Go to Paris. At least, that's what worked to kickstart Colin Kelley's first novel, according to this delightful essay. His first completed and published novel was born on a trip to Paris. I often find that traveling awakens my senses and sets me adrift into my interior space. My own just-completed novel THE RENAISSANCE CLUB, was born on a three-week art history tour of northern Italy. Even a short trip -- say around the block and downtown -- can yield story ideas. Glimpsed faces, people in action, events unfolding in front of you can kick off ideas that later weave together. Having just finished a book I find myself automatically searching for more ideas. Some of them will find their way into poems, some into plays, and perhaps a few into another novel. Even just traveling out onto my deck and watching the action on the street below me. Be like a dreamcatcher: look for what gets snagged in the weave.