Generating plot ideas

What to do if a cool story detail comes to you before an actual plot

Today I’m answering a reader question from B.L. Jasper:

I’ve got a cool magic system but now I need a plot. Advice on how to generate plot ideas?

I love this question.

Sometimes books come to us plot-first. We envision a hero with a goal and we can see the things standing in their way. Other times, however, we merely stumble upon a kernel of a story. Perha…