An Interview With Bethany

This interview was conducted with Bethany, a Marginal Leadership Programme participant, at the beginning of 2020. At the time, Bethany was coming into Comics Youth HQ on an almost daily basis to work on her comic book and to soak up the inspiring, relaxed, and social atmosphere of the space as she did so. Bethany is continuing to develop her book in remarkable ways via our digital platform during lockdown and we look forward to proudly publishing her work once it’s finished. 

This is her story about becoming an important part of Marginal. 

Bethany, age 25.

A: What was it about Marginal and Comics Youth that made you want to get involved?

B: I was told about the Marginal programme and was just like, “Ooh, that sounds really interesting!” and now I’ve been here in the Comics Youth HQ just working on my comic most days! When I first came here, I just thought it was quite a cool little environment! Cos, like, most of these types of projects focus primarily on young children and don’t really stretch to older teenagers and young adults. 

And so I’d never really heard that youth services could be like this and I’d been using youth services since I was about 19. And yeah, I mean I also just really like comics and everyone is really nice, so I’ve been just basically coming here and pestering everyone most days (laughs). 

A: So is the Marginal Programme and Comics Youth something that you maybe would have wanted when you were younger but couldn’t find?

B: Yeah, things like this just didn’t exist when I was younger! And if it did then it wasn’t something that was in Liverpool or that I’d ever heard of. Because I was obsessed with manga when I was younger so I would have been one of those annoying eleven-year olds running around and screaming about manga…

A: I think I’m still one of those annoying eleven year olds…

B: Oh, I am as well but the thing is, I’m a very polished version of it. I now know how to be presentable and like, (puts on posh voice) Oh, why hello, yes this is a truly fascinating story and I just love what you’ve done with the art (laughs). 

A: Overall, how do you think you’ve benefitted from the Marginal Programme and Comics Youth?

B: Well, the last time I was this motivated about art was when I was about 13 or 14, as silly as that sounds. Like, I was occasionally drawing every now and then, but I’ve been able to suddenly develop the motivation to do things and have a solid goal to work towards because I really want to get my book finished for Marginal - even though it’s only a novella in book terms. 

That’s been a real benefit – just being in an environment where people enjoy doing things. It’s very motivational to be around such positivity. Especially compared to online where you’re often running into people who just enjoy being negative and at Comics Youth it’s just the opposite – you get to enjoy positivity instead. 

A: So would you say that you feel differently since joining the Marginal Programme?

B: Yeah, like it’s one of those things where I think before I got involved, I drew maybe two or three times a month whereas now I’m doing it most days. It’s like I’ve remembered that this is an actual passion of mine. And that’s just been a huge improvement and beneficial for me. Especially while I’ve been having difficulty finding work – I still have loads of other stuff going on. I might have one major issue but there’s still all this other stuff going on. So it’s nice to pull back and just be like, Yeah, there’s still so much more to life. 

A: Do you feel like being part of Comics Youth is helping you to figure out plans or for a career?

B: I think I’ve actually become much less fussed about a career – which is probably not the best thing to say! (laughs) I’ve just never wanted to be in a position where making money is my hobby. For some people, they genuinely enjoy that and they’ll splurge it on things but that’s never been me. 

But it’s one of those things where it’s like, Well I guess that’s the next thing I have to do! Whereas now I’m just like actually, if I can just have a job, any job – it doesn’t have to be the most revolutionary thing or change the world -  then I can be in a position where I can then go and do something that I enjoy. And I feel that just takes off so much pressure in so many different ways. Especially for starting a career I care about.

A: So this programme is also helping you to figure out personal goals?

B: Yeah, definitely. I’ve even just been suddenly coming up with ideas which I haven’t done for years and years like, Oh I can do that and I can do this and I can do that! 

A: Is there anything specific you want to be able to do with your artwork?

B: I have very small goals! Like, I’d really like to have a webcomic. I just want to be able to make little stories and finish them. I want to be able to discuss things or like improve or just show an emotion - - as silly as that sounds…

A: …that doesn’t sound silly…

B: Well, I just don’t know how to describe it? 

A: It’s like you just want to connect with people?

B: Yeah! Like the social side of it all. I enjoy reading something and being like, “Oh yeah, I know what that’s like!”. Or it can be something that’s completely unrelated to anything I’ve ever experienced but it still makes me feel like, Yeah, I get that. I’d like to be able to do that sort of thing or to show it to people and have them be like, “yeah, that’s really cool.” And if no-one goes “Yeah, it’s really cool” then at least I can be like, “Yeah, it’s really cool! I think it’s cool! And I did it!”.

A: That’s where all the power is!
B: Yeah! So long as I’m happy, that’s all that matters. 

A: Would you say you’ve developed any new skills during your time on the Marginal programme?

B: I’ve got a better understanding of structuring and creating comics, otherwise I’m not certain really. Only because I’m on the older side of things here. So I’ve done a lot of research about things for the background myself or I’ve come across it before or had people go like, “Oh yeah, these things all connect together” and it’s like “Oh, these do all connect together!”. Otherwise I’m not certain really. 

A: What would you say annoys you on an everyday basis? Is there anything in this big ol’world that you especially struggle with or dislike?

B: (takes a big breath) Hmm, I don’t know. How difficult it is to get meals with rice in them? (laughs). Obviously, there are more pressing issues! But it’s one of the petty things that just gets to me. Like if you go to a restaurant there’s not generally anything that has rice or if it does you get a sad little thimble of it. So, it’s just a very personal complaint that I have. 

A: And also, these places charge so much for rice and it’s just a grain…

B: (laughs) I’m sorry, it’s not just a grain! It is a staple worldwide for a reason! It’s just that it’s so rarely done well. But obviously there loads of things that I could complain about like racism, homophobia, all-of-this, all-of-that…but I can generally find a way to navigate around those sorts of things or recognise when issues are going to come up or find support systems for it in the UK. But the rice! The rice…(laughs). 

A: There’s no support system for the rice issue!

B: Yeah, I’ve gotta go buy a 10kg bag myself! And that’s the only way I can address that issue!

A: Well, when you say that you have things in place to deal with those other non-rice issues, what are they? How do you deal with racism or homophobia?

B: I dunno? I think it’s just having experienced a lot of it in the past and – as I’ve discovered lately – a lot more than most people! 

A: Oh really? I’m sorry…

B: Oh no, it’s fine! I have a terrible sense of humour about these things. It’s one of those – I guess people say you either laugh or you cry, and I just find it hysterical at this point. It’s like, there are things I go to like Rainbow Noir in Manchester and I absolutely love them. It’s just like a chill person of colour LGBTQIA … BAMETQIAPOC (laughs) - it’s one of those where it gets longer and longer! It’s like yes, YES – give us all the letters! (laughs) - Yeah, it’s one of those types of groups which is just really chill and it’s nice to be in an environment where you feel normal and you can talk to people about things. 

But for other stuff, like, I’m generally not afraid to speak up. Like, if there are issues at work to speak to superiors about people or when I was in university and had issues and I could speak to the staff there who would deal with wellbeing or the other side of things. In having had those issues in the past I’ve then learnt – almost like a fast-track – who to go to. Like, “I need to go to this person in this department” and it’s one of those things where I will just speak to people and they’ll be like, “Ah, I’m having this issue!” and I can be like “Okay, here is the paper you need to get and these are the people you need to speak to.” 

The UK is a fairly safe country for that type of thing whereas I’ve been in other places where it’s been like, Ooh, if something goes wrong here there’s no-one around to help. But it’s also like self-reflection as well.

This interview has been edited for clarity.