OK, here is the deal. Each week I write an article to be submitted to Odyssey Online. I enjoy writing, as this has become a passion of mine I never even knew existed. During school, when the professor announces that there will be a paper to write, he or she will provide a topic, theme, and or subject on which to write about. I am going to admit this right here and now, this actually gets me pumped up. The moment a subject is announced, I immediately start to think of not only what I will write about, but how I will approach the subject. One sneaky thing that I do is listen to everyone announce what exactly it is they will be writing about, and then I immediately come from the left with my paper. I make sure that I pick a topic that no one is interested in, and I approach it in a way that no one even thought about. This sets my paper apart from the rest of the class, and the professors find it very interesting as well as an enjoyable read. This has worked great for me so far. In fact, the lowest grade I have ever received in college level English class is an A-!!

Once I have a topic in mind, I start gathering my research. I look for the following: articles that support my theory, articles that argue against my theory, and articles that neither support nor negate what I am writing about. I find that it offers a neutral position, and it is a great way to have the paper flow between my argument and the opposition. I do not just rely on articles. I happen to be one of the lucky ones who grew up with a Mom who read to us as children. She would sit all five of us in a semi-circle, and she would read to us at night. My love of reading was born, nurtured, and cultivated early on. Now, I can literally go through an entire book in two to three days. This is great for research papers. However, when it comes to writing a weekly article, it is a different story. We come up with the topic, subject, or theme. Should be a piece of cake right? Well, today, I find myself with the dreaded writer's block! That is right! I, Robert Nathan Johnson---English major, at this very moment am suffering from writer's block!

So, how do I even get out of this slump? Lucky for me (so far), this has yet to happen with an assignment for school. The first thing I do before digging myself out of this hole, what I assume everyone else does, I panic. The clock is ticking. Tomorrow, I have my first day of orientation at Columbia University. I am also swamped with finalizing the Men's Day program for Brown Memorial Baptist Church (and that in itself is a full-time job, there is a LOT of work to be done). I don't have time to sit and figure out what it is that I want to write about. The next thing I do is feel sorry for myself. I have told myself many times over, that I need to always have two or three articles as back up just in case I find myself with writer's block. I didn't do this, so now I am angry with the world. Yes, it can't just be MY fault, why isn't there anything NEW happening out there for me to write about? How DARE they not provide me with material? After the pity party, an escape seems the best choice. So, I decide to run. Not physically, but mentally, from my responsibilities. Funny things happen when running from responsibilities. For instance, all of a sudden that boring TV show that I would normally never give a second thought to becomes the most interesting thing in the world. The most mundane conversations with my buddies, often with repeated stories and topics, I now find extremely fascinating. I participate in the conversations, all the while low-key crying inside as I am constantly looking at the clock. This places me even further under-prepared, as I have not done what I am supposed to do and there seems to be no way of figuring a way out of this predicament.

The internet, which is usually my saving grace is surprisingly non helpful this evening. I Google, what to do if you have writer's block? The first article that pops up in the search engine is instructing people on what to do to get over this ailment, and insures that the problem will be solved in a couple of weeks. Uhm, I need to get over this right now! I have had my fun over the weekend, it is time to pay the piper, and I find my pockets bare! Lawd have mercy... what do I do? I continue my search, and see all types of advice. Go for a jog, drink some coffee, listen to music, all interesting suggestions, however, I don't have time for any of these...things. The article is due tomorrow, I still have Men's Day work to do. I can't put it off, I will have even LESS free time tomorrow.

There are times when our wonderful leader Pierre has allowed us to submit an article later than the time it is due. That would work, except, this week, aside from the orientation, I also start the LSAT prep course. So, Monday and Tuesday are out as far as pushing back the due date of this article. I will man up, admit my shame, and call Pierre (who happens to be texting this very moment). I plan tell him what is happening, I have fallen and can't get up. I will promise to have something by next week. Did I say call? I meant text..less stressful for this situation. As I go to send a text, a friend of mine stops by that I have not seen in a while. There is an awesome street party happening, and everybody and their mothers are going. I thought about going for all of 2.1 seconds.

In that rapid time, it dawned on me that if anything, I better make sure this Men's Day work is completed (Men's Day is Sept 11, and time is pretty much up for me). I finish the majority of the work I have to do for Men's Day. I then once more find myself contemplating the escape of my responsibilities through the outdoor party's house music. Meanwhile, the rough draft for my class schedule is due Wednesday as well, so I better get working on it. I soon realize this is yet another form of denial. Besides, house music is great, but I am a rock fan myself. After reality once again sets in, I find that I am now sitting and staring at the keys of my laptop all the while cursing the beautiful weather that was nowhere to be found when I was out and about the rest of the weekend.

Then it hits me. Just write. No need to make sense, just write. I decided to write about what it is I am going through this very moment, and just like magic? My article wrote itself. It is complete!!!! So, what do I suggest in order to get over writer's block? Forget the jogging, coffee, music, and other suggestions by the so-called experts that no one really listens to unless they are under serious duress like I was three seconds ago. I say, panic. Panic and feel sorry for yourself. Ask yourself why why why didn't you prepare better, and as you panic? Write what you are panicking about. You may find a subject, topic, and theme hidden amongst your worries. Research and read on your worries.

Continue to free-write about your stress. Before you know it, something starts to form! Take the bull by the horns and edit, rewrite, edit and rewrite some more. Within moments, wallah, you have your paper! Thank you Jesus, life is great again.

Once you are safe, you now have the choice of perhaps writing some notes on some subjects you may want to write about later. You may find that you will have information to write a paper ahead of time. At any rate, it would be wise to write some outlines on ideas for a later date. Store up some info, so if and when writer's block hits again, you will be ready. As for me? Now that I am out of this mess I placed myself into, I am going to go to sit back and relax. This panic session has worn me thin, besides, Big Brother is about to come on. Later for the outlines and subject notes. I am tired from the panic session. I will wait until next week to work on my next article. Hopefully, I won't face the issues I had a minute ago. I guess I should prepare, but I believe what happened to me was rare. If I do end up with writer's block again next week, I will seriously be unprepared. But, that is next week. I am going to have a great time now. Summer is almost over. I want the last hurrahs! I know, I know, I need prayer! This is true, but I can't help but notice, I just accidentally wrote an entire article.