One of the challenges to writing an article about a writer is the foreboding sense that whatever I write about will be subject to intense scrutiny by the writer concerned.  This causes me to take extra care over the words I choose, pay proper attention to the grammatical construct of sentences and to present a clear and concise beginning and end. 

 So, no pressure then!  Actually, I think it’s safe to say that any pressure would be entirely self-inflicted as Jo Verity is, I suspect, not the sort of person to hold me to account for any grammatical misdemeanours.  In truth, I am the humble editor of a local magazine; Jo Verity on the other hand is a prize-winning writer and author of two novels with a third under construction.

 As part of our focus on local people with talent I thought it would be wholesome to devote some time to Jo, whose most recent book ‘Bells’ was publicised with a reading night at Llanishen Dental Surgery.  Not perhaps the most obvious of venues for a book reading, until you come to understand that one of the central characters is a dentist. 

Jo hails from Rhiwbina in Cardiff, although she was born and raised in Newport she arrived in the leafy suburb in 1974, passing through London and Cwmbran along the way.

In her professional life she worked as a graphic designer, so in a sense the creative drive has always been there.  You could probably draw a parallel between the construction of graphic design work and the assembly of the written word into plot and character development.

Yet the ‘happening’ of creative writing was something that could be described as chance, or possibly destiny.  In March 1999 Jo was due to spend a week on holiday with a friend in Budapest, who was, at the last minute unable to travel.  This left her with a spare week in which she devoted her time to getting familiarised with her computer and the marvels of Microsoft Word.  Oh how the hours must have flown by!  However, during this time Jo was also able to construct some short stories.  After a week of this, the bug had well and truly bitten.  She was firmly ‘hooked’.

Jo was instantly awakened to the reality of what she really enjoyed doing and life has not been the same since.  She then took to developing one short story and over a period of 5 months had completed her first literary work.  Despite a lack of agent involvement or any sort of backing Jo presented her work in the Richard & Judy programme alongside 17,000 other applicants.

 It came a real surprise when Jo found out she had been short-listed to the last 15 contestants and though a bout of illness threatened to cause her to cancel her trip to London, she pressed on to appear on the show.  Just as well because she won!  Outright.

 Though the success lead to her story being published in the Independent on Sunday there were no signs of any instant fame or recognition.  However, two weeks later a call from Janet Thomas (editor for Honno Limited) was the key in the door for eventual publication of Jo’s first novel ‘Everything in the garden’.

 So what exactly is this book about?  Perhaps at this stage it’s time to draw on a review by K Sewell - 

 ‘Verity's heroine battles with the normal family issues as sneakily things begin to change and become unmanageable, and eventually down-right sinister, having this reader racing through the pages. This is not a cosy Aga-saga, though undoubtedly women in that post-family stage will thoroughly identify with our heroine. Finish the book and you'll be checking the front door to make sure it's locked.’

 Jo Verity is keen to avoid being labelled in any way, feeling uncomfortable with references to ‘commercial women’s fiction’.  Indeed her second novel sounds far less threatening that the review of the first, perhaps more light-hearted? 

Described as ‘…a witty and touching story of a marriage, full of lively detail and heartfelt observations about the central characters Jack and Fay Waterfield. The Welsh setting plays its part in giving the story warmth and humour, with a modern twist in the relationship turmoil…’

Although Jo says she didn’t set out to write a comedy piece, it is hard to visualize a truly serious novel with reference to Morris-dancing.  But then, that’s one of the issues raised in the book and Jo was quick to point out that aside from looking a bit odd and possibly displaying rather effeminate behaviour, Morris dancers must actually be quite brave.  I reflected on this.  I have come to the conclusion that either Jo is right; they are brave, able to withstand ridicule in town squares from passers-by with looks and sneers, or they are quite simply mad!

To cover an obvious question, I asked whether any of the characters in her stories were based on people she knew.  Herself perhaps?  There is an honest admission that certain characters may share some traits, but Jo has made a conscious effort to avoid retelling life experiences of her own or people close to her.  The challenge is more about creating characters and exploring what they would truly do in given circumstances. 

I have to say this all sounds like jolly hard work to me.  That’s why I’m only the humble editor of this magazine perhaps!  Clearly Jo is having fun with it all and even if the books aren’t selling at the rate of those written by  JK Rowling, my limited male perception tells me the joy is in the crafting of the book.

Still, I’m sure the book sales would be nice so why not take a wander onto Amazon sometime?

 DK