An author and an actor

A Worthing woman who suffered a life-changing stroke has gone on to achieve not one but two life-long ambitions: becoming a published author and a professional actress.

Eleven years ago, Suzanne Fearn’s future looked very different after she suffered a stroke. Faced with the challenges of recovery, Suzanne made a promise to herself that she would finally pursue the dreams she had always put on hold.

“Those dreams were simple but ambitious: to publish a novel and to become a professional actress,” she says.

Today, she has achieved both.

Suzanne has published her debut novel, The Secrets We Didn’t Keep, which she describes as “an emotional contemporary adult romance exploring love, marriage and the consequences of unexpected relationships.”

Alongside her writing career, she has also fulfilled her ambition of becoming a professional actress.

Although Suzanne has made an excellent recovery, she still experiences some of the lasting effects of her stroke. When tired, she can occasionally struggle to find the right words, making the process of writing a novel particularly challenging at times. However, she refused to let these setbacks stand in the way of achieving her goal of becoming a published author.

“After my stroke, I realised that life can change in an instant,” said Suzanne. “I decided that if there were things I had always wanted to do, I needed to stop saying ‘one day’ and start making them happen.”

“Writing had always been a passion, and The Secrets We Didn’t Keep represents a year of dedication and determination. Seeing the novel finally published has been the culmination of a dream.”

Suzanne hopes her story will encourage others not to give up on their ambitions, regardless of age or circumstances.

“If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, don’t wait,” she said. “Whether it’s writing a book, learning a skill or following a dream you’ve put aside, it’s never too late to start, and at the age of 66 I’m living proof.”

The Secrets We Didn’t Keep is available in paperback, hardback and Kindle formats through Amazon.