They say travel broadens the mind, and August is traditionally a time when we head off somewhere for a summer break. But as it’s 2020, that might not be happening, or we may be going on a different sort of holiday to the one we’d planned.

We can still journey in our imaginations though, and for writers, travel provides a rich setting for memoir and fiction.

Today’s exercises are centred around this theme.

Exercise 1

A travel bag can be a useful device for writers. It can mark a turning point in the plot –  a suitcase in a room means someone is leaving or arriving.   The bag itself, and its contents, give an indication of character. The items someone chooses to take, and the way they pack or unpack, reveals crucial information to the reader.

Here’s what you do:

Picture a travel bag of some description. It might be a smart suitcase or a battered backpack. The choice is up to you. Google images if it helps.

• Who is packing the bag?
• What items do they pack?
• Do they place the items carefully, or shove stuff in?
• Do they take their time or pack in a hurry?
• What emotions do they feel as they pack? Are they excited, sad, reluctant, apprehensive?
• Where are they going?

Think about these questions then write for 10-30 minutes continuously. You might be surprised where the exercise takes you!

Exercise 2

• You have arrived at your destination, but the bag you are reunited with is not yours.
• What’s in the bag?
• What happens next?

We did these exercises in the final virtual session of the Maggie’s Nottingham Creative Writing Group before taking a break till the Autumn.

If you’ve had a go at this task or any of the other exercises in this blog I’d love to hear how you got on! Let me know in the comments below.