I can't open Writer when I have a Calc doc open and vice versa

I have a Calc doc open which I want to keep open so I can refer to it, but I also want to create a new Writer document as well. However, when I click on my LibreOffice shortcut on the desktop to bring up the window where I can choose the type of document I want to create, all it does is brings up the Calc doc that’s already opened but minimised to the task bar. The same thing happens with whatever document I have open, whether Calc or Writer. I can’t create a new document while there’s one open.

Is this normal? I’ve been using LibreOffice for three days and I’ve been looking for a simple solution, but I can’t find one. Do I need to close all other LibreOffice documents before I can create a new one?

There are two ways of doing this:

  1. Use the arrow next to the “New Document” button in the top-left on the toolbar (looks like the app you’re currently in)
  2. Use the shortcuts in the Start Menu (Programs > LibreOffice x.y) (Windows), Applications folder (Finder > Applications) (Mac), or Applications Menu (Office) (Linux)