Imagine how it would feel to know you’re a good writer with worthy stories.

• Imagine how it would feel to get the first draft of your memoir written with ease. Without overwhelm.

• Imagine how it would feel to have clarity, focus, tools and techniques for when you get stuck in perfectionism, resistance and creative block.

• Imagine how it would feel to have a solid writing structure so you can stop trying to figure-it-all-out and just get started.

Imagine working with unique, creative, healing themes (drawn from mythology, anatomy, fairytales and anthropology) to spark wild insight, rich stories and deep self-appreciation.

• Imagine having your body as your most trusted creative resource and advisor.

• Imagine having support and guidance from a writing teacher with body-based trauma-informed training, who can help you face the painful, distressing and overwhelming parts of your life - the parts that have been stopping you from getting started.

If you’re reading this and saying “yes, I want that!” I want you to know that all of this is so very possible.

Pain and Trauma Fears

You’re scared to dig up old trauma and relive all those moments and emotions. You know it’s there, some you’ve worked through and some you haven’t, for better and worse.

You worry about how much you won't be able to recall, you worry about how many periods of time trauma has blurred your memory.

You’re concerned that what really happened will be different than your memory, and that you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Because of all of these fears, you feel overwhelmed by what to include and where to start.

You’re scared to better understand yourself because you feel this will rekindle a connection with a deeper part of yourself.

You’re excited for the very same reason.

introducing the

Art of Personal Mythmaking

Live Session: late January - October, 2024

A 9-month online course in which you’ll write the first draft of your memoir while reclaiming your sense of joy and vitality.

Education via weekly themes containing innovative embodiment visualizations, writing prompts, fairytales & mythology as well as plenty of tools and techniques that offer clarity, focus and structure.

Once a year, beginning at the end of January.

Before and After
Personal Mythmaking

This is a fun class. It got me writing effortlessly; it explored subjects and angles in writing (and creativity) that were new and expansive.

Janelle is a conscious and thoughtful teacher/facilitator and she has developed a course that is abundant with opportunities for personal exploration, insights and new ways of understanding one’s life story and personal themes.

It helped me to unify many aspects of my personal past (lots of “ah -ha” moments) that inform who I am in the present.

I think anyone could take this class and get something out of it. Well worth it and very enjoyable.

Mandy T., Herbalist, Canada

My favourite part of Personal Mythmaking was the variety of information and inspiration that Janelle shared: writing prompts, recordings of stories and guided meditations, videos, guest interviews, pinterest boards, book and resource recommendations, video calls.

There’s always more to explore, but if life gets busy it’s also easy to stay caught up by doing the writing only. This class is fun and valuable in so many ways.

jess M., usa

I feel like every aspect of our being was examined; it allowed for all the various personalities; there is something for everyone.

There was so much information we could apply to our own lives allowing for clarity and understanding. I ended up with a much better idea of who I am and have fewer limits on what I am becoming.

Jen s., canada

Take this course. Your writing practice will ignite.

But if you were led to this material, it’s your creative spirit, your very soul, that’s yearning for this original and singularly eccentric adventure.

Molly Pennington, PhD

Your personal mythmaking journey begins here.

Work through the course in a supportive weekly class with creative, caring classmates.

Don’t miss out on early bird pricing - save up to $450 dollars!

If I were recommending Personal Mythmaking this is what I’d say:

Hello best friend. You do not talk much about your past. I am not sure if it is because you want to forget it or you don’t think it’s important. Trust me, it is. If you take this course, you will know why and you’ll grow into a more confident and happier person. That is not to say that you seem to lack confidence or happiness, but it gets even better – inside out.

Georgette P., Canada

How long does it take to do this course?

Typically, I recommend you set aside 2-4 hours per week to go through the program and implement the body-based visualizations and writing prompts.

You’ll also need to set 3 hours aside for our videocalls, which are a beloved part of this course.

The discussion call is 1 hour and the live writing circle is 2 hours. These calls are recorded, for the times when you can’t make it. You are asked to commit to attending 75% of your writing circle. Click here to see the call schedule.

However, the the amount of time you take depends on you and your current situation.

Although this is not the self-paced version, you have access to the material for as long as you want, and you can always return to the course after the sessions are finished, and move through the material as slowly or as swiftly as you please.

Remember, because this isn't a "quick fix" but a transformative creative process, the rhythm and timing is uniquely individual.

There is no rush and no right or wrong amount of time, because you have lifetime access to the program content and all future updates.

How do I know if the Art of Personal Mythmaking is right for me?

Will you choose transformation and truth?

Or will you continue to have the idea and the longing - for transformation, for truth, for a memoir - and circle around feeling stuck for another year, or two, or even a couple more decades?

Do you really want to wait that much longer?

When, at this moment, you can finally get started, with appropriate, skilled, trauma-informed guidance from someone who understands what it’s like to feel stuck, overwhelmed and absolutely hungry for change?

Imagine where you’ll be in 6 months. Still stuck, or wildly in love with your lifestories?

Which will it be?

Your personal mythmaking journey begins here.

Work through the course in a supportive weekly class with creative, caring classmates.

Don’t miss out on early bird pricing - save up to $450 dollars!

You can do this even if you don’t think you can.

I don’t have enough time.

• So, I’m a single solo mother who’s juggled 3 jobs at a time - if I can do it, you can do it. Note: I’m not saying this to shame you. Instead, I know that many things that we don’t believe possible actually are, and the tools and resources inside the course are designed to support you in making space for your deep creative, healing soulwork.

• You can pace yourself exactly as it works for you - whether that means carving out 3 hours a week for yourself, or 5, it’s very doable.

