GIMP :: Working Of Text Writing Box

I have my background on the screen; click text tool, specify font, size, color - then i click on my background expecting the text-writing box to appear, but instead a mini-copy of the text tool options box appears, of no use or function. How can i get the text-writing box to work?

PS An empty box appears on the background, supposedly to write in, but it doesn't work. I type and nothing happens. And, there is a huge cursor bar (?) that extends down the screen.