Begins Saturday, September 12, 2026

Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PT

🌍 Class Times by Time Zone: Los Angeles (PT): 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM / Chicago (CT): 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM / New York (ET): 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM / London (BST): 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM / Berlin (CEST): 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.

Instructor Bio

Albert Flynn DeSilver is the author of several books of poems, the memoir Beamish Boy (one of KIRKUS Reviews Best Books of 2013) and the popular nonfiction book for writers Writing as a Path to Awakening from Sounds True/Macmillan, which BUSTLE magazine called “A Must Read!,” and  Poets & Writers magazine chose as one of their “Best Books for Writers” in 2018. Albert has published work in more than 100 literary journals and magazines, including ZYZZYVA, Chicago Review, New American Writing, Hanging Loose, Writer’s Digest, Adventure Journal, and elsewhere. Albert has taught and shared the stage with many bestselling authors, including Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert, Maxine Hong Kingston, and many others. He has taught at various Colleges, Universities, institutes, and writing conferences nationally for more than 25 years. Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan.

Meet the Teaching Artist: 

The Art of Finishing: Albert Flynn DeSilver on Conquering Creative Procrastination

Who is this class for?

This online writing workshop is perfect for busy professionals, fidgety skeptics, the easily distracted, the great procrastinator, the eternal dreamer, and the epically distractible — as well as journalers, poets, memoirists, and fiction writers of all kinds who are ready to break the cycles of incompletion and actually finish their writing projects. All levels welcome.

What to expect:

Join us for a supportive and dynamic writing workshop on going from start-and-stop and epic procrastination around your writing to a finished book. You will explore actionable techniques to drum up the discipline to stay the course.

How do we actually finish a book? How do we get over start-and-stop syndrome? What are the secrets to discipline and consistency? What are the steps we can take toward a satisfying completion of our creative writing projects? We will answer all these questions and more in this online writing class.

You will learn insights and techniques for overcoming writer's block, finding the time to write where there is none, transcending distractions, and completing your writing project or book. Albert's approach blends mindfulness exercises with practical writing strategies, creating a warm and supportive environment for writers at every stage.

"Albert Flynn DeSilver is a gem, a joy to work with, and puts together amazing workshops." — Cheryl Strayed, Best Selling Author of WILD & TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

What are the writing goals?

In this course, students will identify their personal hindrances to completion and develop actionable strategies to overcome them. Through a combination of writing exercises, mindfulness practices, and group discussion, students will build a sustainable writing practice and learn the steps to completing their current writing project or book.

Readings

Recommended reading: Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer & Living the Awakened Life by Albert Flynn DeSilver (Sounds True/MacMillan, 2017)

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Welcome and Introductions. Identifying the hindrances and challenges. Discussions around common hindrances: procrastination/avoidance, writer's block, inspiration addiction, "not enough time," fear of success/exposure/completion. Writing exercise to transcend general resistance. Mindfulness exercise as rooted practice before ALL writing sessions.

Week 2: Dissolving hindrance #1: Discussion & lecture. "Dismantling the illusion." Exercises for transcendence. Writing process/sharing Q&A.

Week 3: Dissolving hindrance #2: Discussion & lecture. "Dismantling the illusion." Exercises for transcendence. Writing process/sharing Q&A, and closing words.

Time Permitting: Dissolving Hindrance #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0. Steps to completion. Heroic examples of completion, published books, and resources.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• How to overcome creative blocks
• How to transcend start-and-stop syndrome
• Practices for sustained, consistent action
• The 10 not-so-secret secret steps to completion

TESTIMONIALS:

Albert helped me discover words and stories in me that I never knew existed. I am both having fun and enjoying my writing. I now consider myself to be a writer! — N.W., Kansas City, MO

You helped me feel free to write with no expectations. I am now finally going to write my memoir! I am forever grateful for your kindness, love and compassion! — C.S., Black Hills, South Dakota

Albert Flynn DeSilver is a wonderful teacher. He is a warm and gentle presence and the blend of mindfulness lessons and writing exercises was an amazing mix! — M.W., Florida

I felt my spirit lifted and supported in countless ways in this great gift of a class! — M.H., Wisconsin

Thank you for providing such a calm and supportive environment in which to write and share our work. The weekend was an incredible experience and you definitely inspired me to write more and, hopefully, better. Thanks again for an unforgettable workshop! — H.L., Bergen, New Jersey

THANK YOU, Albert, for four enlightening, educational, and fun writing classes. I learned more about the craft and how to improve mindfulness, too. — D.C., San Francisco

I learned new positive attitudes toward poetry and prose, which greatly expanded my knowledge of both. — J.M., New York

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Tuition is $280 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

• Instructor: Albert Flynn DeSilver
• Begins Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PT
• Tuition is $280 USD.