for me, it depends on what type of story im writing, but listing possible outcomes for your book, then working backwards saying what problems you want the characters to have/over come, and how you would overcome these things helps a lot( i like it when a writer puts their own personality into the story) and if you try to list a bunch of ideas, it helps. whenever you happen to get an idea, write it down and compare it to the others. try to figure out where you want your book to be headed, then comes how you should get it there.
hope this helps:) be a dreamer and follow your dreams
