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.
You may recall I have visited HMP, Warren Hill twice to present Poetry with The Suffolk Poetry Society, and to join the book Group to talk about my book. This April, I worked with a different set of people at HMP Hollesley Bay who have read my novel, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, I received a very favourable review alongside an interview in Warren Hill’s magazine, and I was struck by the talent and positivity from all concerned. The inmates of Hollesley Bay also loved the book and had lots to say about the characters, also talking about their own works in progress. I believe that creativity – be it painting, drawing, writing or any art, makes such a difference to everyone’s well-being in all walks of life. I’ll be visiting Warren Hill as a member of the panel on their Neurodiversity conference in early June and delivering a publishing workshop with Urban Pigs Press founders, James Jenkins and Bam Barrow in Mid-June. I also hope to be talking to schools and other groups soon, so do message me if you would like to bring the art of the written and spoken word into your community or institution to inspire and engage. My message this month is to be inspired but also think about the ways you inspire others. Even the small things are more important than you think.
April Mini-Interview: LEON HELLBOYS, AKA ‘LEON THE POET.’ @leon_thepoet
Have you always been a writer/poet?
"I feel like a combination of factors came together to create ‘Leon the Poet’. I have always had a very vivid imagination but I was shy around people, developing an early habit of keen observation and attention to detail. I had zero confidence as a child and grew up in a doomsday group: everyone was on the lifeboat waiting for the end of the world, and the arts were seen as superfluous to requirement. It took a long time to ‘resurrect’ my creativity and believe in it. Now I am free of the cult, words come tumbling out! I started songwriting and then stumbled into poetry 8 years ago. For me it is the perfect art form as it suits my highly visual brain."
Tell us about your work and what inspires you
"I write about anything and everything; my poems are personal, fictional, political or silly. I find myself returning to themes of family, fatherhood, metal health, the absurdity of modern life and the idea of God that I was presented with. Everything I see is a prompt – a window into another world. I get inspired by tiny snippets of conversation, or when on a dog walk!"
What do you like to read?
"Darby Hudson; I enjoyed Bob Mortimer’s biography; I am currently reading Norman Macdonald’s semi-fictional memoir."
You in three words?
"Dreamer; Silly; Poet."
Leon’s book, Sometimes I’m the bull, Sometimes the China Shop is published by Earth Island Books.
Events coming up:
MAY 10th FELIXSTOWE: VE DAY CELEBRATIONS information HERE
MAY 23rd 2025 TWO SISTER ARTS CENTRE: James Domestic and Virginia Betts are putting on a spectacular Poetry show which promises to be comic, serious, musical and visually stunning. We’re supported by Pushcart Prize nominated Sci-fi and Fantasy poet, AJ Deane, and ‘Neuroshiny’ author and poet, Dawn Vincent. Tickets HERE.
JUNE 14th 10-4, FRAMLINGHAM, Castle Community Rooms, Church Street, IP13 9BQ A Showcase of Suffolk Authors Book Fair spectacular! (FREE)
FELIXTOWE BOOK FESTIVAL 25th – 29th June : Lots of brilliant authors and events! I’m appearing twice – as book of the week on 26th June and as a poet with musician, Paul Armfield on June 27th. Tickets and Info HERE
I hope you have a wonderful month!
Love, Virginia x
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, published by Urban Pigs Press.
Find Virginia at virginiabetts.com
