework (Session 1 Part 3):
- For a task, time yourself (25 minutes, the brain functions intently during this time). Take 3-5 minute break, see if you can do nothing, bring your breath into the belly, observe thoughts with curiosity, as though they were passing clouds.
Optional Homework (Session 1 Part 4):
Create a sheet (or on your notebook) so you may record your impressions from home practice (you're welcome to share at the next session).
Free Sessions
Optional donations per session or 6 sessions (Canadian Dollars):
$11 per session or $66 for 6 sessions
$18 per session or $108 for 6 sessions
$26 per session or $156 for 6 sessions
All amounts include Ontario's Harmonized Sales Tax [HST=13%], where applicable.
Methods of payment for donations:
E-transfer: apj.ajohnson@gmail.com
OR
Payment through PayPal (processing fee: 2.5% plus CAN$0.30)
Inspired by:
Mindfulness, Qigong, Sense Writing (sensewriting.org), and prompts from Stephen Guppy's "Writing and Workshopping Poetry" and Gregory Orr's "A Primer for Poets and Readers of Poetry".
Cohen KS. The Way of QiGong. The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing. New York, NY: Wellspring/Ballantine, 1999.
Guppy S. Writing and Workshopping Poetry. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2016.
Orr G. A Primer for Poets and Readers of Poetry. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company. 2018.
All photographs (unless otherwise indicated) by Ana Johnson
Contact:
Let me know if you are interested, or simply show up!
Looking forward to seeing you there!