Dan, when I settle myself to sleep I tell myself stories. The contents range widely (wildly?) but a favorite involves a shipwreck or other disaster and the means taken to survive it. If I personally am in the narrative I am allowed to include some of my favorite characters but that means I have to include some of my least favorite.

I set the scene, put the character(s) into motion and watch what happens.

Some of these stories last for months, mostly because I always fall asleep before I make much headway, and the next night I have to pick it up again a little ways back.

Try it, my friend.