Virginia Betts is a tutor, writer poet and actor from Suffolk. An eternal optimist and mid-life-creative advocate, she’d like to point out that it’s never too late to live the dream. And with this month’s blog, some ink to inspire and ignite your creative fire.
I can hardly believe it, but the decorations are up; the food is ordered; the cards are written; the gifts are wrapped. Life does appear to move faster as you grow older – the reason is that you have proportionately lived a greater percentage of it, so time seems to fly. This year has been so busy – I only had time to holiday in November, in a city I know well – Amsterdam. But never fear – my summer holiday is booked.
In 2024 I had two books published: That Little Voice, (poetry), and Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, my debut novel about four punk friends spanning four decades. It’s a nostalgic tragi-comedy about friendship, music, love and addiction. It’s currently on Amazon and at Dial Lane Books where I launch on 20th December.
Cover art by Cody Sexton
Click HERE to find my books online.
Other things I have been up to: plays, author talk at the WI, poetry performances and working at a prison! The year ends with the book launch and 2025 begins with a talk to the U3A. So, 2025 will be as busy as this one with at least two more books out. I hope that this inspires you that you can do anything – pick up your pen, your paintbrush – whatever – give it a go!
This month’s Mini-interview is with author, Ray Hopkinson who has written children’s book, Puddle Creatures, and Parallax 9/11, about his experience as a lawyer crossing paths with a 9/11 bomber.
Ray Hopkinson:
I started writing Puddle Creatures 25 years ago. It went on a backburner due to my legal career. After I retired, I decided to update it; got it illustrated, then published it.
Parallax 9/11 came about when I was doing publicity for Puddle Creatures, and I was asked to talk about my legal career. I recalled my most notorious case - over 23 years ago - involving a claim for fatal injuries to a young man, whose son I'm still in contact with. He agreed that I could tell his story, then he was happy for me to make it into a book. This is part one; part 2 will bring the boy's life up-to-date, with a few interesting twists.
Parallax 9/11 was a tribute to my deceased client and his family and friends. I felt that there was more to say about "9/11" than the obvious things which have been said previously about the horror of the incident, plus, in my research, I uncovered amazing facts about the ringleader – Mohammed Atta, the silent assassin – which I felt the world should be aware of. I wanted to make a point that the world still exists on the edge of terrorist events, and I felt that, as we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we should remain vigilant.
My advice to would be authors? Don't be shy of "putting it out there!" I can't wait to get on with sequels for both of my books, which I hope to publish in 2025.
Virginia has written numerous articles and fiction, written for stage and radio, and published three books, The Camera Obscure, Tourist to the Sun and That Little Voice. Her fourth books is a Punk Novel, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, launching on December 20th at Dial Lane Books in Ipswich and published by Local Publisher, Urban Pigs Press. It is sponsored by local businesses, Orwell Lady, Colourplan Ipswich, Geek Retreat and Two Sister Arts Centre.
Feature photo: Full Cast from Black and White Productions’ Christmas Ghosts show December 2024.