Hidden Treasures

by Marie Savage from the September 5, 2010 issue

Tagline: Lauren and Jason had a lot in common--including a mutual attraction to antiques and to each other

Photo by Joeflintham (cc)

In a Nutshell: Lauren is an interior designer and her aunt owns an antique shop, so she's always on the lookout for antiques. At an estate sale, she's attracted to the man running it. When he delivers the desk she buys from him, they make a date.

Observations: I haven't seen a story that revolves around a loved one's advice or saying in a while. In this case, it's Lauren's aunt who is always telling her, "You never know when you're going to find a treasure."

Often, the saying has to do with finding love, like "Love can be right around the corner," and the heroine bumps into a guy while rounding the corner at the grocery store.

Other times, like in this story, the saying, at first glance, doesn't seem to have anything to do with romance, but when you put in context, you see that it can. When we first hear the saying, "You never know when you'll find a treasure," we assume Aunt Susan was talking about antiques and garage sales. Later, after Lauren has met Jason, you realize that this man could be a treasure.

I like this kind of twist in a story, and it provides a nice way to bring the tale full circle. Using sayings, especially when imparted by loved ones, is a nice jumping off point for stories, if you're ever looking for ideas.