Generics

David recently introduced me to the idea that most DMs have a standard sort of adventure that they tend to tie themselves to. A style that they tend to design around. To start with i laughed off the idea in the vain hope that ALL of my adventures are unique and wonderful.
How wrong i was.
After a thoroughly enjoyable testing session of the Eisenstadt mines i thought i'd do my own little one-off adventure. Lo and behold, i instantly cracked into a staple favourite of mine; the retaken building. As an example of this, think a temple/castle/mansion/whatever that once belonged to someone else, that was used for specific purposes (ie kitchens, guard rooms, prayer halls) that have now been converted to different purposes.
The reason i like this format so much is the chance to show what the building once was as well as what it is now, hopefully in a way to be interesting to the players.
But, stepping aside from this, i feel that i'd get a richer campaign and a more rewarding experience as a DM if i decided to go against that initial desire. To bring in new and exciting elements that i'd otherwise not really thought about. As a recent example, one of my campaign arcs is set in a travelling refugee camp and mostly is about the struggle for power therein. Something different, incredibly challenging but ultimately rewarding when it works.

Find your default favourite, by all means work it hard (as you'll undoubtedly be comfortable in running it later) but try to step outside your stereotype now and again, who knows, you might even get a fancy new favourite.