@Just1dood 27 July 2021 more from that month

A Blank Paper: Making sense of Block, Stock, Balk, Wok, Bedrock & Chalk

**27 July 2021, Somewhere in the Metaverse - UplandDood (@Just1Dood)**  A Writer's Block People say it is a good thing to start with a clean slate. As I'm sitting here staring at a blank screen, it is hard to imagine how that can be a good thing. Not only am I presented with a blank screen but I'm also equipped with lots of invincible ink! Would I consider this writer's block? Not really. Come to think of it, having writer's block is like saying I'm bored. There are a thousand and one things I can do to entertain myself or to keep myself busy. It's only a matter of making the decision to pursue any one of those to counteract my boredom. [*Side note: As I review this before posting today, I've had the RandomRewarder visiting me multiple times in the last 12 hours. Re-invigorated, I will write about that but that article will come out another day. As it is, this Blank Page article is moving forward as planned.*] A Writer's Stock

It's my fancy way of saying that I don't have writer's block. I have so many topics that I can write about but the motivation or the inspiration to write any is just not there. I'm sure many can relate to that. Or could it be that the lethargy is the residue effect of consuming too much pizza two days ago? That shouldn't be the case. The pizzas are long gone and properly have already ended up somewhere fertilizing the earth. Potential topics are aplenty. I could write a book review. Maybe someone will tip me good for helping to summarize it for him/her/them. Ahem...@snapping.turtle? I could also write about books that have had a big impact on my life. I have a few of those. It is a topic I will keep for a future date. But not now. I'm not inspired to write about that now. I could expand further on my article about "**Plagiarism**". That's coming out sometime next week, maybe. Need to gather enough courage to publish something that serious and still live up to my motto - when it comes to writing, have fun poking fun. I can finish the articles that have been sitting in my article closet for a while. There's an article in there about "**Dances"**. Yes, an unlikely article from someone like me but it's not what you think. You'll have to wait. I have a few more unfinished and unpolished articles on "**Sheep**", "**Fears**", "**People**", "**Learning**" and a few more at the amoeba stage not worth mentioning. Some or all of these may not see the light of day. A Writer's Balk One reason could be that too much time is required to do research on them. Or that the reason could be these are too serious a topic for my comfort. I gravitate towards nonsensical goofy articles. In truth, these are just excuses. Nothing is impossible. This platform is filled with individuals who made the effort to write articles that are out of their comfort zone. The only caveat is to make sure that you don't plagiarize. Huh. That's another story. You'll have to wait a little longer. Did I mention that it's coming out next week? Still mustering up my courage for that one. Although, the tickets are out. Make sure you get yours ASAP! It's gonna be a sell-out show! Then again, maybe not. It's so controversial (R-rated) that it may be outright banned after the first showing. [*Note: Definition of R-Rated: R for Ridiculous]* A Writer's Wok

One thing you can be sure of is that any writer worth his/her weight in salt will tell you that they are salty! Sorry, I meant ... survivors. It is not unlike a chef reaching into a cabinet of available seasonings and existing ingredients and putting together a delicious dish. Writers too can grab ingredients from their mind, sprinkle them with some of their experience; throw everything into the article wok, stir it till flagrant, and voila! An article to be served. It may not be a Michelin Chef's output or a Pulizer worthy article but it's palatable. At least to the non-culinary snobs. If you're a snob, you can go somewhere where they have lamps on tables and blindingly reflective silverware for your meal. We're doing street food here. Do not come and consume and make a big fuss. You wok your cat, I wok my dog. I mean, I walk my dog, you walk your cat. Never the twain shall meet. (*Warning on use of ingredients: Please do not use someone else's ingredients. You know where that would land you right? Do I need to spell it out? Oh well...okay, if you really want to know. Your name will be put on the Chef's Hall of Shame and you'll be put in the kitchen's blast chiller.)* A Writer's Bedrock

The truth is that many of us write here because of the moral, emotional, mental, and of course, monetary support of fellow writers and readers. It is the solid foundation of mutual respect and generosity of this writing community that contributes to a conducive and more importantly, a fun learning environment. We often forget that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Misuse it and someone will fall by this sword (and end up in a blast chiller). Wield it skillfully and it can be a surgical scalpel that can remove unwanted cysts and tumors and help someone to be better (and maybe end up in the Chef's Hall of Fame!) That should be a creed we go by. The one who shouts the loudest may win, but how long can one shout at the top of his/her voice? Respect is earned, not 'demanded' and definitely not by stepping and stomping on another. We often forget that. A Writer's Chalk We all started with nothing. A blank paper, a clean slate. Like it or not, we are all equal. We arrive with nothing and one day, we'll leave with nothing. Meanwhile, each of us is entrusted with a chalk. What we write on paper or on screen is not permanent. The message will fade over time. That's right. A few months or years down the road, your article and my article will be forgotten. However, the spirit of the letter we leave on another's heart...now, that is different. Good or bad, that imprint will be remembered. We hold the chalk. The choice is yours and mine on how we wield it. Everyone is watching. Thank you for reading and **Let the Fun Begin**!

**Sources:** Header: Unsplash.com - **Kelly Sikkema** https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema Image 1: Unsplash.com - **Petrebels** https://unsplash.com/@petrebels Image 2: Unsplash.com - **Clem Onojeghuo** https://unsplash.com/@clemono Image 3: Unsplash.com - **Brett Jordan** https://unsplash.com/@brett_jordan

Thank you again for dropping by. Have **fun with English**. Remember to share your experience in the comment section. Do drop by to say hi at my following addresses. I promise I'll be at home :) NoiseCash: **UplandDood** https://noise.cash/u/UplandDood Twitter: **UplandDood** https://twitter.com/uplanddood Publish0x: **UplandDood** (link takes you to site. You'll have to search for UplandDood to find me) https://www.publish0x.com/?a=zPdyP4BwbQ