Writers Village University

 I renewed my membership in Writer's Village University; a writer's group I have called my second home since 1998. It's an online group with writing courses for beginners through professional authors, poets, playwrights. 

Yearly dues are very reasonable, much cheaper than paying for college courses that require traveling and attendance in stuffy classrooms. All of these classes are online, and assignments can be completed in your jammies in your recliner, or wherever you are most comfortable. Once your dues are paid, your classes are free of charge, unless you need a book (rare) and those can be obtained anywhere at very reasonable rates.

I signed up for a class today, too. It's called Creativity in a Box. Most writers must learn to use rules and limits set by the editor, publisher, etc. Word limits are the most common and come from the editor's need to fit the story or article into a tight space. There can be other rules as well. For instance, topical or genre limits. An editor might not be happy if you turn in a child's poem when what the editor is looking for is an editorial on a political controversy. 

My assignment will be to write a story using exactly 1000 words, and there is a list of other rules that I can choose from. I need 3 rules. I haven't chosen those yet, but I will later this afternoon. The class will be 2 weeks in duration, so I can't waste time on playing online games, which are a weakness of mine. I can't procrastinate either, because with these rules, it's going to take more time to write than if I were to just, say, write my blog. 

Sometimes in the past, I have chosen my art and writing as procrastination crutches, tools to avoid doing something I really should be doing, like income taxes, paying bills or housework. I don't suppose any of you have procrastination crutches, do you? Well art and writing are mine.

So, while the rest of you are slaving away at your income taxes and other odious chores this next month or so, think of my doing my crutch chores in my recliner, with a cup of hot chocolate and a snack close by.

Sometimes procrastination can be good for the soul. More fun anyway.