** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Greetings spaaj, I'm Jacquiebee, and I came across your story when browsing your portal for something to read. Now that I have read "Invalid Item" , it is entirely my pleasure to submit to you my thoughts and impressions. This review reflects my opinion only, so at your discretion, please keep or discard my views. I hope this encourages you.

Purpose:
Hi Penne, this review is my way of welcoming you to Writing.Com and the Paper Doll Gang!!! I congratulate you on joining the Paper Dolls, because it is one of Writing.Com's (WDC) best introductions to site navigation, courses, and author support. This is where I got my start. You will come to realize that this warm and creative community is here to cheer you on and answer your questions to the best of our ability as the goal is for each one to succeed, whatever that means to the individual.

What I See:
The plot is about plots, or maybe more to the point, lack thereof. You did a beautiful job of describing what it is like to sit at the keyboard, and while looking into the vast empty darkness that can be our imagination; we sit hoping that our muse will magically take over and we will begin typing brilliant stories, poems, articles, essays and what have you with fingers ablaze! But alas, as you mentioned, all we can see is that expansive black wall with no signs of life, let alone imagination. I enjoyed your prosaic simile in your second sentence, I have fragments of thoughts swirling around my head like gentle spring breezes that whisper past me and then are gone. Now I don't know if you are interested in poetry, but I would say you might want to at the very least explore prose as another expression.

Overall/Suggestions:
Penne, I thoroughly enjoyed "Invalid Item" , because your communication is clear and relatable. I cannot imagine anyone reading this piece and not thinking, "Man, I wish this happened less often." When it comes to those "blocked" times I usually start writing what I'm feeling. When that doesn't work, I sometimes continue working on a project around the house, or in my garden. Going on a walk or to the beach and forgetting the whole thing, or calling a friend and going out for coffee usually has positive effects. However any of us addresses the issue known as writer's block, we understand and have empathy for our fellow writers who find themselves in this seeming wasteland.

Favorite Lines:
"I have fragments of thoughts swirling around my head like gentle spring breezes that whisper past me and then are gone." I love well written similes because they humanize the feeling or experience we put to paper, which allows our readers to enter into our story.
"My direction hasn't changed and my goals haven't changed, my focus is lost and the words are trapped somewhere deep inside of me." Ugh, this is all too true and real. This is just another fine example of your ability to share your experience with clarity and transparency.

Closing Thought:
spaaj, thank you for sharing this familiar encounter that touches each writer's life. Even though none of us enjoys these times, it makes those periods when the ideas flow, more exhilarating. It also connects us as a group. I look forward to reading more of your work. And again, Welcome to Writing.Com and The Paper Doll Gang!