When you face a blank page or canvas, often the most difficult thing is the pressure to create something out of nothing, and to decide what, out of all the possible ideas in your head, you will write about. By limiting yourself to a certain prop, time frame, character or setting, you can eliminate some of the guesswork and pencil tapping. Choose a specific physical situation, an interesting or unusual prop and a finite period of time in which the story must occur. Limits such as these can be generative and incredibly freeing.
Think of a person that you knew when you were growing up whom you did not particularly understand or like. Jot down all the qualities that this person possessed (physically and personally). Write down your most vivid memories about this person. Think of the person's background, his or her parents, home, upbringing and past. Describe your emotions toward this individual in as much detail as you can. Then try to explain, in hindsight, why you might have disliked or misunderstood this person. Choose this person's most striking feature, personality trait or recurrent gesture, and begin a story with a description of it.
Think of a place that you know very well but no longer visit regularly, such as your hometown, your great aunt's apartment or a summer camp. Describe this place in as much detail as you can. If you have visited this place recently, describe the ways in which it has changed from when you were younger. Try to discern whether the place has actually changed, or if only your perspective on it has. Write down your thoughts. Begin a story with a description of the place as you see it now, and allow yourself to lurch back into a memory as you go.
Think of a task that a loved one performs regularly, such as refilling salt shakers, weeding the garden or fixing a lawn mower or broken window screen. Make a vocabulary list of all of the nouns and verbs associated with that particular task. Try to get as precise and technical as possible. Write down how this task is usually performed. Then describe how this loved one in particular performs this task to see how they differ. Write a short story that describes your loved one carrying out this chore or repair. Use as much of the vocabulary you generated as possible, as this type of specificity will add texture and authenticity to your story.