PENspiration! Spooktacular October is a Fest of Fun!



Virginia Betts is a tutor, writer poet and actor from Suffolk. An eternal optimist and mid-life-creative advocate, she believes 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.



Full cast and musicians of Writing Crime in Akenfield, by Suzanne Hawkes, at Harvest House in Felixstowe.

 

It’s been an incredibly busy October for all creatives as we come to the close of the month. I have been working on tour with the above play, visiting places I had never been to in Suffolk – the lovely Charesfield and Earl Soham Village halls, and also Waldringfield, Two Sisters Arts Centre, Harvest House at Felixstowe, Wormingford, and Aldeburgh – all places mentioned and relevant to the lives of writers Patricia Highsmith (played by me) and Ronald Blythe (Dennis Bowron). Suzanne’s talent and work ethic are phenomenal and as someone who has worked with several companies over the years, I have to say I am very happy in the inclusive and professional team, Black and White Productions. The plays sell-out to appreciative audiences. Suzanne definitely writes for the people but manages to produce intelligent and thoughtful drama too with all the ingredients of humour, serious drama, thorough research, and original music. I find it especially inclusive as a neurodivergent person, and there are no theatrical ‘Prima donnas’ – we all get on, work hard and have each other’s backs. The only drama happens on stage! If you haven’t caught one of her plays yet, I recommend them. (Link to review of the April Run HERE.)

In other news, my poetry book, That Little Voice came out, which you can find in Dial Lane and online. Click HERE to the link for you if you are interested in my writing. I’ll be back to perform at Poetry in Aldeburgh on 8th November, a prison visit (fancying myself as Johnny Cash!), and already planning ahead with a show next May, to headline with James Dom Estic (Punk Poet), supported by A J Deane, (sci-fi and fantasy poet) and Dawn Vincent (neurodivergent writer). There will be Christmas Ghosts at Two Sister Arts Centre, and please SAVE THE DATE for the evening of December 20th because my novel, a punk tragi-comedy launches at Dial Lane Books with a bit of a  Christmas ‘do.’ More to come on that soon.



 

My mini-interview this month is with the prize-winning Jan Moran-Neil, poet, writer, actor and founder of Creative Ink, where she teaches creative workshops and offers a range of services, including editing. (Link to her books HERE), a writer and tutor of writing whom I first met when I participated in her lockdown charity poetry anthology, When This Is All Over. 

Have you always written?

Yes, but I took it more seriously when my daughter was a year old. I also work in theatre, and of course, creativity, as you know, overlaps. I sometimes get ‘inspired’ and a poem flows into my head, but in general, it is something I work hard at. I always have something on the go.


Tell us a bit about your work and writing.

I’ve written several plays, (see HERE) one example being my novel and play, Blackberry Promises, set in 1956. I suppose nostalgia, and my own experiences in my youth influence my work. My most recent novel, Shakespere’s Clock, centres on three women and memories of their schooldays in the 1960’s; it deals with uncomfortable truths – such as bullying and spite – not a rose-tinted view of teen-hood for girls but realistic. My most recent poetry collection, Red Lipstick and Revelations also has strong female voices and takes you on a bit of a journey – both to a variety of places and emotionally. I have also narrated my own audiobooks.

Describe yourself in one sentence:

Impatient, but every weakness is also a strength because my sense of urgency means I get things done.

What do you like to read?

Everything! But favourites are Ishiguro, Bronte and Kate Atkinson.

Any words of wisdom?

Just Write! It’s never been easier to self-publish. Have realistic expectations – marketing is hard and don’t expect to be a millionaire – but enjoy the ride.

Subscribe to Jan’s blog HERE and visit her website HERE – trust me, her work is really fascinating and not to be missed. 




I’ll be back in November to tell you all about my Prison poetry and the PINA Festival, and leave you with a couple of recommended reads:

Sue Wallace-Shaddad has a new poetry pamphlet featuring poems about her family fleeing from crisis in the Sudan. Really well-crafted – do take a look at her website!​



L M West re-imagines The Red Barn murders in The Red Barn. It’s totally ‘unputdownable’ and probably her best book yet (and I love the others!)



Have a great time in the spooky season and I will be back in November! 

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.