When I attempt to access OpenOffice app am locked out.

[margaritamcn]

Receive this pop-up message:
OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Either another instance of OpenOffice.org is accessing your personal settings or your personal settings are locked. Simultaneous access can lead to inconsistencies in your personal settings. Before continuing, you should make sure user 'ernestinemcnulty' closes OpenOffice.org on host 'Ernestines-iMac.local'. Do you really want to continue? Yes or No

[lgusaas]

Receive this pop-up message:
OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Either another instance of OpenOffice.org is accessing your personal settings or your personal settings are locked. Simultaneous access can lead to inconsistencies in your personal settings. Before continuing, you should make sure user 'ernestinemcnulty' closes OpenOffice.org on host 'Ernestines-iMac.local'. Do you really want to continue? Yes or No

If no one else is using OpenOffice click Yes

[RusselB]

It sounds like you didn't close Open Office properly the last time (possible power failure or reduction due to screen/power saver options).
If you are on a stand alone system, then the easiest recourse is to just restart your computer.
When closing down Open Office, make sure it has enough time for the internal file keeping to complete (2-3 minutes should be sufficient)
Open Office uses a more complex method of storing files than straight writing them to disk, thus it takes a bit longer to complete.