Workshops
Writing Your Recovery
A powerful 8-week online memoir-writing course.
We all have a story—our stories—to tell. Excavating those narratives, finding the courage to give voice to our secrets, takes time. I believe that writing is a process of discovery. At the heart of good writing is finding your voice: a compelling, authentic voice. To locate that voice, each individual must get in touch with what's most integral in their experience. This is a journey.
Writing Your Recovery is a popular eight-week memoir-writing course. I believe we’re all recovering from something—be it substance use or heartache or empty-nest syndrome. In these weekly two-hour classes, I will teach you how to get started; how to deal with structure; how to use your five senses; how to silence the inner critic; how to get published. I will help you transform your personal story into writing you love. Join a warm community of like-minded writers, and begin your process of creative discovery. And if you want more? Supplement the course with group coaching or one-on-one editing.
Fall 2025 Session
Writing Your Recovery
Sept 10th, 2025 - October 29th, 2025
Daytime from 11 am to 1 pm EST & Evening from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm EST
Write Your Memoir in Africa
A Five Day Retreat
November 25 - 30, 2025
Venue
Bodhi Khaya, South Africa
From Memory to Memoir with Ann Dowsett Johnston
This November, join me, Ann Dowsett Johnston, for a five-day writing intensive at the beautiful Bodhi Khaya retreat centre. This retreat, Writing Your Recovery: From Memory to Memoir, is designed for women who are interested in committing their story to the page, curious to experience the growth that happens when we use writing as a tool to explore our history, our feelings, our truth. This course is for those recovering from substance use, grief, burnout, and so much more. You do not need to be a seasoned writer to join.
The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.
— Mary Oliver
Testimonials
Jennifer Bridgman
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
“Writing Your Recovery was hands-down a transformative, life-affirming experience. Ann’s meticulously developed course draws upon her vast experience, giving students unparalleled insight into the complex worlds of writing, editing and publishing. But it is Ann’s generous depth, heart and wisdom that make this course a masterpiece. Writing Your Recovery offers a supportive haven where a writer can gather to find their voice, hone their craft and feed their soul.”
Wendy McCallum
Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada
“Working with Ann has been the best decision I’ve made in years. I started in Writing Your Recovery pretty sure I’d never write a thing worth reading out loud, but eager to learn. I’m now in my second round of Writing Your Discovery and have a book underway! Ann’s careful stewardship and encouragement was exactly what I needed to rediscover my love of writing. I am officially a writer again, and I owe that in large part to Ann.”
Need to know more? Reach out with your questions.
Join Ann for the next session of Writing Your Recovery.