Suzanne Strong's Blog, page 6
December 2, 2021
Where the Sun Rises for free for two days…
For a limited time I am giving away my book. From Dec 4-Dec 5 my book will be available for free on amazon. Feel free to write a review – if you feel inclined it is always appreciated. 
Have a great day!
Stay well and Go well!
Suzanne
Click on the link above and download it now!
September 9, 2021
Henri Nouwen on writing…writing therapy! :)
Writing Reveals What is Alive in Us
“Writing is a process in which we discover what lives in us. The writing itself reveals to us what is alive in us. The deepest satisfaction of writing is precisely that it opens up new spaces within us of which we were not aware before we started to write. To write is to embark on a journey whose final destination we do not know. Thus, writing requires a real act of trust. We have to say to ourselves: “I do not yet know what I carry in my heart, but I trust that it will emerge as I write.” Writing is like giving away the few loaves and fishes one has, trusting that they will multiply in the giving. Once we dare to “give away” on paper the few thoughts that come to us, we start discovering how much is hidden underneath these thoughts and gradually come in touch with our own riches.”
Text excerpts taken from “You are the Beloved”
by Henri J.M. Nouwen
September 8, 2021
On holidays from work…
Hey guys, I took a week off work this week. It allowed me to breathe. I had been so busy and stressed with work and personal things for probably 18 months. Over the past 16 months my brother was dying and I was working ridiculous hours. There was a lot of family conflict which was quite unfair and my experience with my brother just before he died was not like our usual relationship. It had been tainted by things said from the family. My relationship with my brother was always good until then. It made my grief 150% worse. But I had to choose to remember my whole life of a good relationship with him. I had to choose to forget the last time I saw him which was horrible. I have to forgive and it is not easy. This will take time, God willing. I know my brother loved me but some people are jealous of things like this and have been like this my whole life. So, in this most vulernable time this came out and then I was punished for someone else’s jealousy. Anyway, what I wanted to say is that I drew this drawing yesterday- sitting in the sun and I felt completely free for the first time in 18 months.
To simply be able to do some fun things, and simply enjoy myself is not something I have been able to do. When I had time off I travelled to see my brother, sometimes interstate and sometimes closer, but always it was hard to watch him decline. At times I took him to hospital and always visited him in hospital, but even though I did these things people still complained. So, finally I am breathing. I feel for everyone who is in lockdown, and I just want to say to them, hang in there we will get out again.
Lots of love, Suz
September 2, 2021
A reason why I wrote Where the Sun Rises…
My novel Where the Sun Rises is fictional, but I wrote it to tell the stories of the real women who participated in these battles in Syria. My characters are fictional but their stories reflect real women who I discovered through research. The details of the characters I created however. In my mind and heart the whole way through writing this novel, sometimes with tears, was to tell the stories of these unrecognised women who gave their lives for their families, friends, people and land. Anyway, this is why this quote particularly resonates with me. Have a great day.
August 29, 2021
Latest review…
Eye-opening and eye-watering look into the life of Kurdish Women
Reviewed on Amazon.com.au on 27 August 2021
Once I started reading, I was drawn into the war torn world beyond our satisfied lifestyle. The Kurdish people have nerves and back bones of steel because they face difficulties as a collective group to fight unjust situations and life’s hardships. I couldn’t put this book down. I am seriously waiting for the sequel.
May 24, 2021
May 23, 2021
May 18, 2021
My books for free…
For two more days my two books :
Freedom Writing
and A Creative Collection
are able to be downloaded for free 
Have a lovely day. Suz
March 27, 2021
My recent art…
Hey guys, recently I have been getting back into visual art. I have been taking some art classes and loving exploring the techniques and mediums. I studied art until year 10 at school and had private lessons from an artist I knew. I wanted to be a visual artist growing up but at a certain point I realised I wanted to focus on writing. However, I still love visual art, and I love the way you can create an impression of something or someone, and use colour and lines to recreate the creation. It’s a beautiful process. Anyway, I wanted to share some of my art.
I hope you are all going well, in whatever country you live in, and that things in your country will improve on the Corona front. We are fortunate in Australia – our isolation has helped us, as well as good decisions by governments. But stay well everyone! Lots of love from across the ocean. Suz
