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Battle the Block
by Kim Ripley

When stricken with the plague, victims routinely throw their hands up into the air, bringing them back down to profoundly pound their confused heads. Writer’s Block can strike anyone. Sufferers exhibit symptoms of profuse disorientation, agitation, and extreme displeasure.

When included amidst the throngs of diagnosed writers, I am armed with a battle plan—tactics are deployed immediately, and within an hour or two my war against this monster is won.

My initial action includes walking away from said piece of writing—at a rapid pace. A change in scenery helps to clear the afflicted mind, and tricks creative juices into once again flowing freely.

I then retreat to a quiet thinking spot, and begin my favorite pastime—next to writing, that is. I read. I arm myself with pleasurable and well written reading material and bask in the delights of other’s written words.

Finally, I carry my book with me into the kitchen, careful not to attract too much attention. I then slowly open the freezer door. Then I dig. My squelched desire to enter the field of archeology is awakened as I remove packages of freezer-burned pizza, dig beyond last August’s clearance sale on frozen peas, and unearth my hidden treasure—a pint of triple fudge gourmet ice cream. It’s all mine! The sinful delicacy tight within my grip, I steal away to my private corner of the world and secretly indulge.

Words begin appearing in my head like stars in the night sky. I return my book to the stack of “must be read” items, and situate myself in front of the computer again.

I write. I revel in the sentences as they pour forth. And I treasure the knowledge of my coveted three-part battle plan against the writer’s enemy.

Copyright 2003 Kim Ripley. All Rights Reserved.

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