Suzanne Strong's Blog, page 8
October 27, 2020
New reviews – Where the Sun Rises…
Heart-wrenching story about a town in the midst of war
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2020
“Where The Sun Rises, by Suzanne Strong, tells the heart-wrenching story of a town ravaged by war. People are dying, buildings are blown up. From one minute to the next, one wonders whether their home or even worse be taken from them. It paints a vivid picture of what living in a town driven by war looks like and how difficult life must be. Karin and Roza, or Kar and Rozi, as they are affectionately called grew up together. Both families now live in the dangerous town of Kobane. As the Daesh (AKA ISIS) advance rapidly towards the city of Kobane and it’s inhabitants, difficult choices have to be made. Should they join the fight? Should they stay and protect what they have left?
Due to circumstances they both experienced, Karin and Roza decide to join the YPG and fight in the battle for their hometown. The YPG is growing in numbers with more women fighting for their town and their freedom and it feels like their duty to join these women. Not only is it their responsibility it is their right. Karin and Roza, as well as some other friends, deal with too much in this journey.
Where The Sun Rises in this reader’s opinion, is a wonderfully told story of life and loss. This book played with my emotions more than once. I am left realizing how strong and brave these women are to fight for what they love and for what they believe in. If you enjoy stories of courage and perseverance, you will like this book.”
Kindle Customer 5.0 out of 5 starsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2020
“Suzanne Strong has written a very powerful book that will tug at your heart. This is a story about the brave women who fought against the Daesh to save their town. An Eye-opener and a tearjerker to the way they sacrificed themselves for their comrades. This is a book that you won’t want to put down until you finish it.”
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 September 2020
“A very powerful story and I read it in one go as I found it difficult to put down. The author brings the characters to life in such a descriptive way that you feel you are there along side them. If you want a true to life book then this is a must and I urge everyone to read it. It was a real eye opener.”
You can buy my book on Book Depository, Barnes and Noble, Booktopia, Angus and Robertson and others. You can also contact me as well.
Have a great day. Kind regards, Suzanne
October 24, 2020
Writing, musings & naming characters…
Hey everyone,
This morning for the first time in a while I decided to write and rewrite some sections of my next novel. I have not had much time with all of my teaching I have been doing. I focused on some images, and memories between characters, as well as creating some nicknames. Nicknames say a lot about a character, as do names.
I had decided to call my main characters brother Tommy, for no real reason, I liked the name. This main character Sarah and her brother Tommy were always described as twins when they were young, always together and they looked alike as well. So, I was looking up the name Tommy for some nicknames and I saw that this name means “Twin” in Aramaic. What?! 
October 19, 2020
October 5, 2020
October 1, 2020
Wordsworth…
Hey everyone,
I love #Wordsworth, this poem expresses the peace of connecting with nature or the creation.
We are meant to be connected to it, we are part of it-snorkelling last week, floating with the fish and turtles, peacefully with the soft cool of the water around me, cradling me, I was part of their world, and they accepted me there.
It was and is truly beautiful! 
September 23, 2020
September 11, 2020
Charles Dickens
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.”
Charles Dickens.
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Hey guys,
I love this quote. I believe to give your life to help others, is the ultimate purpose and no matter what we do in our jobs etc, wherever you find yourself, serving others is so important in this world.
Have a nice weekend. Stay safe.
Kind regards, Suz
September 4, 2020
Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young…”
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
How good is this song? It was written for his children, but I think it is an excellent summary of the kind of life I would and probably most of us would like to live.
August 30, 2020
Personal stories in your novel…
Hey guys,
I just wanted to write about my writing process at the moment. I have reached as I said a deeply personal section of my novel. I am still in two minds as to whether I will include it in the final novel. This morning I was writing about a personal experience of mine in life, and most of this novel is not directly related to my life, though it is to some degree as always.
Where I am right now – there is a dilemma, and I am faced with an experience, I can’t put my full experience in the novel as it is not appropriate and the question is, am I satisfied with that? Or do I keep that narrative as part of another novel or a non fiction work?
Today, I wrote this experience into the novel modified through the eyes of my main character, Sarah Johns. I am satisfied with it at the moment, but I will keep exploring. I could possibly change the ending slightly, if I want to remove this plot, but on the other hand it is also all the way through. I think I am slowly forming a modified version of w hat really happened.
A writer friend of mine said I was very brave to be sharing this deep experience into the world, I hadn’t really thought about it like that. Art should share the deep experiences of the human condition, I believe. Of course some art is also for entertainment, pleasure and enjoyment and I am not against that. In fact I really want to write a humourous novel next.
August 26, 2020
F. Scott Fitzgerald, criticising others…
“Whenever you feel like criticising someone…just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you have had.”
F.Scott fitzgerald
This has always been true, and will always be true.
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