Looking for an idea for a novel?

From How To Write Your First Novel by Sophie King, an exercise to help you find ideas for a novel: Write down five different ‘canvases’ for a novel. For example, an amateur dramatic group; a garden centre; a school. Now write down five different characters. For example, a headmistress; a down and out; a retired banker. Then write down five different problems or difficulties in life. For example, moving house; losing something important; falling out with an aunt. Cut out each idea so that you have a total of fifteen strips of paper. Put the ‘canvas’ ideas into one jam jar. The ‘character’ ideas into a second jam jar. And the ‘problems’ in a third. Take one strip of paper out of each jam jar and see what you come up with. For instance, you might have a headmistress who loses something important when she is in a play. If that doesn’t grab you, take another three pieces of paper and move them around so you come up with an idea that makes you think of a possible story for a novel.

Real life

A piece of advice I read recently (I can't remember where) about using real people as the models for your fictional characters: don't use only one person as a model. But, if you know of two people with things in common, create a composite from them.