I attended the fabulous launch party of Winning Words website, the brainchild of Big Leaper Michelle Teasdale on Thursday at the scarily funky Miss Q’s in Earl’s Court.

The Winning Words website is a directory of magazine deadlines and creative writing prizes, and a forum where members can get feedback on their work before submitting. Brilliant idea!

It was an intimate do and we got up close and personal with writer Vanessa Gebbie, who gave a supremely inspirational talk on the craft of good writing. She knows what she’s talking about – Vanessa’s work has won over 40 awards, including prizes at Bridport, and Fish (twice.)

A talented writer – Maggie Gee says ‘Vanessa is a prodigiously talented writer -  Vanessa’s also an intuitive teacher. She gave me a nugget of advice on a writing block that resonated so deeply I haven’t been able to stop writing since. I bought her book Short Circuit: A Guide to the Art of the Short Story - and again, have been suitably inspired and in the last 24 hours have penned my first ever short story (since childhood).

I also completely embarassed myself by proposing marriage to Robert Shearman. An internationally renowned playwright, he might be, but when I found out he wrote my favourite episode from Dr Who? That was it, I declared un-dying love. Apologies to Robert! And if I can get over my mortification, I will interview him for the blog.