"I figure that that has a ten year cycle. At the end of that ten years, I began to get worried that I would run into what is known as the writer's block, the feeling of not being able to do these things"

In this quote, A. E. van Vogt, a prominent science fiction author, reviews the cyclical nature of his imagination and efficiency, particularly as it associates with composing. He posits a "10 years cycle", recommending that he views his imaginative output to peak and decline over a years. This cycle represents a duration where he is extremely productive, possibly generating various ideas, stories, and even novels. However, as completion of this cycle approaches, he reveals a growing issue about encountering the notorious affliction known as writer's block.

Author's block is the condition of being not able to consider what to compose or how to proceed with writing. It is a common worry amongst writers, where they fear losing their creative spark or the flowing stream of thoughts and ideas that sustain their work. Van Vogt's issue shows an ingrained anxiety that after a productive period, his wellspring of creativity may dry up, leaving him unable to continue developing at the same strength and quality.

By mentioning "a ten year cycle", van Vogt might also be discussing broader styles of creative fatigue and renewal. Imagination can be an extensive process, requiring both psychological and intellectual resources. The idea of a cycle implies that periods of great imagination may naturally cause phases where the mind needs to rest and renew. The worry here is not almost encountering a short-lived block but dealing with a more profound stagnancy that might impede his identity as an author.

This reflection by van Vogt underscores the vulnerability many writers feel about their craft, highlighting the anxiety connected with maintaining imaginative output. It exposes an implicit understanding that creative processes are not continuous and can be based on internal and external influences-- hence needing strength and versatility over time. This recommendation of an ebb and flow in creativity humanizes the experience of writing, offering insight into the mental difficulties dealt with by even the most successful authors.