I've been writing for the Odyssey for about month now, and yet every week I am surprised at how quickly the submission deadline seems to sneak up on me. This week, I seemed to experience some writer's block so I called in my off Google and searched for some writing prompts to inspire me. I found a great page with 365 different writing prompts. You would think I could have just scrolled through until I found one that I liked and just left it at that. Oh how I wish it was that simple! But of course, being the most indecisive person I know, I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of inspiration I was feeling. How could I possibly pick just one?! After spending way too much time trying to select one of the prompts, I just decided to make my own list of prompts. Some were taken from thinkwritten.com and others were from the mind of yours truly.

1. Write about something you lost.

Maybe it was a toy? A game? Your sanity?

2. Write about an ornament.

This doesn't necessarily have to be a holiday ornament. You can write about anything you define as an ornament. That's the beautiful thing about writing, there's not right or wrong answer!

3. Write about your favorite Thanksgiving memory.

What did the house look like? What did you smell? Who was there? Why is the memory so special?

4. Write about the first letter of your name.

First name, middle name, last name, even your nickname could work. Describe who this letter looks. If this letter had a personality, what would it be?

5. Write about the process of jumping in a puddle.

What kind of puddle is it? How deep is it? What is going through your mind before, during and after your jump in the puddle?

6. If you could be in any movie, what movie would you choose?

What character would you be? Why would you be that character? Why would you choose that movie?

7. Write about your socks.

Imagine what they would say if they could talk. Do they like being on feet?

8. Write about a pair of eyeglasses.

What do they see?

9. Write about a time you just really needed a nap.

What happened that day? Were you tired? Were you emotionally exhausted? Did you get to take a nap or did you have to suffer through whatever was causing the need for rest?

10. Imagine finding a box.

Describe what it's like to open it. What's inside? What happens once it's opened?

11. Write about a time you played a card game.

How long ago was it? Who was there? What game was it?

12. Write about something random you've found in your pocket.

How did it get there? Is it yours? If not, who does it belong to?

13. Look at your calendar and let it inspire you.

What date do your eyes first land on? Is there anything important on that day?

14. Write about packing for a trip.

Was it a fun trip? A business trip? Where were you going? How much time did you have to pack before you had to leave?

15. Write about smells that you absolutely love.

Are they common smells like flowers or cookies being baked in the oven? Are they "strange" smells like elevators or the doctors office?

16. Write about a shiny object.

What color is it? What shape is it? Where is it kept? Why is it shiny?

17. Write about a dull object.

Why is it dull? Does it have the potential to be shiny?

18. Write about parties.

Do you like them? Explain.

19. Write about a time you finished a crossword puzzle all on your own.

How long did it take? How did you feel while your worked on it? How did you feel once you finished it? Did you get all of the answers correct?

20. If you could invent a mode of transportation, what would it be?

Get creative!

21. Write about what happens when you get nervous.

Do you sweat? Shake? Feel sick?

22. Write about the most vivid dream you've ever had.

Don't worry about seeming "crazy" or "weird", you can't control your dreams! but....

23. If you could control your dreams, what would you dream about?

Flying? Becoming President? Falling in love?

24. Write about a time when you were so hot you wanted to die.

What time of year was it? Was it natural heat that was causing you discomfort? Did the radiator handle break off?

25. Write about something you stole.

Something from a store? Food? Someone's heart?

26. Write about your favorite color.

Why is it your favorite?

26. Describe your face in detail.

Eyes, lips, teeth, ears, hair, everything.

27. Write about your favorite memory.

Who is involved in this memory? Why do you love it so much?

28. Write about a time you spent way too much money.

What did you buy? Did you really need it? Why did you buy it?

29. Write about your first car.

OR, if you haven't had your own car yet, write about the first car your family had.

30. Set a time for 20 minutes and just write.

Write poems, fragments, bullet points. It doesn't have to make sense. Put it all together after the 20 minutes is up or leave it how it is

31. Write about a language you wish you spoke fluently.

Why did you pick that language?

32. Write about a library book.

Go into your local, school or even maybe your personal library (if you're lucky enough to have such a thing) and close your eyes. Walk next to the shelf and pick out a random book. Open your eyes. What book is it? Have you read it? Without looking at the back or inside, what do you think the book is about based on the title?

33. Write about being the detective at a crime scene.

What type of crime is it? What happened? Who is there? Who is the victim? Where did the crime happen? What time of day is it?

34. Write about an experience you've had that can't be explained rationally.

Possibly something paranormal? Too lucky to be a coincidence?

35.) Write about your favorite piece of clothing you had when you were thirteen

Was it "in style"? What color was it? What type of fabric was it?

36. Imagine what it would be like to be a worm.

Just moving through the dirt day after day.

37. Write about a pair of shoes you have.

Where did they take you? What kinds of things did they see? Are the comfortable?

38. Pretend you are a pencil.

What would you do? Write? Draw? Balance on someone's finger tip?

39. What do you need right now?

A nice hot bath? A long run in the woods? Some cake? A good book?

40. Write about the rain.

How does it make you feel? Was there a time that the rain caused you to change your plans?

41. Write about a time that you felt confident.

Where were you? Was it a public sort of confidence such as a performance of some kind? Was it a more private confidence such as acing a test that you studied so hard for?

42. Write about something you have recently discovered.

Is it something about yourself? The world? Science? The meaning of life?

43. Write a modern day Romeo and Juliet.

How does the classic version resonate (if at all) with young romance today?

44. Write about how you entertain yourself.

Every. Single. Time. I told my Mom that I was bored, she would reply, "Smart people don't get bored." Just some food for thought.

45. Write about a letter you never sent.

Why didn't you send it? Who was it for? What did you write in the letter?

46. Write about things you are thankful for.

If you think you aren't thankful for anything, take another look at your life. Chances are, you have a lot more than you think.

47. Write a letter to your future self/family and put it in a time capsule.

What do you want to tell yourself five, ten, fifteen, maybe even more, years from now? What are today's headlines in the newspaper? What are the big things happening right now? What do you think the future will look like?

48. Write in another language.

If you speak or are learning another language, this is great practice. Use any writing prompt, or make up your own. This helps with expansion of vocabulary, grammar, and conversation.

49. Invent something.

A new technology? A new food? A new style? A new you?

50. Write about your day.

Start from when you woke up until the current moment. Write everything. You might not think it's important now, but the little things tend to end up being the biggest things.