Do "real" writers get stuck in their writing with no inspirational juices flowing? I emphasized "real" for the reason that I contend I am not a professional writer. Since I began my blog over one year ago, I ascertained that I would not worry about writing unless I had a particular subject that influenced me. I just did this for fun and I never wanted it to become a job. Following more than a few comments from readers that have awaited a new entry, guilt has overtaken me. Nearly two months have passed since my last blog entry and I decided today was the day to arise from my writer's slump and speed up to conquer the "mind bump" I have fought against. I read that quirky little "mind bump" phrase on the internet and thought it described my recent lack of writing aspiration nicely.

Some writers will tell you they write everyday, others will describe a "place" they travel so they can block out interferences such as the telephone or television while others just sit down and pound out a couple pages of their current manuscript. Oddly enough, I do not feel as though I fit any of those writing molds. I think a writing style expresses the writer's personality. I spent several years attempting to conform to the APA writing style in college, which to me seems like technical prose now. Most importantly, I sincerely hope that I relay a message to my readers, pass along information, or inspire a chuckle here and there. Generally, I feel a lot like Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes, a rambling bag of wind without anything substantial to say. That guy just raises my blood pressure! I

About.com, the popular on-line community full of experts and knowledge, describes a writer's block as temporary. The article goes further in suggesting counseling if the block continues. Now I have a long list of topics for counseling but my "mind bump" did not make the top 10. One thought that does come to mind is why I started writing in the first place. I wrote about something that I was passionate about. Am I writing what I love, or what I think I should be writing?

When asked about the most frightening thing he had ever encountered, novelist Ernest Hemingway said, "A blank sheet of paper." Thankfully, I kept my day job! In fact, I quietly celebrate 23 years today with the same employer, I am grateful for what I have.