Suzy Henderson

Moricambe bay in Silloth, Cumbria, is part of the Solway estuary, the section of sea between Cumbria and Scotland. RAF Silloth, bustling during WW2 and now desolate, was home to many airmen of different nationalities, including Canadian, New Zealand and Czech. Initially they flew Lockheed Hudson's, notoriously difficult to fly. Many crashed into the bay here and perished and are buried locally at the cemetery in Causewayhead. Their graves are well tended and every Armistice day, locals lay poppy wreaths on each one. Their graves are overshadowed by the remaining old aircraft hangars, huge metal structures; a permanent reminder of the area's aviation history. The picture above is the midsection of a Hudson, clearly visible at low tide.

Just finished 'Dambusters' by Robert Radcliffe and it's a very interesting read. The detail is fantastic and you can almost hear the merlin engines of the Lancaster bomber and see the one's who didn't make it.  It's an accurate portrayal of events, crafted by Radcliffe who is an excellent storyteller. There is a romance but the novel is anything but a romanticised version of World War 2. The camaraderie portrayed is realistic and I can now, more than ever, begin to understand why some of those courageous men felt such a sense of loss after the war. It was an experience they would never feel again.

I'm currently immersed in World War 2 research -aviation and the RAF. The Battle of Britain is the focus of my work at present and every day I uncover something new and revelatory. I'm sure that many of you saw the drama 'First Light' last year which focussed on this period and featured Geoffrey Wellum, one of the youngest Spitfire pilots to survive the Battle of Britain. I have read interviews that he has given and his attitude and insight to those times is beyond fascinating. I often wonder what it was like living during the war years. Would I have been scared? If I was a man could I have been a pilot? It's terrifying to think of what they went through and what they suffered. Indeed many survivors continued to suffer in the years after the war. To shoot a man down, could I have done that? I suppose it's either you or them. The enemy is a mere target up there and if you don't get them first, they'll get you. However, I read about one German pilot who ...

To blog or not to blog -now that is the question! It's serious business is it not? Ordinary people do it, mums do it as well as writers etc. Apparently (according to my Writing magazine) if you wish to up your writing profile, you need a blog. So, looking around on the web, many aspiring writers blog and showcase their work for all to see. Published authors on the other hand do not -at least not that I can find. They blog about other things -where they write; what they write; how the day is going etc. I guess they don't feel it necessary to share or to showcase their work.  Well, I'm all set for Nanowrimo month in November -write a novel in a month. Rather looking forward to it. I pity the poor souls who may venture to read my efforts however. It never ceases to amaze me -again referring to my copy of Writing Magazine, how many authors generously give advice about writing. Apparently some of them feel that writing cannot be taught -well, what about all of the published aut...

Check this out- Great website where you get to participate in the story direction -write a chapter. Very interesting. http://www.fictionexpress.co.uk/en/home

Well -that's it. My time with The Open University has come to an end. Degree complete -results due early August (waiting nervously, biting nails, chewing wood -you know how it is) Thinking about progressing onto the Masters in Creative Writing but not until next year. For now, it's time to write. I'm surprised by my sense of loss actually - just proves how addictive the Open University is. All the things I've been putting off for the past 4 years now seem so insignificant and unappealing.