Building A Writer’s Habit with Zahra Noorbakhsh – Write with Intention, Not Burnout

We all love writing — until we don’t. The blank page, the fatigue, the mental blocks. It’s not just you. The truth is: writing can be creatively and cognitively exhausting. But what if you could stop burning out and start building habits that actually support your writer’s life?

That’s exactly what Zahra Noorbakhsh, award-winning podcaster, comedian, and essayist, is here to help you do. Join her for Building A Writer’s Habit, a four-week online course from Urban Haiku designed to transform your writing routine into something sustainable, productive, and genuinely fulfilling.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

This is more than a productivity class. This is about understanding yourself as a writer — what motivates you, what sabotages you, and how to finally create a system that sticks.

In four dynamic weeks, you’ll:

• Debunk writing myths and productivity traps

• Learn the neuroscience of habit-building

• Identify your personal roadblocks and burnout patterns

• Use trackers, diagrams, and weekly prompts to monitor growth

• Develop a flexible, forgiving, and repeatable writing habit

• Replace “all-or-nothing” pressure with gentle discipline and lasting structure

Whether you’re working on a novel, journaling for wellness, or just trying to get back into the groove, this course offers real-world tools and emotional support for writers of every level.

✍️ Who This Course Is For

• Writers who constantly restart projects or abandon drafts

• Journalists, novelists, poets, essayists, screenwriters — all genres welcome

• Creatives struggling with burnout, perfectionism, or self-doubt

• New writers looking to build confidence and clarity

• Experienced writers ready to upgrade their process with science-backed strategies

🎤 Meet Your Instructor: Zahra Noorbakhsh

Meet Your Instructor: Zahra Noorbakhsh

Zahra Noorbakhsh is a Feminist Muslim, Iranian-American comedian, writer, and cultural powerhouse. She’s the cohost of the award-winning podcast #GoodMuslimBadMuslim, featured by Oprah Magazine and invited to the Obama White House. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

As a Senior Fellow in Comedy for Social Change with the Pop Culture Collaborative, Zahra’s performances — including her stand-up special “On Behalf of All Muslims” and her solo show “All Atheists are Muslim” — are beloved for being subversive, insightful, and deeply personal. She brings that same wit, vulnerability, and brilliance into this class, making space for your creative process to flourish.

📅 Course Format & Dates

Building A Writer’s Habit is a 4-week online course hosted via Zoom, featuring weekly virtual sessions, writing prompts, and access to a supportive community through Urban Haiku’s Discord server. In addition to live classes, participants will receive community resources and have the option to join check-ins for added support.

The course is open to all, with intentional space-making to prioritize BIPOC participants and ensure a safe, empowered environment. Dates will be announced soon.

💵 Sliding Scale Pricing

We offer a sliding scale to make the course accessible to writers from all financial backgrounds. The $500 tier is for those who are financially secure and able to help sustain the program for others. The $400 tier suits those who are employed but may be managing some debt or tight finances. The $300 tier is designed for participants with limited resources, including those who are underemployed or seeking a more accessible price point.

💬 Can’t afford the listed prices? Reach out! We offer payment plans, trade opportunities, and community-supported spots. We’re committed to making this space accessible for all.

🔥 Why It Works

Zahra doesn’t just teach writing. She teaches how to live like a writer, day by day — with systems that are:

• Gentle enough to respect your life circumstances

• Strong enough to build lasting creative momentum

• Flexible enough to evolve as you grow

You'll leave this course with real insight into your writing practice, a redefined relationship with discipline, and tools that actually help you finish what you start.

🛒 Apply Now via Urban Haiku

Dates coming soon. Spots are limited. Don’t miss this chance to rebuild your writing life — for good.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be working on a big project to join?
Nope! Bring a journal, an idea, or nothing at all. Weekly writing prompts are provided to support you regardless of where you're starting.

2. Is this just for professional writers?
Not at all. This class is for writers of every level, including beginners, hobbyists, and those returning after a break.

3. Is live attendance required?
Live sessions are ideal for engagement, but recordings will be available if you can't make a session.

4. Will I be sharing my writing?
You’re welcome to share, but it's not required. This course emphasizes habit over critique.

5. Can I apply if I’m not BIPOC?
Yes, but this space prioritizes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and centers those voices in community care and facilitation.