Gardening gloves, secateurs and some very dodgy nightwear...

By Ann Woodhouse - 04/01/2008

Any budding writers out there? Suffering from pitiful plots, dreary dialogue or just plain old writers' block?  Let me share an uplifting tale.
 
Writing has been my first interest, with some mild success. A couple of articles and a short story in women's magazines had me reeling for a while. Then, last summer, I ran out of steam. Visiting several workshops around the country in the last few years, I had enjoyed first-class tuition, good company and  delicious food. Needing treatment for my block, I packed my notebook and quill for a reviving session. Despite loads of support during my stay, I left for the coach journey home with a suitcase full of uninspiring notes.
 
The end of my trip and I snatched the black wheelie case from the pile for the last leg home. Slumped on my sofa, I unzipped the case... and panicked. I was staring down at a pair of gardening gloves, secateurs and some very dodgy nightwear wrapped round an empty vodka bottle. A frantic call reassured me that my notes, favourite T-shirts and secret beauty creams were all safe at the coach station.
 
But who was the spirit-swigging gardener? Would they be angry, suspicious, as we swapped bags like spies?  How strange then, that there was no one there, on my return, to welcome their possessions. Sliding the foreign baggage further into the lost property office, I did a runner with my own stash. Back home, my travel-weariness faded. I was inspired by a 'novel' idea.
 
An empty spirit bottle, gardening gloves and lingerie, all languishing with a sharp tool in an abandoned suitcase? This was shaping into an intriguing plotline. The weekend had been worthwhile after all. Back to the blank screen. Start work... don't give up!