An afternoon with Beccalicious in #dAmnLit

Yesterday #dAmnLit had the pleasure of sitting down with BeccaJS to talk about her involvement in the Literature community as well as her as a writer.

StJoan: So we know that you’ve been involved in many projects, the most recent of which is Writers-Workshop , now how did this idea come about?

Beccalicious: Well writers-workshop was an idea of mine that was based around a few modules I had at university where we had a writing task, then a week to write and then come back and workshop the pieces. However it developed more after a discussion with lovetodeviate who recognised the form would work like the guardian poetry workshops- and after that the ideas just bounced off each other and our enthusiasm for it just grew. We spent months planning before it was launched.

S: So which has been your favorite workshop so far?

B: It has to be for me the lipogram workshop by TheHungerArtist. I had a go at this myself too and it was such an interesting challenge and really made you think about every single word you used in a poem.

S: You have a very diverse gallery that seems to be pretty balanced between poetry and prose, but which is your favorite?

B: That depends on where I am and which mood I am in. I mostly read prose, but I do have some lovely poetry anthologies which are great for short journeys or just when you need to feel inspired. I love reading plays too- the director in me likes to read them from a staging point of view. My current read has taken me about a month because things have been so busy, and that’s ‘the Amber Spyglass’ by Philip Pullman.

S: I’ve noticed that you have had an affinity for scripts and screenplays and have been trying to push the more into the spotlight lately, what is it about them that you enjoy so much?

B: Oh its not a lately thing, scriptwriting has been in my heart for years! I grew up involved heavily in theatre, firstly in acting (but then a drama teacher told me I was too fat for an acting career!), and then at college I did a full time performing arts course. We had a module in playwriting and it just really clicked with me. My final year college script was chosen for a county arts festival and it was just such a pleasure seeing people perform it!

S: Okay it’s time for the obligatory ‘who’s your favorite writer on dA?’ question.

B: My fav writer on DA, I keep getting asked this. I have many for different reasons. Amberlouie has a beautiful collection of writing, as does :devbeyrlalexandros:, then in scripts if you haven’t see :devbanarbus: then you’re missing out. I also like lovetodeviate because I feel her style feels very ‘cultured’ if that makes sense. For poetry, I like AbCat, MSJames and SpokenAubade has had a few favourites.

S: Pretty diverse! So what would you say is your favorite piece in your gallery?

B: Mine? Well my favourite is actually a work in progress, The Lemon phantasm. This script started at university and I decided last year to rewrite it because I didn’t like the original ending. Then I just had so many more ideas for it, and I just love visiting it again because there characters are so loveable. It’s one of those pieces I am really enthused about writing.

S: One last one before we open it up to the rest of the room—What, if anything would you say the purpose of literature is for you? Why do you write?
If there was a magic in this world, the it is the magic and power of the imagination. You see it in all art forms, music anything creative and writing for me drives my creative side and imagination. I have always written, I still have some of my pieces from about 9 years old in a box. I enjoy writing too, I do it because of that. I also enjoy others taking pleasure in my writing, I think that is half of the thrill of DA too.

The following paraphrased questions are from a variety of participants and members of #dAmnLit, here after Q & A

Q: What has kept you writing for so long?

A: I had a lecturer at university who really believed in me. He was actually my spoken word lecturer, jerry and he was just so enthusiastic and a great mentor. He wrote on my final coursework that I should aim for publishing, concentrating on fantasy literature, and I think that comment just keeps me going really. It’s good I have kept writing because since uni, the past two years I think my writing has developed so much more.
on deviantart, GeneratingHype has been someone who has kept me determined. We’ve had our clashes, but he has been a great mentor in terms of making me realise you need to sometimes sit back and think about things before leaping into them. I would also say the support from my watchers and those who take the time to give feedback and critique to my writing have also helped in great lengths.

Q: What would you say about Derby University and would you recommend a degree in creative writing?

A: I came to derby university because at the time it was one of three universities that provided a course in creative writing and theatre. The other two were so far up north for me, and then derby has amazing living halls in comparison. The two Es thing is strange to me, because I went to a college where we were told if you don’t get a C at A level or an average of merits in your BTEC you wouldn’t get into university. It was weird meeting people on my course who got through on E’s because of the standard my college had told us. But you know, A levels are tougher than a degree and to be honest as long as you can do the work in front of you then why not get the opportunity? About 10 years ago you wouldn’t get into university in the UK unless you had a rich family or got a grant, now it is open for everyone.
Some people don’t think a degree in creative writing is worth it, but at the end of the day why do a degree in something you don’t have a passion for? I wouldn’t have done my degree just for the sake of going to uni. I went because I wanted my writing to be educated, so i could understand more about different styles and approached to writing. It also teaches you about meeting deadlines, careers beyond writing novels and just how to develop your work- the importance of redrafting and understanding your craft I guess.

Q: How have you handled being recognized and so well known?

A: I wouldn’t really say I was a publicly known person. I’ve had to learn myself that its not about being popular at first. You have to be able to believe in your own work, and trust yourself. Trust those around you, especially those giving you critique and room for improvement. If you don’t believe in yourself, then who is?

Q: You have been known to run many contests. Some have said that the influx of contests has caused the quality of pieces to decline, how do you feel about this and what can be done about it?

A: I think part of the reason I wanted to create Writers-Workshop was to take that whole prize obtaining aspect out of producing quality writing. I mean contests are great fun, and even more so if you win, but then it’s a shame when 50+ people have submitted something that is then ignored. I’d like to see more contests that maybe look at a bigger picture, maybe offering critiques as prizes in literature for one, not necessarily going to the winners, but to people who maybe clearly put effort into their work or could do with a good critique. More contests like the crit contest certainly spout a new life in contest running and I’d like to see more that ask for that quality too.

Q: So how would you encourage people to submit higher quality work without alienating anyone?

A: Thats a tough one, because you’re right, you don’t want to alienate anyone. I think the only thing you can do is encourage people to redraft their work, maybe suggest they seek feedback on improvement and use that feedback before submitting officially.
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I’d like to thank BeccaJS for giving #dAmnLit this opportunity to pick her brain and all of those who came to support her and ask her questions. It was truly enjoyable.