This month I dust off my music collection which inspires my work. By Virginia Betts, Suffolk author, actor, poet and tutor.
I’ve always prided myself on having a vast and eclectic music collection. I have literally hundreds of Vinyl LPs, 45s, cassettes, CDs and digital music, with over 45 playlists. My music includes Beatles originals, Johnny Cash, Punk, a ton of Britpop, Elton, 80’s classics, Bowie, and many bands people haven’t heard of. The Cardiacs is my all-time fave. So…Gin-is-so-cool, like.
But wait! My dear husband was uploading all our CDs onto my PC with its supersized hardrive (ooh, a song title?), so I left the task in his capable hands and long attention span whilst I popped out to pick up M and Ms and a bottle of wine. I kid you not, readers: when I got back the little backstabber was in bits, killing himself with laughter over a couple of gems he’d discovered. My name is Virginia, and I own a copy of Black Lace’s Agadoo – and some other desperately uncool bits of fluff that I have no recollection of purchasing. I mean, I can live with Bewitched, a bit of Take That, and maybe even the Okey Cokey. But Push pineapple, grind coffee? My reputation in tatters with possessing such literary gold, my explanation is that I downloaded it when my son was little following a holiday where the mini-disco played it on repeat. But then we found S-Club 7…
Whatever! (see what I did there?) I find music inspires my writing, and that a soundtrack often plays in my head alongside stories and poems. After that Punk novel, I’m now working on one with a 90s playlist to match. Recently I put some of my poems to music in the show at the 2 Sisters Arts Centre, even donning gold wings. James Domestic, AJ Deane and Dawn Vincent joined me.
This month’s mini-interview is with Dawn Vincent.
Dawn Vincent describes herself as a colourful dresser with a dog. She’s the author of a poetry collection one novel and two memoir/poetry combos about bullying and ADHD. She’s often known as the Neuroshiny poet, the title of one of her books.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by mental health, neurodivergence, and the silliness of life’s awkward moments; love, animals and food! I want to make people laugh, cry and think.
What do you like to read?
Everything in terms of poetry – I trawl charity shops for a variety of gems. Fiction-wise, I’m loving re-told Greek myths at the moment and have just finished Circe by Madeline Miller.
What would you say to your younger self?
I’d say, keep writing! Community awaits, and you will earn to be your biggest cheerleader breaking free of the stuff you’re going through right now. I am proud of ya!
What’s coming next?
I’m working on a new collection, and I’ve got some gigs coming up, including supporting Andy Riley at Colchester Arts Centre on June 19th and co-hosting Poetry’s a Drag at Colchester’s Dragonfly Lounge ever second Tuesday of the month.
Cool events in June:
Poetry’s a Drag every second Tuesday of the month
Get on your Soapbox Amy Wragg runs regular open ‘Words and Verses’ Mic events in Ipswich and the surrounding area.
Felixstowe Book Festival June 26th – 28th. Tons of ticketed events, including me talking about my punk novel.
As Part of the book festival, I’m supporting musician Paul Armfield on 27th June. Tickets here.
And lots more! Do send me info on your local Suffolk events and I’m always happy to interview fellow creatives.
Have a great May and June!
Love, Virginia.
Virginia has written numerous articles and fiction, written for stage and radio, and published four books, The Camera Obscure, Tourist to the Sun and That Little Voice and a Punk Novel, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, published by Urban Pigs Press. Find Virginia at virginiabetts.com