A story idea you may be thinking of writing into a full-fledge novel right now has a good chance of having been thought of by another writer. She may already be writing about it; he may have already published it.

This is what makes writing interesting -- it's like a big spin-the-bottle game where we -- writers and authors -- take a stab at putting our own brand of originality (or uniqueness) in a theme that's been used so many times.

It's like beating something up until it turns into a pulp; or wringing out a piece of cloth until there's not a drop of water left. And because we're writers, there's no letting up -- we'd continue to write about things that have already been written about same way that an obsessed Beatles fan would play "Hey, Jude" over and over on his old phonograph and get absolutely high while singing, "Na na na na na na na...na na na na..Hey Jude..."

It was Heraclitus, Greek philosopher who said, "We cannot cross same river twice." And it's true because second time we cross a river we've crossed before, we're different and so is water. Of course, he was talking about theory of communication process -- that change in person who crossed river a year ago was caused by his intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships over time: his field of experience has changed since then. Thus, a year later and he happens to cross same river (or a similar experience/person/situation) again, something has already changed, and it's not same as it was a year ago.

Experienced writers often get stuck in middle of their novels, stories or articles. They sometimes agonize and worry about what to write next and that's how they are delayed.

Beginning and experienced writers and writers in between can sometimes fall into trap of getting themselves "blocked."

So here are 12 writing prompts you, beginning writer or experienced one, can use to start off your writing.

PROMPT # 1 "I write because..." Think of as many reasons as you can. Any reasons you know and feel you should and could write, and why you write. Then from your list, see if you can turn your reasons into an essay, a story or a poem.

PROMPT # 2 Sit still for five minutes. Close your eyes and listen. Don't think, just listen. What sounds do you hear? Is there music? Rustling leaves? Is your TV on? After five minutes, write down all sounds on a piece of paper. If you can't think of correct words for sounds, write how they sounded (example: "bbbzzztttt" for something you heard). Now use sounds on your list to create "sound poetry."

PROMPT # 3: Use this prompt to start off your story: "When dust settled, he saw..."

PROMPT # 4: Quotes are powerful writing starters. They evoke emotions, insights and inspirations for any writer. What's your favorite quote? It may be something a famous dead person said, or a line in a song, or a passage in Bible. Write quote on top of your page and write your interpretation of your favorite quote. You can inspire, motivate or even impart a lesson.

PROMPT # 5: When was last time you received a letter? Or a postcard? Who sent it? What did it say? Did you reply to letter? Write yourself a letter. Pretend that you are somebody else. Put yourself in your neighbor's shoes, or your old friend's shoes. If you were them, what would you want to tell yourself, or want to know about yourself?