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My brain coming up with mechanics: (smart) Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants looking through a microscope, taking some notes
My brain coming up with story and characters: (dumb) Patrick that accidentally nailed a board to his head
I know copying/adapting an already existing story/character isn’t unheard of, but my goldfish memory can never remember any


Check your local library (if you’re lucky enough to have one). Mine didn’t have any rpg adventure books in stock but they let me search their online database and I found some that looked interesting. They shipped them in for me to borrow, at no cost to me. Amazing service!
It’s a great way to try different adventure books before buying the ones that suit your style. Some adventures are quite fleshed out and some are bare bones with plot holes you can fill however you want.
Another thing that can help is to bounce ideas with other DMs or players that aren’t in the campaign: give one a call if you know them irl, or make a post online, if you get stuck and need inspiration. Two heads together are greater than five heads alone, believe me.
Finally, take notes. Inspiration can come from the oddes sources, so write down anything and everything that might be usable at some point in the future: talk during the campaign, overhearing gossip about a stranger, books, movies, poems, games, dreams, working on a problem at work/school. Reading the notes back later can either be gibberish or lead to an idea to use.
Didn’t think that libraries have adventure books, huh. I’ll keep it in mind.
I’ve started taking notes a few months ago, but I don’t think any of them will help me with more than an organization… at least for now.