A large mass of red, yellow and black, mixed with white sparks fired up into the sky, on a hill in the distance. Karin stopped, her limbs frozen, she glanced over at her brother, Mani. Another explosion slammed the earth right next to it. Tanks small but perceptible could be seen moving around like strange beetles on the hillside. Tiny figures were moving, and running here and there. Buildings were being blown up, apartment blocks were slammed with mortar fire. People could be seen fleeing from the chaos. Karin saw armed men chasing them. The black flag of Daesh could be seen flapping on the flag pole of one of the tanks. A little further off more massive explosions of white soil and concrete formed clouds on the horizon, flying high into the sky. Karin felt physically sick with a burning rage, that Daesh would come and seek to conquer them, as so many other peoples had done before.
Sarah Johns – character for new novel…
“Sarah Johns walked into the room with a cameraman shouldering his equipment. Karin noticed how Sarah stood with her shoulders back, walking with a casual, confident stride, her legs long and slim, seeming to lead the way for her upper body. Her presence in the room, strangely, was both unassuming and commanding at the same time. Her frame did, however, slump forward somewhat in a posture of weariness.
Her hair was short and dark like a raven’s; her eyes were a green Karin had rarely seen, deep in color, with light inflections towards the pupil and framed by long, black eyelashes. She was not wearing makeup and wore khaki pants and a black t-shirt that hung over her pants.”
Where the Sun Rises, Suzanne Strong, 2019
Hey guys, this is the character for my new novel that I am writing. The novel follows Sarah’s story, from her point of view and is set in Australia and Syria. 🙂 I am enjoying exploring her story. I will post more about this new novel as I go. It has been a very different process to my first book which was heavily based on research, this book is much closer to my own life, though it is not my life.
Thanks for reading, guys. Let me know if you are interested in my next book. Have a lovely day. 🙂 Suz
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?! 🙂
This has happened to me before with a character out of my first novel that her name meant “burning and fiery explosion” and this character is blown up. I had not looked up the meaning of her name before I named her.
Amazing. I am struggling at the moment with how much of my real brother and my story I should put in this novel. I am tossing backward and forward in the strong wave undercurrent of whether to present it as it happened, my life with him, or a modified version as there is not much space in this current book. Then again maybe there is. Or do I keep our story for another book? This is what I am wondering at the moment. Maybe I modify for this book, then write in more detail my own experience with him.
I am reading Trent Dalton’s book, Boy Swallows Universe, and I know he wrote about his life in this book. It is inspiring me to brave and simply write what I need to. I am conscious of the significance of writing about my life, with how it could effect people but Trent Dalton said, “don’t worry about that, just write it.” That was my plan originally but I didn’t think I would become paralysed by how much to include and what details and how much do I put in of the hospital visits and struggles etc…It is all very interesting. I am really seeking guidance from within about it. I know where it ends, but how much of my own life will I include? This is the unknown at the moment.
Today, I am pondering on this, and meeting up with some writing friends so it should be good. Thanks guys for reading, feel free to comment if you like down the bottom. Have a lovely day! Stay well. 🙂 Suz
New edition of my novel…
Hey guys,
I was excited yesterday to receive my new edition of my novel, Where the Sun Rises, which includes a map I used to put certain points of the plot. I have also included a small glossary of terms, it is not exhaustive but I thought I should include some Kurdish language in there.
Anyway, I am excited by the results. Thanks for reading and I hope you and your family are safe! Take care, love Suz
Creative Process…
‘Budding Nadine Gordimer…’
A very kind review on Amazon.com for Where the Sun Rises. 🙂
Reviewed Amazon in the United States on December 17, 2019
“”Where The Sun Rises” by Suzanne Strong confronts the soul in ways reminiscent of Nadine Gordimer’s writing. The author’s ardent prose follows an earthy drumbeat that resonates in the manner of Hemingway’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls” yet it is made all the more poignant by Strong’s empathetic touch.
The story unwinds the most recent tragedy for the Kurdish people in Syria seen through the eyes of two women friends. Daesh beheadings and atrocities perpetrated against their family members, friends and neighbors enrage Karin and Roza and provoke them to enlist in the Kurdish Women’s Brigade where they make war employing guts and daring.
Experience the ISIS siege of Kobane on the ground and feel the way a woman brings the tragedy of the war in Syria and the ongoing struggle of the Kurdish people to life.”
Suzanne Strong 