Suzy Henderson

Last night I watched 'WE,' the latest film about Wallis Simpson and her affair with Prince Edward. I expect many of you will know the film I'm talking about. Now whilst I usually focus on writing and book reviews, I couldn't resist giving this a mention. All the tales I've ever read about Wallis Simpson and her affair with Edward have been rather one sided, focusing mainly upon the harm to the British Monarchy and constitution. Even films such as The King's Speech portray the former Monarch in a most negative light, along with Wallis herself. I'll confess now to having marked her out as a femme fatale a long time ago. This film has delved in to the private life of Wallis, offering up a fresh, new perspective of the relationship which rocked a nation and resulted in the abdication of a British King. I enjoyed it and it had me riveted to my seat with thoughts bounding to and fro. Author Anne Sebba has a new book out about the Duchess and has spoken of her l...

It's been a while! This month has literally been a washout to match our Cumbrian weather and next month isn't looking all that fruitful either. So much going on and I can already feel my writing being pushed further away. It's a mental battle trying to maintain balance in work and life but it's one which must be won. The summer it seems has been taken up with the Olympics. Brilliant as they were I must confess that never before have I watched so much sport. Clearly because we are the host country, Olympic mania has evolved and so it was difficult to avoid the Games each time I turned on the television. Equine sports is my thing. I love horses and used to have my own scatty, loving chestnut mare, so it was fantastic to watch our British Equine Olympians having a fruitful time, winning medals. (yes, more than one) And don't forget the diving. I made myself watch those events. I'm not into diving by any means but I wanted to show my support for our Olympic h...

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein My rating: 4 of 5 stars Fabulous read. Set during WW2, the book opens with the main character, the protagonist, code name Verity-an SOE agent, now a prisoner, being interrogated by the Germans. The point of view is first person and the effect is stunning. The reader is catapulted straight into the scene; it's immediate and vivid, almost haunting. She talks about how bargaining to get her clothes back from her captives has cost her 'four sets of wireless code,' to which upon my first reading I immediately thought, 'stupid, reckless, weak.' A very disapproving view. Upon my second reading my view was completely altered. Wein's words touched me. Or really I should say that Verity spoke to me the reader, and her words were heart felt and moving, evoking a response of empathy and sadness. Don't you just love it when you get such a connection from a book? Next we are introduced to her friend, Maddie and we learn of their bac...

It's great when you have several books on the go and a miracle that you never get confused! I've just finished reading 'A Farewell To Arms,' by Ernest Hemingway. It was great. Right now I'm busy exploring a whole array of view points of war experiences, from both World Wars. It's been very interesting absorbing the view point of particular German officers and pilots, but for now we'll stick with Hemingway. World War 1 was meant to be the war to end all wars! Hemingway volunteered to be an ambulance driver and left for the Italian front. He was seriously wounded on July 8th 1918 whilst delivering cigarettes and chocolate to men at the front. Despite his injuries, he managed to carry a wounded Italian soldier back to safety, and would later receive the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery. Ernest would spend the next 6 months at a Red Cross Hospital in Milan. There he met and fell in love with nurse, Agnes von Kurowsky.  Hemingway returned to the States in...

For all the writers out there, across the sea of technology and beyond, why do you write? It's a question we are asked from time to time and it's one I thought of just recently. Some people love to shop for new clothes, some people love to go out for a meal or a drink. Well, I love writing. It's my hobby, it's my job (unpaid at present) and it's an important part of my life. It still feels strange to say that and it's something I never thought I'd do until life events took an unexpected turn and I found myself at home with my children. Talk about a push. Rather than fitting my writing into my life, it's gradually becoming the other way around, looking for time for family and life in general. When asked what my occupation is, I still can't bring myself to say I'm a writer. It's crazy but I guess it's because I'm not yet published. And why not, I hear you cry. Simply because I'm not ready. My manuscript is barely half done and so...

It hasn't been the best of days. The dark clouds and the threat of rain echo my inner feelings and it's all down to house hunting. It's  unbelievable  that there are so many houses languishing on the market and the one I want ends up going to sealed bids. This isn't the first time either - I lost a house a couple of months ago to a higher bidder. Having watched the  property  market like a hawk over the last four months, it's ironic that certain houses are gradually being reduced but none of that is in my favour. Typical! So, I have until Monday, 5:30pm to submit my best bid. (asking price already met!)  I have a feeling it's not meant to be and usually when that happens, I'm right - not that I'm psychic of course. I must confess that all the stress is having the worst effect on my novel writing. My output is down but the thoughts/ideas are still forming so at least I have that - I'ts just that I'm channelling them into different directions, s...

Published 2011. I read this a little while ago. It's the debut novel of Kate Lord Brown who has crafted history and fiction in harmony, introducing readers to the role of women in the Air Transport Auxiliary Unit during World War Two. What really drew me to it was that it's originality and it also features Amy Johnson in a cameo role, more interestingly opening with her voice thus conveying a sense of realism and immediacy, hooking the reader from the start. Amy begins: 'I have four and a half hours to live. I am leaning against the wing of the yellow-bellied Airspeed Oxford, smoking contentedly while the ground crew chaps run their final checks.' It's so simple and yet so clever and engaging. You can visualize the scene and one almost feels as though you were transported right there. Miss Johnson goes on to say, 'Call me Johnnie, by the way. Everyone does.' It's fascinating and warming to have a character, a real person in essence, to bol...