Stories are everywhere. As writer’s we know this. Unfortunately, sometimes the stress of day jobs, the worry about getting published, or the pressure of a looming deadline can make it difficult to see the forest of ideas for the trees of distraction. If you’re looking for story ideas, look around. Whether you write novels, journalism, memoir or poetry, the forest is waiting to be discovered.

Our lives are filled with experiences, encounters and anecdotes that can be the spark or substance for every story, poem or article we ever write. In fact, I believe that when our writing stems from our lives, it carries that extra “something” that other writing doesn’t seem to have. The problem is this: we’re often so overwhelmed with stimuli and responsibilities that we have trouble recognizing the fountain of ideas our lives truly are.

If you can’t seem to see past your to-do lists and the television to find inspiration, here are seven places where, with a little conscious effort, you just might find the seeds for your next writing project.

1. Casinos

Anywhere you can find gambling, alcohol and scantily clad women in the same room with white-haired ladies and security guards, things are bound to get interesting. The next time you find yourself in a casino, take a break from the black jack table, and spend an hour or two sitting inconspicuously with a notebook jotting down observations, conversations, and character descriptions.

If you’re worried about being spotted, don’t. Everyone else is too busy hoping they don’t lose their shirt to notice you’re writing rather than pushing the buttons on that touch-screen.  If you don’t leave with several stories taking shape, you weren’t paying attention.

2. Parks

Nature in itself can be a wonderful source of inspiration, which makes parks a great place to spend some time if your writing is in a rut. On top of that, think of all the people-watching you can do. At parks you’re likely to see families picnicking, teens playing Frisbee, a man with a twitch walking his dog. Take notes on what you see, hear and smell, or just let your thoughts flow with the breeze and see what flows into your notebook.

3. Coffee shops

Coffee shops are one of the few places where punk rockers, groggy soccer moms, and lawyers in business suits bump elbows in the span of a few minutes. Grab a latte, find a cozy corner and pull out your pen. Before you’ve taken your last sip, you should have seen plenty of characters to spur your imagination.

4. Grocery stores

Ordinary places can be extraordinary sources of inspiration if you let them. Instead of heading into the grocery store to do your shopping, grab a cart, toss a few things in for good measure, and then get down to researching. Pay attention to the questions that come to mind as you wander the aisles and try to jot them down inadvertently. What stories are lurking behind the deli counter? Why did that woman put three heads of lettuce and a pint of ice cream in her cart? Is anyone watching those children? When you think you’ve had enough, abandon your cart and hurry to car where you can elaborate on your observations and ideas.

5. Newspapers

Someone else’s reporting just might be the beginnings of your next big project. No, I’m not talking about stealing another writer’s work. I’m simply suggesting you let it pique your curiosity. A profile on someone famous with an interesting slant, an expose on a local company or a short obituary can give you the beginnings of back story for your heroine, describe a new setting perfect for your novel, or stir up just the emotion you need to start your next poem. If you don’t have time to flesh things out now, clip out any stories that seem interesting and keep them in a folder for future mining.

6. Public transportation

Buses, trains, and even airplanes are perfect settings for finding a story. A lot of people crammed into a small space gives you plenty to work with. Look around, listen, watch the sights out the window, and (as always) take plenty of notes. Crying babies, a sleeping bum, a dangerous-looking man who helps an old woman to her seat–they’re all begging for their stories to be told.

7. Weddings

Weddings are a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and mingle. This isn’t time to network, though. Instead, do more listening and watching than you do talking. You’ll find stories about love, divorce, children and family flowing like the champagne. Don’t depend on your memory to hold onto all the gems. Write them down–even if that means collecting cocktail napkins as you move from table to table or rushing off to the bathroom every 15 minutes to pull out your notebook and pen.

After reading through this list it should be pretty obvious that wherever there are people, stories aren’t far behind. Inspiration doesn’t only abound where people are found, though. When you’re looking for something new to write about, or you need a new twist on an old topic, don’t count out nature, music and your own words and dreams. Everything you need to bring your stories to life is already out there–it’s up to you to open your mind and find it.