I’ll get overwhelmed. I’m already overwhelmed all the time.

• I really understand, and I’ll be teaching you body-based tools to deal with overwhelm, particularly the overwhelm of stress and distress.

• These body-based prompts are designed to gently relieve any inner pressure and overly-attuned sensitivity to everything around you, and bring you back into a state of grounded ease.

• From this state, overwhelm becomes much more manageable.

I’m not a good enough writer yet to sign up.

• Well, that’s simply not true!

• I’ve yet to meet someone with a desire to understand themselves and write, who hasn’t been a better writer than they think they are.

• This is also true - no matter what your level, when you write, your skills improve, with speed.

• The point though, is this - some days we write poorly. Some days we write brilliantly, and the most important thing is to recognize that we are always both - terrible and brilliant, and it’s ok.

• We just keep writing. So don’t let your judgments of your writing skills stop you from signing up.

I’m scared.

• I know. I get it. It’s normal to be scared.

• There is a certain kind of wild fear that arises when we’re standing on the precipice of change, healing, and big creative projects.

• Take note of this fear. Take note of the immensity of the personal and creative projects you’re yearning to bring to life. Then decide. Will I, or won’t I, start?

You don’t have to do this alone.

What happens when you buy?

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course begin and end?

Because this is the live version of the Art of Personal Mythmaking, the course start and end dates are predetermined. Click here to access the course schedule. Once the course starts, it lasts either 5 or 9 months, depending on how Janelle designs the annual schedule.
At the start date, each module is released weekly-ish, but you have as much time as you need to complete the modules - you get lifetime access to the material.

Are there any prerequisites?

There are no prerequisites except a willingness show up to the weekly-ish videocalls, to have an open mind, and to keep showing up for yourself and your work.
Because this course isn’t about completing a course. This course is about reclaiming yourself and your creative work, with my support.
If you have a desire to learn, explore and grow, you’ll do just fine, at whatever stage and level of writing and transformation you’re at.

Are there any extra material/equipment costs?

There are no other costs required. This is assuming you’ve already got the basics in order to access this course - a computer or tablet and the internet.

Hi there.

I’m Janelle Hardy.

Through the Art of Personal Mythmaking I help passionate, curious, sensitive folks reconnect with their bodies (because our bodies are the only true home we have in this world, and contain universes of wisdom), tune in to their creative process (because it’s got a rhythm and timing that work great when we, well, pay attention instead of forcing our creations) and tap into their cultural inheritance via the wisdom contained in ancient tales (like fairytales, mythology, folktales and more.) All while getting the first draft of their memoirs written.

What I believe is this: transformation is possible, your lifestories are worthy of attention, and you deserve to feel good in your body, mind and spirit.

It just takes the right combination of skilled guidance (from me) committed devotion (from you) and right timing (which is a delicious mix of slowing down, getting gentle, trusting the process and then seeing your writing and your transformation take flight.)

Most people are raised to ‘push through’ and ‘man-up’ and ‘hustle hard’ and ‘be relentless.’ The truth is, these are recipes for overwhelm, burnout and despair. So let’s not approach our healing, our creativity or our life in these ways.

Let’s instead hold this paradox: that by slowing down, easing up and refusing to force anything, we actually create and grow with more ease and more speed.

We'll write, we’ll get curious, we’ll sift through memories, we’ll learn to tap into our bodies as the storehouses of memory, wisdom and connection that they are, and best of all, we’ll transform by knitting it all together into a meaning-making product: the first draft of your memoir.

Are you ready to become a Personal Mythmaker?

Janelle is a gifted teacher with genius instincts on juxtaposing sources and materials to spark genuine creativity.

Molly Pennington, PhD

Janelle is absolutely amazing, the real deal and a woman of integrity.

Grace Quantock, Wellness provocateur, Writer and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Wales

Janelle is a conscious and thoughtful teacher/facilitator.

Mandy T., Herbalist, Canada

Janelle is a guardian of your sacred truth, and will create a safe space to play, know, understand, and emote.

Dr. Tonia Winchester, Naturopathic Physician, Canada

Janelle is amazing and any fears or hesitations you might have about taking this course she can allay them.

Talyn Martin, Writer, Former Organic Farmer, Canada

I credit Janelle with introducing me to the concept of embodiment, which has been an absolute game changer for me.

Jess Molnar, Artist, Odd Duck Press, USA

I absolutely loved the other participants.

So strange, something about the on-line nature and Janelle’s brilliant guidance through our creative process allowed for focus and elimination of distraction allowing us to just listen to one another and have them fill the screen – literally and metaphorically – when they spoke.

Janelle uses a timer for who talks and for how long. That combined with a mute button kept me from rattling on and on and getting off topic too long. In that way, I really listened to others (and myself) and got a deep sense of who we were.

Cyber-bonding!

Georgette Pare. Fine Arts & Language Arts Facilitator, Calgary, Canada

Before the course I was so full of excitement and anticipation. Thinking about what to share was my only fear in the calls. What I have learned is that the difficult sharing can give us back the most information about ourselves.

If I have to pick a favourite part, it would have to be the discussion group and writing lab. To be able to see the other people in the group, discuss the material and then write together created such a special connection that was a complete surprise to me.

The closing call, when we each read some of our work, was pure magic.

To listen to all of our unique voices and hear the individual flavour of each story. I felt as though I was hugged with the words of appreciation, because in my head there was uncertainty of how my story would be heard. I am inside looking out, intimately entangled in my story, and attempting to create in a clear voice.

The feeling of achieving just that, has created a feeling like no other. I lived on that cloud for as long as I could be held there.

Jennifer setterfield, cabinetmaker, canada