Suzanne Strong's Blog, page 11
May 7, 2020
Manhattan Book Review
Where the Sun Rises
By Suzanne Strong
Green Acre Publishing, $13.95, 271 pages, Format: eBook
Where the Sun Rises is a novel told from alternating viewpoints of two childhood friends: Karin and Roza. The story begins in 2014 when the Islamic State, ISIS, or Daesh, as some choose to call them in protest, begin to invade the city of Kobane, in the Kurdish region of Syria. It’s a heartwrenching story of two women who give up everything to protect their families and the land that they love. Both Karin and Roza individually join the YPJ (Women’s Protection Unit) of the YPG, the Kurdish people’s militia to fight against ISIS. They reunite at a training camp for the YPJ.
Both women face heartbreaking losses and choose to fight for the YPJ out of fierce love for their families and the place they call home. Karin is studying to be a doctor, and Roza is a former English teacher and mother to a six-year-old. This novel traces the journey two highly educated young women take to become tough, skillful militia fighters. It also provides insight into how the women fighters are trained and how they are as fierce fighters as the men.
The civil war in Syria has many facets, and Where the Sun Rises opens a door to the perspective of the Kurdish people living in Syria. Reading it helped me realize how little I know about Kurdistan, Syria, and the geopolitics of the region. Although Karin and Roza’s story is fictional, I can easily imagine how many real-life women have similar stories. Karin and Roza’s courage will catch you and make you wonder at their ability to persevere. They are ordinary women who respond to extraordinary circumstances.
I cried throughout this story, and what I took from the ending was that we all have the ability to fight for what we love when the situation demands it, though the cost we pay is very high.”
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May 4, 2020
Free download of Short Stories!
Hey guys,
If you are interested, below is a link to three of my short stories available for free! One is a funny dancing class story, I would love to hear what you think. 
First and third person
Hey everyone,
After starting my next novel in third person, I decided to rewrite it in first person. I feel that it is flowing better, and the character and other characters are divulging themselves in an easier and more natural way.
When I was in my 20s I wrote most if not all of my creative work in first person. I enjoyed it. Then a number of years ago I moved away from it. (I did write a story in second person once as well). After writing in third person for many years now, I feel like writing in first person is exciting, it has limitations but also, allows you as the writer to give a voice to this character. I am really enjoying it. I think each novel requires a different approach.
Where the Sun Rises is written in third person, from the point of view of Karin and Roza. I switch between their points of view each chapter. This was completely necessary for this novel as I wanted to have a larger point of view, a big canvas, a large view, and also I was writing from the Kurdish’s women’s point of view. I just felt it was more suitable. Now though, this next book about the character Sarah Johns from my first book is suited to first person. It is flowing and I feel her voice easier. She is an Australian journalist who reports on the war in Syria, meets and gets to know Karin and Roza, but has her own issues at home.
Anyway, feel free to comment if you prefer to use one or the other or if you have switched between the two.
May 2, 2020
May 1, 2020
Van Gogh drawing… :)
Hey guys,
Rifling through my things when moving house, sorting things out and I found this drawing I did when I was 21. My all time favourite artist. Van Gogh. I found a book back then with all of his letters to his brother, Theo and loved it. Then I visited Auvers Sur Oise in France where he died. I love Van Gogh. I wrote a short story about him called “Yellow.” #vangogh
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April 29, 2020
Two chapters of Where the Sun Rises free…
Hey guys, I am giving away a couple of chapters of my new book Where the Sun Rises. Click on the below link and then let me know what you think. 
9 Things to do, to get through…
Nine things we can do to get through this:
1. Focus on your spiritual life and practice. I meditate every morning – and pray. Whatever your spirituality is focus on this when you wake up. Take some quiet time.
2. Take your vitamins and try not to overeat – it’s hard, but only treat yourself every now and then during the day. Drink lots of fluid. These are things I’m struggling with haha, this is why I am saying this. None of us is perfect! So if you are overeating, don’t beat yourself up about it! Life will be more normal at some point in the future, so don’t worry too much.
3. Create something, draw, write a poem, or garden, do a project around the house. I have been drawing and I plan to write some poetry as well. Get creative in whatever way you like to, whether it is art, knitting, gardening, craft, or building furniture whatever your thing is. Be creative it really takes us out of ourselves and our current situation.
4. Write down your emotions in a book be completely honest, write your deep emotions and what is happening and you will feel a release of these emotions. It has been proven by psychology and also I have seen it work, in my book Freedom Writing I give people some tips on how writing therapy can help you release negative emotions. (Freedom Writing available on amazon and many other outlets.)
5. Rest. Try to get rest. I’m finding I’m more tired now. Get some exercise and rest. Be active, go for a walk if it is allowed. Dance around your house if you have room, listen to music you love. Keep yourself uplifted by moving and enjoying the art you love.
6. Make sure you check in and communicate with your family and friends, don’t be completely isolated. We all need human contact so don’t isolate yourself too much.
7. Be kind to yourself. Make sure you are safe and looking after yourself. Read your favourite book, watch your favourite TV show or movie. Allow yourself to have fun and laugh.
8. Turn off the news – I only watch it twice a day now.
9. Watch cute animal videos or comedy, or nature documentaries these all are very relaxing and soothing. Documentaries have been soothing for me in this time. Also write a list of the things you have to do and then tick it off as you get things done. Be specific as well, as this will make you feel good and you can see yourself achieving these small things. You know you have had a good day.
April 19, 2020
Beach sketch…mucking around…
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April 16, 2020
Character drawing…:)
Hey guys,
I hope you are going okay in isolation at the moment with your family or a friend around. Today, after doing some of my work at home I got to do some drawing, this is one of the characters from my book, Sozan, she is based loosely on a real person but then I created her backstory and personality.
I think she is one of my favourite characters, but I love them all haha.
I hope this conveys something of her character, she is spirited, bold and fearless. She loves her friends above everything.
April 15, 2020
Short stories & Poetry…
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Hey guys, for anyone who likes short stories of real life, with people from different backgrounds, geographies and situations, this collection would be a great distraction. It has some poetry at the end as well.
