Where do I get my ideas?

Story ideas... Where do I get them? Edit
How do you find ideas for a story?
Finding an idea for a story is unique and mysterious. It is a very personal thing. It has to do with you, your style, your interests, and your desire to share. Finding an idea for a story can be very difficult or as simple as having something unusual happen to you.
I always recommend keep a “writer’s journal” to record unusual everyday events that you happen to stumble on as you live your life. From your journal you might discover something that draws you in from the past.
I always recommend that a writer should be a keen observer, watching closely the things in life around you. A certain walk someone has, an unusual incident you have witnessed, a particular event that is taking place around you. Observe; watch carefully things that interest you in life. Ask yourself: "Why do I find this interesting?" "Would anyone else find this interest?" Why/Why not?
Read, read, read and read some more… I only read non-fiction reference material and I find incredible pieces of factual information that I use to build my stories. I write what is called “Documentary Historical Fiction” (based on primary or secondary source information).
DO NOT read the writing of other people and steal their words. You can read writings of other authors and discover ideas that can take you to your own place in your imagination to write a story. ( You can’t copyright an idea.) But DO NOT copy their words. Make all writing your own because, if not, you are plagiarizing and you can be taken to court, sued and even go to jail.
Remember: If you copy someone else’s work you will only ever be a second best someone else.
Look for fresh and new ways to tell old story ideas. There are lots of authors out there today that retell stories such as: tales, legends, myths. Remember, if you get your storyline with plot and characters from someone else, you are not really creating, you are copying and you MUST give credit to the original work such as… The Legend of ____ Written by _____ Retold by ________ . Also, give credit in the acknowledgement section of your book along with an explaination who you wanted to retell the story. Not giving credit where credit is due is giving yourself credit for something you haven’t earned and is as bad as plagiarizing.
When you write or start to organize your story ideas, always look for the most unique pieces of information (usually something someone else has never heard of before).
Make your characters unique or unusual by giving them “just that little extra something” , that makes them unforgettable. How many times have you watched a movie that you have enjoyed but can’t remember a character’s name… But I bet you didn't forget the limp, the scar, the accent. Make sure none of the other characters in you story share the exact same uniqueness and if so (like accent) make one of the characters “incredibly” unique. (Take it easy on any accents, they are editing nightmares.)
Make your setting unique. Make it believable and visit the area you want to write about, even if it is historical. Go there, if you can, and take in the atmosphere. Look for the uniqueness.
Make your plot unique. Don’t follow a formula unless you have Writer’s Guidelines from a publishing house and they insist you follow their formula rules. All plots have certain rules you must follow but give your story an interesting twist a uniqueness all its own. If you find it interesting, perhaps your readers will too.
To find an idea to write about, don’t look for the common place, look for something unique that shares with the world what type of person/writer you are. It is you and your style that will gain an audience.