I’m not published yet and have faced several rejections and sometimes I wonder if a part of it is story idea. So in my endeavour to crack this part of the puzzle I voraciously listen to podcasts of authors on their virtual book tour. l have heard authors reveal that their story idea came from an event during their childhood, a conversation they had with a friend, or often from a real life news event they saw unfold on their TV.
Most recently Australian author, Sally Hepworth, shared that the idea for her latest book, The Younger Wife, grew from a moment she had with her Great Aunt and a hot water bottle stuffed with cash!
So, I think part of story conception comes from a moment in time and letting your mind wander in a dramatic way from there.