The Writers' Block Digital Journal Publication

An opinion piece by Kat Kellogg I hate AI with a burning passion. I have no shame in admitting my bias against it. I understand AI has its place in life-changing research like medicine and engineering; however, for the average person using it, generative AI does nothing an adult human cannot do. AI is unstimulating, boring, unimaginative, and lifeless. I go to college to study marketing, which I am passionate about. At 10am on a Monday, I filled my bloodstream with caffeine

A photograph by Aowyn Myers

A photograph by Aowyn Myers

A photograph by Ace Courtad

A Photograph by Ace Courtad

A nonfiction piece by Ace Courtad I stared out the backseat window of my mother's car as we drove through the narrow, winding roads of the countryside. I had the window down and the scent of Earth filled my lungs. We were on the way to visit my Aunt Sandy and Uncle Junior over the weekend. They both lived in a small, single-story house in rural Ohio, nestled between patches of woods and rolling hills of plowed fields. Though they were both in their late 70s, Sandy had becom

A short story by Alayna Rasler Look, I had nothing to do with my father creating AI, I was just asked to test his creation. My father is an inventor, and when he comes across a problem, he’s going to create a solution for everyone. So when I told him that I, someone who wants to be a doctor, didn’t want to have to read a whole book and write a two page paper about it for my eleventh grade English class, he was determined to make something so I didn’t have to. And who would

A poem by Josiah Findley I'm so confused, understanding not met The answers I seek pull further away There are so many thoughts I cannot forget. My feelings falling in some sort of debt Where hope feels beyond the bay I'm so confused, understanding not met My mind flies through thoughts like a jet Each one hurts more day by day There are so many thoughts I cannot forget. My fingers disappeared, the fog has set My hands feel numb reaching through dismay I'm so confused, unders

A poem by Sierra Mansfield That day in the sun felt like a lifetime of happiness My sunhat barely covered my squinting eyes My mother held me in the shallow water While my father watched from the grass The chlorine from the pool irritated my nostrils As the children splashed and swam freely My mother looked at me with deep thoughts of Love and admiration as she held me This was the last good memory I Have of my mother I never knew what went wrong Was it the fighting? The lies

A play by Sarah Nieukirk Dead Personality Cast Rich Bitch____The Tall One Sir Gay____The Short One Kernel Nut____The Old One Sir Bastard____The Young One Spoiled Gurl____The Pretty One Miss Fortune & ?____The Insane One Mr. Corpse____Allen the Head (Everyone except Sir Gay is sitting. Sir Gay walks in, and Rich Bitch gets up to greet him) Rich Bitch: Thank you for joining us, Sir Gay. Sir Gay: Of course, Lady Bitch. I wouldn't miss your birthday for anything. (Under his breat

A short story by Sarah Nieukirk It was a dark night. Halloween night to be exact. One lone teenager was preparing for this special occasion. Ryan was his name, and he wore red horns and held a pitchfork. On his chest was a neon vest. This vest was important because Ryan would soon be the protector of a small gaggle of trick-or-treaters. As Ryan finished preparing, he went through the list of the trick-or-treaters in his head: Stacy, Will, Mindy, Aiden, and Tommy. The doorbe

A short story by Alyssa Martin Once, many turns ago, there lived a Willow Tree in a garden of Wisteria. At the time of this tale there lived a Fallow Fawn, which had been left under the roots of the grand Willow by her mother. The Doe who had left her, The Willow had told her, had done so with guilt in her eyes. “She did not wish to,” The Willow had said many times, “An old tree such as myself can always tell.” “Whyever did she do it then?” the Fawn always pleaded, “Why di

A poem by Anonymous River Flowing And I’ve Decided I Must Get Going On The Same Damn Path I’ve Been On And I Hope You’re Listening To Me And Not Distancing Yourself From Me I’ve Been Waiting For You And I Think About You Dearly I Hope You Too Want To Be Near Me And Nothing Else Really Matters When I’m With You I’m Sorry If That Is Basic I Just Miss You I Hope You Miss Me Too

A poem by Adam Buening A girl stands in a hallway, using the last of her strength to step on. Insults pierce her every second, but she continues walking, trying to ignore them. They all seem to surround her, like wolves and bears. Carnivores, preying off each other, destroying just to fill themselves up. feeding until she has nothing left to give. Empty, she continues on, pretending to forget. But the wounds can’t be ignored, and they pulse a rhythm. Eventually, she breaks, t

A short story by Steven Insco On a dark Friday evening, the only light visible was the full moon in the sky, and a small backyard area faintly illuminated by a smoldering bonfire. A group of 6 friends sat around the fire, celebrating Halloween and making s'mores. John Fisher was one of the friends in attendance. He was laughing with all of his friends, and overall was really enjoying himself. Everything was going according to plan. The night was fun, and fueled by Halloween

A poem by Adam Buening In the midst of chaos there lies a creature, waiting for its prey - Climbing, crawling, Claiming those who fall. Watch your step - Its touch will consume you And it comes closer every day Some try to escape, they run and hide, but in its wake Nothing will be left So try if you wish but its fiery grip will find you For none can escape the jaws of fire

A short story by Kharma Gentner “...And I’m out!” she exclaims, placing her second-to-last card—a 3 of hearts—before her run of the 4, 5, and 6 of the same suit. With a victorious smirk, she carelessly flicks her wrist and tosses her final card onto the discard pile. “Oh, shoot!” her daughter grumbles. “I was just about to pick up the six and seven and play my five!” The mother looks to where her daughter is gesturing and sees that she’s right. On her next turn, the daughte

A poem by Anonymous playing the piano feels like floating into space, and like swimming underwater, and like breathing crisp winter air nothing can compare to its grace playing the piano is second nature i can’t think too much or too little or i mess up the whole song it isn’t a big deal, but to me it feels major playing the piano reminds me of my childhood my mother making me do lessons i listened, although reluctantly and now, i don’t play as much as i should playing the pi

A poem by Mariah Papaya Oh glorious Oh majesty Oh... my lord She is breathtaking Amazing Like an angel Her blonde, wavy hair Flows with the wind As she props herself up On the boat Her smile lightens up the mood Her laugh calms me Her eyes romanticize me Everything else is too great to describe What am I to her When I can only stare For a brief moment Before looking away

A poem by Kharma Gentner We're not so different, you and I. The clothes I wear, Others’ opinions Plastered on my body. They like them, so I wear them. No matter if I like them, I need to Be unique. To stand out from my clones. Who am I without my appearance? The poses I strike Exhaust me physically and emotionally. I hold the same position, The same composure, Day after day, To satisfy those passersby. Interactions that last seconds for them Mean everything to me. The looks I