Custom Template Help

[PixieDinoGirl]

Hi,
I'm trying to edit my book jacket template.
I want to create a field that only shows if there is something in it, but I know that the book jacket does not have conditionality so I'm trying to use a custom column to create this.
I have found this -
<p class="description" style="display:{_ccname}">{_translator} dich</p>
- while looking for answers on this site but I can't get it to work.
My understanding of it is that the ccname should link to a custom column that has either block or none in it and if it shows block then the paragraph shouldn't show ( as it is then display:block )
Am I understanding this correctly? Is there something I'm missing? I currently have block in the column for all my books but it is still showing the extra text.
Thanks, sorry if that's all confusing.