When I talk to kids in schools, I always tell them that I have no secret storehouse of ideas. Ideas are all around us. The trick is to open our minds to seeing them. I would also recommend getting to know your friendly neighborhood librarian. Librarians are more than happy to tell you what books they think should be written.
Librarians are a valuable source of ideas.
However, I do use fictional techniques to make people's lives more interesting. I also try to think about details and always show and not tell. Katherine Patterson wrote a book about writing called The Gates of Excellence. Because that stubbornness becomes perseverance. And no matter what you want to achieve in life, you will need to persevere.