jutfrank
I read different books at the same time, and when a see an interesting word or the one I have not used previously, I usually write it down. Words create associations in my mind, even pictures and scenes. I saw the word "placid" in a book, and my mind associated it with the word "lake", and then I saw a man emerging from the woods and looking at the placid lake under the bright sunshine.
As for writing a novel, I have a few in my mind, but my English must be better, as well as quality of my writing, if I ever have a chance to get them publish.